Group scales Vimy Ridge in Waterton for 100th anniversary of battle
A small group of climbers took part in a memorial hike up Vimy Ridge in Waterton Lakes National Park on Thursday to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the First World War battle.
Members of Parks Canada, Canadian Armed Forces — Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry — British Army Training Unit Suffield, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Alpine Club of Canada took part in the event.
The commemorative team was led by Parks Canada. They carried and raised a Canadian flag that has flown over both the Peace Tower in Ottawa April 26, 2007, and the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France.
They also carried and raised the Canadian Red Ensign — the flag flown by Canada at the Battle of Vimy Ridge — and flags of the participating regiments and agencies.
Participants shared how the Battle of Vimy Ridge touched their personal lives and the organizations they represent.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was significant for being the first time the Canadian Expeditionary Force had all four of its divisions fighting together on one battlefield.
The battle took place on April 9 to 12, 1917, and resulted in more than 10,000 casualties and nearly 3,600 deaths on the Canadian side.
Strategically, the battle was a victory for the Canadians, who made significant progress pushing the German Sixth Army back where other countries had failed.