1916-06-29oo

 

       “The protests of the workers against the daylight-saving scheme and those who framed it have not been altogether in vain.”

Hamilton Herald.   June 29, 1916.

It had been tried for the first time in Hamilton the previous year, but when it was about to be continued again in 1916, opposition was strong.

Municipalities had been given the option of agreeing to the Daylight Saving scheme or not agreeing to it.

In 1915, Hamilton City Council had agreed to give it a trial, particularly as the idea had seemed to be successful in Great Britain, France and many other European countries, as well as in several cities in the United States.

However, as reported in the Hamilton Herald of June 29, 1916, there was concerted opposition to another imposition of Daylight Saving time:

“Members of the city council, during the last few days, have had it forcibly impressed upon them  that ‘shoving the hands of the clocks ahead one hour and forgetting about it’ wasn’t so easy and so wonderfully successful as they prophesied. The aldermen have a healthy idea that it has proved a sorry fizzle, and that its continuation might have a buzz-saw effect next election day.”¹

¹“Get Plebiscite on Daylight Saving.”

Hamilton Herald.   June 29, 1916.

Alderman Hodgson who had suggested the day-light saving scheme to council in 1915 publicly admitted that he had been “severely panned and criticized for being the one who had started the “fad”:

“ ‘There is a great deal of dissatisfaction in my ward and throughout the entire east end,’ said the alderman this morning. ‘I do intend to add one iota to the burden of the workingmen, and, now that it has proven a burden, I will admit that we have made a mistake.’ ”¹

 

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The issue of the Spectator, published the day after the formation of the Hamilton Recruiting League, not only carried an article about the organizational meeting, but an editorial strongly endorsing the league’s goal:

“Nearly a year has passed since the war began, and during most of that time the only difficulty was to repress the eagerness of the young men who wanted to go to the front. Those who were accepted considered themselves fortunate, and those who were not were accordingly disappointed. The pressure to enlist has now slackened, and indeed some difficulty is being found in securing the necessary number of men for the latest enrollment. Special means, therefore, are now to be taken to stimulate interest in the movement, and to arouse possible recruits to a sense of their duty.

“It is not the lack of courage which hinders the springing forward of our young men in undiminished numbers. After every reverse, whatever the slaughter, the rush to enlist is renewed. The whole trouble is lack of interest. Those naturally inclined to a military life have either gone forward already or been rejected on medical grounds. Among those who remain of suitable age, the question is simply one of stern duty, which may or may not be faced as it should be now that the war has become somewhat monotonous, and there is much nearer to distract attention. On one side are business connections, families, etc; on the other side of the obligations of patriotism. On which side will the call be louder? On the side of patriotism, it will not be the louder until steps have been taken to paint in impressive colors the reality of the situation.

“In Great Britain, the duty to enlist has been set forth in a great variety of ways – by public meetings addressed by well-known speakers, by skillfully framed advertisements, by cartoons, by social pressure, etc. The result is that Kitchener’s army is at least ten times as large in proportion to population as all the contingents that have yet been formed in Canada. If Canada were doing as well as Great Britain, we should have at least half a million men in the field or in training, instead of not much more than a hundred thousand. The war is just as much ours as it is Britain’s. Canada is an integral part of the Empire. If Britain fails, nothing can save us. It is high to us to awake out of comparative sleep.

“It is cheering to find that the most weighty men in our community are taking the matter in hand. They will proceed with it in a business-like way, and great results may be expected. WE shall begin to look at things in a true perspective; and, when our young men know how much they are needed, they will rally to the flag crying, each one, ‘Here I am; send me.’ ”¹

¹  “Recruiting”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 8, 1915.

Not only was there a strongly-worded in the Spectator of July 8, 1915, the front page reproduced a number of statements heard at the meeting the previous night.

Under a boldly presented headline on the center top of the front page, the following utterances were printed in bold type:

“ ‘Canadians should not raise any false hopes of an early collapse of Germany. That collapse is not yet in sight’ – Sir John Gibson.

“ ‘Are we to be subdued and compelled to seek terms or not? It is still an open question’– Sir John Gibson.

“ ‘Hamilton should be ashamed to acknowledge that she has permitted her boys to leave the city for the front uninsured” – Lieut.-Col. Logie.

“ ‘ The Fate of the British nation is trembling in the balance. The question still is, what is to become of the British Empire?’ – Sir John Gibson.

“ ‘The people of this city stand greatly in need of being impressed with the seriousness of the situation and the need for all the men we can offer.’ – Sir John Gibson.

“ ‘It is not on the ‘hurrah boys’ basis, but on sober conviction of the necessity facing us that this recruiting campaign should be undertaken.’ – Lieut.-Col. Logie.

