Canada and the Battle of Vimy Ridge 9 April 1917

Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Currie (center)
Photo by William Rider-Rider
(Imperial War Museum, CO1970)

Every April 9th Canadians pause to remember one of its country's most famous battles - Vimy Ridge. Nearly a century ago in 1917, after years of failed attempts by the British and French armies to push the German defenders off the heights, the 4 division strong Canadian Corps stormed the heavily fortified ridge and succeeded in capturing the majority of it in a single day. By 12 April, the remaining pockets of German resistance crumbled under the weight of repeated Canadian attacks, marking a stunning tactical success in what otherwise became yet another failed British offensive on the Western Front that year.

Interestingly, the Battle of Vimy Ridge was neither the most costly or the most significant Canadian battle of the First World War, and as many historians have recently argued other engagements - Passchendaele, Hill 70, Amiens, and the Canal du Nord were similarly significant in establishing the remarkable Canadian reputation of being the 'shock troops of the British Empire". Even Canada's most widely recognized General of the Great War - Sir Arthur Currie - would earn his great reputation not on the heights of Vimy Ridge where his own division had a relatively easier fight than others, but rather in later battles where he repeatedly proved his tactical genius over his adversaries.

Sources on the history of the battle are plentiful as you can see from the references listed below. As such it serves as a tremendously interesting and poignant background to the collection of Canadian Ex Libris, books, and ephemera associated with the battle. Most of the items in my own archive are books and ephemera, bits and pieces I've collected along the way over the years. I've yet to come across a bookplate making specific mention of the battle in its composition, and would be interested to know if anyone else has. Otherwise, for now the search continues.

In other news, I'm still going through the pile of 19th century bookplates. I'll post a few this weekend that I'm currently researching. Until next time ....


