Canadian Pacific Railway and War - To those who fall, I say: "You will not die, but step into immortality." Arthur Currie
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Canadian
Pacific
Railway
and
War
To those who fall, I say: “You will not die, but step into immortality.” Arthur Currie,
Lieutenant-General, Canadian Army Corps (March 27, 1918)
1
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY AND WAR
W hen conflict reaches an
ultimate impasse…war is
the tragic result.
And when Canada, the
Ref. A.20173
British Empire, and even the
Ref. NS.3003
United States of America, were
embroiled in such conflict
Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)
was there from the get-go…
contributing to the war efforts in
North America and overseas.
Not content to be just an
economic and political tool
Ref. NS.8135
Ref. NS.11220
linking Canada’s east and west,
CPR was also a major Canadian,
North American and world
strategic weapon.
Ref. A.15505
Ref. WAR.80.0
Ref. NS.4760
Ref. NS.3663
Jonathan B. Hanna
Corporate Historian
Canadian Pacific Railway
2
CPR AND THE RIEL REBELLION
C PR was not just an economic
and political tool to link
Canada’s east and west in the
Aside from strategic benefits, CPR
actually helped quash an armed
insurrection at home on the
(half native and half French-
Canadian or Scottish-Canadian)
were not. After all this was really
1880s. CPR was also a major Canadian Prairies. their land that was trading hands
Canadian strategic weapon. As so quickly, easily and cheaply. So
strange as it may sound, CPR Trouble started brewing soon after the natives worked on setting up
actually served to keep Americans Canada was formed, July 1, 1867. reserves. And Métis leader Louis
and their “manifest destiny” at bay The Hudson’s Bay Company (Hbc) Riel set up a whole province –
below the 49th parallel. There was a sold a huge tract of land it owned Manitoba. Not as big as today’s
definite move afoot in 19th Century in the Canadian northwest to the Manitoba, provincial status came
United States of America to push Canadian government. In 1869, nevertheless to the province on
the western international border Hbc sold the 1.5-million-square- July 15, 1870…only after a bitter
between Canada and the US mile Rupert’s Land to the federal Riel-led insurrection. Riel’s
northward. In the first half of the government for $1.5 million. This mistake was he decided to execute
century, cries of “54-40 or fight” was almost twice the size of the upstart Ontario Orangeman and
rang out in the US – in a bid to US’s Louisiana Purchase at only Red River settler, Thomas Scott.
push the boundary as far north as one-tenth the cost. The feds were After Scott was shot, Riel managed
54 degrees, 40 minutes of latitude happy with their purchase from to sneak off un-prosecuted and
in the northern hemisphere. The “The Bay.” The natives and Métis take refuge in the US. But, in the
arrival of the CPR established a 1880s, civilization, and now the
presence in the Canadian West. Canadian militia, en route to quash the CPR, again threatened the Métis’
“Riel Rebellion”, travel in relative comfort
CPR linked British Columbia with on a CPR day coach.
way of life. So Riel was back by
Central and Eastern Canada, Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway Archives. invitation in Canada’s northwest to
putting an end to all this talk. A.4253 “deliver his people.”
3
CANADIAN PACIFIC AND THE BOER WAR: STRATHCONA’S HORSE
But this time his rebellion French Canadian nationalists,
backfired. The CPR, epitomizing led by Henri Bourassa, saw
eastern encroachment, helped growing British imperialism as
quash the rebellion and save the a threat and backed the
day…and it saved the CPR too. Afrikaners (or Boers). Wilfrid
CPR was on the brink of Laurier’s government
bankruptcy in 1885. Half a year reluctantly raised an initial
before the last spike was driven, contingent of 1,000
Louis Riel teamed up with infantrymen to fight in the war.
