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“After spending over one hundred thousand dollars to care for the needy of Hamilton during the winter months, the controllers are gravely concerned over the care of the worthy poor during the warm weather, although viewing the situation strictly from a financial point.”

Hamilton Times.     May 11, 1915.

Hamilton, as with most of the world, suffered from a severe economic depression in 1914 – it had started a little earlier than that, and lasted well in 1915.

So many were employed and so great was the distress many faced that a private charitable organization, the United Relief Association had been formed to augment the effort of the Hamilton City Hall’s relief department.

For some time, the City of Hamilton had forwarded some tax dollars to augment the funds which the organization had raised through voluntary contributions from Hamiltonians.

By May, 1915, the economic situation had improved, although hardly was it a prosperous economy in Hamilton or elsewhere yet.

In the mind of the municipal tax relief officer McMenemy, the United Relief Association was not operated to his standards and was not worthy not continued taxpayer support.

After a prolonged campaign, McMenemy convinced the Board of Control and City Council generally that provision of relief to the city’s needy should be a municipal operation only. In face of such opposition, the board of the United Relief Association determined that the organization would cease operations. The organization’s depot on Macnab street where food, fuel, clothing as well as cash were distributed, distributed was closed.

Relief officer McMenemy Relief Officer convinced the politicians that an unused fire hall could be used for his department’s purposes:

“Now that the depot on Macnab street has been closed Relief Officer McMenemy and his staff are at the old Hughson street fire hall, but while they have comfortable quarters prepared for them, their appropriation is such that little work can be done.

“To look after the men, women and children in need during the past winter cost, on average $4,000 per week. As soon as the United Relief association disbanded, Mr. McMenemy sent in a request for $4,040 to do him until the first of October. After consideration, the Board of Control cut this to $3,000. Out of this amount has come a large proportion for salaries, running expenses, etc., so that little will be left for actual cases of relief.”¹

¹ “Unemployed Not to Depend on City Now”

Hamilton Times.  May 11, 1915.

In effect by May of 1915, the Relief Department had new quarters in a decorated former fire hall, staff to handle relief cases and money for general running expenses, such as telephones, but little money to actually provide assistance to those in need :

“It was emphasized today by members of the board of control that, while most anxious over the welfare of all bona fide citizens, the city did not see its way financially clear to give assistance during the summer except except in a few extreme cases.”¹

Staff, quarters and running expenses for municipal relief operations were in place, but no money to actually provide relief as was the case when the private United Relief Association was addressing needs in the community.

 

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“The annual spring parade of divine service of the Ninety-First Highlanders held yesterday morning resulted in a large attendance of the officers, non-commissioned officers and men.”

Hamilton Spectator.  May 10, 1915.

The beautiful of St. Paul’s Presbyterian was accented dramatically by the presence of a large contingent of soldiers from Hamilton Highland militia unit. Tartans and kilts were much in evidence as the soldiers sat together in a specially designated section of pews:

“Rev. Dr. Drummond preached a stirring sermon to the men assembled. His subject was, Falling Short of Our Highest, taken from 2 Samuel, 23 : 19  ‘But he hath not attained unto the other three.’

“Rev. Dr. Drummond instanced the above text to show that oftentimes the popular standards by which men and women were judged were not the best ones. Some men would make a success of failure, while others were failures in success. While many people were judged by these popular standards, it was always wise to be careful in passing judgement upon those who were apparent failures. It might be a lack of a worthy ambition, or it might be some habit by which they had been brought down.

“Then again, there were others who having done one big thing in life, fell back on their past records and were content to boast and brag of what had been done, rather than look to the future to achieve greater and more worthy objects in life.

“ ‘This might be applied nationally as well as individually,’ said Dr. Drummond, ‘and we must demand that high standards be maintained by the state as well as the people themselves. Men who seek to make political capital in these times of stress should be taboo forever. We must get above the partisan feeling and rise to greater and nobler heights.’ ”¹

¹ “91^st Regiment Attends Church : Annual Spring Parade Held to St. Paul’s”

Hamilton Spectator.   May 10, 1915.

