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“To be wounded in the head by a bullet from the same shrapnel that killed Pte. James Duffy, the famous marathon runner, undergo an operation, have gold-plated rivets used in his skull, and to secure the bullet that caused all the trouble, has been the experience of Pte. C. Heath, one of the 91^st Highlanders, wounded in the battle of Langemarrek.”

Hamilton Spectator. May 27, 1915.

When the news of the death of Jimmy Duffy was announced, his friends in the Hamilton sporting circles, as well as fans of marathon racing, were understandably upset. Duffy’s good friend and fellow soldier received little publicity as to what happened to him in the same incident that killed the popular runner.

On May 27, 1915, the Hamilton Spectator was able to publish the contents of a letter that Heath had written to his friends in Hamilton, telling them of the manner in which he was wounded and of the complex treatment he had received for his injuries:

“His wound was of such a peculiar nature that several English newspapers published X-ray photos of it, although prevented by the military authorities from using a photo showing the bullet as it lodged in Pte. Heath’s head.”¹

¹ “Pte. Heath Had Real Experience”

Hamilton Spectator.    May 27, 1915.

The letter written by Private Heath follows :

“Dear Mr. and Mrs. Pryor : Thanks very much for the letter, was very pleased to get one. You have, no doubt, heard all about us, and the scrap we took part in, nevertheless, I guess it is up to me to say a few things about it just the same.

“I do not know what became of Almond. I have not seen him since the night of the 22^nd, the day the battle started. I am anxiously awaiting to see the casualty list. They are a long time getting it out, rather a bad sign. I am afraid we got an awful cutting up, and the list is sure to be big. Anyhow, wherever he may be, if he is still alive, let us hope that he is in good hands and being well cared for.

“You will see by my address that I’ve got something to go on with. It was like this : The French were retreating and the Germans advancing, and our orders were to stop both of them . We did, anyhow,  for the time. We were lined up two deep in half battalion, about fifty paces between each other.. This was about 10:30 p.m.

“Then we got the order to advance. We’d not gone far (our object was a wood about two miles ahead, filled with the enemy, and we have to sweep them out at the point of the bayonet.), when they began to shell us hot and strong and they got our range good. A percussion shrapnel burst on the right of our line, badly wounding Jimmy Duffy. I see by the papers he died from it. Poor Jimmy, he was a good fellow.

“Well, I got wounded by the same shell, a bullet striking me on the right hand side of the head, between the ear and eye, narrowly missing the temple. That put me out of it. I had my orders to retire to the dressing station, about a mile back of the village of St. Julien, so that is the last I saw of the boys, and when I awoke, I was on my way to Boulogne.

“They kept me there for a few days, and shipped me here. To say that I have been a lucky fellow is quite true. They put me under an operation on Saturday morning last and extracted the bullet. It was well-jammed into the skull, and, believe me, it was rather a clever bit of work getting it out. It travelled two or three inches after it struck first in an untoward position. The gash finishes at the top of the ear. It won’t show a great lot when it is healed up.

“They’ve got gold-plated rivets stuck in now. I guess wire was not strong enough. Looks kind of funny in the side of one’s nut. They change them every day. Not a very painful ordeal. How long I shall be here I am unable to say. After this, a convalescent home, then a short furlough and then the depot. Guess I’ll be up for it again. Never mind, spirits up and heads down.

“Perhaps by the time you get this we shall both shall know the fate of our friends in the 91^st, for believe me, I made some good ones there. Jack Hamilton wished to be remembered to you several times, but it seemed to slip me when writing. Saw Tim Smart the other day before the mix-up. He was all right then.

“Am sending you a Daily Mail with my photo in it. It’s not badly taken at all. You’re not to laugh at it. It’s the best they or anyone could do. The Daily Sketch were going to publish the X-ray photo of my head, but the colonel wouldn’t allow it. They took two, one from the side and the other from the back.It was a good picture, well-taken. Shall try to get one, and if it’s possible take one off that, will send one on. I’ve got the bullet – some souvenir! Wouldn’t like to lose it now.

“I don’t know that there is much more to say just now. Will let you know if Almond is in a hospital or what became of him. May hear such.

“Please convey my regards to all friends and inquirers and accept some yourselves. I hope this will find you well. Now, on the road to it myself.

“I remain your old and sincere friend.

