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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

William Rider-Rider, Canadian Officers entertain Canadian, American and Imperial Nurses. June 1918, Library and Archives Canada MIKAN 3396813 & 3194336.

Soldiers and nurses seated and standing around a tree conversing with one another and drinking tea

Soldiers and nurses seated on the grass together, in the foreground shows a nurse holding a very small dog and letting it drink cream from her saucer

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

It's all fun and games until you have to fill out the long form census for all the people in your house, including the guy who sublets your basement. You're welcome, Canadians of 2126 🖕

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Honestly, I hate this 🙃 This proposal is based on a misapprehension of Vimy as the birthplace of the Canadian nation. In reality, Canada was not born at Vimy and the Canadian Corps’ military leaders didn’t even think it was their most impressive wartime victory

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Tri-U Graduate History Program @triuhistory.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

The 36th annual Canadian Military History Colloquium will be held May 8-9 @wilfridlaurieruni organised by Laurier Centre for the Study of Canada. @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social is keynote. Register by May 3! buff.ly/zf4QaNy

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Happy Earth Day everyone! Here's: Harry Knobel, Trout Fishing in France, June 1916, Library and Archives Canada MIKAN 3396673.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Ivor Castle, A Stretcher Case at the Battle of Arleux, 1917, private collection. This one is a bit more graphic (from a closer perspective) than a lot of Canadian official First World War photographs. The injured person is German, which by convention made it permissible to show blood.

A man is laying, perched on one elbow, facing away from the photographer. He's wearing a cloth hat which indicates he is a German soldier, appears to have a bandage near or on his neck, and is bleeding from the face. Two soldiers are bringing a stretcher down towards him, while Canadian and German soldiers crowd around.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

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Alex Bowers @bowerswrites.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

It was a pleasure to interview Canadian military historian Carla-Jean Stokes, a friend of mine in that community, about her book "The Taking of Vimy Ridge." Here, in a Legion Magazine exclusive, she details the story of the man who photographed the battle. legionmagazine.com/historian-ca...

legionmagazine.com

Historian Carla-Jean Stokes on the man who photographed Vimy Ridge - Legion Magazine

The camera never lies, or so the saying goes. The reality, however, is in the eye of the beholder. In the 1860s, U.S. Civil War photographer Mathew Brady, renowned for capturing scenes of carnage and ...

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Hey #skystorians, sending some feelers out - I manage a registered heritage site in BC. We are working on a Historian in Residence project: -FREE 2-3 week stay at a lakeside heritage home on 5 acres -some $$ to help with your flight -you get to write your manuscript in a peaceful setting

A large, 1910 heritage home shown situated on a meticulous garden.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

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Wilfrid Laurier University Press @wlupress.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Today is Vimy Ridge Day, a day to honour and remember the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917. In her book The Taking of Vimy Ridge, Carla-Jean Stokes explores the life and works of William Ivor Castle, a Canadian official First World War photographer known for staging and manipulating his photographs.

The book cover features a truck convoy of celebrating soldiers, and an endorsement from historian Jonathan F. Vance: “The Taking of Vimy Ridge is essential reading for anyone who wants a better understanding of First World War photography.

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The Tattooed Historian @tattooedhistorian.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

I had @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social on my channel to discuss this fantastic book and honestly, you need to pick it up! Watch my chat with her here: www.youtube.com/live/OZ53Ihd...

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

9 April marks the 109th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Here's one of my favourite photographs that Ivor Castle took that weekend - Canadian Machine Gunners Dig Themselves In, In Shell Holes, April 1917, LAC MIKAN 3521844.

Five men are gathered in a shell hole, facing in opposite directions and appearing to be handling a large gun and performing other tasks during the Battle of Vimy Ridge on 9-12 April 1917.

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Ian Kikuchi @curatorian.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Artworks on display in the Art, Film and Photography Gallery at #IWMLondon. Gassed by John Singer Sargent (1919) The Menin Road by Paul Nash (1919) Over The Top by John Nash (1918) Runway Perspective and De-Icing Aircraft by Eric Ravilious (both 1942) #wartour

Runway Perspective and De-Icing Aircraft by Eric Ravilious

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Instead of doomscrolling, have you tried just ordering a Lego kit online?

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Today I let my 5 yo talk me though eating an ice cream drumstick because she believed I’d never had one before. “Mom, take your first bite, and you’re going to be in love!” What a cute little turkey. Also, ‘twas delicious.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

The Magic Lantern Mail Club made it to three different cities in the UK and to locations all over Canada in February! It's been a ton of fun to share a physical newsletter and pick out items from my collection to share in an analogue way.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

The thing about digitizing a collection of 1920s era negatives is that... in my mind it seems easier to just set up a darkroom and print everything instead.

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The British Columbia Review @thebcreview.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

#BookReview: The Taking of Vimy Ridge by Carla-Jean Stokes “a penetrating look at the public perception of the battle—and, strikingly, makes the case that a single photographer played a crucial role in creating the “myth” of Vimy Ridge” thebcreview.ca/2025/11/11/2... wlupress.bsky.social

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This Day In WWI @thisdayinwwi.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

This newsreel, IWM IWM 466, Reel 3, shows a Canadian soldier chewing something before he charges out of the trenches at Courcelette. #ww1 photo expert @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social does several deep dives of the 4 "over the top" photos on her account bsky.app/profile/carl...

