VIMY MEMORIAL
Vimy
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.3795, Longitude: 2.77385
Roll of Honour
Location Information
The Vimy Memorial overlooks the Douai Plain from the highest point of Vimy Ridge, about eight kilometres northeast of Arras on the N17 towards Lens. The memorial is signposted from this road to the left, just before you enter the village of Vimy from the south. The memorial itself is someway inside the memorial park, but again it is well signposted.
Visiting Information
The grounds around the memorial are open year-round and contain restored and preserved trenches and tunnels. To view these, it is recommended that visitors pre-book. Without a booking, visitors will be accomodated depending on operational capacity. To make a booking, please contact the Vimy Office on +33 (0)3 21 50 68 68. For further information, please visit the Veterans Affairs Canada website: www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/
Historical Information
On the opening day of the Battle of Arras, 9 April 1917, the four divisions of the Canadian Corps, fighting side by side for the first time, scored a huge tactical victory in the capture of the 60 metre high Vimy Ridge.
After the war, the highest point of the ridge was chosen as the site of the great memorial to all Canadians who served their country in battle during the First World War, and particularly to the 60,000 who gave their lives in France. It also bears the names of 11,151 Canadian servicemen who died in France - many of them in the fight for Vimy Ridge - who have no known grave.
The memorial was designed by W.S. Allward. It was unveiled by King Edward VIII on 26 July 1936.
Commemorated on Memorial: Canada 11,151.
Memorial images in gallery below © Geerhard Joos
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Lieutenant Robert Grierson Combe, V. C.
27th Bn. Canadian Infantry
3rd May 1917, aged 35.
Son of James and Elizabeth Combe, of Aberdeen, Scotland; husband of Jean Traquair Donald Combe, Victoria, British Columbia. Robert Grierson Combe came to Canada around 1906, having already completed his schooling and apprenticeship in pharmacies in Aberdeen and London, England. He soon joined the staff of a drug store in Moosomin, Saskatchewan and several years later opened his own store in Melville, Saskatchewan. Combe enlisted in 1915, was granted a commission and subsequently posted to the 53rd Battalion in Prince Albert. Initially qualified as a Major on arrival overseas and placed on the instructional staff, he later, at his own request, reverted to the rank of Lieutenant and joined the 28th Battalion in France. He was forced back to England due to illness but soon returned to the front, this time with the 27th Battalion where he served with distinction until the time of his death. A lake in Northern Saskatchewan has been named in his honour.
Citation:
An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 27th June, 1917, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and example. He steadied his Company under intense fire and led them through the enemy barrage, reaching the objective with only five men. With great coolness and courage Lt. Combe proceeded to bomb the enemy, and inflicted heavy casualties. He collected small groups of men and succeeded in capturing the Company objective, together with eighty prisoners. He repeatedly charged the enemy, driving them before him, and whilst personally leading his bombers was killed by an enemy sniper. His conduct inspired all ranks, and it was entirely due to his magnificent courage that the position was carried, secured and held."
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57113 SergeantFrederick Hobson, V. C.
20th Bn. Canadian Infantry
18th August 1917, aged 41.
Frederick Hobson was born in London, England on 23 September 1873. After seeing action with the British Army during the South African War (1899-1902), he came to Canada and settled in Galt (now Cambridge), Ontario. Being 41 years old when he went to the recruiting office shortly after the First World War began, Hobson gave his year of birth as 1875 so that he would be allowed to enlist in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
On 18 August 1917 Sergeant Hobson was serving with the 20th Infantry Battalion on Hill 70, near Lens in France. During a German counterattack on the Canadian lines, a Lewis light machine gun in a forward position was buried by a shell explosion that killed all but one of the its crew. Hobson hurried to the site, dug out the Lewis gun, and got it back into action against the attacking enemy soldiers. When the gun jammed, Sergeant Hobson, though wounded, left the gunner to clear the stoppage and advanced alone to confront the Germans. Using his bayonet and rifle butt, he held them at bay until he was killed by a rifle shot. By that time the Lewis gun was again firing, and shortly after reinforcements arrived to defeat the counterattack.
For these actions Sergeant Hobson was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.
