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For Private John Inglis his service in the Great War was short. A resident of Hamilton’s Strachan street, Private Inglis had been among the first to volunteer with the Thirteenth in August, 1914.

However, on April 9, 1915, the soldier was back in Hamilton, invalidated home because of a serious bout of blood-poisoning, the result of an accident to him while on trench duty.

A reporter for the Hamilton Times sought out the soldier that day and the next day’s Times carried what the reporter called “an interesting story of the accident that befell him and of life in the trenches, with the bullets flying all around, injured men moaning; also of the comradeship that develops among those near one another, and on duty at the firing line.”¹

¹ “From the Trenches in Old France : Pte. John Inglis, Strachan Street Invalided Home.”

Hamilton Times .   April 10, 1915.

Private Inglis had been doing trench duty at Le Bas  just eight days, when, during a lull in the fighting, he decided to go to the rear to quench his thirst:

“After walking back in the darkness and wet, a distance of fifty yards, he stumbled into a hole made by a ‘Jack Johnson’ shell, over ten feet deep. The shell had been fired by the Germans during the day, in an effort to destroy the trenches, which were then occupied by the Canadians.

“It was drizzling rain and Private Inglis was unable to see the hole in the darkness. He yelled as he fell into the trap and was rescued immediately. It was apparent that he had been injured and he was rushed to the field aid hospital and thence transferred to the base where he was treated for injury to his stomach, which afterwards developed into blood poisoning. Realizing that it would be a long while before the soldier could do duty again, it was decided to invalid him home.”¹

In conversation with Private Inglis, the Times reporter learned of the horrors soldiers on the front line faced, such as seeing his comrades laughing and chatting with one another one minute, and the next minute seeing them writhing in pain upon being shot or struck by a shell:

“ ‘Of course, we do not see many killed. We are stretched out in the trenches and in touch only with say a dozen on either side of us. We do not walk around much in the trenches. That was dangerous as the German snipers were at work all the time.’ “¹

Private Inglis told the reporter that the Canadians displayed no nervousness or timidity when ordered into the trenches:

“ ‘Of course, the veterans of the South African war steadied us a lot. They had been there before and were not alarmed by the flying shells and rifle fire. We took courage from them and an hour after taking up our positions in a trench for the first time, we were tickled to death to be in there.

“ ‘No, the soldier doesn’t watch when he is hit. One young fellow, I don’t know where he was from, was shot through the body. He rolled over in agony and moaned a few times, and then was silent. As they were picking him up to carry him away to the hospital, he faintly murmured ‘Mother, mother.’ That was all he said, and I never heard of him again.  I don’t know what his name was but he was game to the core, and tried to smile as he was carried past us. He was shot through the body and probably fills an unmarked grave on the far off French plains now.’ ”¹

The Times reporter ended his column with his observation that while Private Inglis attempted to add some jollity to the account of his experiences in France, there was definitely more that was lingering in his memory:

“ There was a good deal of humor in the recital of events at the front by the young soldier, but through his narrative always was felt the strain of the unutterable sadness of the young men and old men, one moment gay and the next moment victims of the deadly bullet."

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Even though the majority of Hamiltonians were preoccupied with the events of the war in Western Europe, there were some elements in the city that carried on with business as usual.

The criminal element was still very much a presence in Hamilton in 1915, robbers in particular. Notably vulnerable targets of robberies were members of the city’s taxi driver population.

Such was very much the case on June 12, 1915:

“Frank Phippa, 29 Tisdale street, a taxi driver, told the police yesterday that he was thrown out of his car by three passengers at the High Level Bridge on Saturday night, and left in an unconscious condition, while the passengers drove off with his automobile.”¹

¹ “Thrown From Auto : Taxi Driver Says Passengers Heaved Him Out and Stole Auto”

Hamilton  Spectator.    June 14, 1915.

The taxi driver gave a full statement about his unnerving experience when he was interviewed by a man from the Spectator:

“Phippa claims he was hired to drive the three men to Ancaster. He did so and everything went alright until the High Level Bridge was reached on the return trip.

“Phippa can’t remember just what happened then, but he believes a bag was pulled over his head and he was tossed out on the road. When he revived, the car and the passengers had disappeared.”¹

The taxi driver indicated that he had given the police a good description of the robbers and a thorough investigation had been promised.

When the morning edition of the Spectator hit the streets, the robbers’ identities and location had not been determined, but it was discovered that the taxi cab had been found abandoned in Oakville.

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“On Thursday afternoon an official, at the east end police station, called up the residence of Sergeant Hawkins and imparted the information to a member of the household need not report for duty that night.”

