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In the Hamilton Times of Saturday August 15, 1914, there was an announcement that a musical concert to take place at Dundurn Park the following evening. The concert featured the 91^st Highlanders Band under the direction of H. A. Stares.

In addition to the announcement, the full programme for the concert was presented for the paper’s readers :

God Save the King .

  The Maple Leaf.

   O! Canada.

         Rule, Britannia.

March  - Victoria, B. C. …………………………..H. A. Stares

Overture – William Tell ……………………………. ...Rossini

Moreau – Salut d’ Armour ............................................Elgar

Grand Fantasia – Albion …………………………….Baeteus

     (English, Scotch and Irish Airs)

Song – Selected ……………………………………. ______

                   Mr. Roy McIntosh

Overture – Zampa ……………………………………..Herald

Largo ………………………………………………….. Handel

Overture – Coronation (1911) …………………………Hume

  (Contains National airs of the Empire)

Hymn – O, God of Love, O, King of Peace

      (Tune, Old Hundreth)

Hymn – O, God, Our Help in Ages Past.

       (Tune, St. Anne)

Mr. Stares requests that those who attend the concert sing with the band in the patriotic pieces and the hymns.” ¹

¹ “People Asked to Sing Hymns : And Patriotic Songs at Dundurn Tomorrow”

Hamilton Times.             August 15, 1914.

To help those who planned to attend the concert, the Hamilton Times printed the words to “patriotic pieces and hymns” which were planned to be performed at the concert. Readers could clip out the article as so be fully be prepared to join in the collective singing:

                   “ GOD SAVE THE KING

                God save our gracious King.

                Long live our noble King.

                   God save the King.

                 Send him victorious,

                 Happy and glorious,

                Long to reign over us,

                     God save the King.

 

                   THE MAPLE LEAF

              In days of yore, from Britain’s shore

                Wolfe, the dauntless hero, came,

             And planted firm Britannia’s flag,

                 On Canada’s fair domain.

              Here may it wave, our boast, our pride,

                  And joined in love together.

             The Shamrock, Thistle, Rose entwine

                 The Maple Leaf forever!

 

                             O! CANADA

          O. Canada, our fathers’ land of old

          Thy brow is crowned with leaves of red and gold

          Beneath the shade of thy holy cross

            Thy children own their birth.

          No stains thy glorious annals gloss,

            Since valor shields the hearth.

          Almighty God, on Thee we call,

          Defend our rights, forfend this free nation’s thrall.

            Defend our rights, forfend this nation’s thrall.

 

                   RULE BRITANNIA !

          When Britain first at Heaven’s command,

            Arose from our azure main.

          This was the charter, of the land,

            And guardian angels sang this strain

          Rule Britannia! Britannia rules the waves.

            Britons never shall be slaves.

 

                   HYMN

          O, God of Love, O, King of Peace,

          Make wars throughout the world to cease.

          The wrath of sinful man restrain,

          Give peace, O God, give peace again.

 

          Remember Lord, Thy works of old.

          The wonders that our fathers told.

          Whom shall we trust but Thee, O Lord?

          Where rest but on Thy faithful word?

          No one ever called on Thee in vain.

          Give peace, O God, give peace again.

 

          Where saints and angels dwell above,

          All hearts are knit in holy love.

          O bind us in that heavenly chain.

          Give peace, O God, give peace again.

                                                Amen.

 

                             HYMN

          O God, our help in ages past,

            Our hope for years to come.

          Our shelter from the stormy blast,

            And our eternal home.

 

          Beneath the shadows of thy throne

            Thy saints have dwelt secure;

          Sufficient is Thine arm alone,

            And our defense is sure.

 

          Before the hills in order stood,

            Or earth received her frame,

          From everlasting Thou are God,

            To endless years the same.

 

          A thousand ages in Thy sight

            Are like an evening gone;

          Short as the watch that ends the night

            Before the rising sun.

 

          Time, like an ever-rolling stream,

            Bears all its sons away;

          Then fly, forgotten as a dream

            Dies at the opening day.

