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Lest We Forget with University of Alberta Archives

by Sonya Leung
written by Sonya Leung
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On November 11 we will pause to honour the soldiers that have fought for Canada and to support the Canadian Troops.

In addition to pausing for a day to honour the soldiers, I thought another way to appreciate the Canadian soldiers would be to showcase photos of the University of Alberta’s connection to World War I (WWI). With the help of my colleague at University of Alberta Archives (UAA), Marissa Fraser, here is a small sample of archival photos to help us relearn history and honour our soldiers.

Photo of the War Memorial Plaque.
War Memorial Plaque at entrance of Convocation Hall (erected in 1925) in remembrance of the U of A men who fell in WW1. (accession UAA-1969-18-75)
Group of portrait photos of University of Alberta Officers Training Corps, Officers and N.C.O.'s.
University of Alberta Company Officers Training Corps. Officers and N.C.O.’s of 1915-16. With President Tory in the center. (accession UAA-1979-24-5)
Two soldiers sit casually on the steps outside Athabasca Hall. Another soldier stands behind them looking into the distance.
Soldiers on the steps of Athabasca Hall. (accession UAA-1990-60-27)
Exterior shot of a row of five buildings.
Training Camp of the 196th Khaki Battalion. (accession UAA-1986-107-4)
Portrait photo of C.S. Burgess.
Captain C.S. Burgess of the 196th Lieut. O.T.C. (accession UAA-1979-24-5)

As Fraser explained, UAA does not have a specific fonds for WWI but does have fonds on topics related to the University of Alberta and WWI. For those who are unfamiliar with archival terminology, “fonds” is an archival term that is used to describe a group of records from the same origin/creator. It’s a group of records from either an organization, person, or family which were created/accumulated as a result of the organic processes and functions of the creator. Fonds is one of the highest levels in the hierarchy of the archival description.

Fonds held at UAA where you will find these photos are: 

Three rows of soldiers stand facing the camera.
University of Alberta Tank Contingent April 1918. (accession UAA-1917-198)
Photo of first University of Alberta draft with hand writing around the photo. Hand writing reads top: G.T. Riley, J.A. Carswell, J.S. Kerr middle: A. McQueen, E. Parcov, C. Beck Bottom: A. McArthur, R. Stevens, A.T. Glanville with Dr. Tory and Capt. H.S. Maclead.
First University of Alberta Draft, 2nd Universities Company PPCLI, 1915. (accession UAA-1987-078-002)
A group of women sit on the steps outside a University Building.
Soldier’s Comfort Club. (accession UAA-1986-41-6-3-44)
Four rows of soldiers stand on the steps in front of a University of Alberta building, facing the camera.
University of Alberta Company COTC 1916-17. (accession UAA-1969-48-16)
Group of soldiers posing for together in front of shrubs.
Western Universities Battalion [1916-1919] (accession UAA-1987-078-001)
Areal shot of the University Hospital's new soldier's wing.
University Hospital’s new soldiers wing in 1945. (accession UAA-1969-97-259b)
Four rows of soldiers stand on the steps in front of a building.
Third University Company PPCLI in 1915. (accession UAA-1978-99)

Book a visit to University of Alberta Archives

  1. Use the Discover Archives database prior to booking your appointment.
  2. Provide accession numbers (example: UAA-1998-002-012) for items you wish to view.
  3. With COVID restrictions appointments can be made by contacting UAA via email archives@ualberta.ca or by phone at 780-248-1300.

More on WWI & II

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Sonya is an Information Services Specialist at Cameron Library. She's a #UAlberta grad who now occasionally posts and tweets for @uofalibrary. Her favourite thing to do is to "Reply All" with a single gif.

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