'Chapleau Boys Go To War' puts "human face" on Canadian war efforts, according to Ian Macdonald

Ian Macdonald says that "The Chapleau Boys Go To War" puts "very human face on the Canadian war efforts" In World War 1 and World War 2 by the community of Chapleau.

Ian,  retired head of the department of architecture and Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba, has written extensively on buildings of Chapleau. In the interests of full disclosure, Ian contributed to the chapters on the Legion Hall and 1181 Chapleau High School Cadet Corps. Ian was an officer in the high school corps in the 1950s.

The following are his comments on "The Chapleau Boys Go To War".  Thanks Ian

"The Chapleau Boys Go To War

One can hardly imagine a more appropriate way to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the War to end all Wars.  The book ventures beyond the bronze plaques, memorial windows  and cenotaphs to put a very human face on the Canadian war efforts.

"Casualties of war are devastating under any circumstances  but are perhaps never felt as broadly or deeply as in a small village where everyone knows each other or at least knows of each other. The book, because it focuses on one small community,  is able  to dedicate an entire  page to each  individual  to honour their ultimate sacrifice and provide an important  historic record of the many others who served  on the multi faceted fronts of the various war efforts.  

"The authors (Michael K McMullen and Michael J Morris) are commended for effectively recording this legacy of honour and revealing what we like to think of as the best of the Canadian character."