 

          O, God, our help in ages past,

            Our hope for years to come;

          Be thou our guide while troubles last,

            And our eternal home.

 

                             Amen.

 

          The concert on Sunday evening August 17, 1914 drew an immense crowd to Dundurn Park:

          “The park was crowded as it has not been for many a long day, and it was estimated that at least 10,000 people were in the grounds.

          “The street cars were packed, the streets so thronged that it was a matter of difficulty and patience to make one’s way through the crush and the drives of the park were lined up with autos in one long string, with very little space between any two of them.” ²

                ² “Ten Thousand at the Park : To Hear Patriotic and Sacred Music Last Night.”

          Hamilton Times. August 18, 1914

          It was a large crowd and the Hamiltonians who went to the concert were drawn by their need to give expression to their feeling about the outbreak of war:

          “That the patriotic feelings of the citizens of the citizens of Hamilton are still at a very high pitch and that anything in the way of patriotic music will touch a responding chord in their hearts.”²

                Although many in the crowd had brought along the words to the songs which were presented, it was not the result that had been anticipated:

          “It must be stated that the crowd did not seem to join in the singing with any particular gusto as the sound which arose from so large  a crowd was by no means overwhelming.” ²

                The realization of what the outbreak of war in Europe was beginning to undercut the wild enthusiasm which had characterized in the city during the past few days.

          One thing that did go well was the fund-raising effort:

          “The Boy Scouts were busy with collection boxes in aid of the local fund for the Canadian Women’s Hospital ship, and their headquarters on the ground were the autos of Mrs. Southam and Mrs. S. C. Greening.”²

 

         

 

 

           

 

 

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.

 

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“Bashed and worn, 1914 limped to the end of its appointed days at midnight, Thursday, and a bright, beaming youngster arrived in its stead.”

Hamilton Spectator.   January 2, 1915

       The end of 1914 and the beginning of 1915 was observed in Hamilton in traditional ways, even though there was intense and savage warfare taking place:

“Although he sported a black eye labeled European war, young 1915 was a merry youngster, for all that. His entrance was the signal  for a noisy salute and a good deal of merriment.”¹

¹ “Noisy Salute for New Year : Crowds Made Merry as the Old One Passed”

Hamilton Spectator.   January 2, 1915.

There was a din created throughout the city, particularly in downtown Hamilton as the hands of clocks came together to indicate that 12 o’clock arrived:

“At the stroke of midnight, there was a blast of noise from all parts of the city, which was almost enough to crack one’s ear drums.

“Bells rang, horns blew, rattles clacked bugles trilled, firearms roared, tin pans rattled, gongs clanged and claxon horns on automobiles blared. The sounds blended until they formed one steady long note which could be heard far away.”¹

Even before midnight, the core of the city was noisy place:

“A joyous crowd turned out to welcome the infant 1915 all armed with some kind of a diabolical machine for undoing the welken ring. The fish horns appeared to be the most popular.

“At 10 o’clock the streets were almost empty; in fact, a few gentlemen said to be from Dundas, even went so far as to stagger around in circles without bumping a soul.

“At midnight, the celebrations were general.”

More subdued greetings of 1915 took place in many places:

“Many Hamiltonians saw in the new year in a quieter manner, either at their homes or attending solemn watchnight services.

“At Centenary Methodist, St. Giles Presbyterian, Christ’s church cathedral, Church of the Ascension, the First Congregational and various other churches throughout the city, watchnight services were held and were attended.

“The services lasted right up to midnight, and the shouts of revelers in the streets mingled with the hymns and exhortations in the churches.”

The chimes of some churches, including those of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church on James street south were played as part of the new year’s eve observances :

“Soon after 11:30 the chimes of St. Paul’s and other churches started to play. They gave such selections as : Silver Chimes, God Save the King, Nearer My God to Thee, Robin Adair, Jesus, Lead Kindly Light, and Auld Lang Syne.

