1915-05-08ww

When a Hamiltonian read the name Louis Burgoyne in the casualty listed printed in the Hamilton Times of May 8, 1915, he thought that readers of the paper might be interested in the letter he had only recently received from that soldier. He took the letter to the Times office and the very it appeared in that newspaper as follows:

                                                “Somewhere in France, April 14, 1915.

“Dear Bill – Suppose you will be kind of surprised to get this letter from me, but you and I were pretty good pals when I worked with you, and I thought you might want to get some word of affairs over here.

“I may never return to Canada after the war, but I think I will, because I liked it. Well, Bill, old man. I suppose you would like to know something about what we are doing. I mean the members of the Fourth Field Battery.

“We have done a lot of fighting, though it is not anything like I thought it would be. I thought we would see a crowd of Germans, point our guns at them and, bang !, no Germans left. But that is not it. We get behind a hill and shoot at them three miles away. My duty is to carry the shells to the gun, and we have to haul them a long distance some times.

“We see shells shooting at us at times. They go mighty fast, just like a streak of lightning, and sometimes a shell falls near us. Several of our fellows have been hit. I mean by our fellows, those on the gun I am with.

“You know the soldiers don’t go a hospital every time they are hit. If it is only a minor wound, they say nothing about it. Many Hamilton boys here are slightly wounded, but few know of it.

“About three hundred yards away from us are more guns. I went over there last night for a walk. We float about some at night to stretch ourselves. One of their fellows was killed. He lived about for two hours after being hit, but was not moved to a field hospital because he was torn to pieces. He was conscious for some time before he died. He laughed and joked with his mates on the gun. He made one of them say he would kill fifteen Germans because of his own death. And he laughed when he said he was letting them down. He was a sport, Bill, and the whole German army is not worth what his life was.

“I have heard of others being killed too, but I can’t say much about them. We don’t get much time for that kind of thing. We have to change our position regularly because the Germans get our range by their air ships, though I have not seen any of them yet.

“All of us have heard a lot about the Germans and their actions in Belgium. We have not been there yet, but hope to call on Belgium after we have marched through Germany and plastered a few shells at the Kaiser’s palace. Hope he is in bed when we do it. We will blow him to the spot where his pal, Old Nick, is.

“Say, Bill, what they did in Belgium was awful. Girls and women suffered terribly. I tell you that the Germans must be made to pay for all this. Stuprum was the most common crime of all They’re not game, Bill, or they would not attack women and children.

“Of course, we don’t get up close enough to them to see how great they are. The infantry can tell, though, but we seldom get a chance to talk with an infantryman. But from what I hear, they are as weak individually as their beer is. I’ll never drink German beer again, nor any other – until I get out of this. But I do miss my beer.

“I’m not trying to mention any places we have passed through. The officer that passes our letters would only mark it out, so it is not any use putting it in. But you should write me a letter for I don’t get many, and all of us like to have letters. It breaks monotony and sometimes we go for days without firing a shell.

“Well, Bill, remember me to Pete, Frank and the Wop, and tell them I think of them often. If they come over here to fight, I may meet them, and if we all get killed, we might meet still, so, good-bye.”¹

¹ “Women and Girls Are Belgium’s Sufferers : Hamilton Soldier, In Descriptive Letter, Tells of Germans Dastardly Work”

Hamilton Times. May 8, 1915.

 

1915-05-01-ii

“To show its appreciation of the Hamilton Home Guard Rifle Association, the Canadian Club will hold a luncheon on Monday.”

Hamilton Spectator.      May 1, 1915.

Promised as “an affair unique in the history of the club,” the leaders organized an affair to honor the men of the Hamilton Guard Rifle Association, men who were too old, involved in critical war-supporting businesses or industries. The Home Guard did many important duties protecting many Hamilton areas from enemy infiltration and were ready to mobilize quickly if needed to quell any problems caused by enemy spies, many of whom were thought to be at work in the city.

The guest list for the planned Canadian Club luncheon contained all the important military officers working in the city, whether those in charge of the local militia units or those involved with the military working at the armories or the training grounds of the 26^th battalion in the east end of the city.

