WORLD WAR ONE: Letter Writing Project AIM: To gain a historical perspective of the lives of a soldier at the Western

Front, and a person living in Canada (at the Home Front) during World War I. TASKS: 1. Access the records of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef 2. Choose a member to study for your journal project. 3. View the front and back of the attestation papers for your individual. Copy and paste each side into a Microsoft Word document. 4. Print both sides of the attestation papers. Include these in your project. 5. Use the soldiers regiment number to search for further information on your soldier. To do this click on search help, then go to Regimental Numbers List. Based on the information you find here (eg. battalion number), try searching the War Diaries of the First World War to see if you can find more information on your solider. This may lead to a dead end - but give it a try anyway. 6. Search the Books of Remembrance to determine if your soldier died in the war. Include this information with your project. http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=collections/books 7. Write a brief biography of your soldier, using the information listed on the attestation papers and any further information you were able to discover. 8. Write 2 fictional letters. Letter #1: From the trenches Write this letter from the perspective of your chosen soldier to the next of kin listed on the attestation paper. The letter must include: biographical information from the attestation papers Information about life in the trenches information about a major battle in which your soldier is participating (make sure your dates are historically accurate - do additional research to include pertinent details) personal details about experiences in the army Letter #2: From the Home Front Write this letter in response to the first, from the next of kin to the soldier. The letter must include: biographical details relating to the first letter information about life in Canada during the war - make sure you mention major events and social trends such as women going to work, food production, the War Measures Act, volunteering for the war effort, the Military Services Act, etc., as dates allow Each letter should be approximately 250 -300 words (1 to 1 pages, double spaced, size 12 font). Be sure to organize your ideas effectively into paragraphs. In order to create historically accurate and authentic seeming letters, study real letters written to and from the Western Front during WWI.

In memory of Corporal HARRY POTTER

Service Number: Force: Unit: Division: Cemetery: 439624 Army Canadian Infantry 52nd Bn. MENIN ROAD SOUTH MILITARY CEMETERY, Belgium

who died on July 6, 1916

page in the book of Remembrance:

Biography: Corporal Harry Potter was born on November 26 th, 1886 in Ipswich, England. He was a member of the Church of England. He was of average height with medium complexion, brown hair and blue eyes. Sometime before 1915, Harry Potter immigrated to Canada. He worked as a book-keeper until he joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in August of 1915. When he enlisted, he was placed in the 52 nd Battalion of the CEF. The 52nd Battalion contained soldiers from the Northern Ontario area. The recruiting headquarters was at Port Arthur, Ontario, now known as Thunder Bay. The battalion joined the ninth brigade and Canadian Division on the 23 rd of February, 1916. The battalion arrived at Plymouth, England on December 3, 1915. They then moved to Witley Camp for 6 weeks of British instructed training. On August 30 th of 1916, the 52 nd battalion would enter the Battle of the Somme however Corporal Potter did not make it to this battle. Harry Potter died on July 6 th, 1916 not during an ofcial battle. Potter was considered to be trench wastage. Potter only lasted 11 months in the Canadian Forces. Just a few weeks shy of Corporal Potter's 29 th birthday. He did not leave behind a wife. He is commemorated on the 149th page of the First World War Book of Remembrance.

Letter #1 from Cpl Harry Potter to his mother, Ellen: Dear Mum;

June 4th, 1916

I wish I could tell you about how well the war is going and that I'd be coming home soon, however I don't think this is the case. I'm so glad I got vaccinated before coming here, otherwise I would surely perish from disease. Life in the trenches is rough, but its worth it to protect our land and our integrity. When I am not busy training, I am trying to keep my uniform clean and praying to God that I will live to see tomorrow. That's the biggest fear around here not making it to the next day. I hear stories from some of the people who have been here longer. The people who have lost their best friends or brothers; their uncles, their cousins. Its depressing. The trench is always littered with the limbs of soldiers. Although my battalion, the 52nd of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces has not yet taken part in a major battle like at Ypres last year, there have still been many deaths in the trench. We call that trench wastage around here. If I die, I sincerely hope I die fighting in large battle for my country, not from just sitting around in the trench. Some of these other men in the trenches truly want to die. The disease and fungus here is unbearable. And the rats... Rats everywhere. Nibbling on the remains of the deceased and the limbs of the living. I woke up a few nights ago to find a rat gnawing at my finger. I miss home terribly. However, life is a little better since I was promoted from private to corporal. It means more money to be sent home to you. I hope to hear from you soon. I love you dearly, Mum. -Harry

Letter #2 from Mrs Ellen Potter to her son, Harry: My dear son, Harry; June 16th, 1916

It's so good to hear from you. I miss you as well. Life in Canada is not the same. Due to the lack of men, every morning I see more and more women going off to the factories. Oh, how I envy them but I'm just too old to go to work. I'm okay because I am just taking care of myself, however the large families are really having a hard time putting food on the table. The war has resulted in us having to ration so much food. I'm watching once plump and well-fed young boys waste away to almost nothing. Also, as the days pass, less and less men appear on the streets and more and more are in the enlistment offices. Wasn't this war supposed to be over more than a year ago? I hope you enjoy the cookies I have included with this letter. I was only able to get enough sugar to make this by promising I was making them for you. You had better stay safe and keep your head down in the trench. Every woman on the block dreads the delivery of a telegraph just as I do, and Harry I don't want to receive any telegraphs until you're home safe. It gets depressing around here too. There is always a woman who needs comforting because her husband or brother has died. The worst is seeing the small infants who will grow up without fathers. At least their fathers were fighting for what was right, just like you are, son. I'm so proud of you. -Mum