1914-09-01

Barely two weeks after the outbreak of war in mid-August, 1914, the news coming from western Europe was anything but a laughing matter.

Soldiers were dying by thousands as the carnage was worse than anyone had anticipated.

However, there were a few individuals, whose identities, were never discovered would still could make light of the unfolding tragedy.

In an outburst of patriotism, the Union Jack was being proved waved and displayed throughout Hamilton, symbolic of support for England.

One of the prominent building which had raised the Union Jack was the city’s high school, the Hamilton Collegiate Institute.

With the reopening of the school just days ahead after the end of the summer vacation, the Hamilton Spectator carried the following article on September 1, 1914 :

“Shortly after the opening of the Collegiate institute this morning, Dr. Thompson, principal of the collegiate, discovered that instead of the Union Jack flag which had been flying at top mast on the school flag pole ever since the declaration of war between England and Germany, a German flag was spreading itself in the breeze in a most annoying manner.

“As quickly as possible the German flag was taken down and the Union Jack, which had been thrown in a nearby flowerbed, was once more rung up.

“Discussing the incident this afternoon, Dr. Thompson said he thought the change of flags had been made during last night, and that it had evidently been done by some practical joker.

“ ‘It was a mighty poor joke, however,’ declared Dr. Thompson, ‘and I only regret we have been unable so far to locate the person or persons responsible.’ ” ¹

¹  “German Flag : One Flew Over the Collegiate Institute Grounds This Morning”

Hamilton Spectator.   September 1, 1914.