Two special invitees to the luncheon were Lieutenant-Colonel Rev. Dr. W. T. Herridge of Ottawa, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Canada and Dr. Charles W. Gordon (aka Ralph Connor, the distinguished Canadian novelist, who had volunteered for overseas service.

The Spectator reporter invited to the luncheon started writing his column while still stirred by the powerful feelings roused at the event:

“Patriotism – and that means self-sacrifice and death if necessary – rang clear and true as the keynote of the luncheon of the Canadian Club, held last evening in the tea room of G. W. Robinson and company’s store.

“It was Home Guard night, but a real military interest was added by the presence of many notable officers on active service – men who are destined to play an important part in this war of wars.”¹

¹ “Canadian Club’s Military Night”

Hamilton Spectator. May 4, 1915.

Dr. Charles Gordon was unable to attend, and his place was taken by S. N. Dauncey, a Canadian journalist recently returned from the front.

One thing that was on the minds of all in attendance was the fact that a federal  election was due. There was much debate as to the advisability of having an election while the nation was at war. Politics were generally taboo in the Canadian Club but given the situation, it was decided that in this case, the club should make a statement about the possible election.

Moved by F. F. Macpherson and seconded by Dr. Storms, both past-presidents of the Canadian Club, a motion was unanimously carried to the effect that the club members “displayed their common sense by placing themselves on record as being opposed to an election when the empire was engaged in war.”¹

Hamiltonian Lieutenant-Colonel McLaren, the officer in command of the 19^th battalion was given a rousing reception when he was introduced to the gathering by Hamilton Mayor Chester Walters. Accompanying the hearty applause and cheers was a spontaneous singing of For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow:

“Lieut.-Col. McLaren spoke but briefly. He referred to the tragedy at Ypres, and said it could not help but stimulate recruiting. He would not tell any man to go to war, for he could not tell the reasons that were preventing that man from enlisting. What he did think, however, was that all those of the required age and physical fitness should be at the front, leaving behind to keep the wheels of commerce turning those who were not of the proper age and physical fitness.

“Lieut.-Col. McLaren referred with pride to his own 19^th battalion, and said he was happy to state that all his officers, with the exception of two, were native-born Canadians. Those other two had been residents of Canada for over ten years. He also stated that while many of the men in the ranks were not native-born Canadians, the largest percentage of them had been residing in this country for over ten years.

“The seeking of money should be forgotten while the war was on, for victory would come quicker when Canadians stopped thinking of their own personal interests.”¹

Lieutenant-Colonel E. C. Ashton was the next speaker. He commanded the 36^th battalion in training, and which was expected to soon be called to the front:

“Lieut.-Col Ashton extended his heartfelt thanks to the citizens of Hamilton for the treatment extended him since he began mobilizing his battalion in Hamilton. The men were a good lot, he said, and were working hard. The majority of them had enlisted for the good of humanity – the call came personally to each one of them, and they couldn’t hold back. He hoped they would leave Hamilton fit enough and good enough to do Hamilton credit.”¹

Sir John Gibson, honorary president of the Hamilton Home Guard, was given the task of introducing Lieut.-Col. Rev. Dr. Herridge :

“Sir John said that he would go a long way to hear Lieut.-Col. Herridge speak and it was a matter of credit to Hamilton that Lieut.-Col. Herridge was somewhat of an old Hamilton boy, having studied for a time in the collegiate institute.”¹

When he rose to speak, Lieut.-Col. Ashton was given an enthusiastic  reception:

“(He) said those present could scarcely help feeling serious. In Ottawa last Thursday it was his solemn duty to conduct a service for the brave Canadians who fell on the field of battle. Canadians at home could not help but mourn for those who fell, but they could not also but feel grateful for the gallant way in which they fell. So far from dissuading others, the tragedy would further stir the deeper conscious of national duty. That tragedy but inspired other Canadian sons to emulate the splendid zeal of their comrades across the seas.

“ ‘Let us not say that those brave men are dead,’ said the speaker. ‘They are not dead. Their deeds will live and their memories will live forever. They have quickened the pulse of the whole of Canada and broadened the spirit of the British empire. They have been lifted to the glorious height of sudden immortality.’

