Brayden Sutherland is a summer student working at the RCA Museum at CFB Shilo. He is seen holding the “Over the Top: Canada and the First World War” historic needlepoint on display. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag Media)
K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media, with files from Andrew Oakden, RCA Museum
Over the Top: Canada and the First World War
The RCA Museum is going above and beyond with its “Over the Top: Canada and the First World War,” new exhibit that marks the 110th anniversary of the international conflict.
The historical display opened in July for history buffs and viewers to indulge in spending a few hours touring the museum. Notable themes in the exhibit will include War Comes to Canada, the First Contingent, training camps, the Salisbury Plain, the Canadian Artillery in 1915, Forage Caps and Brodie Helmets, Ross & Lee-Enfield rifles, trench warfare, the Second Battle of Ypres, machine guns and gas attacks.
“We will include a WWI-era artifact featuring the phrase “over the top.” The artifact is a well-preserved, 15×17-inch linen, over plywood, embroidered with a depiction of Canadian soldiers on the Western Front,” Andrew Oakden, RCA Museum director said.
“Despite having limited information about its provenance, the story it tells is poignant. The embroidery commemorates Canadian involvement in WWI and carries a message of patriotism, sacrifice, and determination. It immortalizes the trials of war, honours the spirit of Canadian soldiers, and is a fitting WWI-era title for our next exhibit.”
The hand-stitched needlepoint depicts two Canadian soldiers on the front. One is holding a rifle, while the other is holding a grenade. They are walking away from a barbed wire fence with the Canadian Ensign waving in the background. The Ensign served as the Canadian flag between 1892 and 1965.
Another main feature of the exhibit is a trench wall, forklifted into place, that staff worked on for months. Above it is a video display of Allied soldiers in the trenches and no-mans-land.
Oakden said soldiers began using the phrase “over the top” during the early stages of trench warfare in 1915. The term refers to when soldiers climbed out of their trenches and exposed themselves to enemy fire as they charged the enemy trench.
“It was a dangerous manoeuvre because soldiers were highly vulnerable while crossing no man’s land, often littered with barbed wire and land mines, and subjected to artillery and machine gun fire,” he said.
The museum director said Canada demonstrated its dedication to the British Empire and willingness to support the Allied cause in 1914 by mobilizing the First Contingent of 30,000 soldiers for overseas duty.
The Canadian Artillery provided vital fire support, Oakden said.
“They helped break enemy defences, supported infantry advances and repelled German attacks.”
The country adapted quickly in preparation for trench warfare by establishing training camps such as Camp Sewell (then became Camp Hughes) in Manitoba. These training camps were particularly significant in battles such as the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915.
The “Over the Top: Canada and the First World War” historic needlepoint on display at the RCA Museum at CFB Shilo. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag Media)