Samantha L.G. McCrea

The Last Charge: Canada’s Cavalry in the Great War In a war defined by trenches, machine guns, and industrial slaughter, Canada sent horsemen into the storm. This episode follows the Canadian Cavalry Brigade from the mud of the Western Front to the desperate charge at Moreuil Wood; an action often remembered as one of the last great cavalry charges in history. It’s a story of soldiers caught between eras, fighting a modern war with the tools of an older one, and proving that courage and adaptability could still shape the battlefield. Step into the saddle and ride through the final days of cavalry warfare in the Great War.

The Last Charge: Canada’s Cavalry in the Great War

In a war defined by trenches, machine guns, and industrial slaughter, Canada sent horsemen into the storm. This episode follows the Canadian Cavalry Brigade from the mud of the Western Front to the desperate charge at Moreuil Wood; an action often…

The Timberwolves’ Legacy: Indigenous Contributions in WWI Canada The 107th Battalion — known as The Timberwolves — was one of the most remarkable and overlooked units in Canada’s First World War history. Made up largely of First Nations soldiers, these men brought extraordinary skill, resilience, and cultural strength to a war that demanded everything from them… and then asked for more.

The Timberwolves’ Legacy: Indigenous Contributions in WWI Canada

The 107th Battalion — known as The Timberwolves — was one of the most remarkable and overlooked units in Canada’s First World War history. Made up largely of First Nations soldiers, these men brought extraordinary skill, resilience,…

Have you listened to the podcast episode, by chance?
I cover the points you make; never stating that the Canadians were the first to encounter the gas; but rather the French Algerians. As a Métis person myself, I'm well aware of what settler perspective looks & sounds like.

Agreed. Though the whole "Piss in your hankies" thing hadn't as much to do with the Algerians as it did with the fact that the smell of chlorine preceded the actual filling of Canadian lungs with gas.

Trinity Church and Cemetery, Iberville (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu), Quebec

Trinity Church was built in 1841 to serve the Anglican community of Christieville, later Iberville, and stands today as one of the clearest reminders of the English-speaking Protestant families who helped shape the Richelieu…

Yes, the Algerian troops took the first hit of the chlorine gas and retreated as best they could. As for taking the brunt, one must keep in mind the fact that none of the allied units had masks or respirators of any kind. The Algerian retreat left a gaping 6.5km gap in the salient; Cdns plugged it.

The 107th Battalion – The Timberwolves

The 107th ‘Timber Wolf’ Battalion was founded by Lieutenant-Colonel Glenlyon Campbell, but its story also belongs to Indigenous men who volunteered to fight for a country that denied them equal rights. They served without the vote.They returned to fewer…

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Your follows, likes and ratings help get the word out, and my goal is to spark interest & create awareness among younger generations. Thanks! 💚🇨🇦 #lestweforget #memoryandvalour #WW1

Poison Wind: Canada and the First Gas Attack When the air turned poisonous the Canadians didn’t retreat; they stood and fought.This episode dives into the first poison-gas attack at Ypres and the brutal legacy it left behind. From the s…

Poison Wind: Canada and the First Gas Attack memoryandvalour.ca/2026/01/22/p... #memoryandvalour #ww1 ##ww1history #westernfront #lestweforget #ypres #booksky #CanadianHistory

Poison Wind: Canada and the First Gas Attack

When the air turned poisonous the Canadians didn't retreat; they stood and fought.This episode dives into the first poison-gas attack at Ypres and the brutal legacy it left behind. From the shock of the areen cloud to the lifelonc scars of gas exposure,…

New Podcast Episode available TONIGHT!

“They didn’t die in a blaze of glory. They drowned—on dry land.” This episode of Memory and Valour exposes the gas attacks of the First World War: chlorine, phosgene, mustard gas, and what it did to the men who had no masks, no warning, and no escape. Stream…

New Podcast Episode: Beaumont-Hamel: Courage, Loss & the Newfoundland Regiment Beaumont‑Hamel marked one of the darkest moments in Newfoundland’s history. On the morning of July 1, 1916, the Newfoundland Regiment advanced across open ground during the first day of the Battle of the Somme—straight into unbroken German fire. Within minutes, the unit was devastated, suffering catastrophic losses that echoed across every community back home. Beaumont‑Hamel became a symbol of extraordinary courage, profound sacrifice, and a tragedy that shaped Newfoundland’s identity for generations.

New Podcast Episode: Beaumont-Hamel: Courage, Loss & the Newfoundland Regiment

Beaumont‑Hamel marked one of the darkest moments in Newfoundland’s history. On the morning of July 1, 1916, the Newfoundland Regiment advanced across open ground during the first day of the Battle of the Somme—straight…

Happy 2026 and THANK YOU! As we wrap up the year, I want to take a moment to say how deeply grateful I am for your support. Whether you’ve tuned in to the podcast, picked up one of my books, shared my work with a friend, or simply cheered from the sidelines, you’ve made this journey meaningful. Thank you for showing up, for listening, for reading, and for believing in what I create. Your encouragement fuels everything I do. Wishing each of you an incredible 2026 filled with joy, momentum, and moments that surprise you in the best ways. I’m excited for what’s ahead, and I’m so glad we get to step into it together.

As we wrap up the year, I want to take a moment to say how deeply grateful I am for your support. Whether you’ve tuned in to the podcast, picked up one of my books, shared my work with a friend, or simply cheered from the sidelines, you’ve made this journey meaningful.

New episode + new book!
Once a Patricia, Always a Patricia is out now — exploring the courage and legacy of the PPCLI from Frezenberg and Kapyong to the Medak Pocket and Afghanistan.
Listen to the podcast 'Memory and Valour' on Spotify, Amazon or Apple. Read the book today on Amazon or Kobo.

