The Vimy Pilgrimage of 1936, was organized by the Canadian Legion for pilgrims to attend the unveiling of the Canadian National War Memorial by H.M. King Edward of Great Britain, on Sunday, July 26th. Many veterans and widows took part in this meaningful pilgrimage to the famous site of the battle of Vimy Ridge. Jim (JV) Waddell, one of about 8000 Canadian pilgrims, saved a number of items of memorabilia from his trip.
The segment of film above shows a CPR Duchess with passengers traveling to or from the Vimy Pilgrimage in 1936. They appear to be leaving Quebec City heading for the Atlantic.
The Pathe Baby film, found in the possession of Jim Waddell, was converted to VHS and then DVD. Some of the worst quality images were edited out but the final product is still quite fuzzy and jumpy.
Starting out on the Vimy Pilgrimage
Jim Waddell traveled on CPR’s S.S. Montcalm which was scheduled to depart Montreal at 11:30 am on July 16th, 1936, half an hour after the S.S. Montrose.
On Thursday, July 23rd, an “Au Revoir Dinner” was held on board ship. Jim’s menu card was signed by George Finlay, Bill Franklin, Henry Gibbey, Jim Whitworth and Mr. Grant of Montreal, and Herbert M. and Margt. E. Welch of Calgary.
Above: The back and cover image from the CPR's menu card for the Au Revoir dinner onboard the S.S. Montcalm July 23rd, 1936. Below: The menu for the same Au Revoir dinner with signatures.
Itinerary of the Canadian Legion Pilgrimage to Vimy, July 1936
July 16th
Depart Montreal:
The Montrose - 11 am;
The Montcalm*- 11:30 am
Saturday, July 25th
Arrive Antwerp, Special train to Lille.
Leave Antwerp 8.40 a.m. arriving in Lille 12.43 p.m. (Luncheon will be taken at Lille between 12.43 p.m. and 2.01 p.m.).
Leave Lille by special train at 2.01 p.m., arriving at Douai 2.30 p.m.
Motor coaches leave Douai for Somme Battlefields or War Billet area at 2.30 p.m., terminating at Armentieres between 7.00 p.m. and 8.45 p.m.
Spend night at Armentieres.
Sunday, July 26th
By Motor coach leaving Armentieres at 8:30 a.m. for Vimy for unveiling ceremony. (Luncheon baskets furnished). Travel via Lens and Givenchy.
9:00 am Arrive Vimy Ridge
14:30 pm Unveiling ceremony
Departure from Vimy will be at 5.30 p.m. for Armentieres via Petit-Vimy and Lens.
Reach Armentieres at 6.30 p.m.
Monday, July 27th
Leave Armentieres at 10.00 a.m. for Ypres Battlefields or War Billet area, terminating at Lille, Luncheon will be taken at Ypres.
Special train leaves Lille for Antwerp at 5.11 p.m., arriving at Antwerp 8.31 p.m.
Re-embark on S.S. “MONTCALM.”
Tuesday, July 28th
Steamer arrives Tilbury about 8.00 a.m.
Special train to St. Pancras Station, London and transfer by motor coach to Hotel.
July 28th to 31st
Ceremonies in London, England.
Bed and Breakfast provided.
Wednesday, July 29th
Memorial Parade and Service at Cenotaph
Saturday, August 1st
Programme ends with breakfast at Hotel.
Those passengers returning by the special pilgrimage steamers, will be transferred from Hotel to St. Pancras Station, and conveyed by special train to Tilbury.
August 20th
Arrive Montreal
Each Pilgrim was issued a Membership Certificate which specified: -His or her Party and Company, -The seat number on the train from and returning to Antwerp, -And accommodations in Armentieres and London.
They received tickets for luncheons on Saturday, July 25th and Monday, July 27th and a luncheon basket on Sunday, July 26th, the day of the unveiling.
There were tickets for seats on Motor Coaches Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
From July 28th to August 1st, 1936, Vimy Pilgrims took part in activities in London, England. Accomodation was provided at B&B's in the city. Jim (JV) Waddell was to stay at the Harewood Hotel.
The main event in London was the Memorial Parade and Service at the Cenotaph on Wednesday, July 29th, 1936. The Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Stanley Baldwin spoke, welcoming the pilgrims who took part in the parade.
Jim (JV) Waddell was in Party "L" and Company "Y" in the Parade.