“Lieut.-Col. Herridge said he hoped he would not have to apologize because he was a minister of the gospel who was preaching war. He believed profoundly that Christianity were incompatible. He believed that when a war was fought in Christian lands, the principle of Christianity had been meagerly represented there, but as long as evil passions reigned among men, war became a stern, inevitable necessity. Britain had not sought this strife, but instead did everything in her power to prevent it. Failing to prevent it, it was in consistence with her honor and glorious traditions that she would not keep out of it.

“Canadians should have no quarrel with their German fellow-citizens, provided they kept Canadian laws. Canadians were still able to appreciate the compelling harmonies of Beethoven, were still able to admire what Germans had done scientifically and commercially. While this was true, the speaker held that the whole British empire did have a quarrel as Christians and men with the Germany dominant today – the Germany of blood and iron. Britain did have a quarrel and it would end till by the grace of God, that Germany was overthrown.

“It was a war of agonizing principles, a war was bound to come. It was a war of sane democracy against a mad democracy. It was not a war of a vulgar sort, but a war that was destined to destined to decide, not simply the fate of nations, but to a large degree, the quality and honor of civilization for years to come. Canadians could not help but feel they were justified in going to war in a lofty spirit. There was no reason for personal malice, rancor or bitterness.

“ ‘We’ll have to love them to whip them thoroughly,’  said Lieut.- Col. Herridge. ‘Parents of olden days whipped goodness into their children when it couldn’t be done any other way, and our business now is to find a whip big enough to lay across the backs of these desecrators of humanity. Fire and sword must be met with more than fire and sword in this war. If we can’t win by fair means, we cannot strive to emulate the damnable practices of our enemies. If we are going to be beaten, we will be beaten like men, not thieves.  We will keep the freedom of our souls, but, gentlemen – we are not going to be beaten. It’s a long way to Tipperary, but, by the grace of God, we hope to get there stronger and nobler men.

“Concluding, the speaker said he was glad that some nations were technically neutral. He didn’t see how any nation could be rightfully neutral and, as for the United States, he believed that the best citizens of the nation in the south were just about as neutral as himself. Canadians should feel no toil too great, no sacrifice too arduous, not only for the sake of the dear old motherland, but for the sake of the common cause she advocated.

“He could not feel but that Canada was on trial – that the time had come when it would be found out what stuff Canadians were made of. He believed they would stand the test. It was not a parting of the wave, but a place where the old road broadened before us. If people resolved to put away the childish things out of this trial, this darkness, there would emerge a new, a finer, a bigger Canada that would take an important place in advancing the true progress of the world.”¹

The final speaker was the journalist S.N. Dancey who stated that he believed that the war would be over by September as Germany’s ammunition supplies would not last beyond that time and that the country would call it “quits.” Dancey had spent some time in Germany and had witnessed a supreme confidence as the war started, but that not the people were feeling a “doubtful fear.”

Dancey said that the German people had become impressed with a remark that a Turkish general once made – “England always wins one battle, the last one.”

 

 

 

1915-05-10oo

“Trot out the broom, the rake and the paint brush, climb into your overalls and get busy. This is Clean Up Week!”

Hamilton Spectator.   May 10, 1915.

It was spring cleaning time, and not only individual homes were to be spruced up. Led by a committee of enthusiastic volunteers, Hamiltonians were encouraged to help clean up the whole city.

The three Hamilton daily newspapers got on board with the project and helped publicize the campaign. As noted in the Hamilton Spectator when the special week began:

“This burg is going to be spotless. It’s to be a seven-day crusade against dirt, and everybody is supposed to lend a hand in putting this well-known enemy down for the count.”¹

¹ “Down With Dirt : Clean Up Campaign Away to Flying Start This Morning”

Hamilton Spectator. May 10, 1915.

A big kick off to Clean Up Week happened on May 15, 1915:

“Clean up week was given a lot of good advertising Saturday afternoon, when the bustling committee in charge had two bands sent through the city on motor trucks. The trucks were placarded with timely reminders, such as ‘Get Busy, Everybody,’ ‘Clean Up and Paint Up,’ and ‘Down With Dirt!’ They attracted a whole lot of attention and started many people thinking.”¹

The Spectator reporter, covering the campaign kick off, urged his readers to get involved:

“Cellars and backyards should be given special attention. A dab of paint here and another someplace else works wonders. Try it, and see how happy you’ll be at the end of the week. You’ll at least have the satisfaction of knowing that you did ‘your little bit.’ ”¹

The Mills Hardware Co. Ltd. was  one of Hamilton’s biggest hardware firms, with stores on Barton Street East and downtown on King Street opposite the Royal Connaught Hotel. Knowing the Clean Up Week participants would need cleaning supplies, tools and paint, the company took out large advertisements in the local papers, one of which laid out a schedule of activities for the week:

“Here’s Your Program:

Monday – FIRE PREVENTION DAY

  Clean your basements and attics of rubbish, greasy rags and waste paper wherever possible.

