The Group During WWI
Prior to WWI, the group had only been together for a short time. Because of the Canadian War Measures Act, cultural activities were almost halted, leaving the Group members to serve or aid in war efforts. Despite Tom's attempt to recruit and eventual denial due to his poor health, Jackson was the only member who fought in the war, and in the end suffered injuries as a result. Harris trained soldiers at Camp Borden in 1915, and as well did not partake in painting. MacDonald created propaganda posters near the end of the war to increase soldier recruitment. Lismer joined a War Memorials program late into the war, using his painting skills, and Johnston also painted, recreating air-force bases in Ontario on canvas. In 1917, MacDonald suffered from a stroke and recovered slowly, while Tom Thomson died on July 8th of the same year from a mysterious drowning in Canoe Lake, Algonquin Park. Varley went to Europe in 1918 to see the war along with Jackons, and painted the chaos in the Canadian War Memorials Program.
Many paintings were made for the war, example Varley's "For What?" or Varley's "the Sunken Road" ,which ask was the war worth it for all of the blood spilled.
Many paintings were made for the war, example Varley's "For What?" or Varley's "the Sunken Road" ,which ask was the war worth it for all of the blood spilled.