Saturday, 26 September 2015

1914-12-24uu


As Christmas 1914 approached Wentworth County Warden Hugh Bertram sent a seasonal greeting to a group of his constituents who were located in a place and for such a purpose unimaginable during the Christmas season one year previously.

On December 24, 1914, the Hamilton Herald reprinted Warden Bertram’s cablegram to Major Kimmons who was in charge of the volunteers from Wentworth County, training on the Salisbury Plain in England. They were training, getting ready to be soon sent into battle in France:

“Major Kimmons, First battalion, Salisbury plain –

“At this Christmas season of the year, when our hearts are filled with thoughts of home and those we love, a deep appreciative thought comes to us of our boys beyond the sea and the noble and inspiring work they are doing to uphold the honor and best traditions of our great empire.

“Wentworth county wishes you to accept and to convey to those in your command, her heartiest and most sincere Christmas greetings, with the full knowledge of the sacrifice you have made in leaving your homes and those you love most dearly when the call of duty came. She is proud of you today, but will be prouder still the day she can welcome you to her arms, knowing that right has triumphed and that our flag is still unsullied.

“God bless you everyone.

“On behalf of the county,

          HUGH BERTRAM, junior”1

1 “To Wentworth’s Boys : County Sent Cablegram With Xmas Greetings to Salisbury”

Hamilton Herald.          December 24, 1914

 

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