1914-09-19aa

“Two interesting letters have been received by the Herald from Joseph Tinsley, who is well-known to Herald readers as Jaques. Mr. Tinsley is in London and writes of incidents arising out of the war that he has witnessed. Both letters arrived in the same mail.”

          Hamilton Herald.   September 19, 1914.

          While the Hamilton Spectator had Richard Butler, aka the Old Muser, whose popular column “Saturday Musings” was an ongoing look at aspects of Hamilton’s local history, the Hamilton Herald had Jaques.

          Jaques’ approach was slightly different that the Old Musers’ style, but both were both informative and passionate about the history of the city they loved.

          Joseph Tinsley’s vacation plan to visit England had an unexpected twist as he just happened to be there in the earliest days of World War One.

          Being a talented writer, Tinsley did what he did best, put down in words what he was experiencing.

          His two letters to the Herald from England in August 1914 were combined, and, referring to himself in the third person, follow:

          “The other day I was at Whitehall for the purpose of attending a session of parliament, Ere the commons was entered, crowds were noticed going through the portals of the Horse Guards – in spite of the stately guards on duty, augmented by soldiers in various uniforms – into St. James park. Upon reaching the grounds, three large tents were erected for the purpose of receiving the names of men who were willing to enter and thus help grant Kitchener’s request for 100,100 men.

          “The tents were quite a distance from each other. In a short time, Jaques was at the front of one of the recruiting places, which were roped off and carefully guarded. Having taken up a good position, my whole attention was concentrated on the remarks of the various men who were eager to fight for King and country.

          “Said one man : ‘If Canada can send men, so can England. Let us fellows show that we appreciate the zeal of the Dominion by giving our services.’

          “At the sound of ‘Canada’ there was a cheer, and about twenty young fellows passed under the ropes civilians and returned soldiers. This was kept up all afternoon.

          “After returning from Buckingham palace, a short distance from the scene, it was noted that about 300 men were in the ranks ready to pass on to further quarters and complete the ‘red tape’ procedure.

          “When in the Allan company offices – where all clerks were busy – the manager informed me that the government commandeered three of the company’s vessels that morning. Indeed, all tickets sold were bought with the understanding that the Allans do not guarantee the sailing of any boat on the date listed.

          “The G.T.R. company are making a display of wheat fields in the northwest, and the windows command much attention. The colonial office, where emigration particulars are given out, is not overcrowded nowadays. On the other hand, in passing to and fro, the ‘Dominion of Canada’ is frequently heard.

“When I ‘bumped’ into a banker, close to the Cecil Hotel, he shook me warmly by the hand and spoke in glowing language regarding the handsome assistance the British colony was giving to England. ‘Not alone,’ said he, ‘in the products of their country, but in the flesh and blood of the their men.’

“Could I resist imparting news to him of the country of which he knew so little? Would I not have been a traitor to Hamilton had the opportunity passed by to speak of the achievements of Hamiltonians with the rifle in taking the much-coveted Queen’s cup? Nay, what of your Marathon winner at Greece? And so on and on.

“Just as the banker and the scribbler were shaking hands, it was observed that a crowd was gathered around a store window. ‘Bumping our way in, it was found that a photograph of Hon. Sam Hughes, Canada’s minister of war, was side by side with Kitchener, French and other war notables.

“It was the first day the pictures had been offered for sale, consequently the enthusiasm of the spectators was roused.

“All the newspaper offices are crowded with people anxious for the latest news. Here I stand in the Strand watching the crowds of people gathered around the respective publishing houses – men, women and children.

“Here comes a policeman. And one more policeman. What went they off their beats to see ? To see the bulletins and learn results. Not one official attempted to ‘move on’ the crowd. Upon several occasions, this fact was noted. Storekeepers displaying war pictures in windows sufficiently attractive to hold a crowd in the vicinity were allowed to do so unmolested!

“When Napoleon lost the battle of Waterloo, he remarked, ‘What will they say in England?’

“As day by day, and night by night, the newspaper offices were surrounded by citizens, the words came up : ‘What would Chief Smith say in Hamilton?’

“For the nonce, Kipling’s words about ‘cricketeers and flannels’ has escaped memory. I heard Lord Roberts yesterday address nearly 1200 men – in Temple gardens. The band of the Grenadier Guards was present.

“At the conclusion of his remarks, he said: ‘I respect and honor you more than I can say. My Feeling towards you is one of intense admiration. How very different is your action to that of the men who can still go on with their cricket and football, as if the very existence of the country were not at stake! This is not the time to play games, wholesome as they are in the days of piping peace. We are engaged in a life and death struggle, and you are showing your determination to do your duty as soldiers, and, by all means in your power, bring this war – a war forced upon us by an ambitious and unscrupulous nation – to a successful result. God bless and watch over you all.’

“This is being written under difficult circumstances. My desk is a stone of a bridge and a man on duty is looking suspiciously at me.

“ ‘I wish, sir, you would consent to speak from our platform and inform the ignoramuses of this country concerning Canada,’ said Mr. High-Up yesterday.

“ Reply – ‘You have Moses and the prophets in the shape of emigration offices, you have the Colonial office, you have the Canadian department all at your doors; why not consult them?’

“ Another Mr. High-Up – ‘All true. The trouble is that our inquiry for information at these places is answered by bundles of pamphlets thrust over the counter by pert clerks. If you were to consent and speak to the people in the straight forward and undoubtedly true way you are speaking to us, then we should learn facts now held back by agents of various companies.’

“And so it is. The people of London and the provinces – insofar as my personal observations go – are in ignorance of Canada and its resources.

“But all classes are in possession of one fact – and never hesitate to applaud the same – and that is the Canadians have done, are doing and will so continue to do their share for the support – both by sending men and produce – to bring about a successful termination of the present struggle with the enemy.

“A queer place to find Jaques. But there he was, with a few shillings in his pocket and a one pound bill sewn up in his inside pocket. For notices are to be seen on all sides warning people against pickpockets and confidence men. Just think of it – ‘confidence men’ in the precincts of stock broking offices !

“ ‘You’re from Hamilton, I think,’ remarked a bystander.

“ ‘Yes, and proud of the fact.’

“ ‘I’ve been to Toronto. That’s a busy center. A fine hotel is about to be constructed there.’

“ ‘That is correct. In Hamilton, a large hotel is being erected also, that will, when finished be one of the best equipped in the Dominion. It will be known as the Connaught. And, by the way, his royal highness, our governor-general turned the first sod.’

“At this juncture, regrets were experienced, that I had not in my possession, a bundle of literature devoted to Hamilton and its environments.’

“ ‘Well, I’ll remember your city when next my men are across the seas in search of orders. With the resources at your command, Hamilton should be better known. Go into lace making. Half the lace sold in the States, said to be Nottingham, is made in Germany. So with other lines of goods. This war is bad for us now, but when business is again restored to normal condition, England and her colonies will reap a bountiful harvest in the way of securing many branches now held by Germany. Never again will our empire stand to be depleted of her trade by that nation.’

“But time is precious. There is so much more to see so much to write about that only the merest glance at the aftermath can be touched upon at this writing.

“My readers have doubtless seen in the Herald columns that a Belgian mission is now on its way to the United States to lay before the government particulars of the atrocities perpetrated by the Germans on the innocent inhabitants of Belgium.

“A meeting was held in the Cecil hotel, addressed by members of the mission. I endeavored to gain admission, but either through want of influence or lack of confidence on my part – it is hardly thought the latter was the cause – the effort was useless.

“Well, let us fall back upon memory. As a lad, I remember the barbarous way the British were treated during the Indian mutiny. Children were torn from mothers’ breasts. Then the infants, in the presence of parents, were thrown in the air and caught on bayonets in the hands of the enemy.

“Mothers and daughters were brutally assaulted before fathers and horrible deeds committed in the presence of all. I am not writing history today, but when the spring of memory is tapped, there flows incident upon incident of similar horrors.

“And so it is written that today – after more than half a century of civilization – that to a degree history is repeating itself.

“Renewed energy is being put forth. Members of parliament are at work in certain districts to increase the number of men for the front.

“Today I witnessed a number of men being enrolled under the very shaow of Nelson’s monument. A dreamer could not help but recall the truism of the hero – ‘England expects that every man this day will do his duty!’

Calling around towards the close of the afternoon, I learned from the officer in command that four thousand men had come up to the necessary requirements and were now soldiers of the king. The best of spirits prevailed. Enthusiasm pervaded the surroundings. When they marched away to various quarters, a volume of cheers went up.

“Church doors, stores and theaters have bills posted up calling for recruits. The bill posting places are all covered with notices explaining where the work of recruiting is going on.

“Yet in spite of all the appeals from pulpit and platform, from parliament and stage, there is general complaint that so many neglect to respond to the call.

“Judging from the Herald reports from Hamilton, no such conditions exist in Hamilton. When so many men are willing to fight for the safety of empire, the ladies must have acted their part nobly.

“In the last paper received, it is noted that ‘two examples of fine spirit animates young men as shown by Capt. Grafton, of Dundas and Lieut. Norman Leslie.’

“Well done, the captain. Well done, the young lieutenant. May the sound of hurrahs reach you over the seas. And not only the two mentioned, but all who are willing to leave their own homes of peace in Canada to fight for the maintenance of others in a foreign country.

“This letter is being written within the sound of martial music and the tread-tread of men off to Aldershot.

“By the way, I am endeavoring to find out if Hamilton men will go to Aldershot. If so, then a visit will be paid to the Canadian ranks by

                              JAQUES.”¹

¹ “Jaques Writes From Old London”

Hamilton Herald. September 19, 1914.

While Joseph Tinsley just happened to be on vacation and in the city of London in the early days of the Great War, he could not help but don his pseudonym of Jaques and share with his readers his experiences and his advice.