Hamilton Spectator.   April 2, 1915.

For the member of Police Sergeant William Hawkins’ family, it was a surprise to hear that he was being told not to report for his upcoming shift at the police station.

It would turn that Sergeant Hawkins’ connection with the Hamilton Police department was over.

The news of what had happened was soon widely known. The city as a whole learned what had happened when the Spectator published a fiery reaction to the situation.

The article, appearing on April 2, 1915, began with an overview of just who “Bill” Hawkins was and what he had contributed to the Hamilton police force :

“Sergeant Hawkins is one of the best-equipped police officers that the city has ever had. A man of wide experience, of excellent judgment; in the prime of health; fit and capable in every way, one would suppose that it was in the best interests of the citizens and the police force itself to retain a man of that type as long as possible.

“Sergeant Hawkins joined the force thirty-two years ago next July. He has had fourteen years on the desk of the central station, and, since 1896, has been in charge of the patrol system, a service requiring a knowledge of electrical matters which the sergeant specially qualified himself at his own expense years ago.”¹

¹ “Red Tape”

Hamilton Spectator.   April 2, 1915.

It was not a case of dereliction of duty or of conduct unbecoming a member of the police force that prompted Hawkins’ sudden removal from active duty. It was the follow up to a conversation at a recent meeting of the police commissioners , reported in the local press, about Sergeant Hawkins’ status:

“Under the present rules of the police force, a man who has served at least thirty years, must retire at the age of 60 years. Sergeant Hawkins is the first victim of this foolish and arbitrary enactment.

“The regulation, by the way, does apply to the chief, to the deputy chief or to the inspectors, there is no limit for them. The manliness of police sergeants ceases automatically, under this arrangement, at 60 years, but not so with their superior officers, who can hang on until public opinion pries them from their jobs.”¹

There had been some speculation that Sergeant Hawkins’ time on the force could be extended, or some arrangement might be made whereby he might work in some clerical capacity with the force and at the same time be available to maintain and repair the patrol system as required.

Not only was the Spectator opposed to the enforced retirement of William Hawkins, there was hostility expressed as to how he was informed of his fate:

“His family was curtly notified by telephone that his 22 years’ valuable service was summarily ended. In plain English, he was ‘kicked out.’ He didn’t even have the satisfaction of a note from Sam Kent, the secretary of the police commissioners, that his term of office had expired.

“Such is the reward of faithful service as meted out by the Hamilton police commissioners.”¹

The Spectator ended its report of the retirement of Sergeant Hawkins by noing that as of April 1915, the Hamilton Police Force was the only one in Canada or the United States that had a regulation forcing retirement on members of the police force at the age of 60, excepting, of course, chiefs, deputy chiefs and inspectors.

About a week later, the Spectator was able to report that arrangements were being made to retain Bill Hawkins on the force. He was to have a desk position at the central station where he would continue to be in charge of the patrol system, plus some other unspecified duties.

The Hamilton Police commission was a three man board, comprise of the mayor, the Wentworth County judge and the police magistrate.

Hamilton Mayor Chester Walters publicly stated his position that Sergeant Hawkins was too valuable a member of the force to be placed on the pension list. Wentworth County Judge Snider expressed his agreement with the mayor and said that he was working with the mayor to resolve the matter.

It was Police Magistrate George Jelfs who was the cog in the wheel as he emphatically clung to the notion that a strict interpretation of the rules in place must be followed, with no exceptions.

In a related matter, there was a mad scramble to fill the position that Sergeant Hawkins once held, knowing that were he to remain on the force, it would be with a different status than he had previously had.

At least two of the current patrol sergeants were known to be interested in receiving a promotion. Also the police chief and the deputy chief were to be asked for their recommendations as to Hawkins’ successor.

Police Magistrate Jelfs, although a strict interpreter of the retirement regulation, questionably involved himself personally in the promotions resulting from the enforced retirement of Sergeant Hawkins:

Several members of the force had been actively canvassing for support in their efforts to be promoted

“Some old-fashioned wire-pulling is being done. All this is being done in spite of the fact that one of the rules of the department is that there is to be no solicitation for promotion by any of the men. Those who do solicit promotion are not to be considered, according to the rules.”²

² “Mad Scramble for a Vacant Police Post”

Hamilton Spectator.   April 8, 1915

 

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“The Spectator is in receipt of some very interesting letters written by Hamilton boys who are at the front”

Hamilton Spectator.    May 4, 1915.

