The fighting Robertson brothers
of Campbellton, N.B.

Story by Stephen J. Thorne

There were six of them, Robertsons all, who joined the Canadian forces, left their hometown of Campbellton, N.B., and sailed overseas to serve in the Second World War.

Every one of the brothers survived the fighting, yet each died before his time, victims of more insidious killers than Axis bullets and bombs—namely, cancer and cardiopulmonary disease. None saw the age of 80.

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Military Moments | The Dieppe Raid
Narrated by Alex Trebek

In memory of Alex Trebek. In 2018, Legion Magazine presented a Military Moments on the disastrous Dieppe Raid of Aug. 19, 1942, which is most commonly remembered by a grim statistic—the greatest one-day losses sustained by the Canadian Army during the Second World War.

Of the almost 5,000 Canadian soldiers who took part in this ill-fated raid on occupied France, more than half became casualties. In all, Canadian casualties totaled 3,367, including 907 dead and 1,874 captured. It was the Canadian Army’s costliest day of the war, and one that will forever be remembered with infamy and regret.

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The last soldier killed in WW I

Story by Sharon Adams

Becoming the last casualty of a war is a distinction no soldier wants, but in the First World War, it fell to a Canadian.

Just minutes before the Armistice went into effect on Nov. 11, 1918, George Lawrence Price was shot, the last soldier of the British Commonwealth killed in the First World War.

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“In Flanders Fields”
Recited by Leonard Cohen

In memory of Leonard Cohen. In fall 2015, Legion Magazine and Leonard Cohen released a video to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. In a poignant tribute to McCrae, Canadian songwriter, painter and poet Leonard Cohen has recited that stirring poem for this exclusive video. His voice is accompanied by stirring imagery from the First World War.

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November 11, 1920

The Cenotaph, the United Kingdom’s official national war memorial, is unveiled. Two unknown soldiers are buried simultaneously in Westminster Abbey and at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

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Trip inspired Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Story by Stephen J. Thorne

Almost a quarter century ago, The Royal Canadian Legion spearheaded the creation of the Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier of the First World War was reinterred with military honours at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on May 28, 2000, an event that would change the face of remembrance in Canada.
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