Gabriel Dumont, Poundmaker But British reversals of fortune,
and Big Bear, and waged a injuries and casualties called on
bloody battle at Duck Lake, on Canada to ante up a further
March 26, 1885. His actions 6,000 volunteers. And then a
proved the national security third contingent of 1,000 was
benefit of the CPR. CPR came to sent to replace the Halifax
the rescue with logistical reserves that were overseas.
finesse, transporting troops Canada’s total wartime bill for
from the east over its nearly all this? $2,830,965.
completed main line, to the
western hot spots. The 1885 This clearly was not enough for
rebellion was quelled in a matter the Dominion of Canada – a
of weeks. Whereas, back in 1870, loyal member of the British
it took Colonel Wolseley three Empire. So CPR’s senior
months just to get his troops to director, driver of the last spike
Manitoba. One of the 400 “rough riders” Lord Strathcona recruited and, at that time, Canadian High
in 1900 to go overseas and fight in the “Boer War”. Commissioner to London,
Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway Archives. NS.11964 Donald Smith a.k.a. Lord
Strathcona and Mont Royal, had
I n 1899, Canada got involved in
its first overseas conflict. A statue commemorating “Strathcona’s Horse” erected
in Montreal’s Dominion Square.
an idea. He would raise, equip
and fund…with his own
For the first time since becoming Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway Archives. NS.10220 money…a mounted cavalry to
a nation, Canada was involved in send off to South Africa to fight
a conflict outside North America. in the war. On New Year’s Eve,
It sent volunteers and troops to the day before 1899 became
South Africa to fight in the South 1900, Lord Strathcona sent a
African War – more commonly telegram to Prime Minister
known as the Boer War (1899 - Wilfrid Laurier:
1902). Great Britain was in “Very confidential. Should like
conflict with the two Afrikaner to provide and send to South
republics of South Africa (or Africa my personal fund
Transvaal) and the Orange Free squadron mounted men and
State. Canadians were already officers say four hundred men
split on whom to back. The and horses from North West,
government and much of single men if possible. Force
English Canada backed the Brits. will be Canadian but distinct
4CANADIAN PACIFIC AND WORLD WAR I
from Government contingent. Men
must be expert marksmen, at home
in saddle, and efficient as rough
riders and rangers. I propose pay
cost shipment similar that of
Canadian contingent and transport
if you approve proposal.”
Laurier accepted immediately. And
the contingent, though Strathcona
wanted to remain anonymous, was
called “Strathcona’s Horse.” Men
and horses were recruited in
Winnipeg, went east on CPR trains
– the men in CPR tourist cars and
the horses in CPR “palace horse
cars” – and then overseas on a
future CPR ship: the Monterey. The
highly trained double squadron of
400 men and horses fought with
distinction, under fabled Canadian
hero Sam Steele, and returned
home highly decorated – the
decorated survivors traveling on
CPR’s Imperial Limited
transcontinental train. One
member, Sergeant Arthur
Richardson, was awarded the
O riginally called the Great War,
World War I was “great” only
for the great number of nations,
over, and the Armistice was signed,
on November 11, 1918, a total of 32
nations had fought on both sides
coveted Victoria Cross. people and resources involved – of the conflict, mobilizing over 65
And what was the CPR director’s and, alas, the great number of million soldiers. A mind-numbing
personal tab for Strathcona’s Horse? casualties that resulted. Canada 8.5 million souls died as a result.
Over $1 million…a huge sum in and Canadian Pacific Railway Canada’s share was an awesome
those days! (CPR) were very much involved in 60,000. And CPR’s was an
this world conflict. When all was appalling 1,116.
CPR put the entire resources of the
“world’s greatest travel system” at
the empire’s disposal…this,
during CPR’s heyday, when the
Top: CPR troop train near Golden, B.C.
railway was much more than just a
1916. Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway
Archives. NS.3269 railway. Not only were the railway’s
trains and tracks at the British
Bottom: Requisitioned CPR ships in their Empire’s disposal, but also its
bizarre World War I camouflage paint. ships, shops, hotels, telegraphs,
Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway Archives.
and, above all, its people.
