Laurier Military Speaker Series: Colonel (Ret’d) Patrick M. Dennis, OMM, CD

Patrick will be speaking about his recent research and subsequent book “Reluctant Warriors: Canadian Conscripts and the Great WarReluctant Warriors: Canadian Conscripts and the Great War“.

The LCMSDS site describes his presentation as:

“What stubborn-hearted virtues they disguised!” Canadian Conscripts at War – 1918
(talk to be followed by a book signing)

In this the centenary of compulsory service in Canada, “Canadian conscripts at War” will provide an overview of the principal events leading up to this historic and controversial legislation, followed by a brief examination of the vital contribution made by conscripts during the Hundred Days. The subject has long been obscured by myth and by inaccurate or incomplete history. Many of these myths will be directly addressed in this presentation.

Professor Jack Granatstein once wrote: “Precisely how many conscripted men saw action remains unclear, and we have no firm sense of whether these unwilling soldiers performed well in action.” As will become evident in this presentation, we now have a much clearer idea about both of these issues.

There will be a book signing after the presentation.

Date: October 18, 2017
Location: 232 King St. N. Waterloo, ON
Time: 7 PM

Patrick has a connection with the 18th Battalion as his Grandfather, Private Hilaire Dennis, reg. no. 3130875, served with the 18th Battalion.