Tuesday – FRONT YARD DAY

   Cut lawns, plant flower beds, clean walks and gutters. Salt cracks in sidewalks; eliminate ants.

Wednesday – DANDELION DAY

   This day can be very profitably used in ridding your lawn of dandelions, trimming bushes and gardens. There is no more important work which the campaign could accomplish than to rid this city of the dandelion pest.

Thursday – PAINT DAY

   Paint up inside and out, porches, fences, woodwork and porch chairs. Business houses clean windows and replace old awnings.

Friday – BACK YARD DAY

   Clean alleys, repair fences and sheds, screen garbage cans. Put fly-traps on garbage cans. Put on screen doors.

Saturday – VACANT LOT DAY

   Boy Scouts and school children clean vacant lots, removing tin cans, paper and brush. Plow and garden plots wherever possible.

‘Get Busy’ – The Least You Can Do is Your Share.”

1915-05-12ka

 

At a very early hour, May 12, 1915, Hamilton Mayor Chester Walters made his way to the Grand Trunk Railway station to personally greet a new Hamiltonian, in fact a new Hamiltonian for whom the mayor had personally found accommodation:

“Henry, the big black bear that Lieutenant-Colonel John I. McLaren of the 19^th battalion sent from Toronto to Mayor Walters, following the decree of Earl Kitchener that no more mascots would be tolerated, arrived”¹

¹ “Henry is Here”

Hamilton Spectator.    May 12, 1915.

Mayor Walters was not only present at the railway station to greet Henry, but also attempted to interviewed the big black bruin as soon as Henry was trundled from the train:

“At first glance, Henry did not take to his new guardian, vigorously grabbing the Mayor’s coat sleeve, but after a few pats on the nose, the two became reconciled.”¹

In anticipation of Henry’s arrival in his new home city, Mayor Walters had arranged to have the much-prized mascot of the 19^th battalion be given a prime location and a special cage.at the Dundurn Park zoo. Also, Henry would have a silver collar to wear to indicate his fame as a long-serving mascot of the famous battalion, but who, because of a military bureaucratic decision would not be allowed to accompany his soldier friends to the front.

 

1915-05-07uu

“The harmony which usually characterizes the meetings of the internal management committee of the board of education was marred somewhat last evening. The occasion was the appointment of a principal for the new Earl Kitchener school. “

Hamilton Spectator.    May 7, 1915.

The large new school on Dundurn street south was nearing completion and set to open in the fall, so it was time to appoint a principal for the new school.

The topic was first on the agenda for the meeting of the Hamilton Board of Education’s internal management committee held on May 6, 1915.

The choosing of the person to fill the position of the first principal for Earl Kitchener proved to be very contentious with a heated debate between the supporters of Mr. Martin Kerr and those in favour of the appointment of Miss Hilda Savage. Miss Savage was principal of the Charlton Avenue school, which was about to be closed with the opening of Earl Kitchener School. Mr. Kerr was principal of the King Edward school.

Inspectors Ballard and Gill had recommended to the committee that Mr. Kerr be selected. While usually such recommendations would be accepted without much debate, such was not the case in this matter:

“Trustee J. Orr Callaghan was the first to oppose the appointment of Mr. Kerr : ‘Miss Savage is one of the best and most capable teachers we have in the city,’ he said, ‘and I had hoped she would receive the appointment. Of course, I will bow to the recommendation of the inspectors, but nevertheless, I think she should get the position.’

“Trustee Ward – ‘It looks to me as though there was some injustice here. I understand that Mr. Kerr was promised this position over a year ago.’

“Trustee Callaghan – ‘And I have heard the same thing.’

“Trustee Armstrong – ‘I see no good reason why Miss Savage should not get this appointment.’

