File 4 - World War I photograph album

90 leaves in two folders : photographs (black and white) ; 25 cm

The file contains a photograph album of photographs taken during Clare Gass's deployment in Europe with the Canadian Expeditionary Force from approximatley April 1915 to 1918. The earliest photograph dates from April 1915 and depicts Gass and other nursing sisters assembled for inspection in front of the Montreal General Hospital before their deployment. Photographs probably from May 1915 depict their sea crossing to Europe on the Metagama. There are photographs from multiple places in France including Etaples (France) (1915), Camiers (the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital) (1915). and Boulogne (1916-1917, including No. 7 Convalescent Camp), as well as Gass's postings in Clivedon, England (1918) and Rhyl, North Wales (1918). Many photographs depict "the lines" of the various camps, with tent and building exteriors and interiors, including living quarters, nurses' "huts" and hospital wards. There are also photographs of soldiers' entertainments, including shows and costumed performers. Leaves 13 and 14 of the photograph album also contain the an early appearence of the text of John McCrae's “In Flanders Field.” The poem accompanies two photographs of recent graves. Other photographs depict landscapes, sites, and local activities in the regions where she was stationed. Some photographs were taken during various leaves, including a trip to Scotland in 1917 and Leicester. Some photographs also depict Gass's brother Cyril, including following his injury and during his convalescence.