Vimy's Valour- The 95th Anniversary/ Remembrance of #Vimy

       It's been ninety- five years since the battle of Vimy Ridge but Vimy was a key battle in the birth of our nationhood of Canada. Instead of just feeling like British subjects, our troops coming together to achieve a great victory and not only help the world but save our country from the enemies tyranny made the people of Canada proud to be Canadian. These young men had families like us and lives but they gave their blood and many their lives so we could have peace.So ninety five years alter we thank them. My poem of thanks for them below.

Vimy’s Valour

On Vimy’s ridge they made their stand

To take back the ridge and all the land

By nightfall after three battling long days

As around them as they did gaze

Three thousand five hundred and ninety eight

Died for country and kin their fate,

While lying wounded seven thousand and four

Did rally wounded evermore,

John George Pattison, Lance-Sergeant Ellis Wellwood Sifton

And William Johnstone Milne

Crawled over hill and dale

To save their men

Dogging bullets and to hell they did send

Killing the enemies one by one

And stopping the gun

From killing their troops

They gave their lives to try it all again

Thain Wendell MacDowell did the same surviving a wounded hand

Thwarting seventy seven German forces taking back the land

As they surrendered and held despite his gash

All four received Victoria’s Cross.

One retained their life

And continued obtaining a wife

But we remember their valour still

And celebrate their lives

Though ninety five years have passed

We forget you not

Canadians all brave, and true.

You made Canadians proud

And we thank you.

© Sheilagh Lee   April 9, 2012  

Quoted From Wikipedia: The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the Canadian Corps, of four divisions, against three divisions of the German Sixth Army. The battle, which took place from 9 to 12 April 1917, was part of the opening phase of the British-led Battle of Arras, a diversionary attack for the French Nivelle Offensive.

The objective of the Canadian Corps was to take control of the German-held high ground along an escarpment at the northernmost end of the Arras Offensive. This would ensure that the southern flank could advance without suffering German enfilade fire. Supported by a creeping barrage, the Canadian Corps captured most of the ridge during the first day of the attack. The town of Thélus fell during the second day of the attack, as did the crest of the ridge once the Canadian Corps overcame a salient of considerable German resistance. The final objective, a fortified knoll located outside the town of Givenchy-en-Gohelle, fell to the Canadian Corps on 12 April. The German forces then retreated to the Oppy–Méricourt line.