1914-08-04afg

“Hamilton, after a night of suspense, was seething with excitement this morning.”

Hamilton Spectator.  August 4, 1914.

Many, if not most, Hamiltonians had been awake until a late hour the previous night. News from London as to whether England would or would not declare war on Germany had been awaited with tension and excitement.

However, no definitive decision had been made as the British parliament had adjourned late in the day of August 3, 1914 after coming to no conclusion as to the next steps to be taken in response to German aggression.

From the first edition of the Hamilton Spectator of August 4, 1914, it was shown that the newspaper’s staff had been kept very busy:

“From the break of dawn the Spectator’s battery of phones were kept humming with inquiries, and the one question was ‘Has Britain gone to war?’

“All morning people thronged around the Spectator’s bulletin boards to read the latest news.”¹

¹ “Mayor Pledges Support on the City’s Behalf: Hamilton is British and Ready for the Fray.”

Hamilton Spectator.    August 4, 1914

Among members of Hamilton militia units, there was full awareness that if England did declare war, all countries in the British Empire, including Canada would automatically also be in that war:

“Among military circles, interest is especially keen. The call to arms is expected any minute, and it was estimated today that fully 50 per cent of the local militia would respond immediately to the appeal.”¹

When the news was confirmed that indeed, war had been declared, Hamilton military was immediately in a flurry of activity:

“News that Great Britain and Germany were at war was received with keen interest last night at the armories, where many officers and men gathered and in groups discussed the situation.

“The Fourth Battery, Canadian Field artillery, was the first unit to act. It promptly volunteered the services of the entire battery. This action was taken at a hastily called meeting of the officers and non-commissioned officers.

“The 4^th F ield battery, which has volunteered, is one of the crack units of the Canadian artillery, and has a splendid record for fine target war. The peace footing is 200, and the war footing considerably larger. At present, it has four 12-pound, quick-firing guns.

“It is understood that orders have already been sent to Wolseley barracks, London, Ont. To forward two more guns here. The officers are armed with revolvers and the men with carbines. Two hundred horses are used.

“ ‘We notified the department that we were ready to a man for service,’ said Major Carscallen.”²

² “Local Troops Await Call From Britain : Battery Has Volunteered Services and Other Corps are Ready.”

Hamilton Spectator.   August 4, 1914.

Edward P. Wyatt, secretary of the Hamilton branch of the Army and Navy Veterans sent the following communication to the office of the Hamilton Spectator in response to the news of the war outbreak:

“The members of His Majesty’s Army and Navy Veterans’ society, of Hamilton, will hold a special meeting in the Market Square at 8:30 p.m. All ex-soldiers are invited to attend. The object of the meeting is to obtain the names of former soldiers who would be willing to offer their services  to the army and navy in the present crisis.

“Come along, boys, and show what we can do.”²