Canada Day/First Day of the Somme

Getting ready for Canada Day with some Canadian nails. On the left hand "Eh?" which I do say quite a lot, and two maple leafs on the flanks. On the right hand our national animal, the beaver, on every nail. The one on the middle finger looks a bit angry, unintentionally, and the one on the index a bit quizzical. The pictures in the background are proposed flags for Canada before the adoption of the current.

And since Canada Day also falls on Newfoundland's Memorial Day, forget-me-nots atop part of a Union Jack on the thumbs to commemorate the first day in the battle of the Somme during the Great War. 

Vimy Ridge 94th Anniversary

I hate to admit it, but I didn't remember the anniversary of the Canadian assault on Vimy Ridge was coming up until midway through the first full week of April. So, my plans for the next design had to be delayed slightly since I can't not commemorate this date. And sure, that whole 'Vimy Ridge made us a nation' thing is just a myth, but the first time the Canadian Corps fought together is not, the victory is not, and the impact Vimy has had on defining our history is not. I feel like there should be the Canadian Red Ensign flying behind that bit of text. But I digress. The right hand is adapted from "The Ghosts of Vimy Ridge" by Will Longstaff (1931). The thumb is an approximation of the maple leaf that is on Canadian war graves. The left hand is text from the grave of a Canadian soldier (and others, I presume): "Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn." The thumb is just rows of crosses to pay homage to the killed and missing.

Vimy Ridge

As a Canadian who loves military history, for April 9-12 it was necessary that I pay tribute to the Canadian Corps taking Vimy Ridge in 1917. It was the first time Canadians fought together in a single action and has inspired many 'nation' myths since. Regardless, it's an important point in Canadian history and Canadian military history. The thumbs gave the dates. The left hand showed the German lines and the movement of Canadian troops while the left showed the Canadian lines and the movement of Canadian troops. The "V" was the location of the ridge. Since Canada's flag was the Red Ensign I included the Union Jack along with a maple leaf (on the cap badges).