“Acting on the
suggestion of a number of prominent citizens, who have been assured of the
support and co-operation of the local press, Mayor Walters announced today that
he would call a meeting on Wednesday night in the city council chamber.”
Hamilton Spectator. March 6, 1915.
It was a meeting to
which invitations would be sent to representative men and women interested in
patriotic matters, and the object of the meeting would be to launch an appeal
for funds.
The funds would go to
provide comforts for the Hamilton men fighting on the front, comforts not part
of the usual things provided to soldiers:
“From the moment that
men begin to move on active service, their needs multiply and the
responsibilities of the officers increase accordingly. Many emergencies arise
which make demands upon the private purses of the officers who are all
concerned in being able to keep the men in the best of condition mentally and
physically.”1
1 Citizens
Will Honor Colonel and His Men : Public Meeting to Raise Fund for Comfort of
Boys of 19th Battalion”
Hamilton
Spectator. March 6, 1915.
While the idea was
initially for the soldiers of Hamilton’s Highland Regiment, the idea might not
stop there:
“If the appeal meets
with a response that justifies it, the fund will be amplified to take in any contingents
that have already gone from here, and which may go in the future.”2
2 “Comfort
Fund For Our Men”
Hamilton Times. March 6, 1915
The meeting was held
on Wednesday afternoon, March 10, 1915 with over 100 people in attendance:
“If the enthusiasm
manifested by a large number of representative citizens at a public meeting
held in the council chamber of the city hall for the purpose of launching a
campaign for the raising of a fund to be used for the purchase of additional
comforts for Hamilton soldiers who have gone or may go to the front during the
present war, may be taken as an indication of the general opinion of the
citizens, there is little doubt that the movement will rapidly become a popular
one, and that a large amount of money will be subscribed in a short time.”3
3 “Campaign
for All Hamilton Men : Money Will Be used to Further Efficiency and Comfort of
Soldiers”
Hamilton Spectator.
March 11, 1915.
The mayor assumed the
role as chair of the meeting, and he began it by explaining the purpose of the
gathering. He also announced that the Hamilton Parks Board had kicked off the
fund will a donation of $100 and that offers have been received from the 13th
Battalion Band, the Hamel Sisters and the Hamilton Orchestral Society to hold
fund-raising concerts.
The mayor said the
following in rousing the spirit of those in attendance :
“ ‘This is a year of
self-sacrifice, but the personal financial sacrifice we who remain at home are
called on to make is as nothing compared to the sacrifices our Hamilton boys
are making at the front. Only this afternoon, I was informed by our splendid
citizen, Sir John Gibson, that his son had been wounded in battle. It is up to
every Hamilton citizen to give liberally to this fund.’ ” 3
The mayor had heard
statements that the fund should be organized and run by the military, but he
disagreed:
“ ‘ This should be a campaign for the citizens
and a citizen committee should handle it. Now I am willing to act on a
committee if you see fit to appoint me,’ said his Worship, and a provisional
committee was established.”4
4 “Comfort
Fund to Include All Hamilton Men : Who Have Given Their Services For the Defense
of the Principles of Liberty”
Hamilton Times. March 11, 1915.
After a number of
speeches, the following resolution was presented by H. C. Beckett, seconded by
J. R. Close :
“That a subscription
list be opened for the purpose of raising a fund to provide the means of
furthering the efficiency, health and comfort of the soldiers who have gone or
may go from Hamilton, and that it be known as the Hamilton Active Service
Emergency Fund.”3
(To be Continued)
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