Citation:
An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 16th Oct., 1917, records the following:-"During a strong enemy counter-attack a Lewis gun in a forward post in a communication trench leading to the enemy lines, was buried by a shell, and the crew, with the exception of one man, was killed. Serjt. Hobson, though not a gunner, grasping the great importance of the post, rushed from his trench, dug out the gun, and got it into action against the enemy who were now advancing down the trench and across the open. A jam caused the gun to stop firing. Though wounded, he left the gunner to correct the stoppage, rushed forward at the advancing enemy and, with bayonet and clubbed rifle, single-handed, held them back until he himself was killed by a rifle shot. By this time however, the Lewis gun was again in action and reinforcements shortly afterwards arriving, the enemy were beaten off. The valour and devotion to duty displayed by this non-commissioned officer gave the gunner the time required to again get the gun into action, and saved a most serious situation."
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427586 Private William Johnstone Milne, V. C.
16th Bn. Canadian Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
9th April 1917, aged 24.
Native of Lanarkshire, Scotland.
William Johnstone Milne was born in Cambusnethan, Scotland on 21 December 1892 and came to Canada in 1910, settling in Saskatchewan. During the First World War, he served with the 16th Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.
On 9 April 1917, the 16th Infantry Battalion took part in the successful attack by the Canadian Corps on Vimy Ridge, the strongest German defensive position in northwestern France. Early that day, the advance of Private Milne’s company was checked by machine gun fire. Crawling forward, he put the crews of two machine guns out of action and captured their guns. Milne was killed a short time later, and his body was never recovered.
For his conduct in this action, Private Milne was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.
Citation:
An extract from the Second Supplement to The London Gazette, dated 8th June, 1917, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. On approaching the first objective, Pte. Milne observed an enemy machine gun firing on our advancing troops. Crawling on hands and knees, he succeeded in reaching the gun, killing the crew with bombs, and capturing the gun. On the line re-forming, he again located a machine gun in the support line, and stalking this second gun as he had done the first, he succeeded in putting the crew out of action and capturing the gun. His wonderful bravery and resource on these two occasions undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades. Pte. Milne was killed shortly after capturing the second gun."
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475212 Sergeant Robert Spall, V. C.
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
13th August 1918, aged 25.
Son of Charles and Annie Maria Spall.
Robert Spall was born in Ealing, England, on 5 March 1890. At the age of two, he moved with his parents to Canada and lived in Winnipeg. In August 1915 he joined the 90th Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, and later was posted to Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in which he became a sergeant.
Spall earned the Victoria Cross in Parvillers, France, 12 and 13 August 1918 during an enemy counter-attack, when his platoon became isolated. Taking a Lewis gun, he inflicted numerous casualties, then descended into the trench and directed his men into a sap seventy-five metres from the enemy. He again mounted the parapet of the trench and resumed his fire in order to further hold up the enemy. It was at this point that he was killed; Spall sacrificed his life in order to extricate his platoon from a difficult situation, and his bravery allowed his men to be saved.
Citation:
An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 26th Oct., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice when, during an enemy counter-attack, his platoon was isolated. Thereupon Serjt. Spall took a Lewis gun and, standing on the parapet, fired upon the advancing enemy, inflicting very severe casualties. He then came down the trench directing the men into a sap seventy-five yards from the enemy. Picking up another Lewis gun, this gallant N.C.O. again climbed the parapet, and by his fire held up the enemy. It was while holding up the enemy at this point that he was killed. Serjt. Spall deliberately gave his life in order to extricate his platoon from a most difficult situation, and it was owing to his bravery that the platoon was saved."
Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos
The Site
Vimy Ridge is a gradually rising escarpment on the western edge of the Douai Plains, eight kilometres (5.0 mi) northeast of Arras. The ridge gradually rises on its western side, dropping more quickly on the eastern side. The ridge is approximately seven kilometres (4.3 mi) in length, 700 metres (2,300 ft) wide at its narrowest point, and culminates at an elevation of 145 metres (476 ft) above sea level, or 60 metres (200 ft) above the Douai Plains, providing a natural unobstructed view for tens of kilometres in all directions.