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

5 YO: Mom, I'm not that good at math. I wish I was omniscient.* Me: You sound like you're doing OK so far. 😂 *Learned this word by age 3 due to being a huge Devin Townsend fan.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

William Rider-Rider, Canadians Performing their Toilet in Reserve Line, February 1918 (brrrrr!), LAC Item No. O-2531.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

In February 1918, William Rider-Rider photographed Canadian soldiers with copies of the Canadian Daily Record, a newspaper issued by the Canadian War Records Office to personnel during the war. Rider-Rider, Canadians Interested in the Canadian Daily Record, Feb 1918, LAC MIKAN 3396794.

Two soldiers seated inside a trench, one is holding a newspaper and appearing to read it.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Ahhh, nothing like the workout your credit card gets when you have to sign your child up for Spring Break camps 😒

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

It’s not a stretch to say that during the First World War, the Canadian Corps established itself as the “elite fighting force of the British Empire.” It was also composed, sometimes, of dudes in dresses!

William Rider-Rider, Maple Leaf Concert Party, September 1917, LAC MIKAN 3522026. A man dressed as a clown is applying makeup to fellow entertainer who is dressed as a woman.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

William Rider-Rider, A Canadian giving his pet a much-needed wash, February 1918, Library and Archives Canada MIKAN 3194334.

A Canadian soldier wearing a brodie helmet is seated in the middle of the frame, washing a dog who is standing in a metal tub.

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Lucy Betteridge-Dyson @lmbd1418.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

There is a saying: 'You can talk to a horse, but you can chat and whisper to a mule', and indeed, many men who served with mules spoke of the uniquely strong relationships they forged with the animals. 📸 Mule 99 & Pte. D. Ravensgraig, Italy, 1944 IWM NA 12495 #MuleMonday

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Melissa Wing @melissawing.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

I’ve been so busy with my big girl adult job that I haven’t had much time for historical side quests lately (or posting on here - whoops 🙈). But, I had to come on to hype up this exciting new adventure from the amazing @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social Find out how to get your #warphotos below 👇🏼

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

This beautiful print - from the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada collection - turns 108 this month. William Rider-Rider, Canadian buying a hat at a second-hand store near Lens, February 1918, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Museum & Archives 2018.413.2504.

Two men stand towards the middle of the frame and are surrounded by junk and scraps of what appears to be a destroyed building or fortification. The man on the left is trying on a hat while he looks face to face with the man on the right. Behind the men are countless objects scattered everywhere, including a phonograph and a basket.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

My two newest First World War photographs (one by Ernest Brooks and one by Ivor Castle) have finally arrived and are now part of my collection. They'll be prints for my mail club 🤫 For now, here's a fun teaser: the digitized verso of the Castle photo & LAC digitized negative.

Back of a 1916 photographic print showing pencil notes, two press stamps, and a typed caption indicating that this is Canadian official war photograph number O-742. It is entitled "The Red Cross Man does his bit in the fight by dressing a Canadian."

A seated man is seen having his wound dressed by a Red Cross medic. A small group of men are walking towards the scene in the background and one man is standing on the right hand side of the frame, obscuring that edge of the print. The sky is very bright and visually blows out much of the scene on the left.

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Norma Graham @normagraham.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

That would be why.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

In February 1919, a Canadian official photographer spent some time with the Canadian Forestry Corps. Here are the two best photographs (obviously I'm speaking objectively). They both belong to Library and Archives Canada and are MIKAN 3522528-9.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Hey gang, don't forget: you have until February 12 to sign up if you'd like to receive some cool #warphotos stuff in your mailbox this month 🙌🏼 link is in my bio.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Original colour portrait of Lawren P. Harris serving as an official war artist. Harris was the eldest son of Group of Seven founding member Lawren Harris. Library and Archives Canada MIKAN 4232978.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Unattributed, Frank Grummett walks with sisters Cecile and Colette Watrelot in Armentieres France, undated. Library and Archives Canada, MIKAN 4233257.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Unattributed, Frank Grummett walks with sisters Cecile and Colette Watrelot in Armentieres France, undated. Library and Archives Canada, MIKAN 4233257.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Original colour photographs of the Vimy Memorial, dated ca. September 1944. Unfortunately, colour photographs of the Second World War taken by official photographers are often unattributed and undated. 📸: LAC MIKAN 4233735, 4233247, 4233248, 4233244, 4233731, 4233732.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Unattributed, Canadian soldiers admire the Canadian War Memorial at St. Julien, ca. 1944*, LAC MIKAN 4233269. *The date range given to this entire collection of WW2 photographs in colour is 1943-1965. Finding the midway point from 1943-1945 is our best guess.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

This isn't an #OTD photograph, but here's a beautiful David McLellan from my own collection - 60 pounder gun of the 48th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery in action in the open near Strazeele, at full recoil, April 15, 1918.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Here's your daily source of: Carla hates colourized photographs. I've been on Facebook a lot lately, so perhaps there's a reason for this renewed annoyance 😅 Here are a few side-by-sides showing digitized prints (in their gorgeous tones with deep contrast) and digitized negatives.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Unattributed press agency photographer, Canadian dispatch riders prepare to set out on a training ride across Salisbury Plain on their Douglas 2.75 horse-power motorcycles (and then seen riding on a muddy track), 28 January 1915, Imperial War Museum Q 53577-Q 53568.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Today's status: am writing. Actually don't know how long it's been since I could say that.

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

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Carla-Jean Stokes @carlajeanstokes.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Unattributed*, Nurses of the No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, January 1919, Library and Archives Canada MIKAN 3395910.

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