“Fairly Well Known and Need Not be Discussed”: Colonel A.F. Duguid and the Canadian Official History of the First World War

Authors

Wes Gustavson, University of Western Ontario

Abstract

In 1938, Colonel Archer Fortescue Duguid published the first and only volume of his Canadian official history of the First World War. It was eagerly anticipated as the Historical Section had been directed to compile such a history in 1921, and many veterans as well as the public were puzzled by the delay in publication. Despite this, however, reviewers were generally satisfied with the results. Writing in the Legionary, W.W. Murray declared it “a masterly work of great care and precision,” while W.B. Kerr believed that it would form the basis for all future works on the subject. It was hoped that the positive response would hasten completion of the remaining seven volumes; but nine years later and with seemingly little progress made, the project was ancelled.

Recommended Citation

Gustavson, Wes "“Fairly Well Known and Need Not be Discussed”: Colonel A.F. Duguid and the Canadian Official History of the First World War." Canadian Military History 10, 2 (2001)