The fighting in Western Europe had intensified dramatically in the early part of May, 1915.

For Hamiltonians, as with Canadians all across the nation, news of how the battles were going, and information about the condition of Canadian soldiers, facing the German offensive, were sparse.

However, letters from soldiers, although most were written a few weeks earlier, did provide important insights into conditions in the war zone.

Recipients of such letters were quite willing to share them for publication the local newspapers.

The Hamilton Spectator printed several letters from the front on May 4, 1915. Sometimes the letters were presented with little introduction by Spectator writers other than identifying the soldier, his unit and the recipient of the letter.

The first letter writer of the batch published that day warranted a more detailed introduction before being quoted:

“One of them, from Private Arthur Robinson to his cousin, Howard Greathead, tells of the expectations of the Canadians that they would shortly be attacked by the Germans with the bayonet. This evidently is a forecast of the big battle of last week in which so many Canadians were injured and in which Robinson himself , his name appearing in yesterday’s casualty list.

“That the Ross rifle is proving all that was claimed for it is evident from Private Robinson’s letter, for he claims that the Canadian rifle is better than all others for rapid firing and for bayonet work.

“Other letters tell of life in the trenches and of the manner in which the Canadians are adapting themselves to their new mode of living.

“Private Robinson writes as follows :

“ ‘I have time to write you a few lines before the ‘lights out’ bugle blows. We have just returned from a small town near where we are billeted and where we were addressed by the Bishop of London.

“ ‘I suppose you read about the big attack made here by the British on March 12 and 13. The Germans were defeated and driven back and there were thousands of men lost on both sides, but that attack was nothing compared to the ones that are to come and long before you receive this letter. I expect we will have attacked the Germans with the bayonet.

“ ‘Four days ago we left the trenches and mobed back ten miles from where we were, but we are still within five miles of the firing line. We have been very hard training with the bayonet and learning all the little tricks of making a charge.

“” ‘We see a lot of hot air in the papers about the Queen’s Own, from Toronto, but our battalion is figured the best in the contingent, so I do not see where they have any chance to boast.

“ ‘The Russians are doing good work and I heard today they were within 50 miles of Berlin, but I hardly believe that.

“ ‘There has been considerable kicking about the Ross rifle, but you can take it from me that there is no cause for it, and the people who are trying to belittle it should be over here to see that it is as good as any. No rifle can beat it for rapid firing and for bayonet work, and while it may not be as strong as some of the English rifles, it answers the purpose equally as well, if not better. They are made to kill Germans, all right.

“ ‘Our officers have made a name for themselves among the British as well as among ourselves. They know their business to a T. and you bet that the Germans will not catch us napping. We are all in good condition and ready to meet them.’

“In another letter dated April 5, he says:

“ ‘One night last week we were taken to the firing line to dig new trenches, and, believe me, we had some lively time. Two of our men were killed and one wounded. The bullets were flying as thick as bees. I notice that when the bullets pass beside or over your head, they seem to give a crack, and they certainly make us duck our heads.

“ ‘I have not got that German helmet for you yet, but expect to get one shortly. It is too much trouble to carry truck around when we have sixty pounds of our own baggage.

“ ‘We all knew that there is some hellish fighting to be done before long, and we are anxious to get busy and finish the job.’

“In another letter, he says:

“ ‘We have been having an easy time latterly, but we expect to be right in the thick of the fighting in a few days, and that is what we are waiting for. I believe it will be a few months yet before the war is over, but once we get going properly, I do not think it will take long to finish the Germans off.

“ ‘I just paid 22 cents for a loaf of bread, which shows that the people here know how to charge you. We received a supply of cigarettes and socks from the women of Hamilton yesterday, and you don’t know how we appreciated them. They were certainly a treat.’ ”¹

¹ Big Battle Was Expected : Canadians Were Drilled in Bayonet Work”

Hamilton Spectator.   May 4, 1915 .

Another letter published in the Spectator on May 4, 1915 was written by Sergeant Dick Hunt to Quarter-master Sergeant B. Ferguson of the Hamilton militia unit, the 13^th regiment

“Will endeavor to give yourself and the mess a little news regarding the First Contingent company, something I have intended doing for some time, but I have been so busy that I was unable to do so.

“Our battalion is billeted in farms near the scene of the last big battle. I can’t name the place, as our letters are censored.

“We have been in the trenches four times, four days and four out, and to date have been very fortunate., only losing but one captain, one corporal and four privates wounded, four of them from our company. We have a large number in the hospital, however, on the sick list.

