In Flanders Fields: The Story of John McCrae & Essex Farm

[@OldFrontLine]

Enjoyed this, but the photo you showed isn’t of Valentine Strudwick, it’s a lad called James Marchbank. I used to live near where Strudwick came from and his family confirmed there were no surviving photos of him. Keep up the great work!

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Thanks for pointing that out. I went to several sites and one claimed the photo was from a book about him. I looked up James Marchbank and sure enough, it's him.

[@OldFrontLine]

@@VloggingThroughHistory thanks. I was younger than Strudwick when I first saw his grave and I’ve always wanted to see a photo of him, but like I say sadly I don’t think one exists.

[@mr.cheeto7543]

@@VloggingThroughHistory I always enjoy these types of vids along with the reactions keep it up man could you react to the animated history of mexico whenever you can its by suibhne

[@Metal4Life198821]

Thank you for doing Canadians justice in the Great War, it’s truly the moment where we were no longer a British commonwealth, we came out of that war as true Canadians

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Canadians may have been the best soldiers in the entire war on either side.

[@orwellboy1958]

The Canadians were and are a vital part of the commonwealth of nations.

[@jackthebassman1]

I have to say, as a Brit who has been keenly interested in the Great War for 30 years or more I find your videos and posts both extremely informative and moving - thank you for your superb work.

[@dalevalentine1721]

Most people do not recite "In Flanders Fields" with the right pacing and intonation. You nailed it - thank you for that.

[@sirdavidoftor3413]

Thank you Chris for this video. Being Canadian, I knew of John McCrae, but not in this depth. What I didn’t realize is that there was a memorial in France. Thank you for including Valentine J. Strudwick’s story. When I was 15, my biggest desire and concern was turning sixteen so I could drive and convincing my dad to teach me how to drive, not worried or facing being killed in a war. I remember how angry I was when my dad wouldn’t take me out driving when I was a week away from my 16th birthday. I pouted and argued with him. How I took peace for granted that I even had the opportunity to drive, when Val, and I am sure many others didn’t, and saw their world in a totally different way. Very good video, the music, for me, was spot on! Stay safe, stay sane, stay Strong Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@cotepierre68]

We, as Canadians are always to much humble when it comes to our contribution the military history. Thanks you to bring that into light. This poem is read in English and in it’s translated French version each year in Remembrance Day on November 11th from coast to coast in Canada.

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Canadians may have been the best fighters on either side in the Great War.

[@cotepierre68]

@@VloggingThroughHistory Thé Aussies might says otherwise but I agree with you a 100% 😁!

[@aldbgbnkladg]

Indeed, and the Ottawa's War Museum helps us remembering it! Great exposition of our contributions to WWI and WWII, but all other engagements as well. We should be prouder of our Army

[@prairiegirl5165]

I had the opportunity to visit this graveyard in 2012. It was so moving. We don't have the same type of place in Canada such as Alrington Cementary in the United States. Most of the major cemeteries honoring Canadians who gave their lives are located oversees. A must see for all Canadians at least once in their lives.

[@yj9032]

My ancestors in the Indian Army fought in the first Battle of Ypres. Great video sir.

[@rodwilkins1614]

Thought you would have named them then?

[@keziasarah]

My great great uncle from the Worcestershire regiment fought along side the Indian Army at the 3 day battle of Neuve Chapelle March 1915 and was sadly killed March 11 1915 aged 24. He's buried in Estaires CWGC communal cemetery. This battle was the first to use a rolling barrage approach as an attempt to break the stalemate which had existed from the start of the war 6 months previously. Just down the road is the WW1 Indian Memorial at Neuve Chapelle and commemorates over 4,700 Indian soldiers and labourers who lost their lives on the Western Front during the First World War and have no known graves, its a compelling peaceful place to visit.