Further Reading on the Battle of Vimy Ridge, 9-12 April 1917

• Barris, Ted (2007), Victory at Vimy: Canada Comes of Age, April 9–12, 1917, Toronto: Thomas Allen Publishers, ISBN 0-88762-253-4
• Barton, Peter; Doyle, Peter; Vandewalle, Johan (2004), Beneath Flanders Fields: The Tunnellers' War 1914–1918, Montreal & Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, ISBN 0-7735-2949-7
• Bechthold, Mike (2007), "In the Shadow of Vimy Ridge: The Canadian Corps in April and May 1917", in Hayes, Geoffrey; Iarocci, Andrew; Bechthold, Mike, Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment, Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, pp. 239–264, ISBN 0-88920-508-6
• Boire, Michael (Spring 1992), "The Underground War: Military Mining Operations in support of the attack on Vimy Ridge, 9 April 1917" (PDF), Canadian Military History (Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies) 1 (1–2): 15–24, retrieved 2 January 2008
• Boire, Michael (2007), "The Battlefield before the Canadians, 1914–1916", in Hayes, Geoffrey; Iarocci, Andrew; Bechthold, Mike, Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment, Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, pp. 51–61, ISBN 0-88920-508-6
• Brennan, Patrick (2007), "Julian Byng and Leadership in the Canadian Corps", in Hayes, Geoffrey; Iarocci, Andrew; Bechthold, Mike, Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment, Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, pp. 87–104, ISBN 0-88920-508-6
• Campbell, David (2007), "The 2nd Canadian Division: A 'Most Spectacular Battle'", in Hayes, Geoffrey; Iarocci, Andrew; Bechthold, Mike, Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment, Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, pp. 171–192, ISBN 0-88920-508-6
• Chasseaud, Peter (1999), Artillery’s Astrologers – A History of British Survey and Mapping on the Western Front 1914–1918, Lewes: Mapbooks, ISBN 0-9512080-2-0
• Cook, Tim (2007), "The Gunners of Vimy Ridge: 'We are Hammering Fritz to Pieces'", in Hayes, Geoffrey; Iarocci, Andrew; Bechthold, Mike, Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment, Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, pp. 105–124, ISBN 0-88920-508-6
• Cook, Tim (1999), "'A Proper Slaughter': The March 1917 Gas Raid at Vimy" (PDF), Canadian Military History (Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies) 8 (2): 7–24, retrieved 2 January 2008
• Corkerry, Shaun (2001), Instructions for the Training of Divisions for Offensive Action 1916, Instructions for the Training of Platoons for Offensive Action 1917, Buckinghamshire: Military Press, ISBN 978-0-85420-250-8
• Falls, Cyril (1992) [1940], Military Operations: France and Belgium 1917: The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras, History of the Great War Based on Official Documents 1, Nashville: The Battery Press, ISBN 0-89839-180-6
• Farndale, General Sir Martin (1986), Western Front, 1914–1918, History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Woolwich: Royal Artillery Institution, ISBN 1-870114-00-0
• Farr, Don (2007), The Silent General: A Biography of Haig's Trusted Great War Comrade-in-Arms, Solihull: Helion & Company Limited, ISBN 1-874622-99-X
• Godefroy, Andrew (2007a), "The 4th Canadian Division: 'Trenches Should Never be Saved'", in Hayes, Geoffrey; Iarocci, Andrew; Bechthold, Mike, Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment, Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, pp. 211–224, ISBN 0-88920-508-6
• Godefroy, Andrew (2007b), "The German Army at Vimy Ridge", in Hayes, Geoffrey; Iarocci, Andrew; Bechthold, Mike, Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment, Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, pp. 225–238, ISBN 0-88920-508-6
• Granatstein, Jack Lawrence (2004), Canada's Army: Waging War and Keeping the Peace, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, ISBN 0-8020-8696-9
• Hayes, Geoffrey (2007), "The 3rd Canadian Division: Forgotten Victory", in Hayes, Geoffrey; Iarocci, Andrew; Bechthold, Mike, Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment, Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, pp. 193–210, ISBN 0-88920-508-6
• Hopkins, J. Castell (1919), Canada at War, 1914–1918: A Record of Heroism and Achievement, Toronto: Canadian Annual Review, OCLC 869410882
• Humphries, Mark Osborne (2007), ""Old Wine in New Bottles": A Comparison of British and Canadian Preparations for the Battle of Arras", in Hayes, Geoffrey; Iarocci, Andrew; Bechthold, Mike, Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment, Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, pp. 65–85, ISBN 0-88920-508-6
• Inglis, Dave (1995), Vimy Ridge: 1917–1992, A Canadian Myth over Seventy Five Years, Burnaby: Simon Fraser University, ISBN 0-61206-688-6
• McGill, Harold W. (2007), Norris, Marjorie, ed., Medicine and duty: the World War I memoir of Captain Harold W. McGill, Medical Officer, 31st Battalion, C.E.F, Calgary: University of Calgary Press, ISBN 1-55238-193-5
• Moran, Heather (2007), "The Canadian Army Medical Corps at Vimy Ridge", in Hayes, Geoffrey; Iarocci, Andrew; Bechthold, Mike, Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment, Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, pp. 139–154, ISBN 0-88920-508-6
• Nicholson, Gerald W. L. (1962), Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914–1919, Official History of the Canadian Army in the First World War, Ottawa: Queen's Printer and Controller of Stationary, OCLC 59609928
• Nicholson, G. W. L. (1967), The Gunners of Canada – The History of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery:1534–1919 I, Ottawa: McClelland & Stewart, OCLC 883860617
• Pierce, John (Spring 1992), "Constructing Memory: The Vimy Memorial" (PDF), Canadian Military History (Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies) 1 (1–2): 4–14, ISSN 1195-8472, retrieved 2 February 2009
• Rawling, Bill (2007), "The Sappers of Vimy: Specialized Support for the Assault of 9 April 1917", in Hayes, Geoffrey; Iarocci, Andrew; Bechthold, Mike, Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment, Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, pp. 125–138, ISBN 0-88920-508-6
• Samuels, Mart (1996), Command or Control?: Command, Training and Tactics in the British and German Armies, 1888–1918, Portland: Frank Cass, ISBN 0-7146-4570-2
• Sheffield, Gary (2002), Forgotten Victory: The First World War Myths and Realities, London: Headline Books, ISBN 0-7472-6460-0
• Sheldon, Jack (2008), The German Army on Vimy Ridge 1914–1917, Barnsley (UK): Pen & Sword Military, ISBN 978-1-84415-680-1
• Terraine, John (1992), The Smoke and the Fire: Myths and Anti-Myths of War 1861–1945, London: Pen & Sword Books, ISBN 0-85052-330-3
• Tucker, Spencer, ed. (1996), The European powers in the First World War: an encyclopedia, New York: Garland Publishing, ISBN 0-8153-0399-8
• Turner, Alexander (2005), Vimy Ridge 1917: Byng's Canadians Triumph at Arras, London: Osprey Publishing, ISBN 1-84176-871-5
• Vance, Jonathan Franklin (1997), Death So Noble: Memory, Meaning, and the First World War, Vancouver: UBC Press, ISBN 0-7748-0600-1
• Vimy Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian War Museum, 2009, retrieved 26 January 2015
• Williams, Jeffery (1983), Byng of Vimy, General and Governor General, London: Secker & Warburg, ISBN 0-436-57110-2
• Wineguard, Timothy (Summer 2007), "Here at Vimy: A Retrospective – The 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge" (PDF), Canadian Military Journal (Department of National Defence) 8 (2): 83–85, ISSN 1492-465X, retrieved 2 February 2009