“Chairman Dr. Carr – ‘Do you think a woman teacher is capable of being principal of this big school?’

“Trustee Armstrong – ‘Yes, sir, I do.’

“Trustee George R. Allan (to Chairman Carr – ‘Are all your men principals capable as acting as such in schools like the Earl Kitchener?’

“Trustee Armstrong (to Chairman Carr) – ‘Does the recommendation of the inspectors imply that Miss Savage is not qualified for this position?’

“C. G. Booker, Chairman of the Board of Education – ‘That question is very unfair to the inspectors. Their recommendation carries no such inference.’

“Chairman Carr – ‘There is no use in wasting time discussing this matter further. At a recent meeting of this committee the question was referred to the inspectors to deal with on the basis of the best qualified applicants for the position, Miss Savage being included in this list. The best way to settle this matter is to put it to a vote and stop needless argument.’

“Trustee Hobson – ‘It would be unfair for me to vote on this. I am personally acquainted with Miss Savage, and Mr. Kerr, I would not know if I met him. Mr. Kerr may have the very best qualifications and he may not. I presume the inspectors are acquainted with both applicants, and they are therefore in the best position to say who should be engaged.’

“Trustee Callaghan – ‘Well, I stand in a different relation to these teachers than Mr. Hobson. I know both of the applicants. Miss Savage is now a school principal, and a most successful one, and has done excellent work in the ward where she has been engaged for many years. Here is a chance for her to receive deserved promotion. Are you going to stultify her ambitions and set her back, that the question?’

“Chairman Carr – ‘There is no intention of setting Miss Savage back. We intend to give her a ten or twelve room school in some part of the city, probably from which Mr. Kerr comes.

“Trustee Callaghan – ‘I am informed that Mr. Kerr was promised this school before the foundations were in.’

“Trustee Booker – ‘Are you sure of that, Mr. Callaghan?’

“Trustee Callaghan – ‘Yes, I’m sure, otherwise I would not make this statement. The fact is, Mr. Kerr told me as much himself.’

“Trustee George R. Allan – ‘I think it would be a good idea to give Miss Savage a trial appointment for one year. If she does not make good, a change can be made. If she is qualified to be principal of a ten or twelve school, as Dr. Car says, she is qualified to take charge of a twenty-room school such as the Earl Kitchener.’

“Trustee Booker – ‘That wouldn’t be fair at all.’

“Trustee Allan (gingerly) – ‘Oh, what do you know about it?’ ”¹

¹ “Principal Named for New School”

Hamilton Spectator.   May 7, 1915.

At this point, Inspector Gill abruptly interjected himself into the discussion and claimed that Mr. Kerr had not been promised the position as the first principal. He did say that he indicated to Mr. Kerr that he would be recommended for the job when the new school in the west end was opened. No guarantee was given as to the decision of the committee charged with the task of choosing the principal.

Much further wrangling ensued, in which a recommendation was made by Trustee Callaghan, seconded by Trustee Ward, that Miss Savage be appointed as principal of the Earl Kitchener School. When the vote was put to the committee, the result was a two-two tie, giving the chair of the committee the task of breaking the tie with his vote. He voted to reject Miss Savage’s application and accept the recommendation of the inspectors that Mr. Kerr’s application be deemed as the successful one.

The formal announcement as to the choice of Mr. Kerr as first principal of the new Earl Kitchener school came on May 13, 1915. Kerr’s appointment caused a shake up among the principals in the city.

Miss Savage was appointed as principal of the Caroline street school, while J. H. Tigert, who had been principal of that school, was transferred to the new Robert Land school on Wentworth street north. R. K. Morrell principal of the Cannon street school was tapped to take over Mr. Kerr’s position at the King Edward school. Thus the Cannon street school was left without a principal in place, so the positions was to be advertised and applications accepted as soon as possible.

1915-05-06ee

 

“Another illustration of the sense of sacrifice and patriotism that inspires Canadian women in this hour of Britain’s need was found by a Spectator reporter when he called at the home of Mrs. Fish, 149 Glendale avenue yesterday.”.

Hamilton Spectator.    May 6, 1915.

