A Crucified Canadian?

[eyes]

While visiting the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa recently, I saw on display a small statuette of a Canadian soldier, crucified on a door with a group of German soldiers standing and sitting around beneath. The display said that this was an example of how German outrages and atrocities, including the alleged crucifixion of a Canadian soldier, could be used as propaganda on the home front. It was left unclear if the event itself had actually occurred, was partially true, or if it was fabricated in it's entirety. Rushed as we were, I had no opportunity to track down someone in the museum to ask. I have never heard of such a thing, and so lean towards the fabrication side. But does anybody know the story? Thanks.

Colin

[Max]

Hello Colin

If you use the sites search facility and input "crucified" you will find a whole host of posts relating to this subject.

Andy

[Aaron Pegram]

Also Colin, if you can get your hands on Desmond Morton's Silent Battle you can read in the first chapter how this artwok work marginalised the experience of Canadian POW.

Cheers,

Aaron

[Tom A McCluskey]

Colin,

Harry Band, whose family belonged Dundee in Scotland, but fought in the CEF, was believed to have been crucified. He was formerly in the Black Watch Volunteers. The details of this occurrence appear in the Dundee Press in 1916. Here's the link:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...=crucified+band

Hope this is of use

Aye

Tom McC

[2ndCMR]

A few years ago while researching this subject and how it may have been reported in our local paper, I was quite surprised to come across the following articles:

WAS BRANTFORD MAN CRUCIFIED BY GERMANS

-Found by Royal Highlanders-

Wounded Soldier Says Letters Found on Victim Indicated That He Came From This City But Description Does Not Tally With Any Volunteer From Here.

London, June 2. – Pte. George Barrie, 13th Battalion (Royal Highlanders), Montreal, who was wounded, but expects to rejoin his unit immediately, says he was one of those who helped take down the body of the Canadian who had been crucified by the Germans in the fighting round Ypres.

The victim, says Pte. Barrie was a sergeant in the medical service, judging from letters found on him. It appeared that he had come from Brantford, Ont. Barrie says he lost the sergeant’s pay book and letters while cutting his way through barbed wire entanglements.

The victim was about 24 years old. He was found with one Ross rifle bayonet through his left shoulder and a Lee-Enfield bayonet through his right. Two German bayonets had been thrust through his legs and directly through the lower parts of his body. The 2nd Prussian Guards were the regiment responsible for the deed.

http://www.cefresearch.com/phpBB2/viewtopi...p?p=41822#41822

[Unknownsoldier]

The art to which you refer is called if memory serves "Canada's Golgotha" and is a remarkably detailed piece, I was under the impression it was removed from public display in the early 20's as there were serious doubts to the veracity of the claims made by certain witnesses.

Tom

[regimentalrogue]

Here is a photo of the sculpture I took during a visit to the Museum a few years ago.

[Unknownsoldier]

Here is a photo of the sculpture I took during a visit to the Museum a few years ago.

A very emotive piece of artwork, and from an artistic standpoint, superb in it's execution.

Tom