War Amputee Veterans Started 100-Year Legacy

November 11, 2021 – Of the thousands of Canadian soldiers who were wounded while serving in the First and Second World Wars, many returned home missing limbs. United by a common bond of amputation, these veterans not only served their country during wartime, but they made a difference in the lives of generations of amputees that continues today.

Sidney Lambert (1887 – 1971), a Lieutenant Colonel and Army Padre, joined the Calgary Regiment at the outbreak of the First World War and served in England and France. In 1916, on the battlefields at Ypres in Northern Belgium, he lost his left leg above the knee.

While recovering at a hospital in Toronto, Lambert conceived of the idea of a national association to bring together, support and fight the battles for amputee veterans, today known as The War Amps. In 1920, he became the first Dominion President of the Association and worked tirelessly to bring veterans issues before the government.

It was these First World War amputee veterans, like Lambert, who welcomed the new contingent of amputee veterans following the Second World War, helping them adapt to their new reality and sharing all that they had learned.

One of these was Neil Conner (1918 – 2012) who served as a navigator with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was injured when his plane was shot down near Bremen, Germany, resulting in the loss of his right leg below the knee. Conner remembered, “I slid out [of the plane] feet-first, and the propeller clipped my leg off.”

Another was Bert Coulson (1921 – 1979) who served with the Canadian Army and lost both of his legs below the knee due to injuries sustained while serving in Emmerich, Germany.

Along with their fellow War Amps members, these veterans went on to provide support to civilian amputees by showing them that an amputation would not stop them from living a full and active life. Coulson said the best way to help was to “roll up my pant leg and show them we can dance, bowl, hold down a normal job. It’s what you have left that counts.”

Rob Larman, a Director at The War Amps and a leg amputee himself, said, “At a time in society when disability was often seen as taboo, Mr. Lambert, Conner and Coulson proved that they would not let their amputation hold them back in all aspects of life.”

The War Amps veteran members established the Key Tag Service, which is still going strong today, to fund the Association’s many vital programs for amputees. This includes The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, which provides financial assistance for the cost of artificial limbs, and emotional support to young amputees.

“Though they considered themselves to be ‘ordinary guys,’ our founding veteran members have left a legacy for generations of amputees that has gone on for 100 years and counting,” said Larman. “On Remembrance Day especially, but also throughout the year, we pay tribute to their sacrifice and service.”

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For More Information

Martine Lepine
Manager, Communications
613-731-3821, ext.2225
martine.lepine@waramps.ca