“ ‘Nobody in this city should begrudge a few extra mills on the dollar in the way of taxation for insurance for the soldiers.’ – Lieut.-Col. Logie.

“ ‘THE WOMEN OF ENGLAND, THE WOMEN OF CANADA, IN CASE OF GERMAN VICTORY, WOULD HAVE TO SUBMIT TO THE SAME INHUMAN TREATMENT ACCORDED THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF BELGIUM.’ – Lieut. George Ballard.

“ ‘The people of Canada do not understand the seriousness of the situation; do not appreciate the fact that the future of their country and of their children is involved.’ – Lieut.-Col. Logie.

“ ‘The people of England have realized within the last six weeks what this war means to them. It is time that Canada woke up to the same realization.’ – Capt. Huggins.

“ ‘The citizens of Hamilton must be convinced of the necessity of sending contingents to the front and that need must be talked over in the homes with the women.’ – Lieut.-Col. Logie.

“ ‘  I DID NOT KNOW UNTIL TONIGHT THAT HAMILTON HAD NOT INSURED HER MEN NOW AT THE FRONT, AND I AM SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED TO LEARN THAT FACT. THIS IS THE ONLY CITY IN CANADA WHICH HAS NOT DONE SO.’ – Captain Huggins.’²

² “You Young Men Who Can Enlist ! : What Say you to These Utterances at Last Night’s Meeting. Read ‘Em All”

Hamilton Spectator. July 8, 1915.

By July 9, 1915, just two days after the Hamilton Recruiting League has been formed, a prominently visible part of the League’s business appeared at the James street end of Gore Park, a recruiting station:

“This will be in charge of the various officers, who will have recruiting sergeants on the job to look after the applicants. The officers of the local garrison will take their turn in doing duty at the booth, while the recruiting sergeants will be drawn from overseas units already organized”³

^{3 “}Will Explain the Need for More Recruits”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 9, 1915.

Another effort was underway but not completed:

“The officers of the league are preparing a large poster showing to what measure the government, and the city protects the men and their families. The rates of pay, the government and patriotic fund allowances, pensions and insurance will be carefully explained, and thus putting this important part of the question before the public in a clear way for the first time since the war broke out.”³

By July 9, 1915, it was understood that there had been about 2,500 men from Hamilton and district who had volunteered to fight in the war. It was fully anticipated that another 1,000 recruits would be required before the end of the year.:

“In order that this number may be secured, the young men of this community and their parents must thoroughly realize the absolute need for the best the city can send out. There is no excuse for   the physically fit not going and the league’s undertaking will be to convince the public of that fract.”³

 

 

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“The citizens of Hamilton are gradually awakening to the seriousness of the military situation as it pertains to the British empire and to Hamilton’s share in the burdens which must be assumed before victory is secured”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 8, 1915.

The war that many felt would be over by Christmas, 1914 was still very much alive in the month of July 1915. The enthusiasm for signing up to fight in the war has long since waned, although the need for more and more soldiers had increased substantially.

On Wednesday July 7, 1915, an important meeting was held in the Thirteenth Royal officers’ mess room to address the pressing need for more recruits to step forward from the ranks of the men of Hamilton.

It was intended that a new and powerful organization would be created to be called the Hamilton Recruiting League.

Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Bruce, seconded Lieutenant-Colonel George D. Fearman,  made the following motion to formally form the league:

“Resolved, that this meeting do now proceed with the organization of the Hamilton Recruiting League to assist the authorities in every practicable way in adding to the quota called for from this city and district from time to time, and to co-operate, as the need may arise, with industries requiring men in turning out munitions of war.”¹

¹ “Recruiting League Formed Last Night”

Hamilton Herald.    July 8, 1915.

The motion was carried unanimously, and immediately afterward the committees of the new league were created, with the titles Manufacturers, Public Meetings, Finance and Insurance, Merchants, Trades and Labor, Program, Publicity, Recruiting Stations, Churches and Ladies’ Auxiliary.

The first speaker of the meeting was a former Hamiltonian, Colonel W. A. Logie, commandant of the Niagara camp and one of the leading officers in charge of military preparations in Canada. He noted that the Dominion government had decreed that four battalions needed to be raised and that Hamilton was expected to provide at least 500 men for that quota. Colonel Logie had become aware that recruiting had slowed considerably there and had assigned his officers to ascertain why.

          The reasons determined by the officers for the lull in recruiting fell into three basic areas – work was plentiful, women and employers did not want to let their men go and defective teeth and other physical imperfections were disqualifying those who had tried to volunteer.

