Artifact 1: Captain Thain MacDowell's helmet was decorated on the day he received his Victoria Cross at Vimy Ridge.
Political artifact
1917, Captain Thain MacDowell's helmet was decorated on the day he received his Victoria Cross at Vimy Ridge. Primary source.
Curated by Bao Bao.
The helmet was a significant thing towards general soldiers, which used to protect their head in the battles. Throughout the photo showcases, that helmet was worn by a famous Captain MacDowell’s who received an honorary prize for his agility in battle and brave fighting on 9 April 1917 when the Canadian Corps assaulted and gained Vimy Ridge in France.
A helmet is one of the essential equipment of soldiers in the war. It helps protect the head, the part that plays a critical role in humans, from guns and intense collisions with other objects around them. With the seemingly ordinary helmet shown above, it is especially so that Captain MacDowell's, the prestigious recipient of the Victoria Cross medal for the ingenious and courageous fighting in the Vimy match in France( 9-12 April 1917). It was one of the historical battles that made the Canadian military famous.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was Canada's most honoured decisive victory. This was the first time of the fighting combinations of the four divisions of the Canadian Corps. That was described as a “Birth of Nation”. It just lasted for four days from 9 to 12 April to battle accompanied years of unsuccessful efforts to recapture the ridge which had gone down into German hands throughout the previous improvements of 1914. Lt.-General Sir Julian Byng and Major-General Arthur Currier commended the struggle, which started on Easter morning at 5:30 am on 9 April in 1917 with the investment in careful preparation for the battle so as not to repeat the history of heavy losses in the past. With the success in using the new 106 fuses in shells and the intelligent tactics which were known as the “Creeping barrage”, the Canadian military has shown strength and ingenuity to fight to require intelligence, agility and very thorough training. The battle was a tactical victory, as Vimy Ridge was a crucial assessment juncture for the entire Douai plain, a key manufacturing and railroad area in northern France. It was also critical that the Canadian Corps, this small colonial operation, had attempted doing what both its former colonial powers were unable to do to restore the ridge.
Artifact 2: Women munition workers sorting shells during the First World War.
Almost factories were working places for women during the Great War (1914-1918). At that time, they were allowed to accomplish many different kinds of jobs as men did before. Women were the most critical contributors to daily life and war effort at the home front.
The photo of women working in the factory was expediency shows the social development in Canada during the Great War( 1914-1918). As a large number of men who served in World War I, there were many jobs left vacant. It led to the formation and renewal of women's roles in life and war. As women just were housewives before, many of them at that time could employ massive, or engineering and manufacturing machines served in civil service and factories. They did not only play an essential role in taking care of people but also contribute to the war effort. Without women’s endurance, there was difficulty in fighting and maintaining a good life for the country.
As the old saying goes, a woman was a robust backend of men. Social norms at that time allow them had three significant jobs, such as a nurse, teacher and maid. However, it could be changed during wartime when women could work as same jobs as men at the home front. They affirmed their usefulness and importance for the community and the country through being welcome and happy to work. It led to society has different eyesight about women; they started to stand for their rights, especially suffrage. Despite a short year from 1917-1918, with the strong resistance of the Frist feminist movement, the law was almost but not completely changed that women were allowed to vote. It is the first successful basis to lead Canada to become one of the best countries in the world, with the 3rd place in the 2019 rankings, for women as it is today.
Economy artifact
1914-1918, Women munition workers sorting shells during the First World War. Primary source. Curated by Bao Bao.
