Introduction:
Canada was a relatively small country at the outbreak of the First World War, with a total population that was just shy of 8 million strong (1). By the time the war finally concluded, over 600,000 Canadians had served in the military, a taxing number for a nation of such a small size. Yet what is even more curious about this number is that only around half of those 600,000 soldiers were born in Canada, meaning the other half was made up of foreign-born men (2). Canada was of course a nation that had welcomed thousands of immigrants, so it is no surprise many enlisted, yet they did so in excess of their percentage of the population compared to the native-born Canadians (2). This begs such inquires as, who were these men, where were they from, and what drove them to enlist in such numbers? In the hopes of answering these very questions, a number of soldiers featured on this website will be examined alongside historical data.
United Kingdom:
The majority of foreign-born soldiers in the CEF unsurprisingly came from the ‘old country’ or the United Kingdom, which included England, Scotland, and Ireland at the time. Much of the attraction to Canada came in the form of the untapped natural resources and economic opportunities that abounded compared to the mostly developed United Kingdom. Most of these men had only left the United Kingdom just after 1900 and therefore had a distinct connection to it still. So, when the call for men went out, they joined in mass with a little under half of the CEF being U.K. born men (2). This is a particularly poignant number considering “only 10 percent of the population of Canada was British born” yet they made up nearly half the total force (2). A common occurrence among many of these British-born volunteers was that they had previous experience in the military. This typically was not conflict experience with most being former members of the militia or having spent a couple years in South Africa on occupation duty. This prior experience and deep connection to aid the U.K. certainly pushed many to serve and accounts for their high voluntary enlistment rate.
Osmund Julius Wheatley:
Osmund very much fits the typical picture of a British-born volunteer in the CEF as painted above. He was born and lived in Bedfordshire, England where he served with the local regiment for 4 years in country. Upon his discharge, he immigrated to Western Canada where he worked with the Northwest Mounted Police. He is unique in that he became involved in the Canadian military and even returned to the United Kingdom where he served with the Red Cross in the Balkan wars. When the war broke out in 1914, he was located in Alaska where he was working as a miner, returning to Canada to enlist in December of 1914.
Osmund very much fits the typical picture of a British-born volunteer in the CEF as painted above. He was born and lived in Bedfordshire, England where he served with the local regiment for 4 years in country. Upon his discharge, he immigrated to Western Canada where he worked with the Northwest Mounted Police. He is unique in that he became involved in the Canadian military and even returned to the United Kingdom where he served with the Red Cross in the Balkan wars. When the war broke out in 1914, he was located in Alaska where he was working as a miner, returning to Canada to enlist in December of 1914.
William Henry Wisdom:
William also had prior military experience having served for 4 years in artillery units in England. He was born in Accrington, England and immigrated to Paris, Ontario where he worked as a mill worker. Though in his 40’s, he volunteered in February of 1916.
William also had prior military experience having served for 4 years in artillery units in England. He was born in Accrington, England and immigrated to Paris, Ontario where he worked as a mill worker. Though in his 40’s, he volunteered in February of 1916.
David Percy Reynolds:
David immigrated to Canada from Glasgow, Scotland with his wife Jeanie in 1906. He settled in Toronto and worked in a munitions plant during the war years. Despite having two young children and a war effort related job, his patriotic spirit led him to enlist in May of 1916. David had served for 7 years previously in the 71st Regiment, which was part of the Highland Light Infantry.
David immigrated to Canada from Glasgow, Scotland with his wife Jeanie in 1906. He settled in Toronto and worked in a munitions plant during the war years. Despite having two young children and a war effort related job, his patriotic spirit led him to enlist in May of 1916. David had served for 7 years previously in the 71st Regiment, which was part of the Highland Light Infantry.
William George Ward:
At the time of the conflict, Ireland was still entirely part of the United Kingdom, though the easter uprising of 1916 would change that. It appears that separatism wasn’t as strong among the Irish who immigrated to Canada as it was with those in the United States. William Ward was a Irishman, having been born in Monkstown, Ireland. He immigrated to Winnipeg where he worked as a traveling salesman. Interestingly, he did not have any military experience from his time in the UK but did become involved in the Canadian active militia before volunteering in June of 1915.
At the time of the conflict, Ireland was still entirely part of the United Kingdom, though the easter uprising of 1916 would change that. It appears that separatism wasn’t as strong among the Irish who immigrated to Canada as it was with those in the United States. William Ward was a Irishman, having been born in Monkstown, Ireland. He immigrated to Winnipeg where he worked as a traveling salesman. Interestingly, he did not have any military experience from his time in the UK but did become involved in the Canadian active militia before volunteering in June of 1915.