During the service, a special memorial service was held to honor the memory of Privates Duffy, Turnbull and Ritchie, members of the regiment, who had been killed recently at the front. In respect to the memory of the fallen soldiers, the 91^st band, under the direction of Bandmaster Harry Stares reverently played the Dead March in Saul, after which the soldiers and the congregation joined their voices in singing Nearer, My God, to Thee.

Rev. Dr. Drummond also referred to the sinking of the Lusitania, saying “that such an action against unarmed and unwarned people should be considered little less than satantic” :

“ ‘It is, to my mind a sample of the old buccaneering days, only it is infinitely worse than we can imagine,’ said Dr. Drummond. ‘This is the work of the mad dog of Europe and Christianity cannot hope to progress until the time that this mad dog shall have been hunted down.’ ”¹

As the service was coming to an end, Rev. Dr. Drummond congratulated the regiment on the response of its members which had been when volunteers had been called for the first, second and third contingents.

The soldiers were first to proceed out of the church as the rest of the congregation watched, many quietly wishing them Godspeed.

Prewar Postcard of 91st Regiment on James Street

 

 

1915-05-06bb

“The date for letters from the front telling of the heroic stand of the Canadians is drawing nigh.”

Hamilton Herald   May 6, 1915.

Beside a column containing the latest casualty list with the names of men who had gone down in the recent battle near Ypres, the Hamilton Herald published a column containing a number of letters written by Hamilton soldiers as they were waiting to go into that very deadly encounter:

“A British mail containing a thousand letters has arrived in the city, and some of them are dated the day the big fight started off with the introduction of the German noxious gas as an instrument of war.”¹

¹ “Letters Sent on Eve of Battle : Troops from Hamilton Send Interesting News of Life at the Front”

Hamilton Herald.   May 6, 1915.

Many of those letters had been shared for publication in the pages of the Herald:

“AQ letter has arrived from the late Lieutenant D. Brant, the great-great grandson of Chief Brant, who died in the battle. It is optimistic and cheerful”¹

An interesting letter, sent to Mrs. (Dr. Renison) from her brother, Lieutenant Everett Bristol, in which he gives an excellent story of the exploits of an English aviator:

“April 27 – Just a few lines this time to let you know I am still above the sod and healthy. I am writing this from the machine gun school near headquarters, somewhere behind the front. There are about forty officers and two or three non-commissioned officers and men taking a special course. The school is situated in a nunnery.

“The cloisters, where before the war the Benedictine sisters were wont to live their lives in quiet piety, are dedicated to the red god of war. In the chapel, where once stood the high altar, are some hundreds of murderous Maxims. The refractory, where under the designs ‘pax curitas,’ in the beautiful old stained glass windows, the gentle nuns were wont to take their frugal meals, is now the officers’ mess. The chapel, which once echoed to the peeling anthem and murmured prayer, now resounds to the husky voice of the lecturer, demonstrating to three hundred apt disciples the various teachings and strategies which will enable them to kill the greatest possible number of Huns.

“I met an old R.M.C. boy the other day. Walnklyn by name. We went over together to the headquarters of the flying squad and I spent a remarkable evening with a new race of men developed by the war. They speak a different language, a vernacular mélange of technical terms having to do with aircraft and aeronautics, plentifully intertarded with dope from Flanders. I heard numerous stories of thrilling experiences which were likely characterized by the auditors as a good, bad or indifferent ‘effort.’ The ideal of the corps just now is a chap, M---, whose exploit was termed quite good.

“Here is the story : ‘When we were standing in a field behind a wood some weeks ago, he brought his machine back twenty miles landing it safely at our feet after being shot through the stomach when over the German lines. When we lifted him, he had fainted. He was very nearly done for, but pulled through after a month’s sick leave and came back.

