Digging into history

Canadian soldiers digging in Korea in May 1951.
Photo: Library and Archives Canada

Coo! I’m Squeaker the pigeon. It was remarkable to fly around all those museum displays about Canadian military history. I think that if they could talk, the artifacts would all have interesting stories to share. Many objects made me curious, but one that surprised me was a simple shovel.

I am a bird so shovels sure aren’t something I ever use. However, I learned that soldiers have been using shovels since ancient times to dig trenches and tunnels, and build defensive walls and forts. I also learned that the shovel I saw here was used by our soldiers during the Korean War.

More than 26,000 Canadians served in this bitter conflict that was fought in East Asia between 1950 and 1953. Our troops faced challenging terrain and weather, and were often asked to guard the front lines and go on patrols. Wherever they were, they had to be ready to take cover from attack, and shovels were vital for burrowing into the ground to avoid enemy fire.

One of the most important Canadian actions in Korea was the Battle of Kapyong in April 1951 when Canadians fought off a much larger enemy force. Digging defensive positions was key to the victory and their shovels helped save their lives. It must have been so scary but when I see the scratches on the shovel blade and handle, I think I can better understand how Canadians put their lives on the line during the Korean War.