In Memoriam

A tribute to the soldiers of the Canadian Corps who fought and died during the Battle of Hill 70, August 15th to 25th, 1917.

Researching Soldiers of the Hill 70 Battle

At 0425, Zero hour on August 15th, 1917, the Canadian Corps under the command of Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Currie began the assault on Hill 70. During the course of that assault, 1056 Canadian soldiers died. In the subsequent two days, 16 to 18 August, a further 449 died repelling the ensuing German counter attacks against the Canadian positions on Hill 70. A total of 1505 Canadian soldiers died during the capture and retention of Hill 70. A further 346 died during the attacks on Lens from 21 to 25 August. Overall, Canadian casualties numbered 9198 for the period 15 to 25 August.

The Veteran Affairs Canada website, Canadian Virtual War Memorial lists all of the personnel killed in the line of duty. This site encourages families to send digital photographs and personal memorabilia. The names of all the soldiers who died during WWI can be found on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. The attestation papers and records of all of the soldiers in the CEF can be accessed at the Library and Archives website. All of these websites are listed under quick links.

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Search Records

Families of soldiers who served at Hill 70 can access their relatives service files at the Library and Archives of Canada and those who sacrificed their lives can be found in the Canadian Virtual War Memorial at Veterans’ Canada and at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site.

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Memorial Notes

Below are the thoughtful tributes from generous supporters of the project.

Ronald Lucas

"Ronald Lucas, in the memory of my grandfather Private James Lucas who was born in County Clare Ireland in 1877 his records state 1880 but he lied about his age because he was too old. He moved to Canada in 1912 and joined the army in 1916 . He was killed on the first day of the battle for Hill 70 on August 15th 1917 with The Canadian Infantry Quebec Regiment 24th battalion leaving his wife Rose sons James 11, Ralph 7, Frank 4 and my father Richard 2. His body was never found and he is honored on the Vimy memorial. It is a shame that it took 100 years for this battle to be recognized but like they say better late than never. Hats off to the organizers of this memorial . I wish I could attend the celebrations on August 22nd but I am unable but plan to visit on September 4th and 5th."

Cathern Drury

"My Grand Uncle Laurence Edgar Abbott. my maternal grandfathers younger brother, was killed August 15 1917 at Hill 70. His body was never found and his name is on the Vimy Memorial where we had thought he had died until I was informed differently by a kind gentleman who is part of keeping the memory of the 21st Battalion, Kingston alive, my grand uncle was with the 21 when he died. I am donating in his memory and for his parents and siblings who never got to put Lauie (their name for him), to rest. Also learning as much as I can about Laurie so those of us that have come after him will know him and what our young ancestor gave up for our freedom. Cathern Agnes Harrison"

Elizabeth (Mitchell) Brigham

I am so pleased this morning to read your "On to victory- and nationhood" article in the Globe. Our Dad, William R. Mitchell, a signaller, was out laying communication cable at Hill 70, when a sniper shot him through the eye. This was on August 16, 1917, three days before his 20th birthday. He spent months in a war hospital at Bristol, England and did lose the eye but came home, married our Mother, helped raise six children & lived almost 73 years with shrapnel in his brain and a steel plate in the back of his head. He never returned to Europe.

We have visited Lens & with the help of Google maps & the war maps, found the site where he fell but how wonderful a memorial will be built & the battle commemorated.

Interestingly, I was at the War Museum in Ottawa last weekend with family & several purchased the book 'Capturing Hill 70.' "

Alan Morgan

"For my Uncle Walter Clayton Morgan, 814900. Buried at Les Baraques Plot 1 Row A Grave 3."

Ian K. Barker

"In memory of Captain Grant Davidson Mowat, 21st Battalion, C Company, Eastern Ontario Regiment, killed by sniper's bullet while leading his platoon during the assault on Hill 70, August 15th, 1917. Enlisted May 25th 1916. Home, Peterborough, ON."