Frank Ernest Waters:
Frank Waters was a tailor from Portsmouth, England who immigrated to Montreal in 1903. He did not have any prior military experience but volunteered in August of 1916. Like many Englishmen, he had the opportunity to return home to visit old friends and relatives well on leave during his training. Such an opportunity might not have been possible if not for the war.
Frank Waters was a tailor from Portsmouth, England who immigrated to Montreal in 1903. He did not have any prior military experience but volunteered in August of 1916. Like many Englishmen, he had the opportunity to return home to visit old friends and relatives well on leave during his training. Such an opportunity might not have been possible if not for the war.
George Ernest Grigsby:
George Grigsby was born in Cranbrook, England and immigrated to Canada in 1912. He would settle in Bridgeburg, Ontario where he worked as a locomotive fireman in this major railroad hub. Despite having only been in the country for a handful of years and having no prior military experience, he enlisted in August of 1915.
George Grigsby was born in Cranbrook, England and immigrated to Canada in 1912. He would settle in Bridgeburg, Ontario where he worked as a locomotive fireman in this major railroad hub. Despite having only been in the country for a handful of years and having no prior military experience, he enlisted in August of 1915.
William Ferguson Fleming:
Though much of William Ferguson's prior life remains a mystery, he was for sure born in Glasgow, Scotland and immigrated to St. Catharines, Ontario. He like many other emigrants from the U.K. pursued agricultural work, an industry which at the the time in Canada had a high demand for labor that could not be filled by local men. William would initially serve in the active militia before volunteering in August of 1915.
Though much of William Ferguson's prior life remains a mystery, he was for sure born in Glasgow, Scotland and immigrated to St. Catharines, Ontario. He like many other emigrants from the U.K. pursued agricultural work, an industry which at the the time in Canada had a high demand for labor that could not be filled by local men. William would initially serve in the active militia before volunteering in August of 1915.
Edward John Southgate:
The majority of British-born Canadians with prior service in the Boer War did not see major combat if any. This was not the case for Edward Southgate who was a veteran of infamous battles such as Talana Hill and Lombards Kop. He served in Kings Royal Rifle Corps in South Africa from 1899 to 1900 as a mounted soldier. Upon discharge, he returned to South Africa in 1901 as a member of the South African Constabulary. Following his second discharge, he would immigrate to Canada in 1902 settling in Hamilton, Ontario. Edward was part of the active militia and volunteered for overseas service in April of 1915.
The majority of British-born Canadians with prior service in the Boer War did not see major combat if any. This was not the case for Edward Southgate who was a veteran of infamous battles such as Talana Hill and Lombards Kop. He served in Kings Royal Rifle Corps in South Africa from 1899 to 1900 as a mounted soldier. Upon discharge, he returned to South Africa in 1901 as a member of the South African Constabulary. Following his second discharge, he would immigrate to Canada in 1902 settling in Hamilton, Ontario. Edward was part of the active militia and volunteered for overseas service in April of 1915.
United States of America:
Another prominent group of foreign soldiers in the CEF were Americans who made up around 10% of the entire force (3). Though the classic narrative seems to be that most were thrill seeking adventurers (which was true for some), the overall majority typically had some sort of relation to Canada or the United Kingdom. The United States had remained a popular destination for many British emigrants so there was a wealth of 1st generation Americans with British roots who were sought out to join the CEF. The proximity between the two countries and relative mobility in the northeast also contributed to the surge of American volunteers. A number of Americans had also of course moved to Canada as is typical when countries share a border.
James Gordon Lantz:
James Lantz was born in Penicook, New Hampshire where his Nova Scotian parents had settled. He appears to have spent time in-between the two countries, eventually moving to British Columbia where he worked as a carpenter. In October of 1917, he was called up to join the CEF and attested for service. Following the war, James returned to the United States.
James Lantz was born in Penicook, New Hampshire where his Nova Scotian parents had settled. He appears to have spent time in-between the two countries, eventually moving to British Columbia where he worked as a carpenter. In October of 1917, he was called up to join the CEF and attested for service. Following the war, James returned to the United States.
Clifford Henry Todhunter:
The Todhunter family immigrated to the United States in 1907, settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Clifford had been born in Sussex, England, but grew up in the United States where he eventually took up work as a machine-hand. In April of 1917, he crossed the border and enlisted in Toronto.
The Todhunter family immigrated to the United States in 1907, settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Clifford had been born in Sussex, England, but grew up in the United States where he eventually took up work as a machine-hand. In April of 1917, he crossed the border and enlisted in Toronto.
Reginald Edgar Todhunter:
Reginald was an adult when the Todhunter family emigrated from England. He had been born in London, but chose to settle in the United States with his parents and siblings. He married a Pennsylvanian in 1912 and they had their first child the following year. He was working as an artist in State Island, New York when he chose to cross the border and enlist in Toronto in June of 1918.
