1914-11-07yy

“Tomorrow afternoon at 2:45 o’clock, the H. R. A. will fall in at the armories for church parade. They will attend service at the church of St. Johnthe Evangelist.”.”

Hamilton Herald.   November 07, 1914.

The announcement that the Hamilton Rifle Association would be attending a Sunday afternoon service included following so that the public could turn out to view the soldiers on parade :

“The route will be up James to Robinson streets, and up Bay street to Herkimer, thence to Locke street, and St. John’s church.

“The Hamilton Rifle association will be played to church by two bands, the Progressive band from East Hamilton, and the Boy Scouts’ bugle band. The St. John Ambulance association will also join the parade.”¹

¹ “Will Go to Church : Rev. S Daw Will Address the Rifle Association”

Hamilton Herald. November 7, 1914.

At precisely 2:30 p.m., Sunday, November 8, 1914, the Hamilton Rifle association, 200 members in attendance, began their march from the armories:

“Hundreds lined the route of the procession and gave a hearty acknowledgment of the H.R.A’s initial appearance as a regiment. In the ranks marched prosperous businessmen with the artisans”²

² “Big Turnout of ‘Old Guard” : Members of Rifle Association Held Church Parade”

Hamilton Herald.  November 9, 1914.

The Herald reporter who followed the parade into the church, noted that a “bright service” was conducted” and that the Rev. Samuel Daw preached “an inspiring sermon”:

“Choosing his text from Ecclesiastes, he pointed out that the strife Britain was waging was a righteous one.

“ ‘The test of civilization is the value of human life. In Britain and her dominions, human life is sacred. Even a thief’s life must not be endangered, though caught in the act of committing his crime. But there is a great paradox. We value human life and we do not. For as much as we value human life, we value our freedom more, and so in a gigantic paradox, men are willingly going forth to give their lives in thousands for the cause of British civilization.

“ ‘The German emperor has planned to gain power at any price. He is content gain his ambition over a million corpses. Ruined villages stand as marks of his soldiers’ brutalities. A random shot, a blind not drawn when ordered, a menacing glance at a German regiment, and the next instant, a village is in ruins, woman and children lie slaughtered and the whole stands as a monument to the boasted German culture.

“ ‘We do not as yet realize how serious this war is. We must do more. It is not enough to give our money to charities. Our lives must be given and sacrifices made for the empire. It will be years before the danger of the mines in the North sea is swept away. Germany forced England to fight fire with fire, and lay mines as well. The mines will always menace traffic.

“ ‘It is the duty of the Briton to fight for his empire, to do his all towards its success. The British characteristic of women first when at sea, is far superior to the teachings of Germans, which, regardless of sex or age, treat innocent and guilty alike.’ ”²

Rev. Daw concluded his sermon by praising the Hamilton Rifle association, for its work. With the singing of God Save the King, the service ended.

The Rifle association, led by the two bands, then marched out of the church, turned north up Locke street to King street, and thence down King to James, up James to dispersal at the armories.