[@christopherfernandes4401]

There were approximately 1,445,000 Indians that fought in WW1. Over 90,000 were killed and many more were wounded. The 3rd largest group in Gallipoli-Dardanelles were Indians ( The ANZAC-Australians and the New Zealanders were the largest group). There are over 1,400 graves of Indian soldiers buried in Gallipoli along those of Australian and New Zealanders.

[@lesliepoole8705]

Beautifully read, Big respect to Canada & Canadians .for your and their sacrifice

[@Gruffas]

Love your content. If you feel inclined, please make a whole episode with war poetry written in the trenches. There is so much there.

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

I've been thinking about that. There's so much good stuff written during the war.

[@icygaming20]

@@VloggingThroughHistory I'd love to see that

[@domain2genus]

Before McCrae's poem, the Flanders poppy was often known as the corn poppy (amongst other names). The corn poppy was a weed that grew in the freshly ploughed earth of farmland, and perhaps commonly thought of as a nuisance, but it was this nature that allowed it to survive and grow in the upturned landscape that the Western Front became. I think it is a piece of sombre irony that a plant so little cared for before the war should become a symbol of remembrance for all those whose lives were claimed by the conflict.

[@AnnieVanAuken]

I have a vivid childhood early 1960s memory of seeing on occasion a WWI vet standing outside the local A&P. He was missing a limb (leg?) and in his old Great War uniform. The man sold poppies attached to a card and on the back was printed the poem, "In Flanders Fields". I'm sure mom bought one and as a youngster of 8 or 10 I had some small exposure to the aftereffects of war that stayed with me into my teens when the country got embroiled in Vietnam. PS, superb video!

[@jimmypowell7508]

Thank you for such a wonderful and respectful video

[@Simonsbath2]

I found your channel and I am so glad I did so informative , thank you so much for putting all the efforts into your work. I'm travelling to ypres on Saturday from England and have so much more knowledge than I had . Thanks peace .

[@BookOfMormon4GenZ]

Such a beautiful story. I have loved McCrae's poem for over 30 years, however, I didn't know that he actually threw away one of the greatest poems ever written. I am so thankful it was picked up and published. Thank you!

[@CodyChepa88]

Beautiful as always. I always feel like I'm right there during these videos. Keep up the great work and as always have to like and comment for the algorithm 👍🙏

[@DRMJAPLOUTA]

This may sound kinda corny but this video legit had me in tears, great channel and keep making this awesome and informative content

[@realboss604]

I grew up learning this poem by McRae in elementary, another canadian hero.

[@dennypetrosian8589]

These are beautiful, Chris. You truly know how to set the stage, the ambience of these wonderful videos. It's impossible to not shed a tear when watching these. Thank you 🙏

[@VonKraut]

Glad to see some content about the Canadians. My grandmother's maiden name was McCrae and I'm related to John McCrae through her.

[@jay76ny]

I got chills reading the text about young Strudwick.

[@XaviRonaldo0]

It's so touching to see these graveyards and monuments so impeccably kept

[@ToddSauve]

Thank you for this highlighting of John McCrae and his poem. Many people in North America and around the world don't realize what colossal losses Canada suffered in WW1 and WW2. WW1 claimed around 67,000 Canadian dead and WW2 another 45,000. As a comparison, if the US took as many killed in action, their war dead for the two world wars would total around 1,200,000. As those who have studied the numbers know, the US only took about half that number of killed in action. This is not a criticism of the US by any means, as they did not fight in either war for as long as Canada and thus were able to avoid such enormous numbers of dead. I grew up on the Canadian prairies and every little town and village has its own memorial to the dead from their area. Today I don't know if people pay much attention to these matters. I hope they do but so often people forget about past wars until a new one catches up with them. 🤷‍♂😯

[@Ozai75]

"Five hundred miles of Germans, five hundred miles of French, And Englishmen, Scots and Irishmen, all fighting for a trench. And when the trench is taken, and many thousands slain, The losers, with more slaughter, retake the trench again." - Anonymous WW1 soldier, 1917

[@BobLovesKaren]

I never knew the depth of the meaning of the poppies and now the ending shot of Black Adder hits even harder. ❤

[@TribeTaz]

Very emotional. That poem, i have on my wall. Hearing you read it, gave me tears. I am sharing this video on Facebook

[@Excepnexcep]

The battles of Ypres are some of the most horrifying battlefields I've seen. In canada we like to talk about vimy ridge buy never mention this battle by name. Keep up the good work

[@wihistorybuff]

I started tearing up watching this.

