The War to End All Wars

100 years ago to the day the War to End All Wars ceased with the signing of the Armistice in the railcar at Compiegne, France. The official termination was still months off (the formal Treaty of Paris in 1919). Two minutes prior to the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the last Canadian and last soldier of the British Empire (George Price of Nova Scotia) was killed by a German sniper at Ville sur Haine, Belgium. Just recently I uncovered the only photo I know of featuring my grandfather in uniform serving overseas in World War One. Lo and behold the image was taken just 4 kilometres away from where Price was killed (and was honoured by a monument in November 2018). This photo of grandad curling on the frozen Canal du Centre was taken in February 1919 as British forces remained in the devastated area. Mons nearby was in ruins. Exact location of the photo; Bracquegnies, Belgium. Allan William Old is on the left.