Members of the Canadian Battlefields Memorials Commission debated where to build Allward's winning design. The jury's assessment was that Allward's submission was best suited to a "low hill rather than to a continuous and lofty bluff or cliff like Vimy Ridge". The commission committee initially recommended placing the monument in Belgium on Hill 62, near the location of the Battle of Mont Sorrel, as the site provided an imposing view. This ran counter to the desires of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King who, while speaking in the House of Commons of Canada in May 1922, argued in favour of placing the memorial at Vimy Ridge. King's position received the unanimous support of the House and, in the end, the commission selected Vimy Ridge as the preferred site. The government announced its desire to acquire a more considerable tract of land along the ridge after the commission selected Vimy Ridge as the preferred location for Allward's design. In the interval between the 1st and 2nd session of the 14th Canadian Parliament, Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada Rodolphe Lemieux went to France to negotiate the acquisition of more land. On 5 December 1922, Lemieux concluded an agreement with France in which France granted Canada "freely and for all time" the use of 100 hectares (250 acres) of land on Vimy Ridge, inclusive of Hill 145, in recognition of Canada's war effort. The only condition placed on the donation was that Canada use the land to erect a monument commemorating Canadian soldiers killed during the First World War and assume the responsibility for the maintenance of the memorial and the surrounding battlefield park.
Members of the Canadian Battlefields Memorials Commission debated where to build Allward's winning design. The jury's assessment was that Allward's submission was best suited to a "low hill rather than to a continuous and lofty bluff or cliff like Vimy Ridge". The commission committee initially recommended placing the monument in Belgium on Hill 62, near the location of the Battle of Mont Sorrel, as the site provided an imposing view. This ran counter to the desires of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King who, while speaking in the House of Commons of Canada in May 1922, argued in favour of placing the memorial at Vimy Ridge. King's position received the unanimous support of the House and, in the end, the commission selected Vimy Ridge as the preferred site. The government announced its desire to acquire a more considerable tract of land along the ridge after the commission selected Vimy Ridge as the preferred location for Allward's design. In the interval between the 1st and 2nd session of the 14th Canadian Parliament, Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada Rodolphe Lemieux went to France to negotiate the acquisition of more land. On 5 December 1922, Lemieux concluded an agreement with France in which France granted Canada "freely and for all time" the use of 100 hectares (250 acres) of land on Vimy Ridge, inclusive of Hill 145, in recognition of Canada's war effort. The only condition placed on the donation was that Canada use the land to erect a monument commemorating Canadian soldiers killed during the First World War and assume the responsibility for the maintenance of the memorial and the surrounding battlefield park.
Map, showing the location of the memorial in the context of the 1917 battlefield.
Plan of the memorial park at Vimy.
Designing the Memorial
In December 1920, the Canadian Battlefields Memorials Commission made plans for the construction of eight Canadian battlefield memorials. A competition was organised, which would be open to all Canadian architects, designers, sculptors and other artists to come up with ideas. There were to be 3 memorials in Belgium, Passchendaele, St-Julien and Sanctuary Wood (Hill 62), and 5 in France, Bourlon Wood, Le Quesnel, Dury, Courcelette and of course, Vimy (Hill 145).
The jury consisted of Charles Herbert Reilly representing the Royal Institute of British Architects, Paul Philippe Cret represented the Société centrale des architectes français and Frank Darling representing the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. Each jury member was a leader in the architectural field.
Initially the competition required drawings of the proposed memorials, there were 160 entries and this was whittled down to 17 potential designs. Each entrant was then given $500.00 to construct a model of their proposed design. Such was the impact of Walter Allwards submission that it was decided that this would be Canada's single memorial in Europe and Hill 145 at Vimy was chosen as the location.
Only one other design was chosen to become a memorial, that of the 'Brooding Soldier', by Frederick Chapman Clemesha, this memorial was originally to be sited at the other 7 locations initially chosen by the Canadian Battlefields Memorials Commission, however, such was it's impact that it was decided that placing the same memorial in the other locations would detract from its impact. Instead smaller, simpler, memorials would be placed at those locations.
The jury consisted of Charles Herbert Reilly representing the Royal Institute of British Architects, Paul Philippe Cret represented the Société centrale des architectes français and Frank Darling representing the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. Each jury member was a leader in the architectural field.
Initially the competition required drawings of the proposed memorials, there were 160 entries and this was whittled down to 17 potential designs. Each entrant was then given $500.00 to construct a model of their proposed design. Such was the impact of Walter Allwards submission that it was decided that this would be Canada's single memorial in Europe and Hill 145 at Vimy was chosen as the location.
