“Celebrating Canada’s Military Heritage” is the theme of this year’s Royal Canadian Numismatic Association (RCNA) Convention, and organizers have chosen to commemorate the centennial of the Battle of the Somme by portraying a portion of Canada’s National War Memorial on its bronze and silver event medals.
“Sales are going well,” said event co-chair Steve Woodland, who added more than 50 additional medals (aside from those being given with registration packages) have been sold.
One of the bloodiest battles in history – although it accomplished little – the Battle of the Somme was a massive British and French offensive against German lines in northeastern France throughout the summer and fall of 1916. Canadian troops, under the command of British generals, were stationed in Belgium, near Ypres. On Aug. 30, they were brought into the conflict, participating in many bloody attacks in the following three months. The Canadians captured a series of strategic objectives, although it came at a great cost. Altogether, the Allies penetrated about 13 kilometres of German-occupied territory along a 35-kilometre front.
Allied casualties totalled about 624,000, including more than 24,700 Canadians and Newfoundlanders. The Germans suffered losses of about 660,000.
There’s a bronze medal included in each pre-registration kit. Additional bronze and silver medals are available for $20 and $60 each, respectively.
All orders and payment can be sent to the following address:
2016 RCNA Convention
5694 Highway #7 East, Suite 432
Markham, ON L3P 1B4
Canada
CELEBRATING CANADA’S MILITARY HERITAGE
This year marks the centennial of the Battle of the Somme, in which Canadian and Newfoundland troops fought alongside the British and French in a devastating and bloody battle against the Germans.
“This,” said Woodland, “combined with a large number of serving military personnel and veterans in the Ottawa Numismatic Society and Ottawa being the location of National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) and the National War Memorial, prompted us to choose the theme ‘Celebrating Canada’s Military Heritage’ and to design a medal that commemorates the centennial of the Battle of the Somme. In support of the theme, we will have a special display of military medals provided by the Directorate of Honours and Recognition at NDHQ. We have also arranged for tours of the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History.”