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Khaki University
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Edmund H. Oliver fonds

  • PR 04
  • Fonds
  • 1911–1935

The fonds consists of records by and relating to E.H. Oliver, his travels in Saskatchewan and his teaching at St. Andrew’s College, his experiences in the First World War and involvement with educational programs for the soldiers (through the University of Vimy Ridge and Khaki University), his postwar work as Principal of St. Andrew’s College and later Moderator of the United Church, and his research and publications.

Contents include: correspondence (1911-1916); diary of trips to the Doukhobor area around Veregin (1915), the Cote Reserve, and to the Ruthenians of Kamsack and Canora; military publications and wartime memorabilia; materials related to the University of Vimy Ridge (1917-1918) and Khaki University (1917-1919); Oliver’s postwar correspondence (1920-1935), as he resumed his duties as Principal of St. Andrew’s College; and various historical and research publications and manuscripts, on topics such as Church Union, education, Saskatchewan history and settlement. There is also a collection of material pertaining to the drought situation on the prairies and the United Church response (1930-1932), at which time Oliver was serving as Moderator.

The collection also includes letters and tributes to E.H. Oliver, from after his death (1935-1936).

Oliver, Edmund Henry

E.H. Oliver Fonds

  • MG 6
  • Fonds
  • 1870-1935 (inclusive) ; 1914-1932 (predominant)

This fonds contains correspondence, including that between Dr. and Mrs. Oliver while he was serving overseas as a chaplain during World War I; his diary from travels in Europe between 1908-9; his sermons and prayers, articles, addresses; as well as newspaper clippings concerning: the war, Oliver's position as Moderator of the United Church, book reviews, and obituaries. In addition, there are several manuscripts, including the "Minutes of Council of Assiniboia," "The History of the North West Territories," "James Anderson Fonds," "Roman Economic Conditions to the Close of the Empire," and "The Canadian North West: Its Early Development and Legislative Records;" as well as offprints from the transactions of the Royal Society. The fonds also contains some photographs, miscellaneous souvenirs, and Dr. Oliver's diplomas.

Oliver, Edmund Henry

University of Vimy Ridge Sign

University of Vimy Ridge Sign

University of Vimy Ridge signage.

Bio/Historical Note: Khaki University (initially Khaki College or University of Vimy Ridge) was a Canadian overseas educational institution set up and managed by the general staff of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in Britain from 1917-1919 during the First World War. The system, named for the khaki-coloured uniforms of the CEF, was set up by the efforts of Dr. Edmund Henry Oliver, Professor of History and Economics, University of Saskatchewan, and others and was supported by the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). The University, with makeshift colleges mainly in central England, was intended to be “a school of efficiency and citizenship, a sort of combination of an Agricultural High School and a Technical School.” Courses were offered in Agriculture, Business Efficiency, Elementary Practical Science, and Citizenship. Classes were scheduled so that battalions could attend during their rest periods. Certificates given were accepted by Canadian universities. An important part of the University’s services was a network of thirty libraries that served more than 50,000 soldiers. Operations were suspended in April 1918 because of the massive German offensive. The war was over by November and Oliver returned to Canada. The term was used again for Canadian educational programs for veterans from 1945-1946 after the Second World War.