Frederic William Cumberland Bookplate

Frederic William Cumberland (1820-1881)
Library and Archives Canada/MIKAN 3214491 

Last winter I started sorting through the rather massive pile of nineteenth century bookplates that were patiently waiting my attention here in the library. I separated out from the rest of the box the many crests and armorial plates that, while full of interest from a heraldic point of view, are often considered unappealing by the general collector who tends to prefer pictorials executed by well-known artists. Armorial plates are therefore often passed over at sales and auctions, however, this is a good thing for those of us who know our history and can spot notable names easily before someone else can google them.

I've included this week an example of an armorial bookplate that I acquired a long time ago for very a small sum. The real joy of collecting these is twofold. First, they present great studies in Canadian heraldry, a field that thanks to the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada continues to enjoy a large following devoted to learning about and increasing our knowledge of this valuable subject. Second, they present great opportunities to learn about Canadian history through biography.

The bookplate to Frederic William Cumberland is a good example of a typical armorial plate that tends to get passed over. Not listed in Franks or Allen, without initials to narrow the name search or easy access to Canadian references foreign dealers tend to let such plates go for very little. Both the heraldry and name seemed familiar to me, however, and a quick check in Prescott's catalogue confirmed my suspicion.

Born in London in 1820, Frederic Cumberland studied engineering, survey, and architecture before emigrating to Canada in 1847 after marrying into an influential Toronto family. He worked as a surveyor laying out the intersection of Yonge and Bloor Streets and was later the county engineer for York and Peel.

Returning to architecture, Cumberland designed a number of important Toronto landmarks including St. James Cathedral, the Normal and Model Schools of Toronto, York County Court House, Toronto Mechanics Institute (in 1883 this became the Toronto Public Library), the Magentical Observatory, the centre portion of Osgoode Hall, and also University College at the University of Toronto. In addition, he designed several prominent Toronto family homes, including Thomas Ridout, John Ross, and others. Cumberland's own spacious home, Pendarves, was designed and built c.1860.

Period drawing of St. James Cathedral, Toronto

This apparently unused bookplate was intended for a book in Cumberland's private library at Pendarves. Though I haven't investigated yet whether there is any information on the size, scope, or fate of this library I certainly have a number of buildings to revisit on my next trip into Toronto now that I know who designed them. This is perhaps the third joy of collecting bookplates. Having learned something new about Canada's history through biography, I can now go look at these places again and appreciate them in a new light armed with this new knowledge and insight.

Until next time....

The Right Honourable Vincent Massey PC CH CC CD

Rt. Hon. Vincent Massey (1887-1967)

There have been 28 Governors General (GG) of Canada since Canadian confederation in 1867 and I am happy to have in my collection bookplates for most of these gentlemen.  I've blogged before about GG ex libris but a recent inquiry this week has prompted me to write this time about Charles Vincent Massey, the 18th GG of Canada.

Born into an influential and wealthy Toronto family, he earned degrees at the University of Toronto as well as Oxford University before going into public service.  Massey served in uniform during the First World War as a commissioned officer working for the Cabinet War Committee, but otherwise had limited military service before returning to civilian life after the end of the war.  In 1918 he created the Massey Foundation that supported, among other things, the development of new architecture and building in Toronto.  Massey continued to pursue both business and philanthropy until 1925, when through the connections of friends he returned to public service being appointed to the King's Privy Council.  He was subsequently made a minister without portfolio in the Cabinet of family friend Prime Minister Mackenzie King.  Though he failed to secure a seat in parliament through election, he was still included as a special observer to the 1926 Imperial Conference before accepting an appointment as the Canadian ambassador to the United States.  Massey's diplomatic and public service career spanned over 25 years, until his appointment as the first Canadian-born Governor General on 1 February 1952.

