The Greatest Canadian : John The Greatest Canadian : John McCraeMcCrae

The Greatest Canadian : John The Greatest Canadian : John McCraeMcCrae

The Greatest Soldier, Doctor and Poet1872-1918

The Greatest Soldier, Doctor and Poet1872-1918

Author : Adalia Yang

Who Was John McCrae ?

born on November 30, 1872, Guelph, Ontario

became involved in the military life that his father was devoted to

suffered through his life living with asthma

grandson of Thomas McCrae who emigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1849

son of David McCrae and Janet Eckford

famous for his medical skills as a doctor/physician, his dedication and commitment to his military role as lieutenant-colonel and his marvellous writings as a poet

Education

at the age of 12, he was enrolled at Guelph Collegiate Institute for his high school education

at the age of 16, John enrolled at University of Toronto where his older brother, Thomas was already attending

they joined Varsity Glee Club, Zeta Psi Fraternity, and played on the varsity rugby team together

continued to study at U of T after his undergraduate studies to study medicine

worked at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland to practice his studies as well with many of the best doctors and medical teachers in the world

Military Involvement

involved in militia units in Guelph and Toronto

volunteered for service as a member of the Royal Canadian Artillery

served in the South African War in 1899

when Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914, McCrae was on a ship bound for England as a soldier or doctor

in return, he was appointed surgeon in the 1st Brigade Artillery and soon returned to Montreal to prepare for his duty

was soon newly promoted to lieutenant colonel, and his duties were to treat soldier’s wounds at the Second Battle of Ypres, Belgium

in a letter he wrote to his mother during the war, he said, “I am rather afraid, but more afraid to stay at home with my conscience”

“In Flanders Fields...”

John McCrae was the phenomenal author to this poem

we recite it every Remembrance Day till to this day

May 2, 1915, 22-year-old, Lt. Alexis Helmer was a Canadian solider in position along one of the canals during the Second Battle of Ypres, then a German shell exploded right at his feet, killing him instantly

Helmer’s death inspired McCrae to write “In Flanders Fields” the next day in his dugout, when he was waiting for wounded soldiers to arrive

in the last verse of the poem, it calls upon the living to join the war effort so that Helmer and millions like him may not have been perished in vain

it was first published in the British magazine Punch in Dec 1915

Medical Achievements

after the South African War, he worked in Montreal for 4 years on the advanced medical studies he had postponed

served as a visiting professor of Pathology at the University of Vermont until 1911

in Montreal, he was appointed an associate of medicine at the Royal Victoria Hospital and was also a great lecturer at McGill University, educating future doctors

worked as a pathologist at Montreal General Hospital

worked as a doctor for the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Infectious Diseases and for his own private practice

served as a doctor and a surgeon throughout WWI and made the most contributions in helping thousands of soldiers during the battle of Ypres

transferred to No.3 Canadian Field Hospital in France as Chief of Medical Services

Significance He Brought To Canada and the World

appointed surgeon in the 1st Brigade Artillery, but then was promoted to lieutenant-colonel to treat soldier’s wounds at the Second Battle of Ypres, Belgium

as he served primarily as a surgeon, he also contributed greatly towards artillery operations

moved to the No.3 Canadian Field Hospital in France, and was Chief of Medical Services

he helped mend thousands of wounded and he tried sending back as many soldiers as possible back to England for further recuperation for possible return to action

the first Canadian to be appointed consulting doctor to the First British Army or even to serve any position

the Canadian soldier, doctor and poet wrote the poem, “In Flanders Fields” which still inspires millions to this day

introduced the Scarlet Corn Poppy and became the symbol of life and freedom throughout the world

How The Great McCrae Died ...

on January 25, he was moved from No.3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne, to the officer’s hospital in Wimereux, France and was diagnosed with pneumonia and meningitis

the clouds of chlorine gas at Ypres years before had no doubt weakened his asthmatic lungs

only 3 days after becoming so ill, John lost consciousness and he died in the early morning hours of January 28, 1918

died at the age of 46

the day he fell ill, it was the day when he was appointed consulting physician to the First British Army, the first Canadian ever

buried in Wimereux Cemetery north of Boulogne, not far from the fields of Flanders

AppreciationJohn McCrae Senior

Public SchoolJohn McCrae Public School

from JK-8

located in Markham

French Immersion

John McCrae Public School

first opened in 1952

named after him because of his sensitive reflection on war and peace and the poem in Flanders Fields

grades JK-6 French Immersion

Guelph, Ontario

John lived and was born in their community

first opened in 1969

motto : “With Courage”

grades 7-8

Scarborough, ON

Toronto District School Board