1918-12-26yy

It was a case that heightened the problems that would arise again and again as Hamilton soldiers returned home after fighting in the Great War.

Every soldier had his own experience in the war, and not all fit into the strict, inflexible rules that were in place in the days, weeks and months after peace had been declared.

There were some supports, financial and otherwise, for soldiers and their families, but far often individual soldiers and their dependents suffered as their situation was not the norm.

Such was the case of a Hamilton soldier and his family, as reported in the Boxing Day issue of the Hamilton Herald:

“Lieut.-Col. William Hendrie, in urging the establishment of a bureau to take care of victims of the war who are not provided for by the pensions department of the patriotic fund, has called attention to the case of a 173^rd Highlander, who was sent back from England as medically unfit. He received no pension, and his family has received no allowance from the patriotic fund since April, when he was discharged from the service.

“The man, who has five children, one a cripple, returned to work too soon after an attack of influenza, and is now in serious condition, physically and financially. The G. W. V. A. sent Christmas cheer to the family, and the Soldiers’ Aid commission has rendered temporary aid.”¹

¹ “Pathetic Case : Unfortunate Highlander’s Xmas Brightened By Veterans”

Hamilton Herald.    December 26, 1918