Most visits by newspaper reporters  to the homes of Canadian soldiers who had been sent to the front, were not happy occasions. Usually the reporters were after photographs and brief descriptions of Hamiltonians who had appeared on lists from the War Office as being wounded, missing or dead.

However, on May 5, 1915, a Spectator reporter had a different experience when he visited a lady at her home in the east end:

“This loyal and devoted woman was working hard over a parcel to be dispatched to the firing line in France, where Mrs. Fish’s husband and two sons are fighting.

“The little kitchen table was covered with good things, pipes, tobacco, cigarettes, bandages, medical supplies, knives, forks, socks and other articles that only a mother can think of”¹

¹ “Grim Humor As Hamilton Men Faced Camera”

Hamilton Spectator.    May 6, 1915.

Mrs. Fish’s husband was a sergeant in the Hamilton battery, serving as an orderly to Major Carscallen. One son, Colin, was a corporal and the other, Fred, a gunner.

She had only recently returned from England where she had been staying where in the village of Chirton, Wiltshire, near where he husband and sons were billeted in private homes, awaiting the call to France:

“This is one of the most beautiful rural districts in the old land, as the photos Mrs. Fish has brought will testify. The description of the private homes where the Hamilton boys were quartered will no doubt give pleasure to many a wife, and mother, in this city.

“Chirton is one of those beautiful old villages so famous in England for their beauty, especially in the springtime. Gardens full of trees covered with blossom, neat and attractive lanes with trimmed hedges, old ivy-covered church and gardens, with flowers, giving an air of contentment to all.

“This is the place the Hamilton boys left before going to the front.

Two or three days before the battery pulled out for France the boys had their picture taken in the old church yard, which caused a little comment among the superstitious, who thought it was a kind of presentment.

“On Major Carscallen pointing out that if it was, they could not have a more fitting and beautiful monument then this ancient ivy-covered church, the grim humor appealed to them.”¹

Mrs. Fish was the only women from Hamilton, indeed for all of Canada who was on the platform of the train station as the battery pulled away. From the cars, numerous soldiers shouted to her to remember them to their friends and family back in Hamilton.

The Spectator reporter was impressed with Mrs. Fish and the home she lived in:

“No. 149 Glendale avenue may be one of the many unpretentious homes in Hamilton, but it proudly floats the Union Jack and inside is one whose heart beats enthusiastically for Britain and her allies, and who is prepared to give her very all for the cause of right and justice.”¹

 

 

 

1915-05-05ff

“Time was when recruiting was chiefly by the pomp of military parades and appeals to the belligerent spirit so natural to youth. War is now far too for that

Hamilton Spectator.    May 5, 1915.

The war which was surely to be over by Christmas was not still in progress in May, and was getting worse daily.

On May 5, 1915, the Spectator carried an editorial which, at length, discussed the state of the war and the challenge involved in recruiting more and more soldiers as the dreadful number of wounded, missing or dead soldiers were being posted in every issue of the newspaper:

“The young man who enlists today can do so only from the profoundest of motives. He knows the grind he must endure at the training camp, and the ordeal he must face on the battlefield. He counts the cost , weighs the considerations pro and con, and then goes forward with the ardor of pure patriotism.”¹

¹ “Recruiting.”

Hamilton Spectator.   May 5, 1915.

The editorial went on to refer to a recent speech on recruiting made by Lieutenant-Colonel McLaren:

“There were many, he said, who could not respond to the call for recruits, because they were not of the requisite age; because, while medically fit for their ordinary work, they were not sufficiently robust for a soldier’s life; because they were held by imperative home ties, or because they were engaged in occupations wherein they were serving their country as truly as if at the front. No one should judge another, and say he ought to enlist. The matter is one that every man must settle for himself, in the light of his own conscience

“But if a man is in all respects suitable, and so circumstanced that he could enlist without injustice to others, he ought to know that his country needs him and he ought to give the question of duty the most serious consideration.

“By withdrawing men from their ordinary employment, young men may leave vacancies which can be filled by others ineligible for military life, and thus the pressure of unemployment may be lessened.”¹

Another speaker, Lieutenant-Colonel Ashton, who was leading soldiers locally for deployment to the front as part of the third contingent, also had recently made a powerful speech on the need for increased recruiting:

“He simply stated the manner in which recent events in Flanders had virtually broken up his command and compelled him to begin the work of rebuilding it.