“He had not been here a week when, flying a machine, he had engine trouble and had to come down within the German lines near L----. He jumped out, set fire to his aeroplane and dashed off in one direction while the Germans came rushing from another. He got away in the smoke and confusion, was sheltered by a habitant, who gave him a suit of peasant clothes. He got into a city and remained there four days, gathering valuable information as to the German disposition there. He also had the pleasure of seeing posters and handbills offering a reward for his capture and threatening ‘frightful things’ if he was not delivered up. He got away in a German uniform which he took from a sentry and walked to a certain neutral country across the frontier. He slipped over the border. In the dead of night, being fired at and slightly wounded.

“Once there he managed to ship as a stoker on a vessel bound for England. He arrived in London a long time after he was given up for dead, with just enough to buy a ticket for Farnborough, headquarters of the Royal Flying corps. He went without his lunch to do so, and he begrimed appearance apparently disgusted and alarmed two old ladies, who lectured him on the evils of drink, all to his delight.

“Of course, he speaks French and a little Flemish, but, notwithstanding, I am inclined to agree with the opinion of the members of his corps that it was an ‘extraordinary damn fine effort.’

“Kitchener sent for him and he has been given the D.S.O., and promoted to the rank of flying commander.”¹

Letters from Lieutenant Cameron D. Brant, of the Haldimand Rifles, to his wife were being received after his death had been reported, the last letter follows :

“My Dear Wife – Another fine day – sunshine, birds, singing nature in all her glory. We are still in the same place, in the best billet we have had in France. We expect to make a move any day now. Just where we are going it is very hard to say; but I believe we will have much more work to do than we had before. At any rate, we are going to do our best, and try to keep up the good name we have made for ourselves.

“It is almost eight months since we started on this game, and it does seem much longer. The long, dreary winter on Salisbury plain was the limit. You have no idea how weather improves conditions here. We can do our work far better and in a kore willing spirit on a fine day. In fact, every branch of the service works better.

“We are all in great condition – healthy and fine. How are things in Canada, especially in dear old Hamilton ? I expect to be back there at least by Christmas, providing I am lucky enough to get through safely. If I was to go home now, you would be surprised to see how well I look; never felt better, weigh more, stronger and eat better than ever before.

“I trust you are getting my letters all right, as they have been very frequent of late. Probably before long they will not be so many – be few and far between; but do not lose heart. Do not believe anything serious until I write and tell you or someone else does. Keep up a good and brave heart, girls.

“Tody was payday here. We get paid twice a month. I drew 125 francs today – a franc is equal to 20 cents in Canada.

“Well, sweetheart, this is all I have to write this time; probably will write again tomorrow. Hope you got the cards and Belgian money that I sent you.”

Private Daniel Clay wrote to his wife, with regret, to say that he had been discharged from the military because of health issues. He would be returning to Hamilton. His letter, quoted as follows, was written on the eve of the massive Battle of Langemarck near Ypres:

“Dear wife – Well, how are you getting on over there? It is about ten days since I wrote you last. I was waiting for the medical board to rule. I have been before them again and this time I was discharged. So you see, Lucy, I have to come back before the war is over.

“Lucy, I am very glad to tell you I have been over to France for a couple of days, and I can tell you that things are very lively over there. Our battalion is not in action yet, but they are in the trenches. I went over with some horses, so you see my journey has not been for nothing after all. I tried to get to stay over there, but it was no use. Every man has to be fit that goes to the trenches.

“I might tell you, Lucy, that I am entitled to another medal, also the South African medal that I did not get. It was all a mistake, and if I had gone to the war office I should have received it. The order was that all soldiers who had served in South Africa for eighteen consecutive months were entitled to a king’s and queen’s medal. It is too late to get it now, unless I buy one over here in a pawn shop.

“Well, Lucy, I shall be over there in about two or three weeks’ time. I am suffering from a cold and a cough. I do not think the climate quite suits me, so I do care how soon I am with you again. I shall not be able to let you know when I sail, as I shall only get a moment’s notice.