Bookplate for Massey the diplomat

This armorial bookplate belonging to Vincent Massey is a personal favourite in my GG collection, and was designed for him by Alexander Scott Carter in 1913.  It is adorned with the shields of Massey's alma maters, University College (University of Toronto) and Balliol College, University of Oxford.  The tree also signifies learning; it may have been commissioned to mark Massey's appointment as the Dean of Men at Burwash Hall, and also a lecturer on modern history at Victoria University.  The composition is typical of Carter's approach to design during that period, as he worked to modernize the traditional coats of arms ex libris in a manner that retained a style of richness appropriate to the ladies and gentlemen he was crafting for.  His accomplishment in architectural decoration and heraldic ornament would eventually earn him accolades across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

This bookplate is listed in Prescott (p.94), however, it's date of design/issue is wrongly identified as 1918.  A close examination of the bookplate itself in fact reveals the date 1913 in two places; on the upper right arm of the banner in roman numerals, and also, following Carter's signature at the lower right just above Vincent Massey's name scroll.  One might assume, however, that Massey used this as his main bookplate from 1913 to approximately 1925, when his appointment to government may have prompted the design of a new ex libris.

It's no surprise that Carter designed this bookplate.  Massey's family made considerable donations to the University of Toronto's improvement during the First World War era, including the building that eventually became Hart House in 1918.  Carter was the main heraldic artist commissioned to execute the interior design and decoration.  Perhaps it was the execution of this bookplate that helped him land the job, it's a remarkable piece of miniature art.  Until next time... 

Sir George Stephen Bt and the Canadian Pacific Railway

Sir George Stephen Bt (1829-1921)

While driving home from a meeting the other day I watched a freight train glide past, paralleling the highway on its railway line, and it reminded me that I had a few train themed bookplates that I was planning to do a bit more research on.  I have always found that railway ex libris have been very desirable to both bookplate collectors as well as railway enthusiasts in Canada, and the armorial bookplate shown below belonging to Sir George Stephen Bt, is perhaps one of the most sought after ex libris in this category.

Sir George Stephen (5 June 1829 - 29 November 1921) was a Scottish Born Canadian who is best known to our history as the financial genius behind the creation of the Canadian Pacific Railway.  He also served as President of the Bank of Montreal, and later became the first Canadian to be elevated to the Peerage of the United Kingdom.  Cousin to another famous Canadian, Lord Strathcona, and a personal friend of King George V, George Stephen, 1^st Baron Mount Stephen, was also remembered fondly as one of the greatest philanthropists of his time.

Sir George Stephen's Bookplate 

Stephen's coat of arms reflected both his Canadian heritage as well as own industriousness.  He first got into the railroad business in 1877, which eventually led to his association with the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway.  Along with a small syndicate of investors, Stephen poured millions of dollars into the tracks and persevered to see the CPR's construction through to completion in 1885.  For his amazing financial generosity (Stephen repeatedly lent the struggling government money for their railways) he was made baronet the following year, but soon after retired from the helm of the CPR in 1888.

Stephen's bookplate is listed in Franks (No.28013), but not in Prescott, which I find interesting as the plate was obviously engraved sometime after 1886 yet before Stephen's death in 1921.  It seems odd therefore especially given Stephen's celebrity status at the time as one of Canada and England's greatest philanthropists, that his bookplate somehow eluded the cataloguers.  Again, it makes me wonder how many others have also been missed.  The Artist of his plate is identified in Franks as Charles William Sherborn, the well-known English bookplate designer and later vice-president of the Ex Libris Society.

While a resident of Montreal Stephen had a marvellous Italianate style house constructed downtown in what was known as the "Golden Square Mile", a reference to an area where a number of wealthy residents at one time had their homes closely situated to one another.  Stephen's mansion took three years to complete and cost him $600,000.  Eventually turned into a private gentlemen's club in 1926, I was briefly a member when I lived in that city,and had the good fortune to attend several great dinners and parties there.  Today it remains an easily accessible landmark right in downtown Montreal, and I recommend if you're ever visiting that great city to take a stroll by the house.  It's a real joy to see up close.  Until next time...