Projects

First World War in Colour

The First World War was the first major conflict that had professional press photographers documenting daily life. Witness these photographs come to life through the Vimy Foundation’s digital colourization initiative.

About the project

When you look at old black and white photos, the past seems very far away. This is especially apparent with First World War photographs. And yet in the course of time, it was only yesterday.

In 2018, The Vimy Foundation, with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage and the R. Howard Webster Foundation launched a unique and innovative project to colourize images of the First World War, a project aimed at re-engaging young Canadians in a defining moment in our history.

The images featured within this project  highlight the important battles in Canada’s history, but also life on the home front, wartime industries, the contributions of women, and advances in medical and communications technologies.

If you wish to get a high resolution digital copy of one of our photos, you can simply check our catalogue and email us to place the order. Processing and licensing fees will apply.

First World War in Colour

Return to Vimy

An original short film produced by the NFB in partnership with the Vimy Foundation. The Vimy Foundation is incredibly excited to have partnered with the National Film Board of Canada on an original short film featuring colourized First World War footage. The film, which premiered early November 2017, is the first time the NFB produced a film featuring colourized footage from their own archives.

Click here to view the experience

First World War in Colour

They Fought in Colour

They Fought in Colour is a photographic exploration of Canada’s First World War experience presented for the first time in full, vibrant colour, with commentary from some of our country’s leading public figures, including Paul Gross, Peter Mansbridge, Margaret Atwood, Tim Cook, and many others.

Learn More

First World War in Colour

Exhibit Experience

The Vimy Foundation, with the support of the Government of Canada presents an exciting new travelling exhibit: THE GREAT WAR IN COLOUR: A new look at Canada’s First World War effort – 1914-1918.

The exhibit features colourized First World War photos in addition to historical information and educational resources.

First World War in Colour

Supporters

Centennial Benches

Thank you to our generous sponsors whose contributions helped shaped the Centennial Park.

10th Battalion Calgary Highlanders “The Fighting 10th”

Gift of the Rossy Foundation

Hamilton Academy of Medicine in support of Docs on Ice

In dedication to the brave men and women who fought for freedom at Vimy Ridge

On behalf of Husky Injection Molding Systems

In grateful memory of the men of the 13th, 42nd and 73rd Battalions C.E.F. who valiantly fought here in 1917.

Perpetuated by: The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada

In memory of Helen Allen Stacey who connected thousands of needy children with adoptive parents and Col. C.P. Stacey, professor and official historian of the Canadian Army in the Second World War.

Remembered by their loving families and friends.

In memory of all soldiers who served and gave their lives for our freedom. Fasken

In memory of their valour and their bravery.

The people of Manitoba, Canada will never forget the many who fought and died for our freedom.

In memory of: Donald Wilfred Machum 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles 1895 – 1966 Donald Alexander Machum 1927 – 2007

John and Pattie Cleghorn and Family

Karen Girling, Bruce MacLellan, Ally and Sara,

in memory of those who served.

Miner Family Canada

Asseyez-vous. Enjoy the view of freedom they would insist. John Adie RFA 1914-18.

New Brunswick Remembers

Donated by the Province of New Brunswick

Rocky Mountain Rangers 172 Battalion Kamloops BC Canada Hon. Lt. Col. T.D.F. Newell

The Government of Nova Scotia commemorates Nova Scotians who served, and continue to serve Canada.

We shall never forget their service and sacrifice.

The Government of Ontario is proud to pay tribute to the Canadians heroes who bravely fought to preserve our values and freedoms. We are forever grateful for their service and sacrifice.

The Graham & Gayle Cooke Foundation Vancouver, Canada

In loving memory of grandfather Pte. Hugh MacDougall, 1/1st Lovat’s Scouts Yeomanry Wounded at Gallipoli, Sept., 1915. Je Suis Prest.

The Province of Alberta

remembers those Albertans who served their country in the First World War, and subsequent wars.

The Vimy Oaks Legacy Corporation

In Memory of Lieutenant Leslie Miller

The gift of The Peter Cundill Foundation on behalf of F Peter Cundill 1938-2011;

a great Canadian, whose deep understanding of history afforded him a profound appreciation of the valour and the gritty determination displayed by his countrymen at Vimy.

Supporters

Centennial Trees

We would like to thank our generous donors who helped bring this memorial to life with their kind contributions.

A.Coburn & D.Auringer families

In memory of Thomas Wilson, 196th Battalion CEF

Ainslie Hogan and sons

Alan Greenberg, Darcia Rowntree and Families

Amelia & Lino Saputo Jr. Foundation

Assurant

Bain Family

In memory of Pvt William Arthur Wilcox, 15th Bn, lost at Festubert, France May 21, 1915

Barry & Elizabeth A. Peacock

In memory of Robert Charles Peacock

Costigan family

In memory of Major John Francis Costigan, 50th Battalion infantry. April 4th 1917 Canada.

Courage Remembered – In loving memory of G. Kingsley Ward and Adele E. Ward

Craig, Debois, Isaacs, Mierins, Tilgner, Warner.

Remembering Those Who Sacrificed Their Lives For Ours

Donnelly Automotive Group, Ottawa

Flinker Family

For Brave Valentine, with Love The Hyatt Family

From the Capern Walimaki Family

In loving memory of our ancestors who sacrificed for us all.

