1914-08-07a

“The long-awaited order from Ottawa to begin recruiting here for the Canadian contingent that is to go abroad in the interests of Great Britain came this morning and was received with enthusiasm by military leaders.”

          Hamilton Spectator.  August 7, 1914

          Even since war rumors had begun to circulate, there was a lot of pressure on the local military authorities in Hamilton. Many men were ready to drop everything, sign up with the army and get over to Europe as soon as possible.

          However, it was not that simple.

          For many days, all that could be done was to accept the names and addresses of those wishing to volunteer.

          Finally on August 7, 1914, official word came from Ottawa that recruiting was to be done, and with the order came specific direction as to how the recruiting was to proceed:

          “The instructions came from the adjutant-general at headquarter, and no time was lost in making arrangements. The Canadian force, according to the official order will be imperial and will have the same status as the British regular troops.

          “Enrolment will be voluntary for all ranks. Physical qualifications are set forth. In regard to musketry, general proficiency and a high standard will be required.”¹

               ¹ “Hamilton Has Chance to Show Its Loyalty : Ottawa Sends Order For Recruiting to Begin : Big Rush Expected at the Armories Tonight”

          Hamilton Spectator.  August 7, 1914.

          While the communication from Ottawa was lengthy and detailed, the basics were summarized in articles appearing in all three Hamilton daily newspapers so that those eager to volunteer could find out if they were eligible or not.

          Starting at 8 p.m. that very evening, those wishing to volunteer could go to the armories on James Street North. Volunteers were required to be between 18 and 45 years of age, at least 5 foot 3 inches tall, chest not less than 33 ½ inches and have some proficiency with “musketry.”

          The time of service for volunteers was open-ended, and they were expected to serve for the duration of the war. Applicants would be considered in the following order : unmarried men, married men without families and married men with families.

          The Spectator article pointed out that “with the patriotic wave that is sweeping the country now, it is expected that there will be a hearty and spontaneous response to the appeal for volunteers. The armories will doubtless present a scene tonight outrivaling the rush there was when the call came for a Canadian contingent to take part in the South African war.”¹

               In other war-related news in the Spectator of August 7, 1914, it was stated that the Hamilton chapter of the Daughters of the Empire would join in a national effort by the women of Canada to raise enough funds to furnish and equip a hospital ship. In addition to the Daughters of the Empire, other groups were anxious to be involved in the effort:

          “When it is decided just what steps will be taken here, a mass meeting of the women’s organizations in the city will be called and steps will be taken at once to help Hamilton do its share.

          “The women’s societies in the various churches in the city have also volunteered to help the good work along so that it is likely that Hamilton will more than hold up its end in equipping the ship.”¹

               Patriotism was at a high pitch on August 7, 1914 in Hamilton and a Spectator reporter described the mood in the city that day as follows :

          “Hamilton has never witnessed such scenes as took place in the city streets last night, and probably never will again after the present war is over.

          “Although the city is far removed from the present center of hostilities, one might have been excused for thinking that Hamilton itself was in danger of foreign invasion. The streets were packed with an enthusiastic crowd of excited men and women, whose customary serenity and calmness of manner had completely deserted them, and in its place had arisen the true spirit of imperial devotion – the spirit which in times of war has always permeated the breasts of the citizens of the British Empire whenever the empire was in danger.

          “Britain need never fear for her safety while she can boast of men like those of Hamilton, and nobody need ever speak of the apathy of Canada’s allegiance to the British crown. The war has not yet lasted long, but it has gone far enough to bring out all that is best in loyalty and patriotism of all those who live under the Union Jack the world over, and nowhere has the fidelity been demonstrated in greater degree than it has by the people of Hamilton.”²

               ² “Armories Scene of Wildest Enthusiasm : Bands Played and People Cheered Recruits : Many Volunteer to Fight for the Empire.”

          Hamilton Spectator. August 8, 1914.

               As anticipated in the morning papers, the scene at the armories was extremely hectic as the 8 p.m. opening time arrived, the hour when volunteering could officially begin:

          “Displaying the greatest of enthusiasm and patriotism over one thousand men assembled at the armories last evening to offer their services for their king and country in the great struggle that has just commenced in Europe. Never in the history of Hamilton has the spirit of patriotism been so keen as at present.”³

               ³ “Thousands Are Ready to Serve Their Country : Enthusiastic Response in Hamilton to the Call to Arms : All Branches of the Service Active and List Will be large”

          Hamilton Times.  August 8, 1914.

          The Spectator reporter at the armories echoed his fellow reporter with the Times in describing the remarkable scene at the armories:

          “Magnificent is the only word which fittingly describes the proceedings at the armories last night. The huge drill hall was packed with men and women. The former had come to respond to the call from the government offices at Ottawa to volunteer their services for the fighting line in Europe, and their womenfolk’s mission was to cheer them on and to encourage them in their self-sacrificing enthusiasm for the cause of empire.

          “And how they cheered!

          “The band of the 91^st Highlanders, under Bandmaster H. A. Stares, Mus. Bac., formed a square in the rear end of the hall, and played, successively, Rule Britannia, O Canada, The Maple Leaf and God Save the King; and at the conclusion of each rendering, hats were flying high in the air and the great building resounded again and again with the joyous, exited shouts and cheers of men and women.

          “This was no lukewarm enthusiasm either. It was straight from the hearts of these people, and it was an eloquent testimony of their strength, their union and their common devotion to a national imperial cause.

          “If there was one circumstance which gave rise to a feeling of discontent, it was the inability of the men to at once rush off to the scene of the war. They wanted to cut the fetters which bound them to Hamilton, but they were sensible enough to realize that nothing could be done without organization and they held their souls in patience, contenting themselves with registering their names with the commanding officers of the local battalions and taking their chances of being called upon for service when the first Canadian contingent is required.”²

               The Spectator reporter noticed one feature about the crowd at the armories, something seemingly small but telling :

          “This was the intensely dramatic way in which all the men folk, civilian and military, in that huge hall instinctively sprung to attention as the 91^st band played the National Anthem.

          “In times of peace, it has frequently been remarked that the National Anthem calls forth little or no enthusiasm when played to a Hamilton audience; that men remain smoking, laughing and chatting as though the King was of no concern of theirs.

          “But last night, the scene in the armories proved that this apparent indifference was only a thin, superficial veneer, for all the men stood erect, with bared heads, and their hearts and breasts throbbed with emotion as the familiar strains, rendering by the band with an intensity of feeling which was truly profound, fell upon their ears.

          “They realized, many of them for the first time, the true significance of the wonderful national prayer.”²

               At this point, the band of the 91^st Highlanders left the armories and marched south on James street to the center of the city where it repeated the patriotic numbers which it had played minutes before.

          The band soon was surrounded before a cheering mob of people as it proceeded :

          “The crowd was enthusiastic without being wild, and fervent rather than boisterous, but there was no mistake about the genuineness of their feelings.

          “The crowd was so dense that traffic at the junction of King and James streets was stopped for a quarter of an hour, and despite the efforts of the police, the people could not be moved. The street cars and a host of other vehicles were held up and were compelled to wait until the band had finished its selections.”²