Posts Tagged France

The Story of the Real ‘Winnie the Bear’

8 February 2011
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Photo Credit: Manitoba Archives

The Canadian Expeditionary Force in WWI was no stranger to regimental mascots and pets. Lt. Col John McCrae had two of them and it is said that there were at least two regiments that had bears as mascots and one even had a beaver! Yet, the most famous Canadian mascot of all from 1914-1918 was a little black bear from White River, Ontario that would inspire a British author to create a character that is known around the world today to millions of children.  (more…)

Colonel John McCrae Birthplace and Memorial Gardens in Guelph Ontario

3 August 2010
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Photo Credit: Laura Waldie, 2010

People around the world are familiar with the poem “In Flanders Fields” and recognise the poppy as the universal symbol of the remembrance of all world wars since 1918. The man who wrote that poem was Lt-Col. John McCrae, who was born in Guelph, Ontario. You can visit his birthplace and the Memorial Garden set up in his honour and also learn a great deal about life in late nineteenth century Guelph. (more…)

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