Prints
WWI, Montague (c1915)
WWI, Montague (c1915)
Title: The Troops Starting for the Front, P.E.I.
Photographer: Unknown
Image size: 3 1/4 x 5 3/8” (8.3 x 13.7 cm)
Description: Real photo postcard. Everett Buchanan is identified on left. Card shows creased corners. Reverse shows adhesive residue from when card was mounted in an album. Cutline in the album indicates the photo was taken during the Winter of 1914-15.
In August of 1914, Canada joined WWI along with Britain. The following day saw the first of many Island soldiers to head overseas, artillerymen from the 4th Regiment Canadian Garrison Artillery were among the first to set sail off to war from the harbor in Charlottetown. By November 1914, P.E.I. military officials raised an artillery unit later designated the 2nd Canadian Siege Battery and over 200 officers and men went to England. Patriotism was felt all over the island and war was seen as an adventure. However, the war that was supposed to be “over by Christmas,” lasted over 4 years. In total, 3,696 people on Prince Edward Island enlisted in the First World War. About 400 were killed in action.
Source: Island Narratives Program