Britain was a colonial power, it maintained a standing army in order to conquer other countries and to put down rebellions. It may be that the army put up an heroic defence of the nation when there was a threat of invasion but, given that the purpose of the army over centuries has been the pursuit of British commercial interests, it's neither inconsistent or improper for the government to use it to secure cash flow from raw materials extracted in other countries.

Whether or not the armed forces enjoy a better public image in the UK or in Canada is, I think, arguable. Yes a military funeral in an army town gets out the crowds, so do police or firefighter's funerals, but that's due a redneck machismo that doesn't play so well the major cities. The fifty percent immigrant population in Toronto likely doesn't care much for the army, certainly not enough for it to translate into a political will to pay the troops a living wage.

I suspect public opinion of the forces rises and falls with the popularity of the conflicts in which they are involved, the Canadian armed forces enjoy some public support from their history of peacekeeping, support that is waning as they are increasingly deployed in the suppresion of ubruly populations.

Whether or not the armed forces enjoy a better public image in the UK or in Canada is, I think, arguable. Yes a military funeral in an army town gets out the crowds, so do police or firefighter's funerals, but that's due a redneck machismo that doesn't play so well the major cities. The fifty percent immigrant population in Toronto likely doesn't care much for the army, certainly not enough for it to translate into a political will to pay the troops a living wage.


If you view the attached file I think it will answer the question on who has a better public image. As for 50% of the population of Toronto not caring much I don't see crowds like this on the motorways near Brize Norton.

Who knew so many British expats in Canada still read the Mail on Sunday online...did you read the comments there?

I guess they need to keep convincing themselves that they made the right decision to stay here? I also noted that the canadian images were from at least last summer, and as the body count mounts the numbers by the highway are certainly going down.

Living near Trenton I am acutely aware of the sacrifices being made all the time, my neighbours have been "away" for some time now. It is very moving to see the way the fallen are treated here, and its no more than should happen. But with all due respect the trip down the 401 is not exactly the same logisitical exercise as the trip in the UK to the Radcliffe, and if they did stop the traffic in the UK for the fallen soldiers, Im sure there would be all sorts of people moaning about the ensuing chaos. The british have become a nation of complainers, simple as that.

God & The Soldier.

Sad, but true!

The file contains pictures of people watching a military funeral back when the death of a Canadian in combat was a novelty, shortly after the switch from being a peacekeeping force. No such crowds gather now that such deaths are routine. There was no similar circumstance in the UK as British troops have always been involved in conflict somewhere and so there has always been a trickle of coffins.

If the Canadian public really holds the military in any sort of esteem why are they so badly paid and why can veterans not smoke in the Legion?

I'd also remind you good folks that it is the Daily Mail speaking, that bastion of fair and true journalism who is only too fond to remind people that the UK is going to hell in a handcart.

I haven't read the article - as I refuse to support the Mail in any shape or form, but I would gently remind people - as a former newpaper person myself, that stuff is written to sell papers, and is positioned likewise. Having worked a little bit in the industry, these days I'm more interested in the slant that the DM and other like minded articles put on stories rather than the stories themselves....

I dont think it was just spin, certainly the facts presented by the mail regarding those early corteges were broadly true. There is still media coverage now, but its not at the same level as before for the reasons dbd states.

The absence of snow or brown vegetation makes it obvious that they were not recent events, which begs the question why the mail is just doing this now.

But having attended numerous remembrance day parades here in Canada it is worth pointing out that Canadians (around here anyway) do still carry their veterans in high esteem, and are concerned that younger generations have some modest comprehension of the price once paid for their modern freedoms.

I will take your word for the fact that there are no crowds anymore as you are there. As for the pay issue I have young soldiers working with me who are on income support. So the pay for UK servicemen/women is no better. As for smoking in the legion we cannot smoke in the Sgt Mess where we live.
I am not sure what that has to do with the perception of a soldiers worth in society but then I don’t smoke.

Er, cos if they survive till they are 35 or 36 they can retire on a full pension...

and because lots of people at the legion DONT smoke, so why should they have to breathe in second hand smoke?

Very true indeed

Lots of people at the Legion, but not lots of veterans at the Legion.

Not all veterans smoke. Having survived the vagaries of war, it would be a little cruel to be struck down by other peoples smoke.


A side issue is that the legion also employs people some of whom would prefer not to be exposed to smoke. Now you will no doubt say "if they dont like it they dont have to be there", but that argument hasnt won favour in court when applied to other work places or heath hazards, so I dont expect they would see the legion as being any different.

Surely if you have respect and the best interests of a group of people at heart, then you should be concerned that they dont do more harm to themselves than is strictly necessary, so maybe its just right and proper that veterans are discouraged from smoking in the legion

There is certainly a level of hypocracy though when the smoke ban is applied to the legion, but not to the Bingo hall!

It may interest some to know that there is a ceremony at the other end too.

Whenever someone is repatriated from Afghanistan all available soldiers of all nationalities attend the ceremony no matter what time of day or night it is. We salute the fallen as they are returned home.

I attended far to many of these parades during my six months there and particularly remember the six Canadians. Six coffins being loaded into a plane is a truly sad sight.

I don't support politicians.

But I do support our soldiers. I grew up in holland where rememberance day is celebrated (4th of may is rememberance day, fifth is our liberation day).

I remember with the scouts laying a wreath at the local church yard.

I remember my grandad each year watching the rememberance day parade. He was in WWII.

now, I can't watch it without crying and remembering him. Or, it appears, even think about it.

I think our firemen, ambulance personel, police and soldiers are all undervalued. We need them. I may not agree with where the politicians care to send them, but the men and women who serve, kudos to you. My hats off.