1914-08-14af

“Viva L’Italie!  Viva la France!  Viva! England!  Viva Canada! These were war cries which echoes and re-echoed up and down James Street last night They emanated from throats of a huge crowd of Italians, who had gathered in Kennedy’s hall”

Hamilton Times.   August 14, 1914.

Of the Italian population in Hamilton during the summer of 1914, there were many who had been living in city just a few years, and those whose residency was of much longer standing.

However, the Italians of Hamilton were prepared to support the war effort of Canada in support of England in solidarity.

They met collectively in Kennedy’s Hall during the evening of  August 13, 1914 to decide what actions should be taken in light of the newly-declared war in Europe:

“There was so large a number that the room was packed to suffocation, and then there were crowds in the street who could not force their way into the hall.”¹

¹ “Italians Are Enthusiastic Volunteers : Kennedy Hall Was Packed to the Doors at a Mass Meeting Last Night.”

Hamilton Times.  August 14, 1914.

Inside the hall, the loyalty of those present was unmistakable:

“They were a band of men who realized and appreciated the advantages they enjoy in a free country such as Canada and under the rule of the British Empire.”¹

The man chosen to chair the meeting was L. P. Scarrone, who, in his introductory remarks explained the object the meeting, and pointed out the “friendship and staunch good will and backing” which Italy had received f4rom England and France in light of the aggression of Germany and Austro-Hungary..

Chairman Scarronne then called upon Dr. Aldrightetti to address the meeting:

“The gentleman is very well known and popular among local Italians, and he is the official Italian courier for this city.

“He speedily worked up his compatriots into a frenzy of enthusiasm. They jumped on their seats, they jumped down again, they cheered to the echo, Long Live England! Long Live France! Long Live Italy!

“They moved round the room as far as they could go in its exceedingly congested condition, slapped each other on the back and were in a most effervescent condition of enthusiasm.”¹

 Dr. Aldrightetti proposed the idea that Hamilton Italians form and equip a corps themselves, and when it was ready put it at the disposal of the local military authorities to use as they saw fit:

“When volunteers were asked for, the scene was one of wildest excitement. Each volunteer was asked to lift his hand as a signal of his desire to volunteer.

“Many were so anxious that they be not overlooked that they lifted both hands, and made themselves heard through the medium of their voices and their feet.”¹

An enrolment list was established and when the meeting was over, the list contained over 200 signatures.

As the men dispersed they were encouraged to spread the word among their fellow countrymen about the proposal to have an Italian manned and financed corps made in Hamilton.