Only one other design was chosen to become a memorial, that of the 'Brooding Soldier', by Frederick Chapman Clemesha, this memorial was originally to be sited at the other 7 locations initially chosen by the Canadian Battlefields Memorials Commission, however, such was it's impact that it was decided that placing the same memorial in the other locations would detract from its impact. Instead smaller, simpler, memorials would be placed at those locations.
Stage 1. - The Drawings
Below are a selection of the designs entered into the competition.
Stage 2. The Models
The Winning Design and Architect
Walter Seymour Allward was born in Toronto on 18th November 1874. He was a well established architect at the time of the Vimy competition. For more information on Walter Allward follow this link: https://www.aci-iac.ca/art-books/walter-allward/biography/
Building the Memorial - 1925 onwards
In 1924 the Canadian Battlefields Memorial Commission, at the request of Allward, employed the Danish structural engineer, Dr. Oscar Faber to prepare the ground for the proposed memorial, he had previously worked on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres. This was far from straightforward given the terrain, tunnels, unexploded ordnance and of course human remains in the area. Using shovels, the area was gradually cleared of dangerous objects and human remains and by 1925 it was levelled in preparation for the building of the memorial.
Difficulties with the quarrying procedure and transportation meant that delivery of the limestone for the memorial was delayed and the first batch did not arrive until 1927, the larger blocks, intended for the sculpting of the human figures, did not arrive until 1931.
Major Unwin Simson was the principal Canadian engineer during construction of the memorial and oversaw daily operations at the site.
While awaiting the first delivery of stone, Simson noticed that the battlefield landscape features were beginning to deteriorate. Seeing an opportunity to not only preserve a portion of the battlefield but also keep his staff occupied, Simson decided to preserve a short section of trench line and make the Grange Subway more accessible. Labourers rebuilt and preserved sections of sandbagged trench wall, on both the Canadian and German sides of the Grange crater group, in concrete. The workforce also built a new concrete entrance for the Grange Subway and, after excavating a portion of the tunnel system, installed electric lighting
Meanwhile, at the memorial the foundations were laid first, followed by the steel frame for the central pylons using 265 tons of steel rebar.
Allward chose a relatively new construction method for the monument: limestone bonded to a cast concrete frame. A foundation bed of 11,000 tonnes of concrete, reinforced with hundreds of tonnes of steel, served as the support bed for the memorial. The memorial base and twin pylons contained almost 6,000 tonnes of Seget limestone.
Interestingly. The inclusion of the names of those killed in France with no known grave was not part of the original design, and Allward was unhappy when the government asked him to include them. Allward argued that the inclusion of names was not part of the original commissioning. Through a letter to the Canadian Battlefields Memorials Commission in October 1927, Allward indicated his intention to relegate the names of the missing to pavement stones around the monument. The collective dismay and uproar of the commission forced Allward to relent and incorporate the names of the missing on the memorial walls. The task of inscribing the names did not begin until the early 1930s and employed a typeface that Allward designed for the monument.
Symbolism - Veterans Affairs Canada -
Allward's idea was to create a place of reflection and mourning using 20 allegorical figures representing virtues such as faith, justice and sorrow. Allward hand crafted half scale plaster models of all of the figures before all 20 human figures were carved in situ by the sculptors at the memorial in specially erected studios around the scaffolding.
Allward said his inspiration for the monument came to him in a dream and there is an abundance of symbolism found in its many sculptures.
At the front of the monument, one of its central figures - Canada Bereft – faces eastward toward the new day. Her eyes cast down and her chin resting on her hand. This saddened figure represents Canada - a young nation grieving her dead. Below her is a tomb, draped in laurel branches and bearing a helmet that represents all the soldiers whose final resting place was unknown.
At the centre of the monument, The Chorus contains eight sculptures to represent the universal virtues Canadians fought for during the war— Peace, Justice, Honour, Hope, Charity, Faith, Truth and Knowledge. Around them are shields of Canada, Britain and France.
At the base, the Spirit of Sacrifice throws a torch to his comrades – a reference to the line from the famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae: “To you from failing hands we throw; the torch, be yours to hold it high.”
