Bethune Memorial House, a National Historic Site of Canada in Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada, commemorates the life and achievements of Dr. Henry Norman Bethune, who served in all three branches of the military – Army, Navy, and Air Force – during the First World War. Dr. Norman Bethune was reputedly the 8th person in Toronto to enlist on August 4th, 1914 being assigned as a stretcher-bearer, which was one of the more dangerous roles.
At 12:30 p.m., July 1, 2017 a new outdoor activity area was officially unveiled to honour the centennial year of two of the most significant events for Canadians during the First World War: The battles of Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele.
The outdoor space presents a child-friendly snapshot of the work of medics and stretcher bearers during the Great War. It also features a wooden and sand-bagged trench flanked by a “training area”, with climbing apparatus, balance beams, a bridge, and tunnels. The trench is as historically accurate as possible, complete with rubber rats, tin cans featuring reproduction labels of popular brands of the day and faux barbed wire. Kids can even wear military getup and keep an eye on the advancement of the enemy by looking through periscopes, while gunshots can be sporadically heard.