“He made no complaint yet, as a matter of fact, he was now obliged to send away the very cream of his battalion, who would go directly to Shorncliffe and thence to France to help fill the gap produced by the battle of Langemarck.”¹

The Spectator ended its editorial on recruiting by by expressing the hope that the speeches would “give a very perceptible impetus to the response of this community to the resounding trumpet call to arms.”¹

1915-05-01np

He was determined to go to the front, and he did not care whether he was old enough, or had his parents’ permission.

Under a headline reading, “Boy Soldier,” the Hamilton Times carried the following in its May 1, 1915 edition:

“Trumpeter Frank Grover, the sixteen-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Grover, has returned home for the weekend. It will probably be the last time, he sees his parents for many months, in fact he leaves almost immediately for the front.

“Frank, although but a boy, has shown to the world just how strong the cry of duty really is. When the call was made for volunteers, he was one of the first to stand before the recruiting officer and offer his life and services for his country.

“Strong and healthy, he had no difficulty in passing the medical  examiners, and with the 13^th Royal Regiment, he went into training at Valcartier. When orders came to leave for Salisbury Plain, he was right in line, and had got as far as Halifax before his parents interfered, pointing out that he was yet a child. The authorities allowed the lad to come back to Hamilton.

“Frank could not understand why he could not go to the firing line if he wanted to, and in no uncertain terms, he informed his father and mother that they were pretty mean, exclaiming, ‘Just think, you have four sons, each full of life and strength, and you will not give just one of us to our country. Why look at grandfather, he went  through the whole Crimean war, was in the Northwest Rebellion, served during the Fenian raid. He has often told us of the number of times he was under fire, and his stories were not make-ups either, and you know that he never received a scratch.’

“However, all his plea was in vain, he was told that he could not go.

“Then, one morning, before anyone was up, he slipped out of the house and without any breakfast or any money in his pocket, walked to Toronto and there was selected to go with the third contingent. Captain Taylor, of his company, paid a personal visit to Frank’s parents, and explained that the boy was set on going. He promised to look after him, and the consent of the mother and father was given.”¹

¹ “Boy Soldier : But Grover is as Great Enthusiast as Any”

 Hamilton Times.    May 1, 1915.

 

 

1915-05-03op

“The reports of the Canadian casualties in the big battle of Langemarck, and in other engagements in France, continue to come in. The reports received Saturday, Sunday and this morning contained the names of two Hamilton and district men killed, two missing and about 35 wounded.”

Hamilton Herald.    May 3, 1915.

With the arrival of the month of May, 1915, casualty reports from the fighting in Western Europe became so lengthy that the front pages of Hamilton daily newspapers changed in appearance. Each of the three daily Hamilton newspapers, the Times, the Herald and the Spectator began to be filled lists, accompanied by photographs of the soldiers killed, missing or wounded.

In some cases, the casualty reports turned out to be wrong, but sadly nearly all were only too accurate. The latest casualty lists from the War office would arrive several times a day, and they would be posted at the offices of the various newspapers, where they would be read intensely by friends and family members of the Hamilton volunteers, particularly those from the local militia units:

“The casualty lists show unmistakably that both the Thirteenth Royal men and the members of the Ninety-First regiment had a big share in the fighting. Further lists are expected hourly.”¹

¹ Many Hamilton Men Fell in Empire’s Cause”

Hamilton Herald.  May 3, 1915.

 

 

Upon receipt of the name of a Hamilton soldier wounded or killed in action, members of the press would head to the homes of the families of those listed and attempt to obtain a photo and some biographical particulars to publish.

As there was a major spring offensive increase in fighting in May, 1915, many of those in the casualty lists had only very recently received their wounds. In other cases, due to the confusion of the front, names would appear on the lists of soldiers whose wounds were received many days, or weeks, before.

 An example of coverage of a newly-arrived, official announcement of the  death of a Hamilton soldier at the front, but one which had occurred many weeks before, follows:

“A sad story is told of the sudden ending of the life of Pte. Isaiah Blunt, who resided at 78 Clinton street, and was formerly employed at the International Harvester works. He was a reservist and on August 17, he received his papers with notice to join his old regiment, the York and Lancaster regiment. The notice hardly came soon enough to suit him, because he was anxious to leave for the front as soon as war was declared, and tried to volunteer with one of the local regiments. He was refused and advised to wait for his papers. He left Hamilton on August 18, and joined his regiment at Cloyton Meadows.