          In his remarks, Colonel Logie stated, “I believe, however, that the whole basis for the apathy is that the people do not understand that anything is happening to the British empire, or that anything is likely to happen in Canada, as a result of this war. If they realized what it would mean to them, and that their homes might be vitally affected, I feel that they would come forward. It is your duty to persuade fit men – both married and single – to come forward.

“It was suggested in Toronto that mass meetings be held, preceeded by a big parade, headed by the regimental band, and then have a big hurrah boys’ meeting with a recruiting officer at the door. That is just a temporary arrangement. It is for you to convince the men of the need and they will come forward. We cannot stop until the stage is reached where the people in the home will say to their men, ‘It’s your duty to go. Go on.’ I am sure that after this meeting the recruiting in Hamilton will go on, not in the ‘hurrah boys’ style, but because of sound convictions. You will find many on the streets today who will say that they will go if they are needed. Many women in Toronto cannot see why their husbands are needed, and are trying to withdraw given consents. It is for you to prove the need.

“There is one thing, though, in Hamilton that I think the city should be ashamed of. I pay taxes in this city, and I am quite willing to be taxed for the insurance on the men who go to the front, risking their lives for the country, and I don’t think that anyone would object to a few mills on the dollar if need be. The day after the war broke out, I went down to Toronto and offered my services to General Lessard. I felt quite down-hearted about it, because I thought that the companies might say that I was taking more than ordinary risks, and that all my savings would be wiped out in one stroke. I have since learned that the polices are all good. The city of Hamilton has, however, done nothing to insure the men from this city, whereas even the small towns have done that. Toronto is insuring every man from there for $1,000 each. Why should Hamilton fail in that respect? I think that the mayor is in sympathy. I think that the next of kin of every man killed should receive $1,000. It is good politics for the aldermen. The relatives of these soldiers have votes and if they see that the aldermen are doing what they can for them in times of crisis, they will appreciate it.”¹

“After Colonel Logie’s speech, it was noted that those present were in for a treat, as there were two Hamilton heroes present. Captain S. J. Huggins and Lieutenant George Ballard, two Hamilton officers who went off with the first contingent, but who were back in Hamilton on furlough recovering from wounds received at St. Julien during that memorable battle which took place on the 23^rd of April.

“In calling upon Captain Huggins to speak, Major Huggins said, ‘these two men have gone forth, have conquered, and are back again with us, and the city of Hamilton is proud of them.’

“After thanking the major for his kind words for himself and Lieutenant Ballard, Captain Huggins told about his experiences at the front :

“He said that speaking as an Ottawa man, the officers, non-coms and men from Hamilton were of the very highest caliber. Major Ballentyne had told him that at the time when only 242 were left of the 850 in the Fourth battalion, and when he had only Capt. Jones, of Brantford, and Captain Wright and Lieutenant Washington to assist him, they had proven their worth. Had he not been so seriously wounded, the major said he certainly would have seen to it that Captain Wright and Lieutenant Washington were mentioned in dispatches. Captain Huggins ventured the hope that it was still not too late.

“He described some of the conditions that existed at Salisbury plain, where even the town was four feet under water, and it was necessary to get around on rafts. Despite all this, the discipline was of the best. When the boys landed at the front, they showed their worth. General Gordon, who commanded the Nineteenth brigade, which was the only brigade not in a division, said that he would like to see Canadians brigaded with him, and if not the brigade, at least the fourth battalion.

“ ‘The men’s only complaint previous to St. Julien was that they could not get into action,’ said the captain. ‘When the big fighting was going on around Hill 89, where so many brave deeds were done, the men thought sure they would be in it. They were called out and officers were even taken up to the hill in order to be able to take the men up, if they were called to do so in the dark. However, we were told on Thursday morning that the situation there was well in hand. Had it not been for that fighting at Hill 60, the Canadians would have been in the trenches from which the French native troops were gassed out, and then a different story might have been told. I do not wish to cast any reflections on the French soldiers, who are as good and better fighters than they ever were. But these trenches were held by native territorials, and not the French regulars, and they were probably not so determined to overcome obstacles.”¹

Captain Huggins had a stern message for those in charge of newspapers, expressing his opinion that the publication of letters from the front were a cause for the slowness of recruiting. The captain claimed that many things were contained in the letters which were better left unsaid, and the individual soldiers could not make conclusions on general conditions at the front, but only were able to relate their own experiences.

