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Sports are an important part of military life: not only do they keep soldiers healthy and in shape but they imbue a spirit of comraderie and competition that is so necessary on the battlefield.

Sporting events are also an opportunity for both civilians and soldiers to get to know each other, creating bonds of friendship that can last long after the conflict has ended and foreign soldiers return to their homelands. During the First and Second World Wars, Canadian servicemen were well known overseas for their success in hockey, baseball, athletics, rugby and boxing. In almost every village, town or city where Canadian servicemen were based, the memories live on of the days when the Canadians played on the fields and rinks to the rousing cheers of local fans.

In his era, Wallace Watling of Chatham was considered the best all-round athlete ever produced on the Miramichi. He excelled at baseball and hockey, and was captain of the town basketball and rugby teams.

Wallace Watling was decorated for bravery receiving the Military Cross and Bar for his actions during the Battle of Amiens in 1918. Watling continued his athletic pursuits while overseas, becoming the only Canadian to make the All-Star Rugby Championship Team of the British Army. He competed in the 1917-1918 Aldershot Command Athletic Association Championship Rugby Tournament winning this "Runners Up" medal.

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Wallace Watling's 1918 Aldershot Command Athletic Association Rugby Tournament Runner Up Medal
1918

Credits:
New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame

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Reverse of Wallace Watling's 1918 A. C. A. A. Rugby Tournament Runner Up Medal
1918

Credits:
New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame

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Detail of Wallace Watling's 1918 A. C. A. A. Rugby Tournament Runner Up Medal Case
1918

Credits:
New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame

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In 1918, Wallace Watling competed and won this medal in the Aldershot Command Athletic Association Novices Unit Team Boxing Tournament.

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Wallace Watling's 1918 A.C.A.A. Boxing Tournament Officers and Cadets Middleweight Winner Medal
March 1918

Credits:
New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame

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Reverse of Wallace Watling's 1918 A.C.A.A. Boxing Tournament Medal
March 1918

Credits:
New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame

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Detail of Case for Wallace Watling's 1918 A.C.A.A. Boxing Tournament Medal
March 1918

Credits:
New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame

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Maurice "Mousie" Dowling probably would have gone on to play professional hockey if it hadn't been for the Second World War. While serving overseas, he played hockey with the Canadian Army and won this "Runners Up" medal in 1944, playing the finals in England.

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Maurice "Mousie" Dowling's 1944 Canadian Armed Forces Overseas CRU Runners-up Medal
1944

Credits:
New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame

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Reverse of Maurice "Mousie" Dowling's 1944 Canadian Armed Forces Overseas CRU Runners-up Medal
1944

Credits:
New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame

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Lorne Whalen was an all round athlete who served in the Canadian Army during the Second World War. He competed in the 1944 Canadian Army Track and Field Championships and won many awards including this Track and Field Championship for Military District 7 (New Brunswick).

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Lorne Whalen's Silver 1944 Canadian Army Championship Track and Field Medal
1944

Credits:
New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame

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Reverse of Lorne Whalen's Silver 1944 Canadian Army Championship Track and Field Medal
1944

Credits:
New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame