Final answer:
The specific person who suggested using urinated-on handkerchiefs to counteract gas attacks in WWI is not well-documented. It was a general practice developed in desperation by soldiers. This is part of the broader historical context of Canada's involvement in WWI, where they faced significant losses and societal changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idea to protect Canadians from gas attacks during World War I by urinating on a handkerchief was a rudimentary chemical warfare protection method. While the specific individual who came up with this idea is not well-documented, it reflects the desperate measures that soldiers would resort to for self-protection in the trenches. This practice was based on the premise that the ammonia in urine would help to neutralize the chlorine gas used in warfare at the time.
During World War I, Canada, as part of the British Empire, was involved in the war effort both overseas and on the home front. While there was no direct invasion of Canadian territory, the threat felt by Canadians led to high tension and preparation for possible defense scenarios. Women forming paramilitary organizations and learning to shoot were part of the broader mobilization in anticipation of potential threat.
The signing of the Armistice in 1918 was a profound moment for Canadians who lost 60,000 lives during the war, with the Halifax explosion and the flu epidemic contributing to further casualties. These events marked a significant change in Canadian society and its traditional values.