“The
long-awaited order from Ottawa to begin recruiting here for the Canadian
contingent that is to go abroad in the interests of Great Britain came this
morning and was received with enthusiasm by military leaders.”
Hamilton Spectator. August 7, 1914
Even since war rumors had begun to
circulate, there was a lot of pressure on the local military authorities in
Hamilton. Many men were ready to drop everything, sign up with the army and get
over to Europe as soon as possible.
However, it was not that simple.
For many days, all that could be done
was to accept the names and addresses of those wishing to volunteer.
Finally on August 7, 1914, official
word came from Ottawa that recruiting was to be done, and with the order came
specific direction as to how the recruiting was to proceed:
“The instructions came from the
adjutant-general at headquarter, and no time was lost in making arrangements.
The Canadian force, according to the official order will be imperial and will
have the same status as the British regular troops.
“Enrolment will be voluntary for all
ranks. Physical qualifications are set forth. In regard to musketry, general
proficiency and a high standard will be required.”1
1 “Hamilton
Has Chance to Show Its Loyalty : Ottawa Sends Order For Recruiting to Begin :
Big Rush Expected at the Armories Tonight”
Hamilton Spectator. August 7, 1914.
While the communication from Ottawa
was lengthy and detailed, the basics were summarized in articles appearing in
all three Hamilton daily newspapers so that those eager to volunteer could find
out if they were eligible or not.
Starting at 8 p.m. that very evening,
those wishing to volunteer could go to the armories on James Street North.
Volunteers were required to be between 18 and 45 years of age, at least 5 foot
3 inches tall, chest not less than 33 ½ inches and have some proficiency with
“musketry.”
The time of service for volunteers was
open-ended, and they were expected to serve for the duration of the war.
Applicants would be considered in the following order : unmarried men, married
men without families and married men with families.
The Spectator article pointed out that
“with the patriotic wave that is sweeping the country now, it is expected that
there will be a hearty and spontaneous response to the appeal for volunteers.
The armories will doubtless present a scene tonight outrivaling the rush there
was when the call came for a Canadian contingent to take part in the South
African war.”1
In other
war-related news in the Spectator of August 7, 1914, it was stated that the
Hamilton chapter of the Daughters of the Empire would join in a national effort
by the women of Canada to raise enough funds to furnish and equip a hospital
ship. In addition to the Daughters of the Empire, other groups were anxious to
be involved in the effort:
“When it is decided just what steps
will be taken here, a mass meeting of the women’s organizations in the city
will be called and steps will be taken at once to help Hamilton do its share.
“The women’s societies in the various
churches in the city have also volunteered to help the good work along so that
it is likely that Hamilton will more than hold up its end in equipping the
ship.”1
Patriotism
was at a high pitch on August 7, 1914 in Hamilton and a Spectator reporter
described the mood in the city that day as follows :
“Hamilton has never witnessed such
scenes as took place in the city streets last night, and probably never will
again after the present war is over.
“Although the city is far removed from
the present center of hostilities, one might have been excused for thinking
that Hamilton itself was in danger of foreign invasion. The streets were packed
with an enthusiastic crowd of excited men and women, whose customary serenity
and calmness of manner had completely deserted them, and in its place had
arisen the true spirit of imperial devotion – the spirit which in times of war
has always permeated the breasts of the citizens of the British Empire whenever
the empire was in danger.
“Britain need never fear for her
safety while she can boast of men like those of Hamilton, and nobody need ever
speak of the apathy of Canada’s allegiance to the British crown. The war has
not yet lasted long, but it has gone far enough to bring out all that is best
in loyalty and patriotism of all those who live under the Union Jack the world
over, and nowhere has the fidelity been demonstrated in greater degree than it
has by the people of Hamilton.”2
2 “Armories
Scene of Wildest Enthusiasm : Bands Played and People Cheered Recruits : Many
Volunteer to Fight for the Empire.”
Hamilton Spectator. August 8, 1914.
As
anticipated in the morning papers, the scene at the armories was extremely
hectic as the 8 p.m. opening time arrived, the hour when volunteering could
officially begin:
“Displaying the greatest of enthusiasm
and patriotism over one thousand men assembled at the armories last evening to
offer their services for their king and country in the great struggle that has
just commenced in Europe. Never in the history of Hamilton has the spirit of
patriotism been so keen as at present.”3
3 “Thousands
Are Ready to Serve Their Country : Enthusiastic Response in Hamilton to the
Call to Arms : All Branches of the Service Active and List Will be large”
Hamilton Times. August 8, 1914.
The Spectator reporter at the armories
echoed his fellow reporter with the Times in describing the remarkable scene at
the armories:
“Magnificent is the only word which
fittingly describes the proceedings at the armories last night. The huge drill
hall was packed with men and women. The former had come to respond to the call
from the government offices at Ottawa to volunteer their services for the
fighting line in Europe, and their womenfolk’s mission was to cheer them on and
to encourage them in their self-sacrificing enthusiasm for the cause of empire.
“And how they cheered!
“The band of the 91st
Highlanders, under Bandmaster H. A. Stares, Mus. Bac., formed a square in the
rear end of the hall, and played, successively, Rule Britannia, O Canada, The
Maple Leaf and God Save the King; and at the conclusion of each rendering, hats
were flying high in the air and the great building resounded again and again
with the joyous, exited shouts and cheers of men and women.
“This was no lukewarm enthusiasm
either. It was straight from the hearts of these people, and it was an eloquent
testimony of their strength, their union and their common devotion to a
national imperial cause.
“If there was one circumstance which
gave rise to a feeling of discontent, it was the inability of the men to at
once rush off to the scene of the war. They wanted to cut the fetters which
bound them to Hamilton, but they were sensible enough to realize that nothing
could be done without organization and they held their souls in patience,
contenting themselves with registering their names with the commanding officers
of the local battalions and taking their chances of being called upon for
service when the first Canadian contingent is required.”2
The
Spectator reporter noticed one feature about the crowd at the armories,
something seemingly small but telling :
“This was the intensely dramatic way
in which all the men folk, civilian and military, in that huge hall
instinctively sprung to attention as the 91st band played the National
Anthem.
“In times of peace, it has frequently
been remarked that the National Anthem calls forth little or no enthusiasm when
played to a Hamilton audience; that men remain smoking, laughing and chatting
as though the King was of no concern of theirs.
“But last night, the scene in the
armories proved that this apparent indifference was only a thin, superficial
veneer, for all the men stood erect, with bared heads, and their hearts and
breasts throbbed with emotion as the familiar strains, rendering by the band
with an intensity of feeling which was truly profound, fell upon their ears.
“They realized, many of them for the
first time, the true significance of the wonderful national prayer.”2
At this
point, the band of the 91st Highlanders left the armories and
marched south on James street to the center of the city where it repeated the
patriotic numbers which it had played minutes before.
The band soon was surrounded before a
cheering mob of people as it proceeded :
“The crowd was enthusiastic without
being wild, and fervent rather than boisterous, but there was no mistake about
the genuineness of their feelings.
“The crowd was so dense that traffic
at the junction of King and James streets was stopped for a quarter of an hour,
and despite the efforts of the police, the people could not be moved. The
street cars and a host of other vehicles were held up and were compelled to
wait until the band had finished its selections.”2
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