“Even above the din which prevailed on the stroke of twelve, the chimes could be heard ringing out strong and clear.”¹

One New Year’s Eve tradition was not observed:

“Because of the war, the usual New Year festivities at the armories were omitted this year. It is the first time in years that the officers in this city have not seen the old year out in a right royal style, or held a reception for their friends on New Year’s day.”

Private parties were held to usher in 1915:

“In not a few homes, where parties were in sway, little 1915 was welcomed with music and came in pirouetting high on dancing toes. In a few instances, perhaps, where folk have succumbed to the dancing craze, the long-whiskered gentleman with the scythe tangoed out while the little New Year in his white union suit one-stepped in.”¹

The Spectator article on the New Year’s festivities in Hamilton ended with some recognition for those who had to work:

“Not a few night toilers had little chance to celebrate.

“The patient telephone girls were kept busy by subscribers who wanted to wish one another a happy new year as soon as it arrived; telegraph operators were busy with wired greetings, and post office employees with written one; employees of the transportation companies, the hotels and restaurants, firemen and policemen, all were kept too busy to note the passing of the old year.”¹

 

        

1914-08-05kak

“The enthusiasm of Hamilton people grows stronger and stronger as time goes on, and the series of reverses sustained by the German forces yesterday were received with shouts of jubilation as they were announced in bulletins from the Spectator office at different intervals.”

Hamilton Spectator.  August  5, 1914.

If anything, the excitement on the James street was even higher on the second day of the war as they were the night that war was declared.

The news from the war zone was more battlefield related rather than the political maneuvering which had characterized the previous evening’s bulletins.

The Spectator stereopticon views displaying the very latest news was immensely welcomed by Hamiltonians gathered on James street:

“Last night the crowds which gathered to again hear the latest news from the battlefields exceeded by far all previous records of the city, and they devoured with eager delight the details of the engagements at Liege and Vise.

“The little Belgian nation, who have hitherto been regarded as an almost insignificant factor in the terrible affair, were the heroes of the hour, for they had struck the first real serious blow at Germany’s ambition. Their capture of two regiments of soldiers and their destruction of another, was at first regarded as in the light of impossibility, but when the news was corroborated and the first details of the fight given, the crowd shouted itself hoarse with delight.”¹

¹ “Crowds Eager for News From the North Sea : Immense Throng at Spec. Office Awaited Flash : War Scene Pictures Aroused Great Enthusiasm : 91^st Band Will Play Patriotic Airs Tonight”

Hamilton Spectator.   August 5, 1914.

While the success of the Belgians in the earliest days, interest was strongest as regards what news was available about the actions of England:

“What the crowds are really waiting for is for Britain to get to work. Their confidence in the British navy is supreme, and the feeling is that the instructions from the admiralty office to the fleet to wipe out or capture the entire German navy will be carried out as soon as the two fleets come within reach of each other.

“Either the censorship is too strict, however, or else the two navies have not yet come into conflict, for there was no news of the kind the crowd desired, so in a measure, the people were disappointed.

“They cheered and cheered again at the news of the capture by the French of two German on the Mediterranean, and the sinking of another. They welcomed the intelligence that the British fleet at Gibraltar had played a part in this by heading off the German retreat westward and thus enabling the French to intercept them.

“But this was only a crumb of comfort, and nothing will satisfy them until the Spectator is able to announce that the German navy is a thing of the past and that Britain has once more demonstrated its might upon the sea.”¹

The efforts of the Spectator to use the latest technology were much appreciated by large numbers of Hamiltonians:

“The Spectator stereopticon has become quite an institution of the city, and long before it was dark enough to commence flashing bulletins on the huge screen opposite, a great mass of people had taken up their positions.

“By the time everything was ready to start, there was scarcely room to move between King and Main streets, and the great mob was cheering heartily and waving miniature Union Jacks all the while. They sang patriotic airs, and howled and hissed at everything that was German or Austrian, while the operator in the Spectator office was kept busy changing the bulletins for their consumption

“As soon as the messages came through from the special agencies of the Great Family Journal, they were quickly transformed into lantern slides and thrown on to the screen, and the people time and again showed their appreciation of the excellent service of news which the Spectator was providing.”¹

In conclusion, it was considered another very memorable occasion:

“It was another great night, and it did the heart good to see how these Hamilton folk join together so heartily in the cause of Empire.

