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On Saturday afternoon, April 3, 1915, a Hamilton postman jaunted up the steps of 119 Florence street to deliver two letters to the occupant, Mrs. W. R. Feast.  Private James Turnbull, was not her son, but he spent so much time at her home, it seemed like he was. James was part of the Canadian fighting forces on the front in Western Europe.

One of the letters was from her son, it was a brief, but cheery note :

“Dear Ma:

 “ I received your letter, and almost three or four others, but have not had time to answer, and moreover I cannot write here as often as I used to. Just tell the girls, I am writing them from the trenches, but the trenches here are not like the trenches I wrote about last winter. They are as comfortable as can be, and more than I expected. You want to know why I went away and that you miss me so much. Well, how was I to know? I guess I have found out quite a bit by coming, eh?

“Well, I guess that will be all for this time, so goodbye.

“Private James Turnbull”

The second letter received by Mrs. Feast that Saturday afternoon had been written the day following the other note.

It read:

“My dear Madam:

“It is with the greatest sorrow I write to inform you of the death of Pte. James Turnbull. The lad was shot through the heart on the morning of the 12^th inst. Nature was good to him, as he suffered no pain during the short time he lived after being shot.

“He was a great favorite with the men and was full of spirit during the whole time he was here. His personal affects will be sent to his next of kin through headquarters’ staff. His body lies in the Canadian burial plot on the Rue Petillon, almost in front of the village of Cin Blauch, France.

“The very fact that the boy died in the defense of civilization and his mother country will be a great solace for your sorrow.

“If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to ask for it.

“I am your obedient servant,

“Capt. Frank Morrison.”

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In 1915 Hamilton, there was “The Promenade.”

In the evenings, young men and women would walk along a specified route to see and be seen.

In April, 1915, the route of the Promenade had been slightly altered:

“Previously, the ‘girls’ and boys in the evening promenaded on James street, from Hughson to King, and then down to Catharine street, now they slowly parade to Barton street, mostly back and forth in front of the Armories – especially the girls.”¹

¹ “New Promenade : The Line Has Been Extended Past the Drill Hall”

Hamilton Times.   April 5, 1915.

The major reason for the promenade route adjustment was the heavily-increased activity at the Armories on James street north with hundreds of troops training and being boarded there.

For many of the young ladies of Hamilton, a chance to see a dashing soldier in uniform was irresistible:

“That they have taken a liking to the soldiers can be seen at a glance, hardly a khaki-clad lad but has a fair damsel clinging trustingly to his arm, smiling when he swells out his chest and salutes the passing officers.”¹

A reporter for the Hamilton Times shared what he had noticed on The Promenade during the spring evening of April 4, 1915:

“A rather interesting scene was witnessed last evening.

“Three soldiers journeyed down as far as Picton street, where they stood gossiping on the corner.

“A buxom colored woman came along, going sedately west on Picton. The boys, on the spur of the moment, framed up a practical joke.

“One accosted her, and though she did not take kindly  to the white man, she allowed him to walk by her side. They had hardly gone any distance when his three companions rushed up to him.

“One, in strident tones, accused him of being a spy and ordered the others to place him and his companion under arrest. The maid was frightened for a few moments, then with a deft movement of her hand, she sent the soldier spinning into the ditch, at the same time running up the street, much to the edification of the soldiers, who followed her flight with ringing peals of laughter.”¹

 

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The confusion of warfare was certainly true at the front as regards the soldiers unaccounted for  - who had been wounded and was in need of being transported from the battlefield,, who had been killed, who had been taken prisoner.

For loved ones thousands of miles away, the confusion was even worse.

At first the family of Lieutenant William Colquhoun were informed, by cablegram, that he was missing. Attempts to find out more information were not answered immediately, understandably as absolute information was simply not known.

Ten days after the first notification had been received by the Colquhoun family William was missing, they had still received any definite news.

However, on March 16, 1915, the Associated Press published a story which appeared to be authentic. The source of the information was a wounded Canadian soldier, Private H. Morden of the Princess Patricia’s Own Light Infantry. Morden was one of the first wounded Canadian soldiers to be transported to the Duchess of Connaught’s Canadian hospital at Clivedon, England:

“The fighting a around St. Eloi was the hardest corner, says Morden. Private Morden says Lieut. Colquhoun met his death undoubtedly by wandering into a German trench when out sniping, because when the King’s Royal Rifles eventually turned the German’s out of the trenches, they found Lieut. Colquhoun’s dead body there with seven wounds.”¹

¹ “Body of Colquhoun Found in the Trench : After British Rifles Had Forced the Enemy to Vacate”

Hamilton Times.   March 16, 1915.

