#10: Vimy - Birth of a Nation

April 9th, 1917 — the day Canada’s identity was forged in blood atop Vimy Ridge. In this episode of The Rum Ration, Rejoy and Colin revisit the harrowing story of The Royal Montreal Regiment’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.