NS.25229
5CANADIAN PACIFIC AND WORLD WAR I
Women helping out during World War I,
manufacturing munitions at our home shops.
Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway Archives.
A.15505
Aiding the war effort meant catastrophic 10 percent (1,116) At the time, CPR was the strongest
transporting and billeting troops; were killed, and nearly 20 percent and most viable railway in Canada.
building and supplying arms and (2,105) were wounded. Two CPR So it set up and formed the major
munitions; arming, lending and employees received the coveted part of the Canadian Overseas
selling ships. Fifty-two CPR ships Victoria Cross and 385 others were Railway Reconstruction Corps – a
were pressed into service during decorated for valor and group of skilled railroaders and
World War I, carrying more than a distinguished service. engineers who went overseas
million troops and passengers and during and after World War I to
four million tons of cargo. Twenty- CPR also helped the war effort with rebuild Europe’s railway
seven survived and returned to money and jobs. CPR made loans infrastructure.
CPR. Twelve sank, mostly and guarantees to the Allies to the
torpedoed by U-boats; two sank by tune of $100 million. CPR also took As a lasting tribute, CPR
marine accident; 10 were sold to on 6,000 extra people, giving them commissioned three statues and
the British Admiralty; and the jobs during the war. And when the 23 memorial tablets to
Maharajah of Gwalior turned the fighting was over and the troops commemorate the efforts of those
Empress of India into a hospital came home, CPR found jobs for the who fought and those who died in
ship. But CPR’s most important ex-soldiers. 7,573 CPR enlistees World War I.
contribution was its men and came back to jobs with the
women, at home and abroad. company. And CPR gave jobs to an
11,340 CPR employees enlisted. A additional 13,112 who made it
back from overseas fighting.
6CANADIAN PACIFIC AND WORLD WAR II
only significantly involved in
World War I, but also contributed
to the Boer War (1899 to 1902) and
even the 1885 Second North-West
(Riel) Rebellion.
And with the outbreak of World
War II, the entire CPR network was
again at the disposal of the Allied
war effort. On land, CPR moved
307 million tons of freight and
86 million passengers; including
150,000 soldiers, nearly 130,000
army and air force re-patriots, and
thousands of sailors. At sea, 22
CPR ships went to war with 12 of
them being sunk, including CPR’s
largest passenger ship ever, which
was almost as big as the Titanic –
the Empress of Britain II. In the air,
CPR pioneered the “Atlantic
Bridge” – the transatlantic ferrying
of bombers to Britain. CPR set up
pilot training schools and opened
Canada’s strategic far north,
creating Canadian Pacific Air
Lines in 1942. CPR transformed
major portions of its shops in
Montreal and Calgary to build
munitions, naval guns and tanks.
By V-J Day, CPR shops had turned
out 1,420 Valentine tanks; 75 main
engines for corvettes, frigates and
landing craft; over 600 naval
vessel power equipment
Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway Archives.
A.6758 A s soon as the British Empire
got involved, Canadian Pacific
Railway (CPR) got involved too.
components; 3,000 naval guns
and 1,650 naval gun mounts;
2,000 anti-submarine devices;
There was no question but that and 120 range-finding and fire-
CPR, its people, its resources, its control equipment.
ingenuity and expertise were
needed at home and overseas in CPR reorganized its entire shop
World War II. system for the war. Much of Angus
Shops, in Montreal, was turned
CPR had built up a large measure over to building Valentine tanks
of war expertise. After all, it was not and munitions. Calgary’s Ogden
7CANADIAN PACIFIC AND WORLD WAR II
CPR built 1.420 Valentine tanks at its Shops were mostly dedicated to Although on leave since October
east-end locomotive shops in Montreal naval guns; building guns not 1942, the “Rocket” didn’t resign his
during World War II.
Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway Archives.
only for Canada and Great Britain, “secure” CPR job until he was
NS.3004 but for the US as well. And Weston comfortable with his hockey
Shops, in Winnipeg, became the career…a few weeks into the 1944-
World War II Canadian soldiers on a CPR
main locomotive shops for the 1945 hockey season, when he
troop train. system. Wartime shop production scored his record-setting 50 goals
Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway Archives. signaled the end of the Great in 50 games.
WAR.9-2 Depression and offered jobs to
many laid-off CPR employees. And Canadian Pacific also provided the
with the conscription debacle memorable setting for the two
raging on in Canada, the company Quebec Conferences it hosted at the
also provided jobs on the home Chateau Frontenac in 1943 and
front to CPR employees’ offspring 1944. It was there, in 1943, that
who wanted to contribute to the Churchill and Roosevelt set the
war effort. One such case was a stage for the D-Day invasion that
CPR Angus Shops carpenter’s son. turned the tides of World War II.
Hockey legend Maurice “Rocket” 21,787 CPR employees enlisted in
Richard worked as a machinist for World War II. 658 sacrificed their
CPR’s Munitions Dept., in 1942. lives.
8CANADIAN PACIFIC AND WAR - TODAY
C PR participates to this day in
Canadian troop movements
and field exercises, shipping army
CFB Valcartier, Que., and CFB
Suffield, Alta.
CPR preparing to move military equipment
from CFB Suffield, Alta.
Ref. photo by Rick Robinson
vehicles and equipment by rail to CPR’s military involvements since
remote training grounds or in World War II stretched past
preparation for shipment overseas. Canada’s borders to its US affiliates
and beyond. CPR employees in
In a logistics move reminiscent of Maine and Vermont, and Soo Line
World War II or before (minus the employees in the Midwest US were
movement of troops), CPR moves involved in the Korean War and the
all sorts of Canadian Forces Base war in Vietnam. CPR also answered
(CFB) vehicles to and from “on- the call to military duty in more
line” bases, such as CFB Suffield in recent times. A Canadian Pacific
Alberta. With more lines in the east bulkship became a water tanker in
in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Falkland Islands War. CPR and
CPR would undertake massive the Soo Line helped redistribute
military equipment moves rail cars during the national boxcar
between CFBs – CFB Gagetown, pool crunch caused by the 1991
N.B.; CFB Petawawa, Ont.; and Gulf War. And CPR moved military
even a 2,100-vehicle move between equipment for the mid-1990s
Bosnian conflict.
9CANADIAN PACIFIC AND WAR - TODAY
Master Seaman
Julie McDonald (left) with
theCanadian Armed Forces
national award.
Ref. Canadian Forces
Liaison Council
Award for Most Supportive being of Canada, it has proven it is sides of the conflict, mobilizing
Employer in Canada ‘twice the corporate citizen’ by over 65 million soldiers. A
giving reservists time off, without staggering eight-and-a-half
In May 2003, CPR won the penalty, for their military million died in the war. Canada’s
Canadian Forces Liaison Council’s endeavors.” share was 60,000. CPR’s was a
national award as Canada’s most mind-numbing 1,116.
supportive employer of primary CPR’s Winnipeg “winged angel”
Reserve Force personnel. statue So CPR proposed a lasting tribute
Reservist-employee Master and commissioned Montreal
Seaman Julie McDonald September 19, 2003, a 1922 CPR sculptor Coeur de Lion MacCarthy
acknowledged the support statue of a winged angel carrying to render three statues and
reservists receive and also off a fallen soldier was unveiled 23 memorial tablets. These would
acknowledged the history of and re-dedicated in Winnipeg – on commemorate employees who
support CPR has given the beautifully reworked grounds fought and died in the Great War.
throughout. of the Deer Lodge Centre. Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company
The statue is not new. But it’s a of Mount Vernon, N.Y., produced
Winston Churchill once said, “The the statues and tablets. They were
reservist is twice the citizen.” lasting, reverent and solemn
tribute to those who made the unveiled with appropriate
Reservists contribute to the solemnity and ceremony, in 1922,
country through civilian ultimate sacrifice in war.
