Canada's History - Ralph Clark

Ralph Clark in uniform, circa 1915-18. (Peter Clark.)

Ralph Clark, left, two Belgian sisters and an unidentified friend pose for a photo in Brussels, circa 1916-18. (Peter Clark.)

Ralph Clark, back row, and two friends, circa 1915-18. (Peter Clark.)

The 4th Divisional Signal Company, Landsdowne Park, Ottawa, 1916. (Peter Clark.)

Ralph Douglas Clark

He never spoke of it, and when prodded by his youngest son, Peter, would only utter, “it was terrible—so many of my friends killed.”

For Ralph Douglas Clark, the Great War was no grand adventure. He never spoke of it, and when prodded by his youngest son, Peter, would only utter, “it was terrible—so many of my friends killed.”

Born in 1896 in Canso, Nova Scotia, Ralph Clark was training to be a telegraph operator when he enlisted in 1915. In France, he served with the 4th Canadian Divisional Signal Company, and took part in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. He returned to Canada in May 1919 and resumed his career in communications. He died in 1952, at age 56.

Ralph Douglas Clark

He never spoke of it, and when prodded by his youngest son, Peter, would only utter, “it was terrible—so many of my friends killed.”

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Wilfred Rutherford

During his service, he was sent to India and German East Africa. He survived the war and went on to have a successful career in medicine.

Westminster Church Minuet Dance Group

The Westminster Church Minuet Dance Group performed in various festivals and concerts in the City of Winnipeg around the year 1916.

Curtis Frederick Robarts

The first thing that struck me about him was his height - or the lack of it.

Dennis Colburn Draper

“He was a man who went among his men on the days when ill winds blew.”

George Burdon McKean

Perhaps because of his size, and his aptitude, McKean was often assigned to scouting duties, creeping across no man’s land and reporting on the enemy.