“Give my respects to all my enquiring friends, and accept my love to you and the children.”¹

1915-05-05tt

“Bit by bit, the story of the battle of Ypres, where the Canadians gained such honor and glory, is being told, and some idea of the lost in men killed, wounded and missing given.”

Hamilton Spectator.   May 5, 1915.

 The Hamilton Spectator of Wednesday, May 5, 1915, as did the other two daily newspapers in the city, carried some grim news from the front :

“The casualty lists of the last two days contain the names of several Hamilton and Dundas men who have been wounded, ample indication of the part played in the big struggle, which saved the day for the allies by the representatives of the local regiments.

“That the 91^st Highlanders were badly cut up is evident from the number of wounded yesterday, while the record of the 77^th regiment men killed and wounded begins to assume a serious aspect.

“One report, published yesterday afternoon, announced that one Hamilton man, Pte. McMeekin, and two Dundas boys Pte. Bertram and Pte. Home, who had enlisted with the 77^th quota, had died of wounds, while many members of the 91^st regiment are included in the list of the wounded.”¹

¹ “Three Local Men Listed Among Canadians Dead As a Result of Their Wounds”

Hamilton Spectator.    May 5, 1915.

Concerned friends and relatives of soldiers on duty at the front agonized over the casualty lists as they arrived, looking for, but hoping they would not see, the names of loved ones:

“It takes time to gather the records together and the lists are coming in slowly, although every effort is being made to acquaint the anxious relatives with the facts as soon as possible.”¹

In the years before the outbreak of the Great War, there had been a huge number of people who had emigrated to Hamilton from England, seeking employment. There were many young men among those recently arrived who eligible to enlist, or to be called back to regiments they had served back in the old country:

“The majority of the 91^st men reported wounded are old countrymen, who had resided in the city but a few years previous to offering themselves for active service. Several of them are without relatives in this country.

“The only bright aspect to the whole affair is the fact that the majority of the local men on the casualty list are to be found among the wounded, the deaths having been few and far between to date.”¹

While the casualty lists would have drawn first attention by those acquiring the latest daily paper, there next would be a read of the more general reports regarding the progress of the war:

“The seriousness of the big fight is indicated in the report that the majority of the Dominion infantrymen lost all their kits and supplies, and for days they were without many necessaries. The supplies are gradually being replenished however, and by now the conditions should be normal again.”¹

To show how fluid the situation was as regards the arrival of news from the front, the Spectator for its late afternoon edition of the May 5, 1915 hastily inserted the following, in bold face type so that it would be noticed immediately:

“ Word was received here that Pte. Thomas Nicholls, 172 Market street had been killed in action.

“Another message told of the wounding of Pte. James R. Manson, whose people live at 236 Kensington avenue. He was in Prince Albert when the war broke out and enlisted there. He was with the 10^th battalion when he received his wounds.”²

² “Killed in Action”

Hamilton Spectator.   May 5, 1915 .

The following day’s Hamilton Herald, of Thursday May 6, 1915, contained the following opening to its account of the latest casualty reports :

“That Hamilton’s sons have done nobly in the fight, side by side with the British regulars in the great world war, is shown by the increasing list of casualties. They tell the story better than any words can.

“Since the big battle near Ypres, where the Canadians distinguished themselves by stopping the German advance, the local casualty reports have accounted for the following number of Hamilton heroes who are either residents of this city and district, or directly connected here:

“ Killed   …………12

  Wounded……  125

  Invalided Home…3

  Missing ………… 2

  Prisoner of War…1

                             ____

  Total …………..143” ¹

¹ “Many Hamilton Men Fall in Empire’s Cause : Casualties Reported Here to Date Show One Hundred and Forty-Three Local Men Killed, Wounded or Missing.”

Hamilton Herald.   May 6, 1915.

