Militia Myths: Ideas of the Canadian Citizen Solider, 1896–1921
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by James Wood
At key moments in Canada’s past, average citizens have stepped forward to bear arms for their country. These militia units have fought proudly in numerous conflicts, from pre-Confederation to modern times. In Militia Myths: Ideas of the Canadian Citizen Soldier, 1896–1921, University of Victoria history professor James Wood focuses his attention on a period of intense conflict that included the South African, or Boer War, and the First World War.
Wood examines how notions of patriotism and duty to one’s country drove and inspired the average citizen soldier. He also probes the myth, prevalent at the time, that units comprised of volunteer citizen soldiers were preferable to professional troops; that somehow they made “better soldiers.”
Finally, he seeks to discover how the crucible of World War I changed Canadians’ views on the country’s militia forces. “Whether we refer to it as an ideal or a myth, there is no doubt that Canadians have displayed a long-standing attachment to citizen soldiers, patriotic volunteers, and the amateur military tradition in general,” Woods writes. In Militia Myths, the author does an admirable job in helping to explain why. Definitely worth a read for military history buffs, or for Canadians interested in what drove — and drives — average Canadians to fight for their country.
— Mark Collin Reid (Read bio)
Mark Collin Reid is the Editor-in-Chief of Canada's History.