1918-12-22os

One of Canada’s leading military figures as the Great War came to an was Major-General, Honourable Sidney Chilton Mewburn.

Well-known to his fellow Hamiltonians because of his military, business and political prominence in the Ambitious City, not to mention because of his beautiful residence on Markland Street at the head of Park street, Mewburn was the Minister  of Militia and Defense with the federal government in December, 1918.

On December 23, 1918, Mewburn sent the following Christmas message to the Canadian troops overseas awaiting demobilization and a return home:

“On behalf of your comrades in Canada, I have the proud privilege od sending Christmas greetings this year to a victorious Canadian army, occupying the territory of a conquered foe. Last year, you looked back upon a year of desparate, if glorious fighting, and forward to a doubtful issue, for the enemy was known to have gained new strength and to be meditating a tremendous blow against us. Today you can look back upon a year in which the British bore adversity with fortitude, refused to despond when things were at their darkest, returned to the offensive at the critical moment, and in three months of fighting such as the world have never seen before, won a victory unexampled alike for the glory won and for the service rendered by it for humanity.

“In this warfare of giants you have borne a part which fills us with a pride and gratitude which we cannot express. Amiens, Arras, the Queant-Drocourt line, the Canal du Nord, Cambrai, Valenciennes and the Mons are words which will inspire Canadians for centuries, and you are the men who have these these resounding deeds. Our homage of love and pride is tendered to the men who fell in these triumphs.

“We hope soon to welcome you home, and you may rest assured that every effort is being made to ease the path of your return to peaceful industry.”¹

¹ “Mewburn’s Message to the Canadians”

Hamilton Spectator.     December 24, 1918.