There were too many names received everyday for the local press to be able to interview relatives, and perhaps obtain a photograph to publish. However, the reporters did contact some who were close to a soldier whose name had appeared on that day’s list.

Such was the case with Driver E. Peddlecombe. Of Irish descent, the soldier was a carpenter by trade, had lived in Hamilton for 13 years, although he had been working in Thorold temporarily when the war broke out. He had enlisted in St. Catharines with the 7^th battery. Known to be of a very genial disposition, Peddlecombe, affectionately known by the nickname, “Toby’” was unmarried and much loved by his sister, Mrs. Robert McCourt who lived at 600 Barton street east.  In her interview with the Spectator, Mrs, McCourt admitted that she had forebodings about her brother’s fate in the war. She said, “I had a feeling that something would happen to him.” ¹

¹ “Names of Local Soldiers Continue to Adorn the Canadian Casualty Lists”

Hamilton Spectator. May 6, 1915.

 

 

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A famous Hamilton long-distance runner, and very well-known local character, Jimmy Duffy, met his death at the front in April 1915.

On May 1, 1915, the Hamilton Herald reprinted the following tribute to Jimmy Duffy which had been published in the Toronto Star :

“Canada’s greatest distance runner since the days of Tom Longboat – and a boy just as erratic as the big Indian – is dead on the battlefield at Ypres, where the Canadians so gallantly plugged the hole the retiring French left in the allies’ line. He is Jimmy Duffy, of Toronto and Hamilton, twice winner of the famous Hamilton Herald race and record-holder for that race, and a Ward Marathon and Boston Marathon winner.

“Duffy came here from Scotland in the summer of 1911 and joined the Central Y.M.C.A.. Fred Smith, the Central’s physical director, sprung Duffy on the running public in the Ward Marathon that year, and he would have won that race right off the reel, but he stopped at the Humber to argue with supporters of Bob O’Brien and wasted the wind he needed to catch the leader. The next spring he joined the Eaton A.A.A. and came under Billy Cumming’s coaching. In 1912, the Olympic tryout over the Hamilton bay course, Duffy ran second to Harry Jensen, of New York. The day was a scorcher and Duffy, who was used to cold weather, could not stand it. He led the race until 300 yards from home, when Jensen caught and passed him.

“At the Olympic Marathon in Sweden, where Duffy and Jim Corkery represented Canada, Duffy was the first Canadian to finish. He came home fifth in 2.42.13 4/5, a matter of 5.34 behind K. McArthur, the South African, who won it. That was a generally warm day, too. In the fall of 1912, he won the Ward Marathon, beating such good men as Jimmy Dellow and Jim Cockery. He came from behind to beat Dellow in the last three miles.

“Then Duffy, who was elusive as the big Onondaga, made a sudden move to Hamilton, where he joined the Ramblers’ Bicycle club and put himself under the care of Tommy Thomson, then gaining fame as a handler of long-distance runners. Duffy, who was in the pink of condition when he left Bill Cumming, was handled cannily by Thomson, and on the day of the race (Herald Around the Bay race 1912) he and Jim Cockery went out to the front and proceeded to cut all the course records to ribbons. They left the crowd far behind in the first nine miles, and then Duffy said farewell to the gallant Cockery and galloped into Hamilton a winner by 200 yards and the holder of a new record. He ran the 19 miles, 188 yards in 1.46.15, beating the famous record  of Sammy Mellor, the Yonkers ghost, by 2 minutes and20 seconds, and that record had stood the assaults of a Longboat, a Coley, and a Holmer, to say nothing of Mike Ryan, Harry Jensen, and a string of United States cracks. In 1913, he repeated the Hamilton Herald race victory against a small field. He was good enough to break his own record and was ahead of it at 12 miles, but he lacked opposition and slowed down. He finished the course in 1.48.38.