“You would hardly recognize a lot of the fellows that left Hamilton. They are as big as elephants and quite a number are wearing English uniforms, and all of us English boots (or rather ‘boats’) which makes quite a change in appearance.

“I would like to send you a group picture, but cameras are barred. Our grub is pretty good, bully and hard tack every other day, fresh beef and bread, but no one need grumble as we are near farms all the time and can purchase eggs, chickens, bread or anything else in the eating line that we fancy.

“What is an everyday occurrence to us, I suppose, is news to you, such as airplane duels etc. At one billet, we came near losing half a company in rear of th farm we were stationed at. The Germans started shelling us, so the company made for the dugout. One shell dropped in the midst of the company, but luckily did not explode. The boys dug it out at night for a souvenir. It went sixteen feet in the ground.

“We get a hot bath every two weeks. And a change of underwear, which we need, as we get very duty sleeping in barns or in the mud in the trenches.

“The weather is now quite mild. The grass is green; trees are beginning to bud, and daisies and daffodils. The roads are drying up, so the next advance will be a lot easier.   DICK HUNT”¹

A letter brief in length was sent directly to the Spectator by Private Peter McQuay who had enlisted with the First Expeditionary force. It was written while Private McQuay was recovering from wounds in No. 2 general hospital, France :

“Just a line to let you know I am a Hamilton boy. There are seven Hamilton boys in the hospital here. We lie awake here and listen to the roar of the guns. Sorry I cannot say anything as the letters are strictly censored. So, good night. PTE.  McQUAY”¹

 

 

 

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Most reporting on the activities of Hamilton’s Italian citizens in 1915 concerned crime, use of weapons and terrible living conditions in the Italian colony, notably in the Sherman avenue north vicinity.

On June 14, 1915, a positive article appeared in the Hamilton Spectator, concerning the unusual enthusiasm displayed by the Italians of the city in their observation of the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua:

“After an early morning service, conducted St. Mary’s chapel at 8 o’clock by Rev. J. F. Bonnumi, the pastor, a parade, under the auspices of the Italian Benevolent society , led by F. Dennagio and headed by the East Hamilton Conservative Brass band, took place from the city hall to St. Anthony’s church, Clinton street.

“The church and grounds were elaborated decorated with flags and bunting, the Union Jack and the tricolor of Italy being prominently displayed and intertwined.”¹

¹ “Sons of Italy Observe Feast”

Hamilton Spectator. June 14, 1915.

So many faithful Italians attended the special service at St. Anthony’s that the church was completely filled, with a large number of people having to listen as best as possible from the grounds:

“The panegyric was pronounced by Rev. Father Bonnumi, who roused his audience to a high pitch of enthusiasm when he recounted the glorious achievements of Italy in art and arms, and painted in vivid colors the part the Italians are taking in the present war on behalf of justice and humanity.”¹

After the service, Bishop Dowling, proceeded  by 200 children and followed by the entire congregation, carried the host under a rich canopy for the outdoor procession around grounds :

“A score or more of beautiful banners, adorned with inscriptions and paintings of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin and Italian saints, were borne in the procession by members of the various church societies.

 

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It was just another day’s listing of the casualities involving local men killed, wounded or missing during battles in France. On June 14, 1915, the Hamilton Spectator listed one killed, seven wounded and one missing, all soldiers from the immediate Hamilton area.

However, the stories accompanying the list were demonstrative of the anxiety, uncertainty and heartache which families at home had to endure as they awaited definitive news about the fates of their loved ones.

Private John Sinclair, who lived with relatives at 4 Milton Avenue, Hamilton, had been a member of the 13^th regiment:

“Word was received here today, in an indirect way, that Pte. John Sinclair, who left here with the 13^th regiment quota of the first contingent, has been killed in action. This report lacks confirmation, although it is taken as authentic.

“Pte. Sinclair’s aunt, Mrs. Wilson, 4 Milton avenue, with whom he resided before leaving for the front, has corresponded regularly with her nephew, but her last letter to him has been returned with the words ‘Killed in action’ written across the face of the envelope. Pte. Sinclair’s mother resides in Scotland, and Mrs. Wilson is anxiously waiting to hear from her, as Mrs. Sinclair would be the first to receive any notice from the militia department.

“Pte. Sinclair was an employee of the Westinghouse before he enlisted for active service.”¹

¹ “John Sinclair Named Among Those Killed”

Hamilton Spectator.   June 14, 1915.

A second story behind a name published that day follows:

“The daily casualty list carries the name of Lieut. S. D. Parker, Canadian Engineers, as having been wounded.

