This carving is a replica, exact size as the original that was carved into the chalk walls of the Souterrain (tunnels) under the approaches to Vimy Ridge. Canadian troops were kept hidden in the souterrain for the month prior to the attack on Vimy Ridge on 09 April 1917.  Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of carvings and drawings are on the walls of the souterrain and those of the 15th Battalion are amongst the best. The replica was duplicated by a sculptor from tracings, measurements and photos of the original.

802039 Pte Robert McKee came to the 15th Battalion, No. 3 Company as reinforcement from the 135th Battalion (Middlesex) following the battle of the Somme in December 1916. He was wounded in the leg at Vimy Ridge in April 1917 where he had carved this badge while in the souterrain. After medical leave he rejoined the 15th Battalion in the Quartermaster section in November 1918. Pte McKee survived the war and returned home to London, Ontario in 1919.