Casualties during the First World War

More than 61,000 Canadians perished during the First World War, most on the battlefields of Europe. The infantry suffered 90 per cent of all losses. In April 1915, after the 1st Division fought its first major battle – the second battle of Ypres – Canadians became acquainted with the growing casualty lists. The Canadian Expeditionary Force depended on new recruits to compensate for its heavy losses, prompting Prime Minister Sir Robert Laird Borden to institute conscription in 1917. During the 96 days of battle, from 8 August to 11 November 1918, that formed the campaign known as the Last Hundred Days, the Canadian Corps achieved a string of remarkable successes, but it also suffered 45,800 casualties, an eighth of the total for the entire British Expeditionary Force in this period, though in numbers of men it formed only about 15 percent of the combined infantry. The Canadian Corps cemented its reputation then, but it was a costly victory.