The Colquhoun family read the report with great concern:

“Barton Lodge, the home of Mrs. Colquhoun, was terribly upset over the sad news this morning. Mrs. Colquhoun, who has kept up bravely under the distressing conditions of the past few weeks, while fearful that the news of today is true, stated that she would continue to hope until she received official word.”¹

The Hamilton Times published an editorial on Lieutenant Colquhoun on also March 16, 1915:

“His sorrowing mother and other relatives have the melancholy satisfaction of now knowing his fate, untimely though his end has been, they have the proud satisfaction of that he died a noble death while fighting for King and country. Had he lived, he would have been honoured by the King, in death, he leaves behind him an example and inspiration to every youth in Canada. May the glorious circumstances of his death help in some way to assuage the grief of his mother for the loss of a chivalrous son.”²

² “The Late Lieut. Colquhoun”

Hamilton Times.   March 16, 1915.

Three days later, the Times published a letter from Sergeant John Anderson, who told of actually finding Lieut. Colquhoun’s body.

William Colquhoun was not only a tall man, six feet, four inches, but also a man who was considered one of the bravest, and dearest, of the officers in the vicinity:

“When the trench was captured, Colquhoun was not to be seen. Mr. Anderson was one of a party, who found his body a little later, literally riddled with bullets, as well as several bayonet wounds”³

³ “Hamilton Man Found Colquhoun’s Body”

Hamilton Times.  March 19, 1915.

That day, Mrs. Colquhoun received three cablegrams. The first was from Lieutenant Colquhoun’s wife who was in England, stating that any reports of her husband’s death should be taken as being unreliable. The second was from Col. Farquahar, the commanding officer of the Princess Patricia’s, who told Mrs. Colquhoun that he was convinced that her son was not killed, but that he had been taken prisoner. The third was from the Duchess of Connaught to express her sympathy and to express her hope that the lieutenant might still be alive.”⁴

⁴ “ Lieut. Colquhoun : Mother Gets Cablegram That Reports of Son’s Death Are Unavailable”

Hamilton Spectator.   March 19, 1915.

On March 30, 1915, Mrs. Colquhoun received an official cablegram indicating that her son was alive, and was in a citadel of Metz, where he was being held a prisoner of war. The cable also contained the news that Lieutenant Colquhoun had indeed been wounded, but he was recovering.

 

 

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“Acting on the suggestion of a number of prominent citizens, who have been assured of the support and co-operation of the local press, Mayor Walters announced today that he would call a meeting on Wednesday night in the city council chamber.”

Hamilton Spectator.   March 6, 1915.

It was a meeting to which invitations would be sent to representative men and women interested in patriotic matters, and the object of the meeting would be to launch an appeal for funds.

The funds would go to provide comforts for the Hamilton men fighting on the front, comforts not part of the usual things provided to soldiers:

“From the moment that men begin to move on active service, their needs multiply and the responsibilities of the officers increase accordingly. Many emergencies arise which make demands upon the private purses of the officers who are all concerned in being able to keep the men in the best of condition mentally and physically.”¹

¹ Citizens Will Honor Colonel and His Men : Public Meeting to Raise Fund for Comfort of Boys of 19^th Battalion”

Hamilton Spectator.    March 6, 1915.

While the idea was initially for the soldiers of Hamilton’s Highland Regiment, the idea might not stop there:

“If the appeal meets with a response that justifies it, the fund will be amplified to take in any contingents that have already gone from here, and which may go in the future.”²

² “Comfort Fund For Our Men”                 

Hamilton Times.   March 6, 1915

The meeting was held on Wednesday afternoon, March 10, 1915 with over 100 people in attendance:

“If the enthusiasm manifested by a large number of representative citizens at a public meeting held in the council chamber of the city hall for the purpose of launching a campaign for the raising of a fund to be used for the purchase of additional comforts for Hamilton soldiers who have gone or may go to the front during the present war, may be taken as an indication of the general opinion of the citizens, there is little doubt that the movement will rapidly become a popular one, and that a large amount of money will be subscribed in a short time.”³

³ “Campaign for All Hamilton Men : Money Will Be used to Further Efficiency and Comfort of Soldiers”

Hamilton Spectator. March 11, 1915.

The mayor assumed the role as chair of the meeting, and he began it by explaining the purpose of the gathering. He also announced that the Hamilton Parks Board had kicked off the fund will a donation of $100 and that offers have been received from the 13^th Battalion Band, the Hamel Sisters and the Hamilton Orchestral Society to hold fund-raising concerts.

