In order to prepare for their upcoming journey to France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, students from across Canada research the life and death of a particular soldier in order to better understand and relate to the circumstances faced by so many young men and their families. Researching primary documents found online, the students provided brief biographies of these extraordinary men. Here is one such project:
Irwin Hart, Eastern Ontario Regiment
(Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry)
By Kira C., Explorica traveller
Personal Life
Irwin Hart was born on February 23, 1889. He is from Weeping Water, Nebraska, United States of America. Hart enlisted on March 2nd, 1916 in Windsor Ontario. He was 27 years old at the time he enlisted. Hart was five and nine inches tall and weighed 215 pounds. He had blue eyes, brown hair, and a fair complexion. Before he is enlisted he was a clerk from Weeping Water, Nebraska and he had no previous military experience. As for his religion he was a Baptist and he was not married. His next of kin was his uncle Hugh Hart.
Medical Records
When Hart was examined his chest measurement was 37 inches, his maximum expansion was 44 inches. This meant he was in good health condition. During the war he did not have to go to a hospital for any illnesses. On his death certificate he died on April 9th in 1917 at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Finals Days
On April 6th, 1917 the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was in Grange Line, Vimy Ridge, and Villers-Aux-Bois, France. Number’s one and three Coys proceeded to Grange Subway- Vimy Ridge; while at that location there was intermittent shelling by the enemy which caused three of their planes to fall in flames in enemy lines. In the trenches on April 8th, 1917 they received order to attack and capture a portion of Vimy Ridge. The intermediate objective was S 22 d. 7¾.2 to S 22.d. 3½.5½ junction of Blue to Beggar Trench exclusive. (Reference Map VIMY sheet 36 S.W. 1/10000) The final objective was Britt Trench from s.23.c.4.5. to Junction with Straubwasser Weg (S.23.c.3½ .6) Inclusive) Thence to S.22.d.9 ½.9 ½. with strong points at S.23.c.3½.6. and S.23.c.1.8. At midnight that day they received a message from Brig. Gren. A.G. Macdonell that said, “I cannot go to bed without wishing you & your gallant lads good speed, best of good luck and victory”. [3]
TO THE VALOUR OF THEIR COUNTRYMEN IN THE GREAT WAR AND IN MEMORY OF THEIR SIXTY THOUSAND DEAD THIS MONUMENT IS RAISED BY THE PEOPLE OF CANADA
The next couple dairy entry from April.8th-11th states that the operation against Vimy Ridge was successfully carried out, with both objectives being reached and effectively consolidated. It also says that more detailed narrative of the operations appears in the appendix referred to in the margin. The weather during the four day operation commenced with heavy showers on 8.4.17 and then turning to having beamy sun streams on the 10.4.17 and 11.4.17. The battalion was relieved on 11.4.17 and moved to La Motte.
Military Movements
Irwin Hart enlisted on March 2nd, 1916 in Windsor Ontario to the 97th Canadian Infantry Battalion. His regimental number was 208086. He travelled to Britain on September.19th, 1916 with the battalion. Hart remained in the 97th Battalion until he was transferred to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry on October 31, 1916. He remained with the PPCLI as a private until the date of his death on April 9th, 1917. He was killed in action, while he was carrying a wounded man out from the front line trenches at Vimy Ridge; he was instantly killed by a bullet from an enemy rifle.
Inscription – His name as it is inscribed on the Vimy Memorial. Over 11,000 fallen Canadians having no known place of burial in France, are honoured on this Memorial. May they never be forgotten. (J. Stephens)
Lest We Forget
Irwin Hart is one of the 11 000 Canadian soldiers who is commemorated at the Vimy Memorial. His name is among the many, which are inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Memorial because of Canada’s contribution overseas. The names engraved on the memorial are for the Canadian soldiers who were posted as ‘missing, presumed dead’ in France. At the base of the memorial, these words appear in French and in English: