From Trench Foot to Toothbrushes: Remembering the Realities of War
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On Remembrance Day, we rightly pause to honour those Canadians who sacrificed everything in the world wars. Yet beyond the valour and the battles, there lies a quieter, grittier story that often goes without thought -- the story of our men fighting disease, grime and filth just as much as the enemy. What we now take for granted -- warm showers, soap, and a clean change of clothes, were often unimaginable for soldiers on the front.
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In the muddy, waterlogged trenches of France during the First World War, Canadian troops endured rat-infested, lice-ridden quarters, constant dampness and narrow spaces with poor drainage. Lice were more than just a nuisance; they were also carriers of trench fever, a debilitating illness marked by high fever, headaches and muscle pain, which spread rapidly among troops. The soggy, cold conditions also led to trench foot, a severe circulatory degeneration of the toes and feet that occurs when they are soaked and constricted for long periods. Frequent scrubbing, airing of boots, and changing socks, when possible, were essential to prevent gangrene and loss of toes or feet.
Honouring those that have served and given their lives for our freedom
We remember those who sacrificed for our freedom Lest We Forget NOVEMBER 11
AndrewLawtonMP.ca | 519-637-4130 | andrew.lawton@parl.gc.ca
Hometown St. Thomas • November 2025 • Page 11
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