Rum Ration Podcast Episode 10: Vimy – Birth of a nation

Westmount, Quebec – 09 April 2025: 108-years ago today, on April 9th, 1917 — arguably the day Canada’s identity was forged in blood atop Vimy Ridge. In this episode of The Rum Ration, the hosts revisit the harrowing story of the RMR’s role in one of the Great War’s most iconic battles, an incredible feat of Canadian arms. From the brutal snowstorm at Zero Hour to the heartbreak of the West brothers’ shared grave, the episode brings Vimy’s human cost into sharp focus.

The hosts speak with Caitlin Bailey, Executive Director of the Vimy Foundation, about the legacy and mythology surrounding the ridge — and how remembrance efforts are evolving. They explore Sergeant Lambourne’s uniquely arranged Nine Elms cemetery, the politics behind calling Vimy a “nation-making moment,” and why the story still matters today. If you think you know Vimy, think again. Listen, reflect, and raise a glass. Cheers to history.

Available now at rumration.ca or wherever you get your podcasts.