[@luucdulac8958]

Beautifull documentary, brought with respect. Thank you so much!

[@Dav1Gv]

Another great video. Essex Farm makes you think, I was there once when a teacher was talking about the poem to her class - British schools are required to take pupils to France to see the cemeteries etc. They were clearly moved. Have you visited the German Cemetery at Vladslo which is north of Ypres and has Kathe Kollwitz's statues The Grieving Parents, a male and female figure looking at the grave of her son, Peter, who was killed in the Kindermord von Ypern. Her grandson was killed in Russia in WW2.

[@timvanacker5129]

I visited his grave in febuary 2020, 2 weeks before covid locked everyrhing down. A very moving moment.

[@druballard8929]

Chris thanks for another great video. Your passion for history is obvious and I so glad I found your site on History Underground Antietam video. Have either one of you thought about doing a live event at one of those battlefields. I am sure many of your subscribers would love to meet you in person and enjoy some history with you

[@patrickpoppy9891]

Thank you for covering the Canadian side of the war. Love your channel, much respect from Quebec 🇨🇦

[@robmisener2786]

Chris you are awesome! Thank you from your Canadian friends!🇨🇦🇺🇲

[@Oilerfan5]

John McCrae is my great great uncle on my mom’s side. Soon as you said you were heading to Ypres I was looking forward to this video, thanks 👍🏼

[@Crytica.]

Heartbreaking to hear about Valentine J. Strudwick. This story/account was sadly the cruel fate for many a young teen, eager and misguided by propaganda to fight in a war they thought would be over soon and would also be a heroic and proud and sometimes even a fun thing to do. While certainly heroic what these fine men have done for us, offereing their lives for the good of others, it is also the sad reality that many of them, like Valentine, being mere children with mothers waiting at home for their save return, died gruesomely in vain... Great video as always. Very informative and very respectful. Glad that we have people like you who this kind of content justice.

[@diddyreason]

An emotional video which showed the human side of loss from a soldiers perspective. Thank you for your dedication 🙏

[@barbarak2836]

I have read "In Flanders Fields" many times, but thank you for highlighting it and its author.

[@phantomtitan9792]

That was fascinating information

[@Andrew.Schlei]

Nice work. I was able to visit this place a few years ago. Seeing these places in person is really moving.

[@stephenparker6362]

Hi, Chris, as always this was so good.

[@christianadrenalinejunkie]

❤ I actually sang that song in Middle School as I was in Chorus; the one time I moved the American Flag behind us as part of a Patriotic Duty to remember this song thank you Vlogging through History for sharing it

[@samuelcameron8215]

“We went up Vimy ridge as albertans and Nova Scotians, we came down it as Canadians”

[@Toerist2290]

Nicely done! I also made a video about this place some months ago.

[@HT-io1eg]

Poppies weren’t allowed in our house. My mother was in the ‘lions led by donkeys’ camp. And when I was growing up in the 70s the artificial poppies, on the black central button, still said ‘Haig Fund’. Mum wouldn’t have his name in the house nor give money to anything tainted by him.

[@McNubbys]

Well read

[@wendeln92]

Wonderful video. My interest in WWI grew from 1) my maturnal grandfather's service and 2) my discovery of War Poetry and the literature inspired by WWI. I have several Canadian friends who look at WWI as a tragedy and with degree of anger. I knew of John McCrae and "Flanders Fields". Also explore the works of Wilfred Owen, Siegfreid Sassoon, Isaac Rosenburg to name a few. Owen and Rosenburg were killed, Sassoon made it. The US. has one well known War Poet - Joyce Kilmer of the Fighting 69th, he didn't make it either. I have quite a collection of War Poetry and WWI literature.