Reginald was an adult when the Todhunter family emigrated from England. He had been born in London, but chose to settle in the United States with his parents and siblings. He married a Pennsylvanian in 1912 and they had their first child the following year. He was working as an artist in State Island, New York when he chose to cross the border and enlist in Toronto in June of 1918.
Other Countries:
Many non-Anglo foreign men from Canada also volunteered in large numbers, some forming their own specific units. The motivations of these men were different than the American or British-born individuals as they typically did not have a connection to the Commonwealth. Their motivation seems to stem from their loyalty to Canada or from the loyalty to their former homelands in the cases of some Eastern Europeans. A large number of these varied peoples came from Western Canada where the availability of farmland had attracted an immigration boom in the early 1900s. Significant numbers of Scandinavians, Czechs, Romanians, Russians, Poles, Japanese, and French among many others made up the ranks of the CEF (3). Of key note are the many Ukrainians and Germans who joined up despite being labeled potential enemies of the state given their ethnicity (3). Though none of these groups made up as large of a percentage of the CEF like the British or Americans, they still contributed a large number of men in proportion to their relative presence in Canada.
Leon Adrien Aurelien Cattin:
Leon Cattin was born and lived in Chause-de-fonds, Switzerland where he worked briefly as a pastry chef before moving to London, England. He eventually immigrated to Canada via the United States, working in Toronto prior to settling in Hamilton, Ontario. Here he worked as a farmer, intending to take advantage of the availability of fertile land in Southern Ontario (which he did following the war). In January of 1917, he would volunteer in the CEF.
Leon Cattin was born and lived in Chause-de-fonds, Switzerland where he worked briefly as a pastry chef before moving to London, England. He eventually immigrated to Canada via the United States, working in Toronto prior to settling in Hamilton, Ontario. Here he worked as a farmer, intending to take advantage of the availability of fertile land in Southern Ontario (which he did following the war). In January of 1917, he would volunteer in the CEF.
Gilwald Stanely Sandman:
Though born in Plymouth, England, Gilwald Sandman is of particular interest as his father was a German who had immigrated to England. Stanley left England at a young age with his family for Coboconk, Ontario where he would end up working as a mill worker. Though English-born, his German side of the family would have made him a person of suspect to the Canadian government. If he joined up, he also ran the risk of facing off against some of his own relatives. Yet his loyalty to the crown proved truer and he volunteered in the CEF in July of 1916.
Though born in Plymouth, England, Gilwald Sandman is of particular interest as his father was a German who had immigrated to England. Stanley left England at a young age with his family for Coboconk, Ontario where he would end up working as a mill worker. Though English-born, his German side of the family would have made him a person of suspect to the Canadian government. If he joined up, he also ran the risk of facing off against some of his own relatives. Yet his loyalty to the crown proved truer and he volunteered in the CEF in July of 1916.
Karl Oskar Martiniusen Bjerke:
Karl Bjerke was born in Ostre Toten, Norway and was brought by his parents to North Dakota in 1892. Despite being in the United States, Karl was raised in a predominately Norwegian community, with many from his region having left on account of Norway's economic stagnation. In 1906, Karl moved with his son and parents to Pelly, Saskatchewan where he homesteaded. Despite having lost his wife, he left his son in the hands of his parents, and volunteered in May 1915.
Karl Bjerke was born in Ostre Toten, Norway and was brought by his parents to North Dakota in 1892. Despite being in the United States, Karl was raised in a predominately Norwegian community, with many from his region having left on account of Norway's economic stagnation. In 1906, Karl moved with his son and parents to Pelly, Saskatchewan where he homesteaded. Despite having lost his wife, he left his son in the hands of his parents, and volunteered in May 1915.
References:
(1) “Canada at War.” Canadian War Museum, https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/going-to-war/canada-enters-the-war/canada-at-war/
(2) “French Canada and Recruitment During the First World War.” Canadian War Museum, https://www.warmuseum.ca/learn/dispatches/french-canada-and-recruitment-during-the-first-world-war/#tabs.
(3) Cook, Tim. “The Canadian Great War Soldier.” The Canadian Encyclopedia , 7 Aug. 2014, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/the-canadian-great-war-soldier.
(1) “Canada at War.” Canadian War Museum, https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/going-to-war/canada-enters-the-war/canada-at-war/
(2) “French Canada and Recruitment During the First World War.” Canadian War Museum, https://www.warmuseum.ca/learn/dispatches/french-canada-and-recruitment-during-the-first-world-war/#tabs.
(3) Cook, Tim. “The Canadian Great War Soldier.” The Canadian Encyclopedia , 7 Aug. 2014, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/the-canadian-great-war-soldier.