In Flanders’ Fields Museum of the Regiments Remembrance Program

Introduction “In Flanders’ Fields”, a famous World War One Poem by LCol. John McCrae. This is a reminder of the experiences of the soldiers of the World War I. This poem has become closely tied to Remembrance Day and the Poppy, the official symbol of Remembrance Day. Discover who John McCrae was, how the poem came to be written and how the poem became famous.

Remembrance Day Originally called Armistice Day. Armistice Day was the anniversary of the day that WWI had ended, was chosen to be the National Day of Remembrance. War ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Thousands of soldiers were wounded or killed. Soldiers who returned believed that those who had died should not be forgotten.

Soldiers are Real People These soldiers were ordinary people like you and me. Men joined the army Women were nursing sisters.

Poems and Stories Poems, stories and diaries expressed soldiers’ feelings about their wartime experiences Stories and poems told the people back home what war was really like. "In Flanders Fields" shows McCrae’s feelings about Lt. Alexis Helmer’s death, a close friend.

John McCrae Born 30 November 1872, Guelph, ON. He was active in the Cadet Corps 1894 graduated from University College 1898 graduated from the University of Toronto as a Doctor Joined the military service as an artillery brigade field surgeon. Fought in the Boer War in South Africa lived in Montreal working at the Montreal General Hospital, the Alexandra Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital. He also belonged to the Montreal Pen and Pencil Club where he wrote poetry as a hobby. He was known to be the life of any party, always laughing.

The staff at The Royal Alexandria Hospital in Montreal. McCrae is on the Right McCrae as a boy with his family. He is on the left. McCrae relaxing with a book. One of his favorite activities.

World War One McCrae joined immediately, going overseas with the 1st Canadian Contingent. Major McCrae was 43, one of the oldest men in the field. He was made the 2nd - in - command for the 1st Brigade of the Canadian Field Artillery and the brigade surgeon. His role allowed him to have his horse Bonfire with him at the front. He was at the front lines where he was when the Second Battle of Ypres started.

Second Battle of Ypres They went into the front line on April 22, Poison Gas was used for the first time. For nearly two weeks, John McCrae and his staff worked at a dressing station. They cared for 100’s of wounded soldiers each day, too busy to change clothes. They were too busy to sleep or eat. The grave yard was just outside the entrance to the dressing station.

McCrae’s War 2 May 1915, John McCrae wrote the first draft of “In Flanders Fields”. 28 January 1918, he died from pneumonia and meningitis. He worked at the General Field Hospital in Boulogne McCrae treated wounded in the trenches and later, in a hospital behind the lines. McCrae healed survivors of the Second Battle of Ypres, the Somme, Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele.

After the Battle

A Response R.W. Lillard Rest ye in peace, ye Flanders dead, The fight that you so bravely led We’re taken up. And we will keep True faith with you who lie asleep. With each a cross to mark his bed, And poppies blowing overhead, When once his own life blood ran red; So let your rest be sweet and deep In Flanders Field Fear not that you have died for naught, The torch ye threw to us we caught; Ten million hands will hold it high And Freedom’s light shall never die! We learned the lesson that ye taught In Flanders Fields

Miss Michael The Victory Emblem Oh! you who sleep in Flanders' fields, Sleep sweet -- to rise anew. And, holding high, we keep Faith With those who died. We cherished, too, the poppy red That grows on fields where valour led; It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies, But lends a lustre to the red Of flowers that bloom above the dead In Flanders' fields. And now the torch and poppy red We wear in honour of our dead. Fear not that ye have died for naught; We've learned the lesson that ye taught In Flanders' fields.

Remember those who died, like Lieutenant -Colonel John McCrae, so we may live in peace