The Christmas Truce: 1914 New podcast episode available now on Spotify, Apple and Amazon. The Christmas Truce of 1914 On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day of 1914, something extraordinary happened along the Western Front. After months of brutal trench warfare, soldiers from Britain, Germany, and France stepped out of their trenches and into No Man’s Land to share a brief, unofficial ceasefire. What began with carols drifting across the frozen air soon grew into handshakes, conversations, and the exchange of small gifts.

The Christmas Truce: 1914

New podcast episode available now on Spotify, Apple and Amazon. The Christmas Truce of 1914 On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day of 1914, something extraordinary happened along the Western Front. After months of brutal trench warfare, soldiers from Britain, Germany, and…

Life in the Trenches: In Their Own Words

In this episode of Memory and Valour, we descend into the world of the trenches: a place where young men learned to live with mud at their feet, fear in their lungs, and the constant rumble of artillery overhead. This is the story of the Western Front not…

Exploring Life in WW1 Trenches

How was a trench built? Why? What was it like to live in a trench month after month? My upcoming episode on my podcast Memory and Valour takes a look at these aspects of trench life in WW1. Some things will surprise you.

Let’s make a book!

What exactly does Memory and Valour do, and what's a Legacy Book anyway??!It's my jam, and I'd love to collaborate with you! www.memoryandvalour.ca #memoryandvalour #personalhistorian #lestweforget #booktok #booksky

Should we forgive Currie?

As the years pass, I find myself comparing Sir Arthur Currie to Sir Winston Churchill. Not in all ways, but militarily and definitely intellectually. They had tough decisions to make and both had some pretty awful opinions. Churchill loved his drink and loathed anyone who…

New Episode! Shot at Dawn: The Other Side of Valour In this episode of Memory and Valour, we confront one of the darkest legacies of the First World War: soldiers executed by firing squad. Beyond Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele lies another roll call: twenty‑five Canadians condemned for “cowardice,” “desertion,” or “disobedience.”Through voices like Private Walter Underwood and Medical Officer Maberly Esler, we uncover the machinery of discipline, from Field Punishment Number One to the ultimate sanction of execution.

New Episode!

Shot at Dawn: The Other Side of Valour In this episode of Memory and Valour, we confront one of the darkest legacies of the First World War: soldiers executed by firing squad. Beyond Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele lies another roll call: twenty‑five Canadians condemned for “cowardice,”…

New Podcast Episode: A Runner’s Bravery in the Great War

Private Hughie John McDonald’s courage as a runner in the Great War earned him the Military Medal, and a lasting legacy. In this episode, I speak with his grandson and namesake to explore his story of survival, bravery, and remembrance.

The Endurance of Pte. Hugh John McDonald A runner in the Great War ... who survived 4 years in the hell of battle...France and Belgium, delivering important messages over the shell torn battlefields of Vimy, Passchendaele and others. The upcoming episode of my podcast 'Memory and Valour' will uncover this incredible tale, nearly lost to the winds of time. Listen to his story told by his grandson John, and memorialized in a Legacy Book; ensuring that Pte. McDonald's memory and contributions to Canada are never forgotten.

As a Runner with the 49th Battalion, he faced some of the most dangerous duties on the battlefield; threading his way through the mud, shellfire and sniper fire to keep his company connected. Listen to the upcoming podcast episode to learn about the bravery of Hugh John McDonald in WW1.

No Man’s Land New podcast episode coming soon! "No Man's Land: Whispers from the Dark" Follow the podcast on Spotify, Apple or Amazon. Be sure to follow, like and rate!

No Man’s Land

New podcast episode coming soon! "No Man's Land: Whispers from the Dark" Follow the podcast on Spotify, Apple or Amazon. Be sure to follow, like and rate!

New podcast episode out today! The Battle of Hill 70 & The Milburn Sacrifice.

Amid the thunder of artillery and the chaos of August 1917, Canadian soldiers fought fiercely to seize Hill 70. The Battle of Hill 70 & The Milburn Sacrifice is not just a story of strategy and victory, it is a story of…

Exploring Indigenous Heroes of WWI

The Great War in Four Acts Version 1.0.0 Version 1.0.0 Looking for a good book to cozy up with before November slips away? I'd recommend this one! The Great War in Four Acts: Echoes of Valour Untold Stories from the First World War(Book 5 in The Great War Series)…

Memory and Valour Preserving memories through stories, research, and history

memoryandvalour.ca
Exciting things are happening! Visit my new site, peruse the books I've been writing, listen to the new podcast and collaborate! I believe history lives in the stories of our families. I will preserve those stories with care, dignity and accuracy. #lestweforget #WW1 #WW2 #booksky

I authored 2 books this summer! They are both available on Amazon in paperback and kindle format. Go easy on me, it's my first try! If you're a Great War buff, these are for you! Thanks, now go buy my books! 📚😊
#booksky #author #CanadianContent #WW1 #GreatWar #Lestweforget #booktok #Resist #books

So often is the state of my dining table, because there are always things to learn about and ponder. 💚📚

#killyourtelevision #killyourcellphone #booksky #booktok #resist

Carney: The system of global trade anchored on the United States.. is over. Our old relationship of steadily deepening integration with the United States is over. The 80 year period when the United States embraced the mantle of economic leadership… is over.

My latest order of books arrived today!! Much excite. Book order number 3 from the Book Outlet!

#booksky #bookoutlet #canada #buyCanadian #RESIST #MargaretAtwood #TempleGrandin #Churchill #AnneFrank #HannahPickGoslar #AnthonyMcCarten