Last spring he crowned his career by winning the famous Boston Marathon and added his name to the list of brilliant Canadian runners who have showed the way from Ashland to Boston to the best on the American continent. Edouard Fabre, of Montreal, who won this year’s Boston Marathon, was one minute behind him. Fabre and Duffy were together for 22 miles in that race, and then Duffy said ‘Goodbye. I’m on my way,’ and beat him by a minute.

A month after this he was thrown out by the A.A.U/ of C. for running a five-mile race against Fabre in Kingston, for which he was paid $100. That ended his amateur career. He was preparing to meet the big pro-runners when the war broke out, and he joined the first contingent with the Niety-First of Hamilton.

Before he came to Canada, he made a reputation for himself as a distance runner in Scotland, and though only a 13 year old youngster lost his place on the British Olympic team by a narrow margin.

Duffy, who was a tinsmith by trade, was a hard man to train and handle. He was an inveterate cigarette smoker and loved his pint of beer. The result was that his trainers were forced to work him double all the time. In a race, he was as game as  they breed them. He had good racing brains and was possessed of unlimited courage. Time and time again he fought his way through cramps and stomach trouble and endured blistered feet to win. He had a good sprint and was a boy who was never beaten as long as he had a pair of legs that would hold him upright.

“Duffy had many friends in the athletic game in Toronto. He was a dependable fellow, loyal to his comrades and club. If Jimmy Duffy fought the Germans as he fought out his many bitter road races more than one Hun preceded him to the happy hunting grounds.”¹

¹ “ Toronto Star Makes Feeling Reference to Death of Jimmy Duffy”

Hamilton Herald.    May 1, 1915.

 

 

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“ Since Saturday, the telegraph wires have been laden with additional lists of Canadian wounded and at press time today there was no let up. Nor is there likely to be for some time yet. The brilliant achievement of the first contingent in stopping the German drive on Ypres cost far heavier than was first anticipated. Much apprehension was felt in Hamilton and spread yesterday when the losses, instead of running from 1,500 to 2,000 as first estimated, might run as high as 6,000. This rumor proved only too true for the official statement issued this afternoon from Ottawa states that the losses will probably be about 700 to 800 killed, 2,500 wounded and an equal hour missing.”

Hamilton Spectator.      May 3, 1915

Hamiltonians reading the morning editions of the local newspapers on Monday May 3, 1915, were shocked, and saddened to learn of the latest war news from the front.

A major battle had begun and the latest casualty list sent out by the War office indicated that many Hamilton men’s names were on the list of those wounded or missing.

As the Hamilton Spectator introduced its article on the matter on May 3, 1915, the Hamilton Times’ introduction to the release of the latest casualty list focused on how the situation was worsening :

“The passing of each day, marking the progress of the war, brings to Hamilton and this vicinity word of casualties that cause the citizens to realize more fully that this great European war is their war, and that Hamilton men are on the firing line, facing all the dangers of war.

“The casualty list published, which includes the names of a number of Hamilton men, is the official list, issued up to press time today. The names have been reported by the war office, either yesterday or this morning, and for the family or relatives of each man named, was received in this city an official message from Ottawa military authorities”¹

¹ “Local Casualty List Shows Many Wounded : No Official News of Any Dead in Today’s Despatches.”

Hamilton Times.    May 3, 1915

In that same issue of the Hamilton Times, a note from a Hamiltonian, Major W. R. Marshall, serving with the 48^th Highlanders, was mentioned:

“Writing to a friend, in his usual, brief, concise way, he says : ‘Hope you and the boys are well; having a good hard time of it, yours, R. M.’

“The card was written on Sunday April 18^th. That was the first day in which the Canadians made themselves world-famed”¹

 

The following day’s casualty list, published in the local press sadly did include name of one fatality, along with the names of those missing or wounded.

