The South Peace Regional Archives has curated a new exhibit for the Community Room at the Grande Prairie Museum. The new exhibit features ten photographs from the SPRA collection that tell the story, “The South Peace Goes to War.” The ten photographs were chosen by SPRA staff from a variety of collections, including the Edward Heller fonds, Turner family fonds, and Harry Tuffill family fonds.
Beginning with the first enlistments of 1914 making their way down the Smokey on the Beaver to the celebration of war’s end at Bear Lake, these ten photographs lead the viewer on a journey through the social history of the Great War. Below is a brief description of the exhibit. For more information, feel free to visit the exhibit in person.
OFF TO WAR
The Beaver Carrying Freight and Men To Enlist, 1914.
The Beaver river boat is carrying freight and men who are going to enlist. Three men are sitting on the bow of the boat, another is poling and the rest are standing on the boat.
SPRA 024.01.09.28 Holroyd Drugs Photograph Collection 024
FOREIGN SERVICE
French Troops in Camp, 1914 ca.
World War I French troops in camp, with soldiers, officers, horses and wagons in the background.
SPRA 0164.02.10 Gabriel Basly fonds 164
RECRUITING
Recruiting, 1915.
Five men in World War I uniforms standing on the main street (100 Avenue) of Grande Prairie. Businesses visible in the background include the Crown Café, a pool hall, and a confectionary.
SPRA 555.04 Edith Mair fonds 555
TRAINING FOR BATTLE
WWI Soldiers on a Break, c.1917.
WWI soldiers at rest with their saddles, buildings in the background.
SPRA 589.04.14 Donald Gordon Morrison fonds 589
FORGING FRIENDSHIPS
Charlie T.M.Turner and Army Friend, ca. 1915. [Charlie Turner may be the man standing]
Chas. T.M.Turner and his army friend during WWI.
SPRA 2011.44.05 Turner Family fonds 478
LIFE AWAY FROM HOME
Soldiers Playing Cards, 1914 c.
Harry Tuffill playing cards with a group of World War I soldiers.
SPRA 0056.01.075-3 Harry Tuffill fonds 056
TRENCH WARFARE
WW1 Troops Sitting in a Trench, 1916.
The photograph shows soldiers, some injured, sitting in mud behind a trench wall. One is holding a stretcher, two men each have one arm in a sling.
SPRA 0194.02 Edward Heller fonds
NO MAN’S LAND
WW1 Troops Trudging Across a Muddy Field, 1916.
The photograph shows soldiers in the distance walking along a wired barricade through a very muddy field.
SPRA 0194.03 Edward Heller fonds
MEDICAL SERVICES
WWI Convalescent Hospital, 1918.
Patients and staff at “The Larches,” a WWI convalescent home at Paignton, Devon, England. Note on the back reads: “Shattock with best wishes from K.C. Gauney September 14, 1918.”
SPRA 1969.59.331
WAR’S END
Great War Veterans Picnic, Bear Lake, Alberta, 1920
Postcard showing a people gathering at Bear Lake for a picnic in honor of the Great War Veterans.
SPRA 0112.02.23 Croken-Tomshak family fonds 112