“Lieut. Parker is well-known here, being a son of E. Parker, at one time manager of the Bank of Montreal in Hamilton. He was a student at Highfield, and graduated from there in 1980, when he entered Royal Military College, later taking a science course at McGill university.”¹

News of wounded soldiers was often conflicting, adding to the worry of loved ones at home:

“Pte. Fred Campbell, who was reported wounded some weeks ago, again appears among the list of wounded handed out today by the militia department.

“The report today is either confirmation of the former report or else is an indication that the local man recovered from the woundeds received at Langemarck and got back into action only to be wounded again.

“Pte. Campbell lived with his father and mother at 11 Sydney street, and is 25 years of age. He came here from Toronto, where he was born, some eleven years ago. He was employed by the Greening Wire company, and went to France with the 13^th regiment quota of the first contingent.”¹

The final story of the June 14, 1915 concerned a widow and the double notification she had received:

“Mrs. E. Penny, 39 Ferguson avenue north, who received word that her husband, Pte. E. Penny had been killed in action, was officially notified of the death of her husband by the war office. The message began as follows : ‘Deeply regret....’ ”¹

 

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“Constable Walter Stabel has been shorn of his uniform. His days as a sleuth are at an end, and a quarrelsome jag, which he collected yesterday afternoon, is responsible.”’

Hamilton Spectator.   June 4, 1915.

Things were not always calm and collected with the members of the Hamilton Police Force. While on duty in the public realm, good relations among members of the force were always on display. Behind closed doors, conflicts might arise but they did not hit the public’s awareness.

However, that pattern was shattered by Constable Walter Stabel, whose behavior broke the mold:

“Charged with being drunk and disorderly this morning, Stabel his fall from grace and paid a fine of $10.”¹

¹ “Stabel Must Leave Force”

Hamilton Spectator.   June 4, 1915.

Thursday June 3, 1915 was a rare day off for Constable Walter Stabel. Full days off were infrequent for Hamilton policemen in 1915. Unfortunately for Walter Stabel, he did not put his free time to positive use:

“Yesterday was his day off and he awoke with a thirst. At three o’clock in the afternoon, he called around the Central police station and engaged in an argument with Sergeant Lowery.

“ ‘I’m just as strong as you are, serge, and don’t think I ain’t,’ announced Stable, giving his superior officer a shove.

“ ‘You might be at that Stabel. I didn’t say you weren’t,’ replied the sergeant, trying to pacify him.

“ ‘And I’m just as good a man as you are, too,’ added Stabel, bestowing another poke on the sergeant’s shoulder.

“ ‘That might be, too, but don’t shove me around like that,’ shot back the sergeant.

“ ‘I’m just as strong as you are, serge, and I I can show you if I want to,’ said Stabel, and he gavethe sergeant still another push. This third push lost lost his job for him.

“ ‘I’m going to lock you up, Stabel,’ announced the sergeant – and he did, but not before he was forced to call on Sergt. Tuck to help him. Stabel raised a vigorous objection to being placed in a dinky little cooler, and he said so. Finally, he was shoved into a cell and the door banged shut on him.”¹

Word got around around as to what Stable had done, and late in the evening, enough money was raised by his friends to bail him out of jail.

Hung over and felling guilty, Stabel did show up at Hamilton Police Court the following morning. Magistrate Jelfs heard the case and imposed a guilty conviction on Stabel’s record, along with a $10 fine, plus he announced that Stabel was suspended for the Hamilton police force until his his case was discussed at the next meeting of the police commissioners.. Otherwise the magistrate made no comment.

Magistrate Jelfs was one of the three members of the Police Commissioners, and had encountered Stabel previously:

“Some months ago, two men complained to a sergeant that a policeman had kicked them out of a house on King street east. The sergeant called and found Stabel sitting on a sofa, smoking a cigar.

“The charge preferred against him was dismissed by the commissioners, Stabel maintaining that he had been called to the house by a woman who lived there, to chase the man away.

“Several weeks later, he asked a leave of absence to go to a ball game and he did not go back at night to take the night man’s place. The commissioners practically made up their minds to discharge him at that time, but his wife called on Judge Snider and pleaded that he be given another chance.

“ ‘I’ll be good, gentlemen, and I promise that I’ll make a first-class officer,’ Stabel told the commissioners – and he kept his word until yesterday.”¹

Walter Stabel appeared before the police commissioners at their meeting the following Tuesday. With little discussion, their decision was arrived at and announced – Walter Stabel’s tenure with the Hamilton Police Force was over.