The mayor said the following in rousing the spirit of those in attendance :

“ ‘This is a year of self-sacrifice, but the personal financial sacrifice we who remain at home are called on to make is as nothing compared to the sacrifices our Hamilton boys are making at the front. Only this afternoon, I was informed by our splendid citizen, Sir John Gibson, that his son had been wounded in battle. It is up to every Hamilton citizen to give liberally to this fund.’ ” ³

The mayor had heard statements that the fund should be organized and run by the military, but he disagreed:

“ ‘  This should be a campaign for the citizens and a citizen committee should handle it. Now I am willing to act on a committee if you see fit to appoint me,’ said his Worship, and a provisional committee was established.”⁴

⁴ “Comfort Fund to Include All Hamilton Men : Who Have Given Their Services For the Defense of the Principles of Liberty”

Hamilton Times.   March 11, 1915.

After a number of speeches, the following resolution was presented by H. C. Beckett, seconded by J. R. Close :

“That a subscription list be opened for the purpose of raising a fund to provide the means of furthering the efficiency, health and comfort of the soldiers who have gone or may go from Hamilton, and that it be known as the Hamilton Active Service Emergency Fund.”³

(To be Continued)

 

1915-03-14sh

The craze had been going too long, and the minister preaching at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church on March 14, 1915 wanted to see it ended.

The craze was the dancing craze, and the visiting minister, Rev. Dr. Eakin, of Toronto, felt that the craze was indicative of a larger issue:

“He referred to the indifference in serious matters of the rising generation, and urged all in his audience to think more of the future. He stated that Jesus referred to the condition of indifferent men and women as folly, and as a stumbling block in the way of progress.”¹

¹ “Dancing Craze : Dr. Eakin Alluded to It in St. Paul’s Pulpit Yesterday”

Hamilton Times.   March 15, 1915.

A reporter for the Hamilton Times was in attendance at the large church on James street south and was able to capture a key portion of the sermon for the paper’s readers :

“ ‘The care of your soul,’ said the speaker. ‘ should be your first consideration. If you do not care whether you are damned or not, it is not only yourself that you are sending down, but others. It is awesome when we think of man’s dependency on one another. Your every action bears fruit and may have a big influence on the lives of others.

“ ‘I want all young people to bear this in mind. You may think you are merely individuals, and that what you do does not concern anyone but yourself. You are not mere atoms, separated from everybody else. Others depend on you and your actions, especially if they are bad, go out from you until at last they are seen at the great white throne and in outer darkness.

“ ‘In a book I have just read, a man is giving his attention to children, and he states that he wants to show them that they are not mere individuals, but have their places in the great procession of progress, and that should they go wrong, they block and choke up this procession more than they know. Men are the dynamos in God’s history, and they either make it or mar it.

“ ‘A minister in Toronto, referring to the dance craze, compares the devotees of it as a silly and giddy race. I am not here to condemn dancing, although I believe that he is right. I do not wish to condemn laughter or anything that is joyful for that is good, but I will say that pleasure with some people is a drug or bad habit. In the city where I live, which I believe is no worse than any other city of its size, and I do not wish to condemn it, I have seen young men and women going into places of amusement at 2 o’clock in the morning.

“ ‘They are intoxicated with it. If we see a man drunk with intoxicating liquors in the morning, we say that man is near the end of his rope, and yet, is he any worse than these others? Life is not a round of pleasure, and the young people should think more of Him, who suffered so much for this world. Until the time when people become more serious-minded, the world will be no better, but when the time comes that they pay more attention to their actions, then will the Kingdom of Christ of this earth be close at hand.

“ ‘We should remember that we are immortal, not mortals. Our life does not end when we shuffle off this mortal coil. Yet this should not be our only reason for following the teachings of the great Master. If we are unselfish, we should be good if only for the example we show to others, to help the weaker brother in the stern battle of life. And it is a stern battle, and when the people begin to realize the serious side of this, the world will be brighter and better than ever.’ ”

 

1915-03-04ta

“In an address ringing with patriotism, John R. Robinson, editor of the Evening Telegram, of Toronto, addressed the Canadian Club last evening.”

Hamilton Times.  March 4, 1915.

In his stirring speech, John Robinson whipped up the patriotism of a large crowd who came out to hear him speak in the tea room of G. W. Robinson and company’s store on James street south.

Of the many speakers who had addressed the Hamilton Canadian Club, John Robinson’s forceful and eloquent speech titled England, Defender of Freedom was exceptionally memorable.

Robinson’s memories of being in England during the fateful night when Britain declared war, and his analysis of why Britain went to war were listened to with rapt attention:

“Mr. Robinson is a man of unique personality and has the courage of his convictions, one who has been aptly described as ‘a man who exhibits industry, clear-cut views, unflinching courage and the wisdom of a born journalist.’

