VIMY 3, 12, 13

The battle that made Canada a country.

William Guinan survived the battle for Vimy Ridge that took the lives of 3,598 Canadian soldiers. Ironically – and sadly – he was killed in another battle six weeks later.

William’s nephew, John Guinan, never had the chance to meet him but feels it’s important to honour the memory of those who fought at Vimy Ridge.

During a 100th anniversary commemoration of the battle at the Truro Cenotaph he will share his uncle’s story.

“These were regular guys from here who gave their lives,” he said. “He was a stretcher bearer and would have seen some horrible things. He was 26 when he died and if I don’t remember him, who will?”

When his son Chris graduated from high school the two went to England and France, and visited the Vimy Ridge Memorial.

“It was so emotional to be there and get a feel for the place and what these guys did,” he said. “We were the first ones in the family to see William’s grave.”

He was also able to visit the grave of Herman Black, a family member killed at Vimy Ridge. The battle marked the first time all-Canadian divisions fought together and their victory is often considered Canada’s birth as an independent nation.

At 5:30 a.m. on April 9, 1917

(Easter Monday), the Canadian forces moved through sleet and snow, toward the Germans. They carried at least 32 kilograms of equipment and a considerable

amount of weight in mud that caked clothing and gear.

Three of the four divisions captured their part of the ridge by midday, and in the final stage a Canadian division was assisted by the British 13th Brigade, which fell under its command for the operation.

During battle at Vimy, the Canadian Corps had captured more ground, more prisoners and more guns than any previous British offensive had during the war.

John Guinan plans to return to France this spring.

“I’ve been able to get a lot of his records and, in a sense, follow William’s footsteps,” he said.

“This year, on the anniversary of his death, I want to be as close as possible to the actual spot where he was killed.”

April 9 has been declared Vimy Day in Truro and a ceremony

will be held at the Cenotaph on that day at 11 a.m.

File

SUbMiTTed William Guinan, John Guinan’s uncle and a resident of Truro, fought at Vimy without sustaining an injury. Subsequently, he died in battle five weeks later.

SUbMiTTed John Guinan’s uncle Herman Black, from Oxford, was killed during battle at Vimy Ridge.