The Ghosts of Vimy Ridge Print. It show the Vimy Memorial with the ghosts of the CEF soldiers assaulting the slopes. It was donated by the Officer's Mess and at one time in hung in the Regimental Association Lounge. From the Seaforth Association newsletter May 1985, pages 2 and 3: "The members of the Officer's Mess presented to the Association a beautiful framed picture of the Vimy Memorial , with ghost-like figures crossing in the foreground - a very descriptive picture, and gratefully accepted by the president." See Seaforth Association newsletter May 1985 (Attached to Media) The Ghosts of Vimy Ridge Print The Canadian National Vimy Memorial stands on Hill 145, the site of the famous victory by the Canadian Corps in April, l917. Today, the Vimy Memorial does more than mark the site of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. It is a monument to all Canadians who died or risked their lives for freedom and peace in the First World War. Carved on the walls of the monument are the names of 11,285 Canadians who were killed in France and whose final resting place is unknown. Altogether, 66,655 Canadians died in the Great War. Will Longstaff painted this circa 1928/29, before the monument was completed. It is said that he used the sculptor's plans to execute this work. The theme of this painting closely follows his other works and portrays the spirit of the Canadian Corps. Resembling the "Menin Gate at Midnight" in composition, the Vimy Ridge Memorial stands dramatically on the summit beneath which the shimmering spirits of Canadian Soldiers gather in the silvery moonlight. The original painting was purchased by Captain John A. Dewar in 1930 but he presented it to the people of Canada in 1931. The painting, oil on canvas, measuring 10 feet by 5 feet 7 inches, is displayed in the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario, but its permanent home is the Centre Block's historic Railway Committee Room. William Longstaff was born in Victoria, Australia in 1879. He served in the South African War as both a soldier and artist, before travelling to the United Kingdom. There he studied art at the Slade School in London, and also in Paris. He lived in England until the outbreak of the First World War, when he was appointed as one of the Australian Official War Artists, and was also in charge of camouflage operations for the Australian forces. After the war Longstaff lived in London, working in the War Records Section, painting a series of war pictures now in the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. He exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1919.