The Alberta World Wars Living History Association

THANK YOU, HERITAGE PARK!

To every history lover who stopped by our lines this weekend, thank you.

Whether you asked about the kit, listened to a story from the war diaries, or just stood a moment with us in 1915, you're the reason we do this. Seeing the Great War come alive for a new set of eyes never gets old, and this weekend was full of it.

A special thank you to our partners in bringing this fascinating chapter of history to life:

The 10th Battalion Commemorative Association
The Victorian Society of Alberta

Sharing the field with you made the weekend what it was. It's a privilege to stand alongside groups who care about telling these stories the right way — and to honour the people who lived them.

Days of Yore, we'll see you again. Until then — lest we forget.

📍 Heritage Park, Calgary

Half of all the soldiers in this picture died yesterday ... today they are fine though! And we are looking forward to seeing you at heritage park!

We had a great day at Days of Yore! Come see us Sunday!

On This Day — 1 August 1915
Ploegsteert Sector. Known as the "Piggeries"

August opens with the Battalion in Brigade Reserve at the "Piggeries," in the Ploegsteert sector on the Franco-Belgian border. "Plugstreet," as the men called it, was one of the quieter stretches of the line. Unfortunetly, quiet never meant idle.
The day begins with Holy Communion, led by Canon Frederick George Scott, the beloved chaplain of the 1st Canadian Division. From there, the Battalion turns to working parties for the Engineers: hauling stores, repairing trenches, and shoring up the defences. It's the kind of labour that never makes the history books. Sweaty, unglamorous, unending work, and utterly essential to keeping a front line standing.

The day's single casualty is Private A. Banks, shot through the arm. A reminder that even on a "routine" day in a "quiet" sector, the war exacted its toll.
No advance. No headline. Just the grinding, faithful work that held the line together, one fatigue party at a time.

ONE DAY TO GO.
Tomorrow we march.
The kit is packed, the buttons are polished, and the 13th Battalion, Royal Highlanders of Canada is ready for Days of Yore at Heritage Park.
Two days. Centuries of history. And one Canadian battalion bringing the Great War to life — the uniforms, the gear, and the stories of a soldier in 1915.
Come find us on the field starting tomorrow morning. We'll be ready. Will you?
📍 Heritage Park, Calgary
🗓️ Aug 1 & 2 · 10–5
🎟️ Members free

WE'RE MARCHING TO DAYS OF YORE!
Find the 13th Battalion, Royal Highlanders of Canada at Heritage Park for Days of Yore — Aug 1 & 2!
We're bringing the Great War to life: the uniforms, the kit, and the stories of a Canadian soldier in 1915, straight from the war diaries.
Viking shield walls to WWI trenches to WWII airpower — centuries of military history in one day, plus the steam train and everything Heritage Park does best.
Come say hello and step back into 1915 with us. See you on the field!
📍 Heritage Park, Calgary
🗓️ Aug 1 & 2 · 10–5
🎟️ Members free

OPERATION NEW RECRUIT: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
The Alberta World War Living History Association is proud to report that our recruiting drive was a resounding success. Fresh faces have fallen in with the ranks of the 13th Battalion CEF — the Royal Highlanders of Canada — and their enemies, the 233rd; we couldn't be prouder to have them.
To our new members: welcome to the section. The wool's warm, the drill is real, and the history is yours to carry now.
But we're not standing down, we're standing to.
Our next major operation is DAYS OF YORE at Heritage Park Historical Village in Calgary, August 1–2. Centuries of military history brought to life in one place — Vikings, knights, and the roar of the Great War. Come find our camp, talk to the troops, handle the kit, and see what living history is really about.
Thinking of joining the ranks yourself? There's no better time. Come see us at Days of Yore. 👇
AWWLHA.com

We marched this Canada Day but the men we marched for couldn't.
In the uniform of the 13th Battalion CEF, the Alberta World War Living History Association keeps alive the stories of soldiers like L/Cpl W. Allen, killed at St Yves on 11 July 1915 and laid to rest under a wooden cross on the Strand. This August we will be at Days of Yore remembering soldiers just like him.
Living history is how we remember.
Come learn more or join us. 👇
https://www.awwlha.com/

Canada Day — Dominion Day at the Front, 1 July 1915
On 1 July 1915, the 13th Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada) marked Canada's birthday the only way they could — by being young men again for a day.
A half-holiday was declared at Ploegsteert, and the battalion downed tools for a full sports day: a football match pitting the Right Half against the Left Half of the battalion, a 100-yard dash, the 220 sprint, the cricket-ball throw, a relay race, hop-step-and-jump, putting the shot, and a tug of war.
The diary records it simply: "Thoroughly enjoyed by the whole battalion."
111 years on, Happy Canada Day from the Alberta World War Living History Association.