The Mottershead European Battlefield Tour is supported by Ian and Rosemary Mottershead from the Class of 1962. The article below was submitted by students who attended the Tour.
Visiting the battlefields in France and Belgium is an experience that will be etched in my memory forever. Walking and standing right where thousands of valiant Canadian soldiers fought bravely, and where thousands of others lost their lives, is inevitably a moment of deep reflection for future officers of the Canadian Armed Forces.
It’s important to mention that this tour would certainly not have had the same impact if it weren’t for the comments of the teachers who came with us and commented on the various sites we visited. The many stories of heroism and leadership that they so brilliantly recounted were inspiring. They are also a reminder of the importance of the profession of arms, and of the responsibilities that come with our commission. The valour and altruism that Canadian soldiers demonstrated throughout these campaigns should serve as an inspiring example to us.
This trip will have a unique effect on each of the cadets and naval cadets who took part in it, but one thing is for certain: We all had to do some introspection. This trip made us think about the reasons we enlisted, the kind of leaders we want to be, and the influence we hope to have on our troops.
It’s hard to explain the effect of visiting war memorials like Vimy and Thiepval in just a few words… They evoke a mixture of contemplation, humility, sadness, but also hope. Nor can anyone remain unmoved by the countless rows of immaculate tombstones extending as far as the eye can see in the cemeteries we visited. Once again, a transcendent experience. These soldiers were friends, sons, brothers, husbands and fathers, as their epitaphs so clearly remind us. Like us, they had dreams and aspirations. It is our duty to honour their memory and to do them proud.
No one can remain untouched by this trip. It reminds us of our sense of duty, and of the price of the ultimate sacrifice.
TRUTH DUTY VALOUR
MBFT Reflection- OCdt E. Ovechkina
To say that the Mottershead Battlefield Tour was a life changing experience would be an understatement. It would not sum up the value of the experiences that this trip provided. This was an experience that completely changed my perspective on the history of Canada, the importance of duty, and the gravity of our responsibility as officers.
Before this trip, I was not someone who enjoyed history for the sake of history; I took the classes and learned the content but I did not have an appreciation for what it all means. I did not understand the sacrifices of the young men who went to war for our nation like I do now. I now have an appreciation for where the roots of our national identity are planted and I can better appreciate the sheer number of men who believed in the idea of Canada identity so much that they were willing to give their lives for the values that the maple leaf represents. Understanding and appreciating our history is not something that I considered integral to my development as an officer before this trip. However, now, I understand how everything we do is rooted in tradition, reverence for, and responsibility to the men who came before us. It is not just numbers on a powerpoint anymore, it is the countless graves of the men who died for our country and expect us to carry on their legacy today and every day beyond.
One thing that my father said to me that continuously rang through my head during the Mottershead Battlefield tour is that Russia also honoured and celebrated their veterans and the sacrifices of the World Wars, however that did not stop them from invading Ukraine. This resonated with me because, at every site we visited, it made me think of how important it is to understand the values behind the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers and what they stood for. It is so vital, especially in a time when our world is more fragile than it has ever been, to understand not just the battles that our predecessors participated in, but what motivated them to answer the call. It is one thing to honour the legacy, but it is a completely different and much more important challenge to ensure that we understand the principles that we strive to uphold as Canadians. And I think that this tour proved to me how important history is as a discipline and as a part of our collective identity. First and foremost, it is a tool to understand what we must work to preserve today and a stark reminder of what happens when the young men of a nation are used to solve geopolitical problems they had no part in starting.
This trip made me appreciate the important of duty and service to our nation unlike any experience has made me appreciate it before. Having the opportunity to wear our uniforms as we visited all these sites and know that we are directly carrying on the legacy that these soldiers left behind really made me think more about what it is that we have signed up for as members of the Canadian Armed Forces. I think that, previously, I had viewed my service to Canada as a job, something I could shed at the end of the day when I hang up my uniform and pretend to be a civilian. However, now I understand that it is not just a job, it is a calling and it is a privilege to be able to serve Canada. The tour made me think about how thankful I should be for the opportunity to try to live up to the great sacrifices of the soldiers who came before me. It made me appreciate the immense responsibility that comes with wearing the uniform. It is not just a job to me now, it is a responsibility and a privilege to steward the profession that so many soldiers fought for.
Finally, the Mottershead Battlefield Tour made me appreciate what it means to be an officer and the responsibility we carry for our soldiers. We are responsible for making sure our soldiers get home safely and that their loved ones see them again. This is nothing short of a momentous task that should be carried with the greatest gravity. Being an officer does not just mean you are in charge and get to tell people what to do, it means that you are personally responsible for the wellbeing of your soldiers. And when things go wrong, it is on you, as the officer, to take full responsibility for the consequences. If things go wrong, it is the officer who has to tell the soldiers’ loved ones what happened. The gravity of leadership is no longer lost on me. I think that, through this experience, I have developed a better appreciation for what it means to be responsible for my subordinates.
Overall, the Mottershead Battlefield Tour is an experience that has been integral in my development as an officer. Through the span of seven days, I learned more about the professional requirements and ethical duties of an officer than I have in my four years at the Royal Military College to date. This is an experience that I will take with me for the rest of my career and whenever I feel myself doubting why I wear the uniform or catch myself thinking “it’s just a job,” I will remind myself of the Mottershead Battlefield Tour in order to remember what it is that this uniform actually represents and what it means to get to wear the Canadian flag on my shoulder.