“His auditors were enthralled as the beautiful word pictures of the speaker fell upon their ears and a most hearty vote of thanks was rendered him.”¹

¹ “Editor Spoke to Canadian Club : Stirring Patriotic Address by John R. Robinson”

Hamilton Spectator.   March 4, 1915.

Mr. Robinson’s speech used as his basis the experiences he had while in England at the outbreak of the war, the mobilization which took place in that country and how the British people felt with regard to the war.

In part, he said :

“ I was born to a heritage of Britain and Canada, and I will die with the same heritage unchanged. Our hearts are with the men on the field , on the ships, in the trenches in France and Belgium, and with the allies on the plains of Poland. Our hearts are with the men fighting for freedom founded on British liberty.

“ ‘ Canada has soldiers, many of whom will return heroes, while many will die on the fields of Belgium and France, and many in the hospitals on sick beds.

“ ‘Humanity above all flags! Freedom above all nations! We are friends to Britain because we are friends to mankind. WE have been taunted with the fact that Canada is no nation. Nationality does not evolve around money-changers, or those who buy and sell to get gain, or around those who ride around in autos with double chins.

“We realize the privileges of nationality, and England showed what people comprised the nation when she selected between honor and dishonor, between shame and glory.

“ ‘I missed a great deal, not being on Trafalgar Square on the night of the declaration of war against Germany, when England entered into the worst war in history, and most religious war that has ever been fought.

“ ‘ I was away in a little village in Sussex where the cows come home from pasture – just as the cows do in Beverly Township – a little place within sight of Battle Abbey, where William the Conqueror fought, and he will be the last William and the last man by any name that will ever invade England.

“ ‘The people have faith in the British navy, which was on the North Sea that night, as it is on the North Sea tonight – the greatest body of ships that has ever floated since Noah’s Ark grounded on Mount Ararat

“ ‘ Everywhere you could see the naval reservists and the men going to join Kitchener’s army; going away to the tune of mouth organs in their plain clothes.  This will always hold a place in my recollection of the war. These men were marching to war with the music from the mouth organ. They were marching to the holiest war that has ever been found in their plain clothes – the grandeur of the common people.

“ ‘I saw the country turned from a haven of peace to the hell of war. England is as much today the land of tortured hearts as Belgium is the land of tortured bodies. Woman are mourning for the dead and are anxious for the living.

“ ‘In this war, the women are proving themselves help mates of the men. England has shown herself once more a great people. They inherit the tradition of sacrifice and service. England has taught her people to be her servants, not, as with too many in Canada where we say how much can I get out of Canada; but how much can I serve England.

“ ‘The British hate war and love peace, but they went to war because they hated Germany, who hated them because they loved freedom. This is a fight for freedom.’ ” ²

² “Why Britain Went to War : John R. Robinson, of Toronto, to the Canadian Club.”

Hamilton Times.   March 4, 1915

 

 

1915-03-06yd

“Though the Ninth Division Court sat only a week ago, there was another long list for hearing yesterday, Judge Monck presiding.”

Hamilton Times.    March 6, 1915.

March 5, 1915 was an exceptionally busy day at the Wentworth County Court House in downtown Hamilton.

So busy was it that a change had to be made inside the building:

“(The court session) was held in the County Council  Chambers, the big court room being in use by the County Court. The seating capacity was taxed to its limit and it was necessary to place some of the witnesses in His Honor’s chambers until called.”¹

¹ “Unique Case in the Division Court Yesterday”

Hamilton Times. March 6, 1915.

Although Judge Monck was in charge of court proceedings that day, another judge, Judge Snider was also present to give assistance.

The addition of another judge was not enough for every case on the docket to be dealt with:

“This occasioned considerable comment, and now the lawyers are not only hoping for more room, but also for another judge. They say there was too much work for the two judges”¹

Of all the cases heard that day, there was one that was of particular interest:

“Walter Waterbury sued the estate of  the late William Hossack for $45.60, money due, it was alleged for the death of a cow from tuberculosis”¹

Waterbury had bought the cow thirteen months previously at an auction sale. After killing the animal and selling the carcass to a butcher, it was discovered that the cow had tuberculosis. Waterbury refunded the purchase price to the butcher, but then placed a suit against the individual from whom he originally had bought the cow.

Mr. W. H. McClemont, appearing for the defendant, argued that it was impossible to tell when a cow had tuberculosis until it was cut up by a butcher. It was also possible, the lawyer argued, that the cow did not have the disease when sold but had contracted it while in the plaintiff’s possession.

Judge Monck had never had such a case before him so he reserved judgement, partially in the hope that the participants in the matter could settle their differences out of court.