At the doors of Vauréal, the Canadian Service Flag had been altered. The stitched flag had a white background with red trim and was less than a yard in length. In the centre were maple leaves. Each maple leaf accounted for an immediate relative of the family who was serving overseas. The flag was shown in windows of residences from sea to sea and became enormously popular.
Only one leaf was green (or sometimes blue), which meant one of the Laurentiens was yet alive. A third maple leaf had changed to gold (or red), signifying another son had fallen. Aubrey wondered who had been killed and how the message had not reached her sooner.
Scatter though the people that delight in war146, “The shell that stilled his true brave heart broke mine147,” Mme. Laurentien sobbed, once Aubrey was inside Vauréal.
His warfare over, the battle fought, the victory won, but dearly bought148, Frédéric was gone. His pillbox was hit with a shell. No loved ones stood around him to bid a last farewell149. Killed near Lens in his first engagement150, Frédéric was part of a small group who were manning machine guns in a concrete bunker and who were found dead. The chap sent to give them their meals came upon the lot and found them eerily still, like they were cast out of stone. The stray cat that had terrifyingly wandered into the bunker looking for shelter lay dead in one of the gunners’ laps. The cat had no visible wounds. Not a trace or mark of any kind was on them. Their internal organs had ruptured beyond recognition from a shell’s reverberation hitting the cement of the pillbox. They had died instantly.
Following Hill 70, the Corps was given respite from action. However, in the dominion, repose could not be found. At the end of August, following arduous strain, the Union Government was formed. Letters between English members of Parliament routinely began with enquiries about each other’s soldier sons before stating business. Liberals who were in favour of conscription merged with Borden’s conservatives. Conservative Francophones resigned from Borden’s party.
In response to conscription of young males, conscription of wealth was urged. Government declared they were justifiably conscripting wealth as well as troops. Aubrey recently lost a servant to Bridge, even though Auré had given her a spending limit on her gambling just before he enlisted. This had not mattered before, but stakes were amounting higher. Aristocrats lived tax-free, though spring saw such public persuasion that the Minister to Finance enacted a bill, the Income Tax War Act, that would bring about the fall of the Edwardians. “Blood tax,” it was so called by Francophones. Britishers were quick to explain it was a “War upon income tax” and were even quicker to denounce those who opposed contributing to the effort as “dangerous traitors.”
Summer saw the temporary income tax measure come to pass. Superfluous servants were let go, hunting rifles and paintings were sold at auction, and peacocks and swans were given away. Regulators of food and fuel ordered preservation and noted that hoarders were to be charged. “Meatless Fridays” and “Fuel-less Sundays” were encouraged.
Police searched for rebels of the Monarchy and Empire. Socialist and extreme groups were outlawed. Government censors surveyed all forms of public media that could be injurious to the war. Newspapers of enemy tongue were banned. Non-compliant editors and publishers were sent to prison.
From sea to sea, war gardens were planted. Auré had the head gardener grow a larger vegetable garden. Aubrey asked why. He explained that Peter could forgo jail with employment at Pembina by working in the garden. The unemployed male faced the “anti-loafing” law of prison time.
Along with a change of Parliament, the Military Service Act was legalized on August 28th. All British provinces were in favour, while Quebec was adamant in denouncement of the bill. For what was the only occasion, apart from Confederation, French members of Parliament stated that Quebec might benefit from leaving. Publicly, Laurier stated the law “has in it the seed of discord and disunion.” Bruchesci cited, “The country was facing war between faiths that would result in civil war.” Newfoundland also found new government and started drafting their own proper Military Service Agreement.
“They’re the reason conscription is law! If they sent more sons to fight their own battles, ours wouldn’t have to die!” French and British Canada bellowed at each other.
Not a family in the Empire was unaffected by the duration while, over the summer months, Quebec had enormous demonstrations, protests, rallies, and riots against fighting. Across Quebec, once greeted with tomatoes and rotten eggs, recruiting officers’ presence was made known with slanderous jeers and rocks. The militiamen were physically attacked, publicly intimidated, worked at near peril to their lives, and puppets of the miliatiamen were mockingly hanged. Damage, in the thousands of dollars, was done to major shopping districts in the French province. Throngs jeered, “Nous en avons assez de L’Union Jack! (We have had enough of the Union Jack!)” Posters showed Borden’s picture, the caption reading, “Author of the odious law and blood tax.” Sir Hugh Graham, publisher of Montreal Star, printed regularly about Quebec’s poor involvement and lack of heart towards his King. Graham’s summer residence was bombed, though not a person was wounded. The Gazette, a Montreal steadfast supporter of conscription, had its windows smashed.
One of Papineau’s letters was published in the London Times, entitled, “The Soul of Canada.” Editor in Chief of the most prominent newspaper in western Canada, the Manitoba Free Press, John Dafoe wrote in his newspaper, French Canadians are the only race of white men known to quit. It is certainly not the intention of English Canada to see herself bled white while the Quebec shirker may sidestep her duties.
Officers could no longer give notice. Newspapers, which the Corps read as well, announced the slacker and traitor were at last made to go over there.
The Corps sons replied, Canada accomplished splendid victories at the village of Arleux-en-Gohelle. “Must be a special assaulting division” — an enemy officer said that about our chaps after we took it. The foe can hardly stomach that we are gaining strength after Vimy and not the opposite of breaking down after such a battle. Fresnoy hamlet was captured, after which the British First Army’s Commanding Officer cabled Currie that Canada’s original 1st Division was “The pride and wonder of the British Army,” and we took Avion Trench as well… Our Father has spared me so far, and I would fancy more than anything right now to see the Canadian Rockies… Although the Westmount slacker ought to be forcibly sent across the pond… I’m infuriated every time I pen a letter explaining what it’s like over here while treason is simply allowed back in Canada… Our 5th Division, currently in England, can be disassembled to bring the other divisions’ numbers up to strength to cover for those so called “Canadians”— mainly the French who are leading all the cowards, staying behind like the traitors they are… Though, the foe is in hot flight against, and in high opinion of, the advancing victorious army of Canada’s gallant sons!