[email protected]
ROBIN ESROCK - BESTSELLING AUTHOR, SPEAKER, TV HOST
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • BOOKS
  • SPEAKING
  • BLOG
  • TV
  • PARTNERS
  • MEDIA
    • PHOTOS >
      • Favourite Photos
      • Esrock in Photos
      • Download Bio Photo
      • VIDEO
  • CONTACT

Remembering Remembrance Day

11/4/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Credit: Flickr CC https://flic.kr/p/5R5sUR
The Great Wars of Europe killed around 40 million soldiers, and as many as 70 million civilians.   Without attempting to understand all this carnage, all I can say is that then, as now, somebody had to something about a situation that had become unacceptable.    Somebody, in that case, was the domain of brave young men, including too many Canadian boys cut down in their prime.    We remember them with over six thousand Canadian war memorials, honouring their names and sacrifice.   Here are a few important ones you might find overseas, and the stories behind them.
Picture
Credit: Flickr CC https://flic.kr/p/owVPPV
Vimy Ridge, France
​

Canadians lost around 65,000 soldiers in the human meat grinder that was World War 1 trench warfare.  Their proudest moment at Vimy Ridge is one that many historians credit with establishing Canada’s identity as a young nation.   Canadian battalions joined together for the first time to attack fortified German positions, sweeping forward with small victories, gaining as little as 100m at a push.   The casualty count was high, but Canadian grit persevered, and the Germans were eventually overrun.   In gratitude for their efforts, having contributed to a pivotal victory in the war, France gave the battlefield to Canada to forever establish a memorial, to both the soldiers who died at Vimy Ridge, and those who died elsewhere in the country without receiving a proper burial.  Located 8km outside of the town of Arras, the 250 acre site is one of the few places to see actual WW1 trenches, although much of it is closed because of unexploded ammunition, and other safety reasons.   Hundreds of thousands of people visit the memorial every year, be they proud Canadians, military buffs or veterans honouring the past.
Picture
Credit: Flickr CC https://flic.kr/p/knYwm
The Brookwood Memorial, England
​

The UK’s largest is military and civilian is Brookwood in the county of Surrey.  It contains a 37-acre military section with memorials and burial grounds for over 5000 soldiers, mostly from the Commonwealth.   Over 2731 Canadian soldiers are buried here, the vast majority from the Second World War.  Located on green and peaceful grounds, the impressive circular Brookwood Memorial was unveiled by the Queen in 1953, with the names of 3500 soldiers "to whom the fortunes of war denied a known and honoured grave". The Canadian High Commission holds a Remembrance Day service here each year. ​
Picture
Wikimedia Commons
Gapyeong Monument, South Korea
​

When North Korea invaded its southern counterpart in 1950, Canadian troops became a significant part of an international force assembled by the United Nations.   Some 27,000 troops were involved in the conflict, comprising members of air, sea and land divisions.    While there is still conflict in the region, the armistice has held since 1953.  Today,  a South Korean and Canadian flag fly together at the Gapyeong Monument, which contains two additional memorials on either side, honouring the 2nd Battalion for the their efforts in the Battle of Hill 677, and naming all participating Canadian units respectively.  According to a plaque on the main monument, Canadian forces suffered 516 deaths, and 1255 wounded during the war.  It further mentions that “these valiant Canadians embodied their country's commitments to safeguard the fundamental principles of the United Nations.”   Much as they continue to do today as part of the international forces securing Afghanistan from the Taliban. ​
Picture
Credit: Flickr CC https://flic.kr/p/SnZGq
Kandahar, Afghanistan
​

The war against an internationally condemned regime continues in Afghanistan, which, like all wars, dooms its soldiers, civilians and victims to violence and struggle.   In Kandahar, where Canadian forces have been particularly involved in operations, a Memorial Inuksuk and plaque honours the 152 soldiers who have perished thus far in the country, along with other coalition soldiers who have fallen.
Picture
Credit: Flickr CC https://flic.kr/p/9YSLYS
Malta Memorial, Malta
​

At the entrance to Malta’s capital city of Valetta, a memorial honours 2298  Commonwealth air crew who perished in the battle over the Mediterranean, with no known graves.  A striking bronze-plated Golden Eagle sits atop a circular column, with panels on the base inscribed with the names of the fallen, including 285 Royal Canadian Air Force members.  The inscription reads: over these and neighbouring lands and seas the airmen whose names are recorded here fell in raid or sortie and have no known grave.   A  further Latin inscription, translated into English states: An island resolute of purpose remembers resolute men.
Picture
Credit: Flickr CC https://flic.kr/p/85xMZ5
St Julien Memorial, Belgium
​