Samuel MacCallum

"In loving memory of our cousin Lt. John Hewitt Laird. Born Quebec City, Canada Septermber 2nd 1897 - Died at Hill 70. August 15th 1917. Aged 19. With love, the MacCallum, McGreevy, Irvine and Kennedy families."

Heather Young

"Thank you for establishing this memorial and thank you for all the work you have done."

John Sykes

"In memory of 87776 Pte Gregory W served with 25 Bn at Hill 70. A historical novel based on his life 'Destination Lens' is to be published Autumn 2017."

Sandra Jaques

"In memory of Amos Beney, 772322, died Hill 70 August 19 1917, grandfather of Dennis Jaques."

Claire Barrey-Junop

"In honour of both grandfathers who fought on HILL 70.: Clair M Barrey who was injured and lost part of his leg and James Alexander MacGregor. Lest we forget."

Beverley White

"To honour a Great Uncle: George Weston Walker."

Franklin Hall

"It is wonderful to finally see the creation of this important memorial in recognition of the huge Canadian sacrifices that were made a century ago. My Mother and I are pleased to make this donation in memory of her Father and my Grandfather, Carl Franklin Dougherty, who was wounded in the Battle of Hill 70."

Michael Rohatynsky

"Vichnaya pamyat. Eternal memory."

Joseph Ho

"In Memory of Frederick Lee and the All the Canadian Soldiers."

Alvin Kurton

"We will never forget!"

Douglas Steinburg

"My uncle Pte. Milfred Steinburg (2nd Batn. Eastern Ontario Regiment) was killed at Hill 70 on August 17, 1917. His body was never found or identified. I will be there on that day in 2017. Thank you for this memorial."

Geoff Holmes

"My Great Grandfather Charles Reed was killed on 15 August, 1917 in the Battle of Hill 70. His body was never found. He had lied about his age to join the Canadian Army. He was 39. God rest his courageous soul."

Dan Revington

"In proud remembrance of my grandfather, Ben Johnston, private in the 15th Battalion, 48th Highlanders, wounded at Hill 70, August 15, 1917. From Dan Revington, my wife Kate, and sons Ben and Robert, in honour of the 100th anniversary of the Canadian victory at Hill 70."

Dan Revington

"In proud remembrance of my grandfather, Ben Johnston, private in the 15th Battalion, 48th Highlanders, wounded at Hill 70, August 15, 1917. From Dan Revington, my wife Kate, and sons Ben and Robert, in honour of the 100th anniversary of the Canadian victory at Hill 70."

Colin Ryan

"In memory of my Great Grandfather who died in the Battle for Hill 70, Private Fred Davis Hayes, 743085, February 2, 1885 - August 15, 1917, age 32. CEF, 2nd Canadian Division, 5th Infantry Brigade, 26th Battalion, New Brunswick."

Gerald Blezy

"Lest we forget all those who made the supreme sacrifice for God and country."

Duane Yeomans

"To remember great uncle: Corporal John James Haslam aka Norman Yeomans Service #441276 5th Battalion who died August 16, 1917 at Hill 70."

James Moore

"My grandfather, Herbert Leonard Moore, was killed on August 21, 1917. He was with the 27th Battalion, one of the Manitoba regiments."

Susan Smythe

"For my grandfather, Private John Fleming - 883632, who was missing in the Battle for Hill 70 but is still in our hearts."

Richard Garber

"In Honour of The Royal Montreal Regiment, 14th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force. In honour of those members of the Royal Montreal Regiment, 14th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, who fell in the capture of Hill 70."

John David Williams

"In Memory of John Maurice Williams, Regiment #871347"

F. Roy Thomas

"In Memory of Pte. Melbourne Storr, May7, 1918 Pte "Mell" Storr, 26th Bn, fought at Hill 70 here before dying May 1918 near Arras."

Terry Bishop

"With thanks for the sacrifice of many, for the benefit of even more."

For further reading

PA-001964-14th-Battalion-on-way-to-rest-camp

The Battle that forged a nation.

For the first time in its history, Canada went to war under its own command. Not Vimy, not Passchendaele. But the Battle of Hill 70.

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Victoria Cross Recipients

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy".

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