For many, the Battle of Vimy Ridge, spanning four days, symbolizes Canada's emerging national identity and the sacrifices made by its soldiers, including eight from Swift Current.
The battle, which took place April 9 to 12, 1917, about 175 kilometres from Paris, France, was a crucial victory for Canadian forces during World War I over the German army.
John Griffin, a local resident with deep personal ties to the war and the Royal Canadian Legion, said Vimy Ridge's legacy and has a large connection to Swift Current.
"The battle played a vital role in Canada's journey toward independence, helping the country secure its signature on the Treaty of Versailles and establishing a distinct national identity on the global stage" he said.
Many soldiers from the 209th Swift Current Battalion, including Griffin's great-grandfather, Charles David Griffin, experienced their first significant combat at Vimy Ridge. For these men, the battle began a legacy of bravery and sacrifice that would forever be linked to Swift Current.
While the victory at Vimy Ridge was pivotal, it came at a tremendous cost. Over four days of intense fighting, approximately 10,600 Canadian soldiers were casualties, with almost 3,600 killed or dying from their wounds.
"The cost of this victory was steep, but it was a crucial turning point in the war," Griffin remarked.
Swift Current, a city with a much smaller population in 1917 of 3,181 according to the 1916 Census, felt the loss deeply. Eight men from Swift Current were killed during the battle, and six of them perished on the same day, an unimaginable loss for such a small community.
The loss of six citizens on the same day shocked the community," Griffin reflected. "The town was still growing, and the grief felt by families and residents would have been immeasurable."
Griffin took a moment to remember the men from Swift Current who gave their lives at Vimy Ridge. He provided a list of the fallen soldiers, sharing their names and ages, ensuring that their sacrifice would not be forgotten:
Lt. Alexander Farquhar MacDonald Age 35
Private Alfred Biddulph Age 29
Private Paul Blanchette Age 26
Private John Allen (aka John Henry Ford) Age 36
Private Robert Gordon Hadden Age 19
Private Frederick Henry Hulbig Age 29
Private Charles White Age 40
Lt. John James Doble Age 34
Griffin emphasized the importance of remembering these soldiers, noting there aren't any veterans from the Great War still alive, the stories of these men and women remain an essential part of Swift Current's heritage. We must ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten.