Stretcher bearers ... at the double!

the long version

"Stretcher bearers..." is the remarkably humerous and human story of a Canadian ambulance corps in its harrowing trek across the battlefields of Europe, mainly France, throughout World War I. Gathered as a collaborative effort of the men who endured untold hardships the narrative focuses not at the business of ministering to the wounded, but on relationships, attitudes towards British officers, and anecdotes all of which illustrate life around the battleground. The regiment deployed from Canada in 1914 and returned more than a year after the war ended. They served at the pivotal battles that defined the Canadian national character at Ypres, Passchendaele and Vimy Ridge. The book is full of fabulous photos which must have been spirited away from the battleground and which bring even more life to the tale. Since reading this I have always wondered if Frederick, the author, knew that his brother George took part in Vimy and died a few days after. (W. H. Noyes, grand nephew, Winnipeg)