The Forgotten Patriots of Vimy Ridge

While Chinese Canadians received unfair and unjust treatment from the government, they were nevertheless willing to fight for their country during times of crisis. The battle of Vimy Ridge was Canada’s first opportunity to demonstrate its fortitude on an international stage, and amongst those who contributed to this effort were selfless Chinese Canadians like Frederick Lee. Their pioneering efforts were the first amongst many that commenced the battle for equal rights on behalf of Chinese Canadian immigrants, and their impact is cemented in the memory of the Chinese Canadian community of BC. As the Brigadier General Alexander Ross said of the battle at Vimy Ridge, “ In those few minutes, I witnessed the birth of a nation,” - a single nation, multiethnic and multicultural in its composition, wholly united by their differences.