In the Hamilton Herald, published on May 4, 1915, it was noted that Hamilton soldiers were more involved in the recent action than was at first realized :

“The reports that continue to come in about the battle of Langemarck corroborate the statement made last week that the Ninety-First Highlanders and the Thirteenth Royals were at the forefront of the great Canadian charge that received such praise from Sir John French With such a terrible victory won, the losses sustained were naturally heavy, and the extent is becoming definitely known.”²

² “Hamilton Men Were in Thick of Battle : Reports That Are Coming Through Show That the Thirteenth and Ninety-First Men Had a Big Share In ‘Saving the Situation’ After French Line Broke.”

Hamilton Herald.   May 4, 1915.

As regards, Ross Binkley, the fatality named in that day’s casualty list, the following was learned:

“Ross Binkley was in command of a machine gun in the section commanded by Lieut. M. S. Macdonald.

“Yesterday’s cable is in part as follows:

“ ‘The courage of our men was simply magnificent,’ said Lieut. George Smith, Rosedale, of the Third battalion, who is lying wounded in an English hospital. ‘They just laugh and joke under as terrible a storm of bullets and shells as ever soldiers faced. They never faltered nor hesitated a moment. We started to move up to the trenches on Thursday night from four miles back, and the last half-mile was under fire. It was then that Ross Binkley and Lieut. M. S. Macdonald, of the machine gun section, were killed by the bursting of a big shell.’ ”²

The Hamilton Times of May 4, 1915 contained a poem inspired by the events of recent days in Western Europe :

“ The Canadians at Langemarck

(Written by Robert J. Devine in memory of the Battle of Langemarck, in which the ‘magnificent conduct and conspicuous bravery and determination of the Canadian troops undoubtedly saved the situation by blocking the German advance.’)

“Our thanks go out to you tonight, we scarce know what to say;

   You showed what you could do, lads, you gallantly saved the day,

 We want you to know, lads, that we feel we owe a debt

   To each Jack Canuck who showed his pluck in a way that we can’t       forget.

 

“You left your happy home, lads, with all that men hold dear,

   You rushed across the foam, lads, with never a thought of fear,

 You met your country’s foe, lds, and you played him at his game,

    You did your part with fearless heart, and covered yourself with fame.

 

“Never were men more brave, lads, as your actions plainly tell;

   Your only thought was to save, lads, the land you love so well,

 You’ve won a place in the hearts, lads, of true men everywhere,

   The terrible test found you at your best, and ready to do your share!

 

“You wouldn’t let go your guns, lads, you fought till you won them back,

   You proved you were Britain’s sons, lads, walking in Britain’s track;

 You stood with your face to the foe, lads, you gave him shot for shot

   And side by side you fought and died – and won – but ‘twas dearly bought!

 

“We mourn for the pals you lost, lads, it grieves us sore to know

   That they had to pay the cost, lads, of victory o’er the foe,

 But our thanks go out to you all, lads, and we’ll never cease to tell

   How you saved your guns from the cowardly Huns, in a blizzard of shot and shell!

 

“We at home raise a cheer, lads, you have given us cause for pride;

   But we needs must shed a tear, lads, for the brave ones who have died.

 We can’t express what we feel, lads; we scarce know what to say –

   But we’ll tell with pride how you fought and died, and gallantly saved the day.” ³

³ The Canadians at Langemarck”

Hamilton Times. May 4, 1915.

 

 

 

1915-05-31qq

 

“Thousands of people gathered in Woodland Park on the Sabbath afternoon to hear and take part in the memorial service for the brave boys of this city who have shed their life blood in the defense of the Empire; and for the men, women and children who were plunged to a terrible death when a torpedo, fired by murderous hands, struck and sunk the Lusitania.”

Hamilton Times.   May 31, 1915.

It was a memorial that had been planned for weeks, a chance for the community to honor all those local men who been wounded, gone missing or had been killed, in warfare during the last few months.

Then with the tragic sinking of the Lusitania, the memorial focus was widened to honor those local victims as well.

