Lasting legacy of John McCrae, the poet who penned ‘In Flanders Fields’

A painting of John McCrae in his hometown of Guelph, Ont.

‘In Flanders Fields’ may be synonymous with Remembrance Day, but the man who wrote it never knew the impact it would have after the First World War.

Humble beginnings

John McCrae was born on Nov. 30, 1872 in a small house in the suburbs of Guelph, Ont.

“He lived an incredible life, he was an incredible man,” said Tammy Adkin, the manager of museums and culture for the City of Guelph.

McCrae later embarked on a career in medicine.

“He actually was one of the best trained doctors of his time, as a pathologist,” said Adkin.

McCrae was also a man of faith and service. He was among the first wave of Canadians to sign up for battle after Britain declared war on Germany.

‘In Flanders Fields’

McCrae wrote ‘In Flanders Fields’ during the second battle of Ypres, where he was serving as a doctor on the front lines.

After helping bury a friend, he penned his famous poem.

“It was written as a call to action,” explained Adkin.

The words – ‘In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow/Between the crosses, row on row…’ – could have easily gone unnoticed.

“It was published in December 1915 in Punch magazine as kind of a filler piece, on the back page lower corner,” said Adkin. “But people found it and it resonated.”

The poem was then used as both a recruitment tool and to sell victory loan bonds.

McCrae didn’t live to see the end of First World War having died of pneumonia in January 1918.

However, he did know people connected with his poem.

“Through letters to his mother we know he was aware that his words had impact, and he was quite pleased,” said Adkin.

The poem also helped inspire the adoption of the poppy, which is now seen as a symbol of Remembrance Day.

McCrae’s legacy

In 2022, a special ceremony was held at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph to mark the 150th anniversary of McCrae’s birth.

The Royal Legion Branch 234 organized another event at the McCrae House Memorial Garden, outside the home where McCrae grew up, which is now a national historic site.

“‘In Flanders Fields’ certainly sums up what we all feel in terms of remembrance,” said David Thompson, the first vice-president of the legion.

Students from John McCrae Public School also recited the poem that inspired an entire country to wear a poppy every November.

“[We] pay tribute to those who have given us the opportunity to have freedom,” said Lt. Paul Kubinec.

He served with the Canadian Forces for more than 20 years.

“It’s so deeply entrenched in Guelph that it’s part of the fabric,” Kubinec said. “He is here. We feel him today.”

Those who were at the ceremony at the Guelph Cenotaph left poppies at the base of the memorial. They said, just like the men and women who died for Canada, John McCrae will never be forgotten.

“We talk about John McCrae everywhere we go,” said attendee Jeannette Forrest. “Special man, special day.”

The legacy of McCrae’s life was focused on making a difference.

“Through his medical career, through his military career, [he] was really committed to doing the right thing, to protecting people who needed protecting, to helping people who needed help,” explained Adkin.

The words McCrae left behind continue to inspire reflection every Remembrance Day and beyond.

This story was originally published in November 2022.