The 100th anniversary of the Battle of Canal du Nord and honouring Milton Gregg, VC
Backgrounder
Canada’s Hundred Days represents the last three months of the First World War. During this period a series of impressive Canadian Corps victories, including the Battle of the Canal du Nord, solidified their reputation as elite shock troops on the Western Front. Canada’s Hundred Days culminated with the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918.
In late September 1918, the Canadian Corps achieved one of their most impressive victories of the entire First World War when they fought their way across the Canal du Nord in northern France. The Canadians forced their way through three lines of German defences and took Bourlon Wood which broke through the enemy’s Hindenburg Line.
New Brunswick’s Lieutenant Milton Gregg was an officer with the Royal Canadian Regiment during the Canadian Corps’ offensive at the Canal du Nord. His exceptional bravery under fire between September 27 and October 1, 1918, would earn him the Victoria Cross.
On September 28 and 29, 2018, Veterans Affairs Canada—along with the Canadian Armed Forces, the Office of the Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, the Vimy Foundation and the University of New Brunswick’s Gregg Centre—will host a series of community-oriented commemorative events in Fredericton, New Brunswick, to mark the 100th anniversary of the crossing of the Canal du Nord and Milton Gregg’s Victoria Cross-earning exploits.
Events are aimed at audiences both young and old, as well as the local Canadian Armed Forces community, Veterans and their families. These opportunities will help participants better understand the importance of the battles on the Western Front in the closing months of the First World War and the local impact of the conflict.
Events include:
Join the conversation on social media using the hashtags #CanadaRemembers and #Canadas100days, or visit veterans.gc.ca/100days
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