One hundred years ago – The Great War and a sister’s love

Canadiana:

Vimy Ridge – April 9-April 12, 1917

The new Dominion of Canada showed their courage and strength during this defining battle of “The Great War.” There were over 10,000 casualties.

Lucia Teti’s  family had arrived from Italy in the early years of the 20th Century and in short time established themselves as well- to- do  real estate owners in Vancouver, BC. Her father had at one time been part owner  of the landmark Sylvia Hotel, in the west end. His oldest child was a son named Fio. He had been born in Naples, Italy but adapted easily to his new country. There is a record of him in his teenage years working at the Pacific Bottling Company of Vancouver.  Fio was 21 when he joined the Irish Fusiliers in 1915. He then transferred to  the 7th Battalion,  Canadian Infantry, British Columbia Regiment before embarking on the great adventure.  He is now a name among  countless others, inscribed  in the Book of Remembrance. He fell in the first great push toward Vimy Ridge, near Arras, on April 9,  1917. He was one of countless young men so far from home, struck down in the hail of machine gun fire from the German held positions. He was carried dying, to a nearby field hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

the Canadian Book of Remembrance

Lucia’s son, Silvio had yet to be born and of course never met his uncle, but Lucia or Lolly as she was affectionately known,  kept the fragile letters Fio had sent from the front. She would lovingly take them out from time to time to remind her family and friends of his sacrifice.  I now have the honour to share her story of a life cut short, in one more tragic chapter of human history. Fio never had a chance to fall in love and marry, to have children of his own, to experience all the potential that life has to offer in fullness. All that is left of him, is slowly fading on fragile onion paper where he writes of his enthusiasm for  the “picture shows”  and  asks his mother to please send a new safety razor. He describes the  aerial combat with Fritz  as “angry  buzzing bees overhead.”  He tells her that when they march they are all decked out like Christmas trees, clanking with their gear. The letters are light, humourous  and high spirited. To his little sister , Lucia, he says, “please don’t worry, I think I am one of the lucky ones and most of the boys think we will be home before the end of the year.” That letter was dated April 4, 1917. Five days later he was dead. He was 23 years old.

Many years later when Fio’s now middle aged nephew and amateur historian, Silvio, decided to find his grave there was no internet to assist him. He wrote many letters and waited weeks for replies. He studied old maps and war records. He finally set out like a pilgrim to reach a hallowed piece of Canadian soil at Aubigny-en- Artois near Arras in France.   Within a few weeks he at last stood at the resting place of one of the Canadian heroes of the “war to end all war,” and paid homage to his mother’s beloved brother. He has been the only family member to visit that faraway monument so well cared for by the grateful French people. The hundreds of rows of shining white stones commemorating  those long forgotten names stand as a tribute to sacrifice, honour and courage but also to the tragic loss, finality,  and sorrow of war. Long ago a young man set out on a great patriotic adventure and had died in it. He is not alone. War claimed many young men from both sides, mother’s sons, brothers, husbands,uncles and fathers were mourned and missed by their bereft families and what have we learned?

The Green Fields of France- Davey and the Fureys- an old song asking why

“Many historians and writers consider the Canadian victory at Vimy a defining moment for Canada, when the country emerged from under the shadow of Britain and felt capable of greatness. Canadian troops also earned a reputation as formidable, effective troops because of the stunning success. But it was a victory at a terrible cost, with more than 10,000 killed or wounded.   The Canadians had demonstrated they were one of the outstanding formations on the Western Front and masters of offensive warfare.”

 

at train station in Aubigny-en-Artois

aubigny en artois

Rest in Peace

Fare thee well, love