“One thing is certain – the city is warmed up now, and the blood of the citizens flows as thickly as that of the people of the motherland itself.”¹

 

 

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“No more welcome tidings have ever been received by Hamilton people than those which flashed onto the Spectator bulletin sheet last night, telling the vast crowd that Germany had declared war on England.”

Hamilton Spectator.  August  05, 1914.

While it might have seemed more appropriate that word of England’s declaration of war on an enemy might have seemed more likely to be well-received, the crowd which had been following the developments of the past few days knew that the matter was more complicated.

The announcement that Germany had decided to start the war was a signal for an immense celebration:

“Long, loud, reverberated cheers burst from thousands of throats, and were re-echoed again and again.

“For two days, these people had kept under restraint their exuberant enthusiasm, but now they let themselves go in a manner which brought hundreds of others rushing to the scene from all parts of the city.”¹

¹ “News of the War Was Received  With Cheers : Immense Crowd at Spec. Office Roared Approval : Patriotic Scenes at Dundurn and Temple Theatre : G. F. J.’s Leased Wire Brought First Word Here.”

Hamilton Spectator.  August 5, 1914.

The celebrations were not as much that warfare was now underway, but that the enemy had been manipulated into taking blame for its beginning:

“They recognized that the home government had scored another diplomatic success.

“Premier Ascquith and his ministers had indisputably placed the onus of an open declaration of was upon the kaiser , and many of the crwd who had previously been inwardly rebelling against what they termed the hesitation of Britain to declare war now recognized the strategy by which the kaiser’s hand had been forced.

“It was now a case of Germany challenging the world, and Germany must be destroyed forever as a great naval and military power. And it only wanted England to actively support the forces of Russia and France to bring this inevitable end about.”¹

The crowd reaction when it was confirmed that Britain, and Canada, were at war with Germany was overwhelming:

“The scene which followed the welcome news was almost indescribable. Men and women cheered and shouted their loudest, and hats were flung high into the air.

“The verses of the national anthem were shone on to the screen and Hamilton witnessed the unique sight of several thousands of its citizens bursting involuntarily into the tune of the great national air as with one voice.

“The next slide – a colored patriotic device containing Nelson’s words, ‘England expects that every man will do his duty,’ never had a more enthusiastic  reception, while a huge picture of the British lion, calm, fearless and majestic, brought forth a roar full of triumph and pride.”¹

The frenzy that greeted the initial news of war being declared eventually diminished, but most the crowd near the Spectator building remained:

“So long as the bulletins from London, Paris, Berlin, Brussels and other cities of Europe continued to arrive, so long did the Spectator flash them onto the white sheet for the people to read, and so long as there was anything to wait for, the people waited.

“Finally, when the announcement was made that nothing further of importance was expected to reach Canada until the morning they dispersed, but not before the national anthem and Rule, Britannia had again been sung by a wonderful chorus of thousands of men and women, who wanted nothing better last night than to cheer for King and empire.”¹

Hamiltonians who were not into the downtown core when the news of the declaration of war by Germany was confirmed, heard the news not long afterwards.

Hamilton Mayor Allan was at his home when he was informed of the news by telephone. He decided to go to Dundurn park where he knew that many citizens were listening to a musical concert:

“The Thirteenth band was giving a band concert, and an immense crowd was listening to the music.

“There was an impressive silence as the mayor stepped forward to speak, and then when the crowd realized that Britain was really in the fight now it cut loose with enthusiasm.

“The band struck up the national anthem and Rule, Britannia, and thousands of people sang with patriotic fervor.”¹

In a scene repeated at all of Hamilton’s large vaudeville theatres, the audience at the Temple theater heard the news from the stage:

“Manager Appleton secured the news from the Spectator and then had it announced from the stage after the first act.

“The orchestra immediately played the national anthem and other patriotic airs, and there was a scene of wild enthusiasm, the audience arising almost as one to cheer and sing.”¹