“He wrote one letter back to his sisters, Mrs. Albert E. Marshall and Mrs. Frank Clark, who reside at 78 Clinton street, in which he stated that he was being sent to somewhere in France, and would write later. Nothing more was heard of him, and his wife left for England.

“Mrs. Marshall wrote to the war office, after hearing nothing further from her brother, and was informed that he had fallen on November 8, after five days’ of fighting, and died from his wounds

“He was 30 years of age and is survived by his widow but no family. He had served in India for three years and was on the reserve list for nine years. Two of his brothers, Harry and Adam Blunt, are now fighting in France with the Thirteenth Royals, being in the fourth battalion that was engaged in the big battle of Langemarck. A brother-in-law, Frank Marshall, is now in Toronto with the second contingent, having enlisted with the Ninety-First Highlanders.”¹

Private Isaiah Blunt

 

 

 

 

1915-05-17rr

 

“Residents of Hamilton were shocked, as will be a wide circle of friends in every part of Canada, to learn of the rather sudden death, on Sunday morning, at her home, 137 Main street east, of Kathleen Blake, wife of Dr. Theobald Coleman, better known in the newspaper world as ‘Kit.’ ”

Hamilton Times.    May 17, 1915.

She was certainly one of Hamilton’s most widely known, and loved, residents in the spring of 1915.

Although she was semi-retired from her professional writing career, she was still very prominent in the city and elsewhere :

“In the death of Mrs. Coleman, the newspaper world of Canada loses a valued and esteemed ‘citizen’ and the reading public a friend whose place it will indeed be hard to fill.” ¹

¹ “Noted Writer Died Suddenly of Pneumonia : Achieved Distinction in Newspaper Field.”

Hamilton Times.  May 17, 1915.

Although her actual personal name was Kathleen, she was recognized by her many, many readers, more by her penname, Kit :

“She was easily the queen of the women writers of Canada, and in her work conveyed to her readers her charming personality, which many greatly admired without the privilege of a personal acquaintance.^`1

Kit was a native of Galway, Ireland, and she came to Canada in 1883. Soon after her arrival in Canada, she did her first newspaper work with Saturday Night in Toronto. Four years later, Kit joined the staff of the Toronto Mail and Empire. During her stay with the Mail and Empire, she conducted a `woman`s page` which, at the time, was the only regular feature in any Canadian newspaper with that focus.

Kit travelled extensively and wrote, for her page, on many of the most important events of the day, including the two jubilees (1887 and 1897) of Queen Victoria`s reign, the Spanish-American war and the World`s Fair at Chicago.

After leaving the Mail and Empire, Kit syndicated her writings, writings carried in a large number of newspapers across Canada.

Besides her skills as a journalist, Kit was a respected writer of verse and magazine articles. One of Kit`s more famous series of magazine articles was the collection of pieces she wrote on Charles Dickens, written as she explored many locations in London associated with Dickens.

The New York Tribune, in a tribute to Kit, spoke of her as à fearless horse-woman, an omnivorous reader, a lover of nature, a musician, and an experienced traveler.``

Kit was also known far and wide as a lover of dogs, notably her fine Burlington terriers, which she called her `grey yeomen of the guard.

          Unlike many prominent women of her day, Kit was not a steadfastly opposed to the women`s suffrage movement. Despite ongoing pressure on her to change her view on that subject, Kit would not be moved.

          Besides her renown nationally, Kit was very well-known in Hamilton:

          `She was of a most genial disposition and made many personal friends among those with whom she came in contact, and general regret will be felt at her death.

`Mrs. Coleman had for a number of years past been a resident of Hamilton, where she was greatly beloved, and the sympathy of the community will be extended to the bereaved family.<sup>`1</sup>

Kit`s immediate family, her husband, son and daughter were as shocked by death as everyone else. She had been in good health but had been ailing somewhat in the last few days before her death. A sudden escalation of her condition to pneumonia on a Friday was severe and led to her passing the following Sunday morning, May 16, 1915.