1915-05-05tt

“Bit by bit, the story of the battle of Ypres, where the Canadians gained such honor and glory, is being told, and some idea of the lost in men killed, wounded and missing given.”

Hamilton Spectator.   May 5, 1915.

 The Hamilton Spectator of Wednesday, May 5, 1915, as did the other two daily newspapers in the city, carried some grim news from the front :

“The casualty lists of the last two days contain the names of several Hamilton and Dundas men who have been wounded, ample indication of the part played in the big struggle, which saved the day for the allies by the representatives of the local regiments.

“That the 91^st Highlanders were badly cut up is evident from the number of wounded yesterday, while the record of the 77^th regiment men killed and wounded begins to assume a serious aspect.

“One report, published yesterday afternoon, announced that one Hamilton man, Pte. McMeekin, and two Dundas boys Pte. Bertram and Pte. Home, who had enlisted with the 77^th quota, had died of wounds, while many members of the 91^st regiment are included in the list of the wounded.”¹

¹ “Three Local Men Listed Among Canadians Dead As a Result of Their Wounds”

Hamilton Spectator.    May 5, 1915.

Concerned friends and relatives of soldiers on duty at the front agonized over the casualty lists as they arrived, looking for, but hoping they would not see, the names of loved ones:

“It takes time to gather the records together and the lists are coming in slowly, although every effort is being made to acquaint the anxious relatives with the facts as soon as possible.”¹

In the years before the outbreak of the Great War, there had been a huge number of people who had emigrated to Hamilton from England, seeking employment. There were many young men among those recently arrived who eligible to enlist, or to be called back to regiments they had served back in the old country:

“The majority of the 91^st men reported wounded are old countrymen, who had resided in the city but a few years previous to offering themselves for active service. Several of them are without relatives in this country.

“The only bright aspect to the whole affair is the fact that the majority of the local men on the casualty list are to be found among the wounded, the deaths having been few and far between to date.”¹

While the casualty lists would have drawn first attention by those acquiring the latest daily paper, there next would be a read of the more general reports regarding the progress of the war:

“The seriousness of the big fight is indicated in the report that the majority of the Dominion infantrymen lost all their kits and supplies, and for days they were without many necessaries. The supplies are gradually being replenished however, and by now the conditions should be normal again.”¹

To show how fluid the situation was as regards the arrival of news from the front, the Spectator for its late afternoon edition of the May 5, 1915 hastily inserted the following, in bold face type so that it would be noticed immediately:

“ Word was received here that Pte. Thomas Nicholls, 172 Market street had been killed in action.

“Another message told of the wounding of Pte. James R. Manson, whose people live at 236 Kensington avenue. He was in Prince Albert when the war broke out and enlisted there. He was with the 10^th battalion when he received his wounds.”²

² “Killed in Action”

Hamilton Spectator.   May 5, 1915 .

The following day’s Hamilton Herald, of Thursday May 6, 1915, contained the following opening to its account of the latest casualty reports :

“That Hamilton’s sons have done nobly in the fight, side by side with the British regulars in the great world war, is shown by the increasing list of casualties. They tell the story better than any words can.

“Since the big battle near Ypres, where the Canadians distinguished themselves by stopping the German advance, the local casualty reports have accounted for the following number of Hamilton heroes who are either residents of this city and district, or directly connected here:

“ Killed   …………12

  Wounded……  125

  Invalided Home…3

  Missing ………… 2

  Prisoner of War…1

                             ____

  Total …………..143” ¹

¹ “Many Hamilton Men Fall in Empire’s Cause : Casualties Reported Here to Date Show One Hundred and Forty-Three Local Men Killed, Wounded or Missing.”

Hamilton Herald.   May 6, 1915.

There were too many names received everyday for the local press to be able to interview relatives, and perhaps obtain a photograph to publish. However, the reporters did contact some who were close to a soldier whose name had appeared on that day’s list.

Such was the case with Driver E. Peddlecombe. Of Irish descent, the soldier was a carpenter by trade, had lived in Hamilton for 13 years, although he had been working in Thorold temporarily when the war broke out. He had enlisted in St. Catharines with the 7^th battery. Known to be of a very genial disposition, Peddlecombe, affectionately known by the nickname, “Toby’” was unmarried and much loved by his sister, Mrs. Robert McCourt who lived at 600 Barton street east.  In her interview with the Spectator, Mrs, McCourt admitted that she had forebodings about her brother’s fate in the war. She said, “I had a feeling that something would happen to him.” ¹

¹ “Names of Local Soldiers Continue to Adorn the Canadian Casualty Lists”

Hamilton Spectator. May 6, 1915.