[@tombrydson781]

Lest we forget never

[@historyinyourhand1787]

Fantastic video Chris great job

[@leemackie8434]

Thank you 💕💗🇦🇺👏👏

[@LeonardCooperman]

I have always wondered about the origin of the poppy and what it meant. Now I know. Thank you so very much.

[@francisebbecke2727]

So sad.

[@aldbgbnkladg]

9:30 Part of my visit at Ottawa's War Museum, we had the chance to read a full wall of letters like these where the mother and father will learn of their child's death in combat. This is utterly painful to read and imagine it would be yours. Lest we forget 🍁

[@dcongdon2294]

Thank you

[@mathewdean3334]

Would you consider doing a reaction to the new all quiet on the western front or a video telling us your thoughts about the movie as a whole love your videos

[@hltco920]

You should review War Game (2002). The author wrote the book in memory of his four uncles who were killed at the Battle of the Somme. I show it to my students every year at Christmas. There is never a dry eye in the room. It perfectly encapsulates the horrors of war and that the enemy wasn't in the other trench but in the army Headquarters of London and Berlin.

[@professorwhat2704]

I guess I still have the podcast episode on the executions on the brain. I couldn't help but think of that when you talked about McRae's account of those 17 days. It's understandable that anyone would snap from that, and it's upsetting to think of how they were treated for something human.

[@rdizzzy7340]

Imagine never being able to go to ur sons grave bc it’s on the other side or the planet and ur just poor farmers 😢

[@svenmartin840]

40 years ago i was 15 and it was Memorial Day. And what have We have learned Charlie Brown had came on. And Colonel McCray's poem was read. And my dad who was a Vietnam Veteran and serving at Fort Devens. And when Dad heard the poem he began to cry. Because like Colonel McCray he saw the blunt end of war. Dad was triage and evac nurse. I served too. But never went. I am the nephew of veterans and the uncle of two veterans who served in the US Marines Corps. At my niece Lauren is serving in the Navy. And my niece did not want to go to Pearl Harbor show my brother had to talk to her. Take the tour of the harbor. Which she did and it changed her life. Sadly my brother and I did not take our father 10:49 back to Vietnam. So he could show us where he was at. We was going to go from Ho Chi Minh City to Saigon to Da Nang, to Cambodia then on to Thailand. From Thailand to Normandy, to Waterloo then to Flanders Field. To honor these men who have passed. Colonel McCray did not get pneumonia and came home. I think he would have helped the veterans out. Dealing with the post-traumatic stress disorder. And talking to Archibald Moonlight Graham the former New York Giants player. About helping children. And others. Rest well Colonel. You have been properly relieved of Duty. Amen

[@pimhoff]

It is impossibly sad because it was such a pointless and useless war. All of the human potential lost at such a young age. How different might the world been if just one of the dead had survived to be a future Einstein, Pasteur or Edison. Given the enormity of the loss, there almost certainly were dozens, if not hundreds, of such minds lost to the world.

[@tommcdonald1873]

To my Great Uncle Lewis Sullivan who served in the 25th infantry battalion Nova Scotia Rifles in the Great War and all those who showed the world what Canada can do 🇨🇦

[@BOB_EDC]

Hey Chris, youvshould do a video on the song I'll be home for Christmas.

[@jimmcdonald678]

What is the music that you are playing in the background?

[@barbaraallen435]

I have visited Valentines grave .

[@alanholck7995]

I’ve been to Essex Farm, & have a slightly different take - If you could ask Joe Strudwick what he thinks of the teddy bears left at his grave, I think he would be a bit embarrassed. He didn’t consider himself a ‘kid’; as far as he was concerned he died a man.

[@bintangwicaksana3689]

hey can you play new campaign trail 1964 incumbent Nixon mod please