Think Like a Historian: Vimy Ridge in Letters
These worksheets accompany the video Think Like a Historian: Vimy in Letters (Francis Bathe), which explores a letter written by Francis Bathe to his sister May following his experiences at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. To mark the centennial of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Historica Canada has created the Think Like a Historian series of videos and worksheets to support educators and students in thinking critically about primary sources.
Personal letters give us a unique window into the past. They let us peer beneath the surface of another person’s life and see history from a new perspective. Letters from soldiers who fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge can provide us with a deeper understanding of the details of war while also revealing their personal perspectives. The language of a letter can provide insight into the thoughts, feelings, beliefs and values of the writer. However we must remember that the letter’s recipient is always in the mind of the writer. In this way, a letter becomes part of a conversation between the writer and recipient.
The first-hand observations of soldiers are crucial to understanding the Canadian experience of Vimy. From this we can piece together a wider picture of the past.