at CPR locations in North America
endeavors and also as members of CPR employees invested heart and and overseas. CPR offices from
the military. Canada’s Minister of soul in the “Great War” – World War I. London to Hong Kong got war
Defense stated: “Not only does CPR Many paid with their lives. When it memorial tablets. The three winged
contribute to the economic well- was all over, November 11, 1918, angel statues went to CPR stations
32 nations had fought on both in Montreal, Winnipeg and
10CANADIAN PACIFIC AND WAR - TODAY
CPR names a vintage passenger car
after Canada’s last surviving Victoria
Cross winner, Ernest “Smoky” Smith
(seated at left). November 29, 2003.
Ref. photo by Darrel Sundholm
Darrel Sundholm. Actually, Darrel
thought CPR should name a
locomotive after Canada’s only
surviving Victoria Cross winner. So
he approached CPR president and
CEO Rob Ritchie with his great
idea. The president decided to go
one better. He named a CPR
passenger car after the war hero.
You see…there are 1,649 CPR
locomotives out there…and only a
dozen CPR passenger cars.
Locomotives often go about their
business in relative obscurity…in
out of the way places, or under the
cover of darkness. But CPR’s
Vancouver. Montreal’s statue was front-and-center on the redesigned
vintage CPR passenger cars are
unveiled right where it stands Portage Avenue grounds of the
more often than not in public view.
today – at the south end of the former veterans’ hospital.
The car chosen to honor “Smoky”
Windsor Station concourse – with
A challenge launched 81 years Smith spends spring, summer and
governor general Baron Byng
before was met. Montreal’s The fall traveling all over Canada and
doing the honors.
Gazette entreated in their April 28, on CPR’s US network in the
Winnipeg’s “winged angel” was 1922 article “Pledges to the Dead”: company of CPR’s roving
first unveiled in front of the “Let those who come after see that ambassador – a 1930 steam
station/office/hotel complex on these memorials now being erected locomotive: CPR Empress.
Higgins Avenue where it stood are never allowed to fall into
Funds for the Canadian War
silent tribute for nearly seven disrepute.” The statue’s new home
Museum
decades. In 1990 the statue reigned and caretakers answered that
at a new home – in the Disraeli challenge! In 2004, Canadian Pacific Railway
Freeway Park in front of the CPR made a commitment to
offices at 150 Henry Avenue. The CPR renames a vintage passenger
commemorate its and its
statue fell into disrepute in this car after World War II hero
employees’ 13-decade-long
location, and offered little Ernest “Smoky” Smith
contribution to Canada’s war
reverence, reflection, and And on November 29, 2003, CPR efforts. CPR president and CEO
remembrance. So CPR, the Intrepid honored Canada’s last surviving Rob Ritchie pledged $450,000 over
Society and Winnipeg’s Deer Lodge Victoria Cross recipient by the next four years to help preserve
Centre moved the statue to a new renaming a vintage passenger car Canada’s military heritage. The
location and placed it on a brand after World War II hero Ernest money will help, in CPR’s
new granite plinth recognizing all “Smoky” Smith. The idea came
contributors to all wars…placed from CPR locomotive engineer
11CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY AND WAR
headquarter city of Calgary,
Alta., the Sharing our
Military Heritage campaign
and its development of the
largest tri-service military
museum in the country.
This contribution also helps
the Passing the Torch
Campaign that is raising
funds for the Canadian War
Museum in Ottawa. CPR’s
significant contribution will
help the Ottawa museum
tell the story of CPR’s role in
Canada’s conflicts. CPR will
get its very own “war room”
display centered on a
recovered CPR Valentine
tank from Russia.
World War II soldiers, waiting to
“ship out” overseas, cluster around
Coeur de Lion MacCarthy’s
commemorative statue in
Montreal’s Windsor Station
concourse.
Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway
Archives. A.17411
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