How Many Canadians have Valiantly Died for England

@Richard65 It is important to realise that Winston Churchill (not yet knighted) was by no means alone in thinking the sun would never set on the Empire. Churchill's political career was over but the Empire was still held in high esteem in Britain in the 1950s, though fading fast.

It is also important to realise the primary cause of World War Two was Nazi and Japanese military expanionism and as we were to learn, their abominable cruelty. The British Empire was important but really something of a side-effect except perhaps in Churchill's mind. I wonder if secretly he did know the Empire was approaching its end but did not like to admit. For most Britons including the Government, fighting the Germans and Japanese was paramount; though Britaan certainly did have important Imperial territories in SE Asia.


In the early-1960s my Primary School had a voluntary weekly collection for a medical charity called BELRA, the British Empire Leprosy Relief Association. I think most of its work was in Africa, where the disease was and still is common and sadly, still highly stigmatic through fear.

The charity is still active, still doing very important work in co-operation with other organisations, but changed its name to Leprosy Relief Association in 1964.

Elsewhere the "BE" part lives on in the British Empire Medal honorary award, but for continuity.

@ArishMell that's why I emphasised that it was in the subjective view of Britain's wartime leadership. That is significant as they were the ones making crucial decisions. For instance, Churchill chose to reinforce the Mediterranean theatre, rather than focusing solely on defending the British Isles, recognizing the threat to British imperial power and influence in that region. So, my point was in regard to such instances. Protection of the Empire did influence British thinking in regards to an overarching wartime vision.

@Richard65 Thankyou - Yes, I was aware about the importance of the Empire toChurchill and others during the War, though I think to most Britons events far close to home would have been uppermost.

@tenente The Queen wore a snowflake broach give to her by Canada when she met Trump. The snowflake was a taunt to the extreme right referring to the "snowflake" insult and also represented Canada.

I know the monarchy cannot be overtly political but the situation with Trump's second term is very different than the first; he is litterally threatening our soveirnty .

@tenente Well, when he was Prince Charles, the king was in the Royal Navy, reaching I think the rank of Lieutenant.

@ArishMell We did do it for Britain and the Empire. Canadians considered themselves loyal to the Crown and were proud to fight for England. We were also in Afganistan with Britain. Canada has always defended England, it would have been nice for a more firm stance with us against Trump. I don't think that some words of solidarity is too much to ask when we always fight and die when Britains asks.

@JimboSaturn I think the solidarity is there but kept at low key to avoid the risk of international slanging-matches that would help no-one. It's better for politicians to keep quiet and let the half-dozen or so running the Washington Circus show themselves up publicly as at least remarkably naive.