Taylor B-C.

Rama, Ontario

Simcoe County Regional Fair

The Battle of Vimy Ridge

On Easter Monday, April 9, 1917, at 5:30 am, 100,000 Canadian soldiers stormed the heavily defended Vimy Ridge in France during the First World War. Using months of preparation and new untested battle tactics, Canadians achieved in four days what the French and British could not in the previous two years. This ignited a sense of patriotism and pride within our country that continues to this day.

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

While compiling my findings I read many times that Canada accomplished what others could not. Capturing Vimy Ridge was considered impossible. But Canadians captured the ridge in four days.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

When people come together for a common cause you can accomplish anything through hard work, dedication, preparation and sacrifice. Whether it is at school, by yourself, your job, or an entire country. We need to be thankful for what we have and to never forget the sacrifices that brought our nation together.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

It is extremely difficult to find any sort of comparison between my life and the lives of the soldiers that fought at Vimy. Soldiers as young as fourteen fought at Vimy Ridge. I am fourteen. All I know of war is what I have seen in movies and on the internet and it has always seemed so distant and unreal. I cannot imagine the fear they likely felt as they climbed the ridge and the incredible bravery it took to leave their families and to enlist in the first place. I can only wish I was that brave. My carefree life is possible because of their sacrifice. For that I am grateful.