          “Private C. Heath.”¹

 

 

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“Most of the Italians in Hamilton and the rest of Wentworth county are waiting the call to battle from their motherland.”

Hamilton Spectator.    May 24, 1915.

Italy did not enter the Great War when most of the rest of Europe entered into hostilities in August 1914.

Hamilton had been an attraction for a large number of Italian men seeking employment in 1914 and 1915.

For almost a year, these individuals had been watching the events in Europe closely, wondering whether they might be affected:

“The tidings that Italy had declared war, which were announced last night, were received with great rejoicing by the local sons of Italy. Most of the male Italian residents  are of military age and are anxious to serve their country.”¹

¹ “Sons of Italy Await the Call : Many Are Anxious to Join the Colors at Once.”

Hamilton Spectator.    May 24, 1915.

Italy was at war as of May 23, 1915, but, despite the enthusiasm of the Italians of Hamilton to serve,  the country seemed to have enough soldiers at hand, and was prepared :

“The large and splendidly equipped army of Italy will have to be reduced first. Ever since the war started, Italy has been preparing for her entrance. The result is that she now has one of the finest fighting machines in Europe. The large munitions and arms factories have been making war materials for Italy for six or seven months. They have made a large quantity of the largest artillery guns in the world.”¹

A few days previous to the formal announcement of Italy’s entry into the war, a Spectator representative had contacted L. P. Scarrone, the Italian consular agent in Hamilton. He said that if the Italian government ordered that Italians in Canada to return to their native country to serve in the army, transport  ships would be sent to New York City and Quebec for them. However, unless the Italian government formally requested that Italians in Canada were required to return home, any individual wishing to fight in that country’s army would have to pay their own way.

The eagerness of most Italians in Hamilton to join the war was high:

“One member of the Italian colony asked last night if the fighting had begun yet. Upon being told that it had not, he said: ‘I hope it begins soon. I’d give anything to be in it.’ ”¹

As of May 1915, it was estimated that there were about 2,000,000 Italians in the United States, with over 400,000 in New York City. In Canada, there were about 100,000 Italians, with about 1,500 of that number living in Hamilton. Most of those numbers were of Italian men of military age, who would be susceptible for a recall to join the military.

On June 2, 1915, after 10 days of waiting for word from the Italian government, the Italians in Hamilton received word on their status:

“All Italian reservists living in Hamilton are being notified today to hold themselves in readiness for a call to the colors. A proclamation to that effect was received here received here yesterday by L. P. Scarrone, 278 John street north, the official communication being received from the consul-general in Montreal, Cavaller G. Chilesotti.

“The notice received by Mr. Scarrone, who is acting for the Italian government in this city, is but a forerunner to the call to arms which will come shortly. The intimation that the call will come shortly has been given in order that all reservists may settle their affairs before the royal decree comes

“ The official notice to Mr. Scarrone is as follows : ‘A general mobilization of the Italian army having been proclaimed, I ask you to notify all the inscript of the pending class and the soldiers of the class undermentioned that they must be ready to leave for the kingdom as soon as notice will be given (within a few days). The transportation on land sea will be at the charge of the royal government.’ ”²

² “Italy Calls Her Sons to the Colors : Twenty Thousand Reservists Expected From Dominion”

Hamilton Spectator.   June 2, 1915.

The classes of reservists to be called were printed in the Spectator, mainly in Italian as per the request.

“They were as follows “Esercito Permanente – Fanetria di Linea and Alpini classi from 1888 to 1895. Artigiera de Fortezza and da costa from 1887 to 1895. Cavalieria, Artigiera, Genio, Corpi dei varii servizi military corpi ospedale sanitari in genere 1886 to 1895. Aviatori Militari classes from 1890 to 1895. Guardie di Finanza and Bersagilieri from 1886 to 1895. Carabinieri classes from 1895 to 1895. Granattieri classes from from 1889 to 1895.

“Cilizia Mobile – Guardie di Finanza from 1882 to 1885. Alpini from 1882 to 1883. Cavalileria, Artigieria, Genio, Corpi sanitari and altri servizi from 1882 to 1885.

“Territoriale- Guardie di Finanza e Carabinieri from 1876 to 1881. Tutti gii altri corpi from 1876 to 1881.

“The ufficiali de compliment shall leave immediately. On arrival in Italy they will be refunded their travelling expenses and will receive their indemnity of Campaign.

“The Omessi de Lava and the Renitenti will be exempt of punishment if they will answer promptly to the appeal.”²

1915-05-08eb

As concern about the fighting at the front was at fever pitch in early May 1915, there was very little definitive up-to-the-minute information about the situation.

However, letters from Hamilton soldiers to their parents were arriving in the city. As all letters had to pass through censors before even being put on ships to bring them to Canada, the letters were written 2 to 3 weeks before arrival in Hamilton.

The Spectator of May 8, 1915 printed three of those recent arrivals:

“Private William Tribeck, who has been reported wounded, writing to his parents in this city says:

“ ‘I read a Canadian paper recently about the brave fight put up by the Canadians at Neuve Chapelle. I think that paper was dated before the battle came off. I think the war will soon be over. It looks as if the allies have got Kaiser Bill on the ropes now.

“ ‘Still out of the trenches. My feet are pretty sore from marching a lot. That tobacco was welcome. The country’s beginning to look pretty summery around here now.

“ ‘Your loving son,  Will’

“Pte. William Leishman, who has been reported wounded, has written an interesting letter to his wife, who resides at 144 Burlington street east.

The letter, in part, which was written on April 14 follows :

“ ‘Just a line from the scene of the worst fighting that eyes ever looked upon. I am safe and sound, and am looking forward to the day when I will see you again.

“I don’t think the war will last till the end of the year as the Germans are on the run. We have some of them in our hospital, wounded, and they seem to be glad to be with us. One fellow said he had lived in Toronto before the war and he could speak good English He said the German officers didn’t like Canadian soldiers for coming to England’s aid, and I can believe him for the Germans do not give us any rest when they know we are near.

“ ‘I saw a fight in the sky this morning, just when we were going in to the hospital. It was a French aeroplane fighting a German one. It was awful to see the two men falling from the sky, but all is fair in war.

“ ‘We are all in the best of spirits and confident  that the Germans are getting more than they can take.

“ ‘It is spring here now, so we will be able to travel a little faster than we have been doing. I would like you to see the state of things here. Poor women and children, old and young, walking along the road, wee tots just hanging to their mother’s skirts, crying, some with a piece of dry bread in their wee hands. They sleep by the roadside at night and walk all day till they reach a town and then some one takes them in.’

“ ‘Mrs. Adam Murray, 109 Gertrude street, has received the following letter from her son, John, who is on the firing line in Belgium. He enlisted as a staff signaler with the 91^st.

“ ‘ We are now back billeted in a large city in Belgium. Of course, I can’t tell you the name of it, mother, but I can tell you this city has seen more fighting since the war started than any other place.

“ ‘The Germans have been driven back from this town. It is within easy range of their big guns, though, and they are constantly shelling it. The only thing to do when they start shelling is to go down into the cellars of their houses. Most of the shells are falling around a beautiful cathedral in the middle of the city. So you see it is almost suicidal to go around the center of the town. During the last three days there have been 150 casualties in this place from shell fire, some of them kiddies.

“ ‘One thing which tickled us happened two days ago. The 5^th Infantry division charged the German trenches and took a hill and three lines of trenches at the point of the bayonet; also two thousand German prisoners were escorted into this town, previous to being sent to England. Well, the Germans started to bombard the place. One of their shells came over and burst among the prisoners, killing and wounding around thirty. That was a good one against themselves, wasn’t it?

“ ‘The trenches we were in before we were moved up to this position were very healthy. They were fixed almost like an underground town – just a network of communication trenches and traverses.

“ ‘The trenches we have just taken over, however, are not so healthy. We took them over from the French, and while they they were there, they charged the Germans three times, but were driven back every time, leaving their dead between their trenches and the German trenches about 70 years away. Besides the French dead, there is a bunch of German dead. You see, from time to time, the Germans were caught out repairing their barbed wire and were shot. The bodies have been there about two months, so you will know conditions are not very fresh. However, a hundred pounds of chloride of lime will soon fix that.

“ ‘Last time the regiment was in the trenches, we lost three killed and about twelve wounded. However, we don’t worry about that. Somehow we have got used to it and think nothing about it.

“ ‘The weather is lovely, fine warm sun and blue sky, just like the climate at home. I believe it will be warmer here in summer than it is in Canada.

“ ‘ The latest rumor is that Italy has declared war on the Germans. I don’t know whether it is true or not. The last old country paper was two days oldd.

