John Mould's Diary
Vol. 1 p. 4, 1914
John F. Mould fonds
Reference Code: F 954
Archives of Ontario
Thus begins the World War I diary of Private
John Mould, 19th Battalion, 2nd Canadian Expeditionary Force.
In this, the Year of the Veteran, we would like to share
with you some portions of John’s diary, a hand-written
memoir contained in eight small volumes, dating from 1914
to 1919. It tells the story of an ordinary man from St.
Catharines, Ontario, driven by patriotism and the hatred
of oppression. |
Click to see a larger image (137K)
J. F. Mould, 1915
John F. Mould fonds
Postcard
Reference Code: F 954
Archives of Ontario, I0024378 |
Click to
see a larger image (88K)
Canadians are seen returning on a tank, 5th Canadian Mounted
Regiment
Unknown photographer
Canadian Expeditionary Force Albums
Black and white print
Reference Code: C 224-0-0-10-33
Archives of Ontario, I0004843 |
John participated in some of
the worst battles of the War, and is particularly moving
in his description of the Battle of the Somme in 1916. He
survived this and worse, and in time returned to Canada.
In the final volume of his diary, John recounts his return
voyage in 1936 to the battlefields of France and Belgium
with some 11,000 other “pilgrims.” Here he witnessed
the unveiling of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial,
Walter Allward's imposing tribute to Canadian soldiers.
Please join us in reading some of John Mould’s diary.
In his own words, he will help us to remember “the
war to end all wars”.
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