On the rear staircase is the Male Mourner and the Female Mourner.
On the front corners of the base are the Defenders – Breaking of the Sword and Sympathy for the Helpless.
Above them are cannons draped in laurel and olive branches; symbolic of both victory and peace.
The two large pylons represent Canada and France – two nations united in the common goal of peace and freedom.
This majestic monument is a lasting tribute to the sacrifices Canadians made in the First World War. Its design inspires a deep sense of obligation to never forget those who died so that we may secure a better life.
The following gallery shows images from clearing the ground through to completion.
Difficulties with the quarrying procedure and transportation meant that delivery of the limestone for the memorial was delayed and the first batch did not arrive until 1927, the larger blocks, intended for the sculpting of the human figures, did not arrive until 1931.
Major Unwin Simson was the principal Canadian engineer during construction of the memorial and oversaw daily operations at the site.
While awaiting the first delivery of stone, Simson noticed that the battlefield landscape features were beginning to deteriorate. Seeing an opportunity to not only preserve a portion of the battlefield but also keep his staff occupied, Simson decided to preserve a short section of trench line and make the Grange Subway more accessible. Labourers rebuilt and preserved sections of sandbagged trench wall, on both the Canadian and German sides of the Grange crater group, in concrete. The workforce also built a new concrete entrance for the Grange Subway and, after excavating a portion of the tunnel system, installed electric lighting
Meanwhile, at the memorial the foundations were laid first, followed by the steel frame for the central pylons using 265 tons of steel rebar.
Allward chose a relatively new construction method for the monument: limestone bonded to a cast concrete frame. A foundation bed of 11,000 tonnes of concrete, reinforced with hundreds of tonnes of steel, served as the support bed for the memorial. The memorial base and twin pylons contained almost 6,000 tonnes of Seget limestone.
Interestingly. The inclusion of the names of those killed in France with no known grave was not part of the original design, and Allward was unhappy when the government asked him to include them. Allward argued that the inclusion of names was not part of the original commissioning. Through a letter to the Canadian Battlefields Memorials Commission in October 1927, Allward indicated his intention to relegate the names of the missing to pavement stones around the monument. The collective dismay and uproar of the commission forced Allward to relent and incorporate the names of the missing on the memorial walls. The task of inscribing the names did not begin until the early 1930s and employed a typeface that Allward designed for the monument.
Symbolism - Veterans Affairs Canada -
Allward's idea was to create a place of reflection and mourning using 20 allegorical figures representing virtues such as faith, justice and sorrow. Allward hand crafted half scale plaster models of all of the figures before all 20 human figures were carved in situ by the sculptors at the memorial in specially erected studios around the scaffolding.
Allward said his inspiration for the monument came to him in a dream and there is an abundance of symbolism found in its many sculptures.
At the front of the monument, one of its central figures - Canada Bereft – faces eastward toward the new day. Her eyes cast down and her chin resting on her hand. This saddened figure represents Canada - a young nation grieving her dead. Below her is a tomb, draped in laurel branches and bearing a helmet that represents all the soldiers whose final resting place was unknown.
At the centre of the monument, The Chorus contains eight sculptures to represent the universal virtues Canadians fought for during the war— Peace, Justice, Honour, Hope, Charity, Faith, Truth and Knowledge. Around them are shields of Canada, Britain and France.
At the base, the Spirit of Sacrifice throws a torch to his comrades – a reference to the line from the famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae: “To you from failing hands we throw; the torch, be yours to hold it high.”
On the rear staircase is the Male Mourner and the Female Mourner.
On the front corners of the base are the Defenders – Breaking of the Sword and Sympathy for the Helpless.
Above them are cannons draped in laurel and olive branches; symbolic of both victory and peace.
The two large pylons represent Canada and France – two nations united in the common goal of peace and freedom.
This majestic monument is a lasting tribute to the sacrifices Canadians made in the First World War. Its design inspires a deep sense of obligation to never forget those who died so that we may secure a better life.
The following gallery shows images from clearing the ground through to completion.
Picture credits: Veterans Affairs Canada/Library and Archives Canada/National Gallery of Canada.
Walter Allward with the uncarved block of limestone which will become the female mourner - Shown below.
