Many Canadian doctors wanted to serve overseas in the First World War. An association for these doctors was founded in 1904 called The Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC). CAMC swelled in ranks during the war years. Through CAMC, over half of all of Canada’s doctors went to the battlefront and saved the lives of many injured soldiers in France and Belgium.

MY IDEA: We can be proud of the efforts of Canadian doctors, and of their bravery in going across the sea to treat wounded soldiers during WWI.

~!During the war, CAMC built both temporary and semi-permanent hospitals near the battlefront. Of course, doctors were essential in the CAMC, but so were the men who checked the battlefield for dead and wounded, and those who drove the horse-drawn ambulances with wounded soldiers.
Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC) began 1904
^grew hugely in membership 1914-1918
^more than 50% of all Canadian doctors went overseas to look after many Canadian soldiers wounded in France & Belgium
^CAMC saved lives of many soldiers

~CAMC created “stationary hospitals” and “field hospitals” all over front
~some CAMC members checked battlefield to identify dead, wounded; others drove horse-drawn ambulances from field to hospital
The Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC) played an essential role in keeping soldiers alive. Founded in 1904, the Corps underwent massive expansion from 1914 to 1918. Casualties among Canadian troops in France and Belgium were so heavy that more than half of all Canadian physicians served overseas to treat them
A militia officer and educator, Currie had never commanded anything larger than a regiment at the outbreak of war in 1914. He received a brigade command in the First Contingent and proved himself a capable organizer and training facilitator. During the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915, Currie’s brigade played a pivotal role in holding the Allied position. He rose to command the 1st Canadian Division in September 1915 and led it effectively for the next two years.

Currie was not a charismatic leader and had no easy way with his soldiers. But his understanding of the importance of pre-battle preparation and the limited “set-piece” attack to “bite and hold” enemy positions derived from sincere concern over the needless sacrifice of lives in futile frontal assaults. He studied carefully the lessons of recent fighting and sought to implement them in the forces under his command.
Sir Julian Byng, the Canadian Corps commander from 1915 to 1917, groomed Currie as his replacement. When Byng was promoted to army command after his Canadians had successfully stormed Vimy Ridge in April 1917, Currie was appointed in June to head