“ ‘Love to all – Your loving son – JOHNNIE.’ ” ¹

¹ “Worst Slaughter Eyes Have Seen : Hamilton Men Tell of Scenes of Horror.
          Hamilton Spectator.   May 8, 1915

 

 

1915-04-02ww

It was just a brief article in the Hamilton Times of April 2, 1915, but it raised questions about the existence of child labor, long after it supposedly had passed from the scene in the Hamilton area:

“Mary Adams, an eleven-year-old Dundas girl, was very severely injured this morning in a manner which will likely make trouble for someone.

“The child, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Adams, was at work in the factory of the Dundas Fruit Package Company. She was working on some of the smaller parts, and went over to a machine which cut those parts to get more stuff. In getting it, her hand came in contact with a knife and she lost a thumb and two fingers.”¹

¹ “Girl Maimed : Lost Thumb and Two Fingers Working in Factory”

Hamilton Times.    April 2, 1915

Dundas physician Dr. Bertram treated the young girl immediately after the incident, and she was then sent into Hamilton to the City Hospital.

The accident raised concerns:

“There is a good deal of talk about a girl of eleven working in a factory of that sort. It is said that other children have been allowed to work at dangerous occupations during the Easter holidays.”¹

 

1915-04-01ww

 

“Mr. Ernest Taylor, the well-known Italian interpreter, stated this morning that, in his opinion, the police should search all houses of foreigners and remove any firearms they find in them.”

Hamilton Times.   April 1, 1915.

Ernest Taylor, fluent in Italian, was a frequenter attendee at the Hamilton Police Court and the Wentworth County Court House. His services were needed when those charged with crimes were unable to speak in any other language than Italian.

Referring to a recent murder case in which he had been in attendance to provide translation services, Taylor made the following statement:

“ ‘I do not believe that Ruffini would have shot Cataleno Milano had there been a strict watch kept on the foreigners for weapons,’ said Mr. Taylor. ‘Last Saturday a knife fight among two Italians placed one man in the hospital and another in jail. I believe that  the police should search all the houses in the east end and remove all weapons they find in them.’”¹

¹ “Search Them All : Weapons Too Common Among East End Foreigners”

Hamilton Times.   April 1, 1915.

The Times reporter on duty at the Police Court on April 1, 1915 found Taylor’s view and did some investigating :

“ A glance at the police court records would seem to substantiate this as in nearly every foreign case that comes before the Magistrate, it is shown that some kind of weapon has been drawn, whether it be a knife or revolver.

“In a case today, Rocco Vacco was accused of threatening his brother Vincenzo Vacca with a shot gun and had the case been more serious, another murder might have been the result.”¹

1915-04-09rr

“After a long sickness and a stay in a hospital in England, Alexander Davidson, 553 Barton street east, arrived in this city with several other soldiers.`

Hamilton Times.   April 9, 1915.

For Alexander Davidson , his experiences as a soldier overseas did not involve combat at the front:

``Davidson enlisted with the first contingent, and while at Salisbury Plain was taken ill.``¹

¹ “Soldiers Back from England Talk to Times : A Bunch of Canadian Soldiers Reached Hamilton This Morning.”

Hamilton Times.   April 9, 1915 .

For Davidson, like so many other Hamiltonians who had immediately enlisted during the excitement of August, 1914, he was sent off from the city amid huge cheering crowds at the train station. He then had undergone extensive training at Valcartier, Quebec and had endured the ocean crossing to get to England.

Upon disembarking the troop ship in England,  he and his fellow soldiers on that voyage were marched to Salisbury Plain for further training until they would be sent across the English Channel en route to the front.

While at Salisbury Plain, and just before he was to be sent to the trenches, Davidson became seriously ill with bronchial pneumonia:

``When spoken to this morning by a Times reporter, he was rather downcast over his inability to get to the front, and even now is in such condition that he will likely have to go to the hospital.

“ ‘The great trouble was the water and mud at Salisbury’ said Davison, and attributed his sickness to this. ‘When we were sleeping in tents, there was no sickness, but as soon as the huts were built, meningitis, pneumonia and rheumatism put in an appearance. This may have been caused by the manner in which the huts were built, as none of us were skilled carpenters, and in many of the huts, large chinks let in the wind and water. There is not much to say about the mud. I have read enough about that, but when I say it was often over our knees, you can understand our position.

