1914-08-19a

“Nineteen members of the Progressive association of East Hamilton, who have volunteered to go to the front, were feted, cheered and otherwise given a rousing send-off by their fellow members in Phoenix hall last night.”

          Hamilton Spectator    August 19, 1914

          While the farewell gatherings for members about to join the first contingent of Canadian soldiers were frequent occasions across Hamilton in August 1914, the one held on August 18 was notable.

          Because nineteen members of the Progressive association of East Hamilton” had volunteered, a high number for any one society, that group had become known as “the fighting association of Hamilton.”

          The gathering attracted a large number of citizens wanting to give the men a rousing send-off. The crowd included local politicians Controller Morris, Aldermen Walker and Plunkett, and Mayor Allan.

          The mayor took advantage of his invitation to speak to announce that the city government intended to co-operate with the federal government in every way possible to ensure that the dependents of the volunteers would be properly.

          The mayor statement received loud applause. After the applause died down, the mayor went on to say the following :

          “I am very proud to see the enthusiasm displayed here tonight, and at the same time feel sad that so many of our young men are going away. Like your president I do not like to see war, but it seems as though we must have it, and since we are involved we must fight with all our might. The best thing that I can say is that you are going to fight in a good cause.

          “You are going to fight under a flag that is honored throughout the world – more so than the flag of any other nation. That is so because Britain has always kept her promises. This war was practically forced upon Great Britain, and she is backed up in it, thank God, by most of the civilized nations of the world. There can be only one end to the conflict. Great Britain must win and will win.

          “Now I want to say a few words to the men who will remain at home. I want them to keep cool, level heads during this war. Not all Germans are in sympathy with the crazy Kaiser. We have in this city a good many quiet, peaceful citizens of German extraction who are deserving of respect and every consideration. Care must be taken that they are not insulted or humiliated.

          “To the men going away, I’ll say that if any dependents are left behind them, they can go away and rest assured that they will be well taken care of (Cheers). I am in possession of certain information which I think might as well be made public now as any other time.

          “You know that this is the first time that the Canadian government has taken any active participation in a war. By this I mean that the government has undertaken all the expenses of the volunteers of the war, and they are going to pay their soldiers better than ever and look after their families better than they have ever done before.

          “The pay that any volunteer will receive will be $1.00 a day, and 10 cents a day for field allowance. It is also intended to pay 75 cents a day to the soldiers’ wives who may be left dependent, and some small allowance will be made for each child under sixteen years of age.

          “I am sorry to say that I feel more dread for those who remain behind than for those who are going to the front. Everything points to a hard winter and no one is better aware of it than myself. In conclusion I can only say God speed and wish you a safe return.” ¹

               ¹ “Volunteers Are Given Send-Off : Presentations Were Made to Nineteen Men : All Going to Serve Britain Overseas : Soldiers Feted by Ward 8 Progressives”

          Hamilton Spectator.  August 19, 1914.

          After the mayor concluded his remarks, he presented each of the nineteen volunteers with a tobacco pouch and an a pipe :“ ‘Use them to smoke the Germans out of Belgium,’ someone shouted from the rear of the hall, at which there was general laughter. The mayor expressed the hope that the pipes would not only provide a solace during the war, but would be brought back intact.”¹

          The president of the Progressive association of East Hamilton, in a brief speech, said that he only wished that his society could make a similar presentation to each volunteer from East Hamilton, It was not possible because there were so many men from East Hamilton who had volunteered, President William Kinch said, noting that a full 80 per cent of the Hamilton volunteers were from East Hamilton.

          Then three hearty cheers were given for the nineteen soldiers.

          Throughout the evening, there were numerous songs and recitations by association members. Also, the association’s band played several patriotic selections.