Graham Campbell & Rachel St. John

Harold S. Hadley & Claudia J. Kennedy

Honour – Courage – Sacrifice / Royal Canadian Navy

Honouring the sacrifices of University of Toronto students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Ian & Christie Gray Family, Port Credit Ontario

In Memory of General Sir Arthur Currie

In loving memory of our angel Barbara (Glica) Sweeney 1957 – 2019. You live in our hearts.

In memory of Andrew Powell

In memory of Bill and Joan Livingston

In memory of Capt Frank Edgar Hamblin, 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles

In memory of soldiers of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry who paid the supreme sacrifice 9-12 April 1917

Industrial Alliance

Irene Topits

Joseph L. Campbell and Joan Miller-Campbell

Karen Miller and Gerald McDonnell

Ken and Dianne Griffith & Family

LCol William and Carolyn Patton

In memory of LT T.J. Taylor, Cpl R. Anderson, and Pte W. Coolen

La Municipalité régionale de Halifax est honorée de soutenir le maintien du legs des chênes de Vimy.

Landscape Ontario

Le 22e Régiment, le Régiment de Maisonneuve, les Fusiliers Mont-Royal

Matt and Erin Giffen & Family

Maureen Bianchini Purvis, Randall Purvis, Sara McNeill, Keely Yates, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Dedicated on behalf of the No Stone Left Alone Memorial Foundation, to all that rest upon this sacred Canadian land in France. We encourage all and especially, the world’s youth, to gaze upon its beauty and understand that the oak tree is a symbol of Bravery, Power, Protection and Truth. Please remember their sacrifices and the strength it took to defend us. We hope all will make a pledge, when they stand before it, to remember. May they be commemorated forever and our gratitude infinite. Peace be with you.

Mike Stollery Automotive Partnerships

In honour of Private G. R. Mowforth

Mr. & Mrs. Robert T. Ruggles

As members of the Whitmer Trudel Charitable Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. S. Mehta, Mississauga, ON

In memory of our beloved servicemen who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Requiescat in pace.

Pembcorp Automotive Group

Randy & Carolyn Peek & Family

Robert C. Douglas and Joanne R. Sutherland

In Honour of James R. Sutherland Sr. 44th Bn(Manitoba)

Robert Francis

Robert Quartermain

Royal Military Colleges of Canada, Class of 1973.

Truth, Duty, Valour / Vérité, Devoir, Vaillance

Shan & Rav Rupnarain, Edmonton, Alberta

“But honor the sacred mem’ry / Of those who for honor tried” Frank S. Brown, The Pats, 1915.

Shannon Family

in loving memory of of our grandfather Wilfrid J. Fagan

TAO Asset Management

Tattersall family and Heathbridge Capital Management

We will remember them. Forever grateful, the Tattersall family and Heathbridge Capital Management

The Boquist Family

The Burton Family

In memory of Graham Burton

The Cadets of the Eastern Arctic.

Thank you for your Gift of Freedom.

The Canadian Military Engineers Association

In memory of Canadian Engineers who served in the First World War. // À la mémoire des ingénieurs canadiens qui ont servi pendant la Première Guerre mondiale

The Clarke Family

To honour ARLINGTON CLARKE and the many brave Canadians who fought at Vimy Ridge.

The Croxon Family

The Dalglish Family

The Fraser Family

In memory of Frederick Thomas Lodge & John (Jack) Fraser

The Galt Family.

In memory of the brave souls who fought for our freedoms. We owe you immeasurable Gratitude.

The Glover Family

honours Sergeant Winfred (Fred) Alexander Glover, 21st Battalion, Canadian Infantry

The Kelleher Family

In memory of Dr. W.R. Harwood

The Kelsall Family

In honour of Corporal Samuel Lester Kelsall 58th Battalion 9th MGC 3rd Division

The Knights and Dames of the Order of St. George Canada.

We Will Remember You.

The MFL Jaques Family

In loving memory of Lieutenant Maurice Alexander Jaques, lost Sept 3, 1916

The Men and Women of Operation Guardian Force who care for and Remember our Veterans

The Men and Women of the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service / Les hommes et les femmes du Service de l’aumônerie royale canadienne

The Mews Family

In memory of Lieutenant Henry (Harry) George Reginald Mews

The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, The Royal Regiment of Canada, and the 48th Highlanders of Canada

salute their perpetuated CEF battalions – 3rd, 15th, 58th, 83rd, 92nd, 95th, 123rd, 124th, 134th, 166th, 170th, 198th, 204th and 255th. We will remember them!

The Ritz & Hunt families

in memory of Pte Harry Franklin Ritz (78th Bn)

The Shanahan Carriage Company

in memory of Lieutenant-Colonel John H. Chipman, MC, VD

The Vickers Family

in memory of Gunner Arthur Vickers and Private Arthur Fordham

The Vimy Oaks Legacy Corporation

In Memory of Lieutenant Leslie Miller

The Wood Family

in memory of Flight Lieutenant John Harvie Wiley

The Wyant Family

in memory of Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon M. Wyant, OC, CD, QHP

The family of Pte. Thomas Lloyd Smith – April 27, 1917, Vimy Ridge

We remember Jack and Fred Evans, brothers from Parkland, Alberta, who died at the Somme in Nov. 1916

Resources

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