A major part of the memorial preparation involved contacting the following individuals and organizations to participate and then to gather for a parade : the Boy Scouts East End Progressive Band, Army veterans, Knights of Sherwood Forest, A.O.F., Knights of Pythia and Alpha Division, Sons of England, Sons of Scotland, Orangemen, Canadian Order of Foresters, Knights of the Maccabees, Laidlaw Memorial Brotherhood, Robinhood Drill Corps, Independent Labor Party, St. John’s Ambulance brigade, Salvation Army band and members of the Salvation Army plus members of the Hamilton city and Barton Township government, plus, notably because their home country had officially entered the war, a large number of Italians.

All the invitees to the event gathered in the vicinity of Gage avenue and Barton street, where parade marshals lined up participants into the planned order.

 Sharp at 3 p.m., the procession began, heading west:

“Barton street was lined five and six deep. As the parade passed, the bands played the Dead March in Saul, and not only the men in the parade, but also those watching, removed their hats. The grand old parade, for which so many lives were willingly laid down, was carried triumphantly aloft.”¹

¹”East Hamilton Memorial at Memorial Park : Thousands Paid Tribute to Canadian Soldiers and the Victims of Lusitania”

Hamilton Times. May 31, 1915.  

Along the ten or so blocks of Barton street from Gage to Woodland Park, the parade passed along slowly and somberly. Many of those watching from the sidewalks, or in Gage Park, were related to, or friends with, those people being honored by the memorial.

The weather, fortunately was ideal, and an estimated five thousand citizens were in attendance.

Once at the park, it was only a very few minutes before the formal part of the memorial began :

“Rev. Dr. S. Banks Nelson officiated at the service and opening the proceedings with the singing of Lead, Kindly Light and also several verses of Abide With Me, accompanied by the bands, followed by prayer, which was listened to in complete silence.”

“Dr. Nelson said that by the blessed  mercy of God, those who had given their lives for the cause of right and the empire would rest in eternal peace.

“At the conclusion of the prayer, Dr. Nelson read the number of Canadian casualties up till Friday last, which consisted of 983 killed, 3892 wounded and 1217 missing. The names of the Hamilton soldiers killed and local passengers on the Lusitania were then readout, which occasioned considerable emotion, many people being visibly affected. He made brief reference to the loss sustained by James Lindsay who lost four sons killed, and Mrs. Keaton, one son killed and another wounded.²

² “Great Crowd at Memorial”

Hamilton Herald.   May 31, 1915.

A stirring sermon by Dr. Nelson was then delivered, and listened to with rapt attention. He congratulated all present for entering so solemnly into the spirit of the event., then declared emphatically that the allies were waging “the most righteous of all wars and the most terrible.

Dr. Nelson noted that when the war began the soldiers of Canada were widely dismissed as being only volunteers, unfamiliar with the way of military life:

“Now they were the Empire’s sons. By their glorious and never-to-be-forgotten charge at Langemark, they had saved the day – saved in the face of odds that were ten to one.”³

³ “Thousand Pay Honor to Dead : Tribute to War Heroes and Lusitania Victims”

Hamilton Spectator.  May 31, 1915.

Dr. Nelson had the following thoughts for those who might wonder what happened to the souls of those who died at the front:

“ ‘And those who fell on the field of battle and went to heaven still have a mighty interest in the war, and don’t you believe they haven’t, ‘ said Dr. Nelson. ‘If after going to heaven, they were cut off from the battles here below, heaven would be too tame for them. They are up there cheering and urging on their old comrades. Like Nelson, dying, asked, ‘Did we win?’ so also do they ask as they reach the gates of heaven, ‘Did we win? Were we victorious?’ ”

After the conclusion of Dr. Nelson’s address, all present joined in singing the beautiful and inspiring hymn, Lead, Kindly Lead. That was followed by the national anthem, sung with fervor.

The parade then reformed, marched back to the starting point and were dismissed. Soon after the sidewalks of Barton street east were back to the normal state of pedestrian traffic, and the streetcars  and other vehicles were allowed back on the roadway.