The use of poison gas is so despised today that it helped form the basis of the USA’s decision to invade Iraq.  Even in the bloodiest of wars, soldiers have honour.   In World War I, Germany pioneered using mustard gas against the Allied forces, resulting in utter devastation and horror.    In Belgium’s St Julien sits a park with a memorial to Canadian forces who were instrumental in defending the Western Front against some of the first poison gas attacks in the bloody Battle of Ypres.   With the gas unleashed, Allied lines scattered in panic.  Before the German infantry could attack, the First Canadian Division assembled into position, frantically holding the line in the wave of repeated attacks.  They held the line for 48 hours before reinforcements arrived.  Over 6000 casualties, and 2000 dead.   Carved in rock, the memorial is a striking 11m high statue called The Brooding Soldier, his head forever lowered in memory of his comrades.
Picture
Credit: Flickr CC https://flic.kr/p/fMo7SS
Passchendaele Memorial, Belgium
November, 1917.   In 16 days of heavy fighting, the Canadian Corps were hit with 15 654 casualties and over 4 000 dead, all in a quest to occupy the high ground and capture the town of Passchendaele.   Heavy rain and poor drainage turned this offence, part of the Third Battle of Ypres, into a muddy, bloody quagmire.   4000 young men with dreams, hopes and families.  Men who could have worked the land, started innovative businesses, built homes for future generations.  Standing waist high in cold mud, their friends falling around them, they continued to push on, eventually capturing the high ground.  When the Italian army were badly beaten elsewhere, British Commanders diverted operations to support them, abandoning the momentum created during two phases of battle, and at a great cost of life.   Passchendaele became an international symbol of senseless violence.  The Memorial, located on the Crest Farm about 40km from Lille, is a large block of Canadian granite, surrounded by maple trees.    Surrounding it are peaceful green fields. Enough blood has been shed here.   As Churchill  said not long after the horrors of World War I: “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”     And we did. ​
0 Comments
    Greetings. 
    ​Please come in. Mahalo for removing your shoes.


    ​After years running a behemoth of a blog called Modern Gonzo, I've decided to a: publish a book or eight, and b: make my stories more digestible, relevant, and deserving of your battered attention.

    ​Here you will find some of my adventures to over 120 countries, travel tips and advice, rantings, ravings, commentary, observations and ongoing adventures.

    Previously...

    April 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    May 2024
    March 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012


    Categories

    All
    Adrenaline
    Adventure
    Africa
    Airports
    Albania
    Alberta
    Anguilla
    Animals
    Antarctica
    Arctic
    Argentina
    Art
    Asia
    Australia
    Awards
    Backpacking
    Bali
    Beaches
    Belgium
    Belize
    Bike
    Boats
    Bolivia
    Books
    Botswana
    Brazil
    British Columbia
    Bucket List
    Bulgaria
    Cambodia
    Canada
    Caribbean
    Central America
    Chile
    China
    Climate
    Colombia
    Commentary
    Contests
    Cook Islands
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Cruise
    Cuba
    Culture
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Diving
    Ecuador
    England
    Estonia
    Ethiopia
    Europe
    Family
    Family Travel
    Finland
    Fishing
    Flying
    Food And Wine
    France
    Galapagos
    Gear
    Genealogy
    Georgia
    Germany
    Gift Guide
    Great Britain
    Greenland
    Halloween
    Hawaii
    Hike
    History
    Holland
    Hong Kong
    Horse
    Hotels
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indigenous
    Indonesia
    Industry
    Interview
    Iran
    Ireland
    Islands
    Israel
    Issues
    Italy
    Japan
    Jordan
    Lakes
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lithuania
    Malaysia
    Malta
    Mancations
    Mauritius
    Mexico
    Mongolia
    Mountains
    Movies
    Myanmar
    News
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    North America
    North Korea
    Norway
    Nunavut
    Panama
    Papua New Guinea
    Peru
    Philippines
    Photo Galleries
    Portugal
    Quirky
    Rafting
    Reviews
    Rivers
    Road Trip
    Romania
    Russia
    Sailing
    Saudi Arabia
    Scotland
    Ski
    Slovenia
    Snowboard
    South Africa
    South America
    South Korea
    Speaking
    Sponsored
    Sport
    Sri Lanka
    Sustainability
    Sweden
    Taiwan
    Technology
    Thailand
    The Netherlands
    Tibet
    Tourism
    Train
    Transylvania
    Travel Tips
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Ukraine
    United States
    Usa
    Vancouver
    Venezuela
    Victoria
    Vietnam
    Volcanoes
    Water
    Weird
    Winter
    Zanzibar
    Ziplining

    RSS Feed

Picture

Subscribe

​
​Subscribe to my newsletter for infrequent inspiration
​

    Sorry about the hurdles, it filters out the $#!% spammers! ​

Subscribe

Coming Fall 2025

Picture

Quick Links


Books

About

Speaking

Media

TV

Photo

Contact

 Copyright Esrock World Media 2005-2024 

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • BOOKS
  • SPEAKING
  • BLOG
  • TV
  • PARTNERS
  • MEDIA
    • PHOTOS >
      • Favourite Photos
      • Esrock in Photos
      • Download Bio Photo
      • VIDEO
  • CONTACT