1936 - ©CWGC
1936 - ©CWGC
The Unveiling - 26th July 1936
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France was unveiled in front of over 50,000 people on July 26, 1936, by King Edward VIII. Also present was French President, Albert Lebrun. During the ceremony, breaking protocol, the King walked away from the official platform to speak with veterans and families. Over 6,200 Canadians, both veterans and the families of the bereaved travelled to France on 5 ocean liners for the pilgrimage to Vimy.
'The Blue Berets' at the unveiling of the Vimy Memorial - The Canadian Legion issued colour-coded headdress for the journey. Veterans were given khaki berets, while wives, widows, and other family members (known as the 'Blue Berets') wore navy blue berets.
1936 - The preserved battlefield and trenches at Vimy.
Picture © Geerhard Joos
The pictures below were taken by Mike's father during the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940.
© Mike Attrill
Video © Michael J. Moore
A mosaic of aerial photographs showing "Red" Line, located at the southern end of Vimy Ridge in front of 1 Canadian Infantry Division, on the day after the Ridge was captured. © IWM (Q 50942)
First World War period German Minenwerfer (Heavy Trench Mortar). This particular mortar was captured by the 31st (Alberta) Battalion, 2nd Canadian Division, during the fighting for Vimy Ridge, 9th April 1917. At the outbreak of war, service patterns of rifled trench mortars had been developed in the German Army for use in siege warfare, and were therefore served by pioneers. They were used with great effect in the attacks on certain of the Liège Forts, at Maubeuge and Antwerp. They existed only in small numbers and the German Army passed through the same phase of crude improvisations as the French and British Armies experienced, and it was not until 1916 that the standard types were found in large numbers. After this the older types were used chiefly for throwing gas bombs and other special projectiles. The old patterns had a very short gun, and were mounted on a circular bedplate with all-round traverse. The German Minenwerfer, alone of standard types of Trench Mortars, were rifled and were designed essentially as siege howitzers of reduced weight and power, and the piece, cradle, buffer and form of shell were in accordance with conventional artillery practice. In all patterns care was taken to house the gearing and mechanisms so as to keep out mud and dirt. Particulars of 25 cm Heavy Minenwerfer: (early pattern) - weight in action 11¼cwt; rifled length 3.1cal; weight of shell 207.2lbs; weight of charge 103.6lbs; most favourable range 219-601yards; crew 21; rounds per hour 20. 1916 Pattern: weight in action 15cwt; rifled length 4.54 cal; weight of shell 207.2lbs; weight of charge 103.6lbs; most favourable range 547-1094yards; crew 28; rounds per hour 20. The Heavy Minenwerfers were largely used against targets too near the German trenches to be shelled by their heavy artillery, e.g., parapets, dug-outs, observation posts, trench mortar and machine gun emplacements and wire. © IWM (ORD 52)
Portrait of Field Marshal Sir Julian Hedworth George Byng, GCB, KCB, KCMG, MVO, CB, signed 'Byng of Vimy'.
Born in England, he served in the Sudan and in the Boer War. When the First World War broke out, he commanded the Cavalry Corps within the British Expeditionary Force and was then sent to the Gallipoli Peninsula as commander of the 9th Army Corps, performing creditably. He took command of the Canadian Army Corps in 1916; after victory at Vimy Ridge in April 1917, he was promoted to command of the Third Army in June, and enhanced his reputation through his involvement in the attack at Cambrai. During the remainder of the war he had a succession of victories; he was made 1st Baron Byng of Vimy of Thorpe-le-Soken, in Essex, in October 1919. He was Governor General of Canada from 1921-1926, and was promoted to Field Marshal in 1932.
Born in England, he served in the Sudan and in the Boer War. When the First World War broke out, he commanded the Cavalry Corps within the British Expeditionary Force and was then sent to the Gallipoli Peninsula as commander of the 9th Army Corps, performing creditably. He took command of the Canadian Army Corps in 1916; after victory at Vimy Ridge in April 1917, he was promoted to command of the Third Army in June, and enhanced his reputation through his involvement in the attack at Cambrai. During the remainder of the war he had a succession of victories; he was made 1st Baron Byng of Vimy of Thorpe-le-Soken, in Essex, in October 1919. He was Governor General of Canada from 1921-1926, and was promoted to Field Marshal in 1932.