In concluding his address, Captain Huggins said, “You cannot drive home with too much force the need for recruits. This war is a fight to the finish, in which we will need to husband all our resources and send our best men out. The people of England have only come to a realization in the last six weeks of what the war is, and we must soon realize it too. It has surprised me to learn this evening that Hamilton has not insured her men at the front. I think Hamilton is the only city in Canada who has failed to take that step.”²

² “Hamilton Recruiting League Organized to Raise Men for Canada’s New Contingents”

Hamilton Spectator.    July 8, 1915.

While Captain Huggins was well-known to many Hamiltonians, it was the next speaker who was a Hamiltonian through and through. Lieutenant George Ballard not only lived and went to school in Hamilton before he enlisted, he was a popular player with the Tiger football team.

When Lieutenant Ballard was called upon to speak the gathering erupted:

“As he marched to the front of the room, those present rose to their feet with three rousing cheers for one who had acquitted himself so nobly. He told the meeting that he had so much in his mind that it would take all night to tell it, and even then he wouldn’t have told it all.”²

One soldier singled out for tribute in Ballard’s remarks was Lieutenant Brant who had been killed at St. Julien. Brant was a young aboriginal man, grandson of the famous chieftain of that name.

When Ballard was wounded, Brant was among those who came to his aid:

“ ‘When they picked me up and placed me on their shoulders and proceeded to calmly walk off the field, I felt that I was going to be picked off at any minute, but somehow or other, they succeeded in getting me back of the firing line without mishap. I cannot say too much in praise of Brant, who acted with wonderful coolness.’

“In concluding his address, Lieut. Ballard dwelt upon the urgent need for recruits. ‘Slackers in the old country are having a sorry time of it,’ he said, ‘and slackers in this country are going to have just as sorry a time. It was Canada’s fight just as much as England’s and those who had not come to a realization of that fact would do well to do so at once. Germany would not leave Canada alone for any length of time after defeating Great Britain. The women of England, the women of Canada, in case of German victory, would have to submit to the same inhuman treatment accorded the women and children of Belgium. Canadians should realize the defeat of England would mean the loss of Canadian independence. The military machine that can conquer Great Britain and France, to say nothing of Russia and Italy, would soon make Canada a German dependency. The United States is not a military nation and would not figure. England stands in constant peril of invasion by Germany and only the watchfulness of the British navy prevents that invasion. The Germans have never given up the idea of an invasion of the British Isles.’ ”²

The final speaker of the meeting was Hamilton’s own Sir John Gibson who, as described by the Spectator man in attendance, “spoke with a thoughtfulness and earnestness that reached every man present and impressed all with the serious view of the war taken by Sir John”²

A part of his address, Sir John said, “I must confess that I have been pessimistic right from the commencement of the war. I have felt that the fate of the British empire is trembling in the balance. We must not hold out false hopes of an early collapse of Germany. That collapse is not yet in sight. The question still is, what is to become of the British empire? Are we to be threshed, subdued and compelled to seek terms or not? It is an open question. We’re too enthusiastic at times, too satisfied with the situation and with the manner in which things are going. We must grow more thoughtful; must study the situation. I am very anxious that we should get down to business. The people of this city stand really in need of being impressed with the seriousness of the situation. Something is to be done that isn’t being done. Let us get it done !”²

After a time spent electing officers for the various committee which had been named, it was decided to hold another meeting of the brand new Hamilton Recruiting League in the 91^st Highlanders officers’ mess at the end of the week to get things moving quickly.

The meeting ended with the singing of the national anthem and three hearty cheers for the British army.

 

1915-07-07uu

“Lieut. George Ballard, well-known football star of the Tigers, and member of the law firm of Ballard and Morrison, who fell wounded at Langemarck on the morning of April 23 while leading his men of C company in the famous charge which won glory immortal for the Canadian soldiers, arrived in the city last night.”

Hamilton Herald.   July 7, 1915.

It had been known widely that George Ballard would be arriving home from the front during the morning of July 7, 1915. A large crowd was gathered  at the Grand Trunk railway station to welcome to great the young man, once known in Hamilton only as a sports star and son in a prominent family, but who had become a wounded war hero.

After acknowledging the many friends who had come to greet home, Ballard was taken to the home of his parents, 196 George street.

A reporter with the Hamilton Herald was the first reporter to be able to interview Ballard and share with the paper’s readers his impressions of the young soldier:

“Considering the nature of his wound and the trials he passed through, Lieut. Ballard looks surprisingly well and fit. His wound has healed up and his nerves are none the worse for the terrific shocks they have sustained. He will be home for several weeks on furlough and will report for duty again early in September.

“When asked to relate some of his experiences, Lieut. Ballard drew a hand across his brow and, with a faraway look in his eyes, begged to be excused. There was something in that look of the gallant, quiet, unassuming young officer which told far better than words what a grim and black business Armageddon is. He wanted to forget it all and was reluctant to discuss war.”¹

¹ “War a Grim and Very Black Business : But Lieut. Ballard Will Return to His Duty When Fit.”

