"In event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my mother = Mrs. F Pye
Brandon Manitoba Canada" |
Frank Cyril Pye served in the 85th Overseas Battalion, also known as the Nova Scotia Highlanders. Pye, alongside approximately 40,000 other Canadian soldiers, took part in a few of Canada's big military successes. One being the memorable Battle of Vimy Ridge where Hill 145 was triumphantly captured from the Germans. At the age of 22, Pye was badly wounded during the Battle of Amiens in France. He died just before the battle had ended in another major victory against Germany on August 11, 1918; sparking the Hundred Days campaign.
All items in this room are here to help you make personal connections with Frank Cyril Pye. He was a brave young man who enlisted in the Canadian military to join his fellow troops in the fight for their country and allied forces. Pye served overseas for almost three years and like all other soldiers, he rarely ever had the opportunity to pay visit to his loved ones. In the event of being killed in action, soldiers were expected to write their wills soon after they enlisted. It was a disconcerting process that may have hit home for many soldiers as they had to accept the fact that war was gruesome and death was capable of happening at any time.
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Frank Cyril Pye died during his early twenties. He did not make it to see what life could have been after WWI had ended in favour of the Allies. Focusing on the experience of one soldier rather than all is more emotionally provoking because every man had his own collection of stories to tell.
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