The statue in this photograph is one of twenty highly symbolic figurative sculptures incorporated into the memorial, and is known as 'Mother Canada', aka 'Canada Bereft'.
She is central to the monument and represents the young nation of Canada mourning her fallen sons. Twice life-size, the weeping figure is facing the Douai Plain and is gazing downward toward the tomb of a fallen soldier. Reminiscent of traditional images of the Virgin Mary in mourning, it is possibly the most emotionally moving aspect of the memorial.
Historically a symbol of triumph and achievement, here a sheaf of laurel leaves hangs at her side, its symbolism inappropriate. Today, the image of a woman wearing a headscarf and mourning a lost child is all too familiar.
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It was carved on site, in the spot where it currently stands, from a single 30-tonne block of Seget limestone from the same Roman quarry as Diocletian's Palace at Split, Croatia. Here it is shown being moved into place before being carved.
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On July 26, 1936, before a gathering of 50,000 veterans and guests, King Edward VIII dedicated the Vimy Memorial with the unveiling of the "Mother Canada" figure.
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"Mother Canada" in the evening