The Collection
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The British Ambulance Servicepublication Image from Nelson's Portfolio of War Pictures: No 4: Though motor ambluances are largely used in the rpesent war, the old-fashioned four-hourse Red Cross wagon is by no means superannuated. It is still used mainly for transferring the wounded from the actual fighting line and the dressinf stations immediately to the rear to the base, whwere smooth-travelling motors are assembled to convey the patients to the nearest hospital." Click to view… |
The Camosun 1916 Service Roll, page 1publication Service Roll from the Victoria High School publication The Camosun: The following is a partial list of Victoria High School graduates who are fighting at the front or have left the province to go to the front [including casualities and prisoners of war, if known] Click to view… |
The Camosun, 1916 Service Roll, page 2publication Service Roll from the Victoria High School publication The Camosun. The roll concludes with the quote: this England never did, nor never shall / Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror ... - King John Click to view… |
The Camosun, Service Roll, 1917, page 1publication Service Roll, Victoria High School publication The Camosun; the list includes masters, nurses and students, and notes those killed in action. The following is of necessity only a partial list of those high school masters and students who are either serving at the front or prearing to take their places there. Click to view… |
The Colonist,Service Roll, page 2publication Victoria High School publication The Camosun Service Roll for 1917 lists over 400 names. Click to view… |
"Canadian Troops Waiting to go into the Firing Line,"Canada in Khakipublication Image from Canada in Khaki. See link above to read Canada in Khaki online (via Internet Archive) Click to view… |
"Canadians at Rest Behind the Lines on the Somme / An Early Morning Shave," Canada in Khakipublication Image from Canada in Khaki. See link above to read Canada in Khaki online (via Internet Archive) Click to view… |
Nelson's Portfolio of War Pictures: No 4, coverpublication Each issue of Nelson's Portfolio of War Pictures issue covered a single theme on the war, usually chosen relating to geographical location, with approximately 30 pages of photographs, illustrations and text. Click to view… |
The Camosun, December 1917, coverpublication Victoria High School publication The Camosun Click to view… |
The Camosun, editorial, 1917, page 2publication The December 1917 Camosun editorial concludes: "To the relatives of Lieutenants Robin Gray and William Cutler, we extend our deepest sympathy. Both of the boys were intimately connected with the school's life in athletic and dramatic circles and the news of their deaths was a source of grief to their many personal friends." Click to view… |
The Daily Colonist, April 11, 1917, front pagepublication The front page of the Colonist refers to British advances on the Hindenberg Line, the line of German defenses in Northeastern France. On April 9,1917 the Canadian Corps attacked Vimy Ridge, a key position on the Hindenberg Line. By April 12, 1917 the military objectives had been met, but at a heavy price in casualties. Click to view… |
Daily Colonist, August 5, 1914, front pagepublication The Daily Colonist, August 5, 1914: The United Kingdom declared war on Germany, August 4th, 1914. Canada, as member of the Commonwealth, was therefore brought into the conflict. Click to view… |
The Daily Colonist, November 11, 1918, front pagepublication The Daily Colonist front page from November 11, 1918, announces the end of hostilities in Europe, as well as the news of local celebrations: At midnight tonight Vancouver turned out in full force to celebrate peace. Within a few minutes after the Canadian press wire had brought the news ... thousands of motor cars and tens of thousands of pedestrians were on the main streets ... Click to view… |
Willows Camp Entertainment, handbillephemera Handbill describing complimnetary entertainment by Officers and Men of the H.M.S. Lancaster, Tuesday July 17th at 7:30 pm Y.M.C.A. Hut. Willows Camp, from the Joseph B. Clearihue fonds. Program includes songs and music selections including "There's Only One England" and "Deep Blue Sea." Click to view… |
The Daily Colonist, September 14, 1918, inside pagepublication A page from the Daily Colonist reveals that while the newspaper documented the losses and events of the War in the local context, daily life continued, as evidenced by adverisements for clothing stores and bakeries. Click to view… |
September 15, 1918, inside pagepublication A page from the Daily Colonist records the losses of local armed forces personnel on European warfronts. Click to view… |
The Camosun, Lest We Forget, 1919publication Victoria High School publication The Camosun, memorial card 1919: To him who ne'er returns be eternal honour. May he march across the fields of France forever in man's memory! Forever may the sun at rising and At setting color the horizon with the Blood of his sacrifice ... Click to view… |
"Mail from Canada Arriving at the Front/Reading the Newspapers," Canada in Khaki publication Image from Canada in Khaki. See link above to read Canada in Khaki online (via Internet Archive). Click to view… |
The Last Moments of The Doomed Battleshippublication Image from Nelson's Portfolio of War Pictures: No 4: "This is certainly the most remarkable battle scene ever photographed. It represents the Blucher in the act of going down down. At the moment when the photograph was taken the 'sauve qui peut' was sounded. The bow of the sinking ship is to the right of the spectator. She turned over with a slow even movement, and when she was upside down floated for ten minutes." Click to view… |
62nd Field Battery & Ammunition Column of the 15th Artillary Brigadephotograph From the Elsie Allan fonds. Click to view… |
The Camosun, editorial, 1917, page 1publication Editorial from the December 1917 Victoria High School publication The Camosun: "The time again is drawing near when Christmas, symbolical of good cheer and happiness, will be celelbrated. Contrary to our hopes it will not witness peace, but at least, it may serve as a forerunner of that satate ..." Click to view… |
The Victoria Times, "Left with 11th C. M. R."publication From the Victoria Times newspaper: Son of Mr. and Mrs. F.H. Wills, 1002 Caledonia avenue, left here with the 11th C.M.R., recently ... He joined the 11th Battalion last March. His brothe, Archie Wills, formerly marine reporter on the Times, went away with the 62nd Battery, C.F.A. Click to view… |
The Daily Times,"Honor Roll Features Vic High Alumni," May 6, 1978publication Article by Elizabeth Forbes in The Daily Times: So many young men who left Victoria with the 15th Brigade on Sunday May 28th 1916 (after encamping on Macauley Plains [Esquimalt BC]) were - or had been - Victoria High School students. In some instances there were two or more from a family - Percy and Archie Wills, Jimmy and Claude Pottinger, Edgar and Victor Fawcett to name a few - and practically everyone on the brigade list was well known in the city. Click to view… |
The Victoria Times, "Mr. Archie Wills Joins 5th Regiment"publication From the Victoria Times newspaper: Mr. Archie Wills, for the last five years marine editor of the Victoria Times, resigned his office yesterday to join the 5th Regiment. He commences his military duties next Tuesday, and has made application for addimission to the next overseas draft ... Click to view… |
discharge certificategovernment document Official discharge certificate, Archie Wills fonds: This is to certify that No. 1260347 (Rank) Sgt. Henry Archibald Wills enlisted with the 5th Regiment C.G.A. 62nd Batty.15th B.D.E.,C.F.A. Canadian Expeditionary Force at Victoria BC 13th day of April 1916. He served in France with the 14th B.D.E. C.F.A. and is now discharged from the service by reason of DEMOBILIZATION. Click to view… |
The Ypres Salientpoem From the Archie Wills fonds, The Ypes Salient by R.N. Clements, M.C.: ...In that sea of mud you can feel your blood go cold as you shake with fright / And among the dead you raise your head to stand to your post to fight / So few survive and are still alive / when at last relief breaks through / And the press reports all quiet / as they bury the lads they knew ... Click to view… |
Canadian Soldiers in uniform at Fort Macauley, 1916photograph Canadian soldiers pose for a photogrpaph in full uniform at Fort Macauley training camp, Esquimalt BC, 1916, from the Archie Wills fonds. Unable to join an aerial corps (he had a life-long interest in aviation), Archie joined the 58th Battery, Canadian Forces Artillery. He trained at Fort MacAulay, Petawawa, and Witley (England) and then saw sixteen months of action in France. Click to view… |
Message from King George V or "The Thanks for Three Years' Fighting"correspondence From the Archie Wills fonds, message from King George V to commonwealth armed forces personnel returning home after cessation of hostilities: "Buckingham Palace - The Queen and I wish you God-speed, and a safe reurn to your homes and dear ones. A gratful Mother Country is proud of your splendid services characterized by your unsurpassed devotion and courage. - George R. J." Click to view… |
Leaving Victoria, May 28, 1916photograph Canadian Soldiers, including Archie Wills, leaving Victoria from the Inner Harbour, for training and then deployment on May 28, 1916, from the Archie Wills fonds. Click to view… |
Poem, A Soldier's Prayerprayer Soldier's Prayer from Archie Wills fonds: Lord, ere I join in deadly strife / And battle's terrors dare / First would I render soul and life / To Thine Almighty care / And when grim death / in smoke-wreaths robed / Comes thundering o'er the scene / What fear can reach the soldier's heart / Whose trust in Thee has been? Click to view… |
Troops leaving Victoria on board a ship, May,1916photograph Image of troops leaving Victoria (Empress Hotel in the background) for training, the Atlantic crossing to England, then deployment to the battlefields of Europe, from the Archie Wills fonds. Click to view… |