“When asked about the food, Mr. Davidson said it was fine at Valcartier, but worse at Salisbury. ‘The jam we got at Salisbury was really funny,’ he said, ‘You did not know whether  you were eating jam or chop suey. Vegetables and egg shells were in that jam, and the meat was bad. There was trouble over it, and graft was charged, and latterly the food was greatly improved.”

“Davidson said that his throat was bad and that he intended to go into the hospital here. ‘I want to go back, though,’ he said, and he stated that he intended urging all his friends to enlist.”¹

Davidson was not the only Hamilton soldier to return to the city that morning. A. J. Brider was among the arrivals, along with three or four other soldiers:

“ ‘I am feeling pretty sick,’ Brider said when seen at his home at 13 Smith avenue. ‘I contracted muscular rheumatism from sleeping between damp sheets in the huts and this stopped me from going to the front. Although we had plenty to eat, our sleeping quarters were nearly always damp and the wind and weather blew in through chinks in the walls. They kept us there until most of us felt sick – if not physically, mentally – but when word came out that some we to go  to the front, all the boys were eager to be off, and I am sure they will make a showing against the Germans.’ ”

Unlike Alexander Davidson, A. J. Brider expressed no intention to return to duty across the ocean, saying that he only wanted to rest up and hopefully be rid of his rheumatism.

 

1915-04-09rr

“After a long sickness and a stay in a hospital in England, Alexander Davidson, 553 Barton street east, arrived in this city with several other soldiers.`

Hamilton Times.   April 9, 1915.

For Alexander Davidson , his experiences as a soldier overseas did not involve combat at the front:

``Davidson enlisted with the first contingent, and while at Salisbury Plain was taken ill.``¹

¹ “Soldiers Back from England Talk to Times : A Bunch of Canadian Soldiers Reached Hamilton This Morning.”

Hamilton Times.   April 9, 1915 .

For Davidson, like so many other Hamiltonians who had immediately enlisted during the excitement of August, 1914, he was sent off from the city amid huge cheering crowds at the train station. He then had undergone extensive training at Valcartier, Quebec and had endured the ocean crossing to get to England.

Upon disembarking the troop ship in England,  he and his fellow soldiers on that voyage were marched to Salisbury Plain for further training until they would be sent across the English Channel en route to the front.

While at Salisbury Plain, and just before he was to be sent to the trenches, Davidson became seriously ill with bronchial pneumonia:

``When spoken to this morning by a Times reporter, he was rather downcast over his inability to get to the front, and even now is in such condition that he will likely have to go to the hospital.

“ ‘The great trouble was the water and mud at Salisbury’ said Davison, and attributed his sickness to this. ‘When we were sleeping in tents, there was no sickness, but as soon as the huts were built, meningitis, pneumonia and rheumatism put in an appearance. This may have been caused by the manner in which the huts were built, as none of us were skilled carpenters, and in many of the huts, large chinks let in the wind and water. There is not much to say about the mud. I have read enough about that, but when I say it was often over our knees, you can understand our position.

“When asked about the food, Mr. Davidson said it was fine at Valcartier, but worse at Salisbury. ‘The jam we got at Salisbury was really funny,’ he said, ‘You did not know whether  you were eating jam or chop suey. Vegetables and egg shells were in that jam, and the meat was bad. There was trouble over it, and graft was charged, and latterly the food was greatly improved.”

“Davidson said that his throat was bad and that he intended to go into the hospital here. ‘I want to go back, though,’ he said, and he stated that he intended urging all his friends to enlist.”¹

Davidson was not the only Hamilton soldier to return to the city that morning. A. J. Brider was among the arrivals, along with three or four other soldiers:

“ ‘I am feeling pretty sick,’ Brider said when seen at his home at 13 Smith avenue. ‘I contracted muscular rheumatism from sleeping between damp sheets in the huts and this stopped me from going to the front. Although we had plenty to eat, our sleeping quarters were nearly always damp and the wind and weather blew in through chinks in the walls. They kept us there until most of us felt sick – if not physically, mentally – but when word came out that some we to go  to the front, all the boys were eager to be off, and I am sure they will make a showing against the Germans.’ ”

Unlike Alexander Davidson, A. J. Brider expressed no intention to return to duty across the ocean, saying that he only wanted to rest up and hopefully be rid of his rheumatism.