Ghost of a flea: The Vimy Flag

July 01, 2005

The Vimy Flag

"In those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation."
- BGen A.E. Ross

I recently had the opportunity to visit the new war museum in Ottawa. It is impressive both in terms of its collection and its architecture but the moment that impressed me the most was the privilege of chatting with a commissionaire as I stopped by the entrance to the main exhibits area. He suggested I start my tour with a look around the "used car lot" on the lower floor, lots of tanks and such. I followed his suggestion and on the way found this, the Vimy Flag.

The 5th Battalion carried this Canadian flag (or ensign) at Vimy Ridge in April 1917. This battle is often regarded as a symbol of Canada's coming of age during the First World War. The ensign displays the coats of arms of Canada's founding provinces (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia), and likely dates from the late nineteenth century.

It is difficult to imagine a more pointless struggle than the Great War but even more difficult to conceive of the heroism it must have taken to fight in it. The meaning we find in that flag suggests some divine purpose may be at work in even the most pointless conflict. We may never know the ultimate end of our actions but it seems to me we can be certain of our intentions. This week I felt proud to be Canadian for the first time in a long time even as I believe we have much more work to do. Perhaps both are for the best. Happy Canada Day.

Posted by Ghost of a flea at July 1, 2005 08:56 AM

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