Clearing Snow

The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum posted this priceless image on its Twitter feed.

A group of 18th Battalion soldiers stand in a line in the barracks square at Wolsesly Barracks in London, Ontario. The men stand in a line with shovels and have to dig the snow to clear the square. There is a small boy on the left side of the photograph, an interesting touch since the barracks was being used for training in a time of war and would normally be restricted to civilians. But a small boy, no more than eight-years old is standing on top of the pile of snow the soldiers have made.

There appears to be one officer to the left of the boy. His overcoat is a different design and cut.

This photograph would have been taken in late 1914 – early 1915 as the Battalion formed and began its initial training.

With thanks to the Royal Canadian Regiment Museum for allowing the use of this wonderful photograph.