Hamilton Herald.      July 7, 1915.

When pressed for some information about his wound and how it happened, Lieut. Ballard said that about 9 a.m. during the morning of April 23, he advanced with his men to a point about five hundred yards from the German position, and there, in his word, his was “potted” and had to lay where he fell for nearly ten hours before the stretcher bearers were able to reach him:

“During that terrible interim, he lay in an improvised dugout rudely fashion for him by two comrades, and while he was conscious for most of the time, his senses left him twice that he remembered, for he lost considerable blood. He said the din of shell fire during those hours was something which beggars description.

“The Germans appeared to have all the ammunition in the world and they used it unsparingly. Shrapnel burst continuously around Lieut. Ballard and he said the suspense was nerve-wracking, as the wounded never knew what minute would be their last”¹

The wounded soldier referred to his fellow soldiers with the highest praise:

:Speaking of the men under him, Lieut. Ballard said the local men who enlisted with the Thirteenth quota  were the finest soldiers any officer could lead.

“Indeed, he was proud to lead such men, and it was this feeling which made him anxious to get back amongst them. ‘Not that there is any glamor or romance to war. That all disappeared  after a few days at the front. It is a case of stern duty now.’

“Further than this Lieut. Ballard declined to talk. In many way the recent past seemed like a nightmare, and, besides this, battle is so kaleidoscopic that no human mind is capable of grasping any one of its various phases in a true sense, he said.”¹

Lieut. Ballard returned to Hamilton with him a very special uniform :

“The khaki uniform, which he wore and which was riddled by bullets and shrapnel, some of which found lodgment in his body, was brought home as well as other trophies.”¹

Later in the day, a Spectator knocked at the door of the George street residence of public school inspector W. H. Ballard, asking for an interview with his son.

Lieut. Ballard after a hearty lunch and some quiet time with his family was more willing to talk than he was earlier with the Herald reporter, starting by saying, ‘This war is a grim thing which few men would care to return to out of morbid curiosity, but, out of a sense of duty, all who are able to return will willingly do so.’

Referring to the men he went into battle with, Ballard said, ‘I couldn’t say too much in praise of the men. They are a brave lot of fellows and it was not an uncommon sight to see them rush out in the face of the greatest danger and rescue wounded comrades from the field.’ ”²

² “Officer Pays High Tribute to the 13^th Men : Braved Deadly Fire to Rescue Wounded Comrades.”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 7, 1915.

Referring his being wounded, Ballard noted that after being on the battlefield for nearly ten hours, he was rescued but only removed to a nearby ‘place of safety where an improvised dugout had been created in the side of a ditch. Lieut. Brant came to me with food and drink, and did all he could to assist me, and the poor fellow was shot that night. I remained in this improvised position of palatial safety and had a splendid opportunity of viewing the progress of the fight, which was indeed interesting.”²

Asked to describe the effect when shot, Lieutenant Ballard said “he experienced a feeling as though someone had suddenly hit him a terrific blow with a sledge. He was advancing on the run at the time he received his wound and it brought him up with such suddenness that he could hardly realize for a moment what had happened.”²

Asked about the attitudes displayed by the soldiers in battle, Ballard said that “the men all seemed to go into action with light hearts, although fully realizing the seriousness of the whole thing. The suspense of waiting for an order to advance was worse than the experience of actual battle. The noise and din of battle, however, frequently drove men to a state of frenzy and collapse.”¹

The final comment made in the interview came not from the wounded soldier but from Mrs. Ballard:

“ ‘Mother love is always strong, and it is nice to have him once more with me, but I would not stand in his way if he wishes to return,’ said his mother. ‘We women cannot fight, but we can send our sons.’ ”. ²

1915-05-24rr

“Fifteen years ago today, on Thursday, May 24, 1900, right royally did the citizens of this Ambitious City celebrate the grand opening of historic Dundurn as a public park. The day was also the 81^st anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria”

Hamilton Times.     May 24, 1915.

As the Hamiltonians of 1915 prepared to celebrate the 24^th of May holiday, the morning edition of the Hamilton Times that day shared reminiscences of a very eventful May 24:

“The demonstration was one probably never excelled as far as crowds and popular enthusiasm were concerned. Ideal May weather contributed greatly to the success of the day and arrangements for the entertainment of thousands of visitors, as well as the people of Hamilton, were marvelously carried out.

“From sixty to seventh thousand people participated in the jubilation. With clean streets and a wealth of gala decorations, the city was able to present a decidedly gala front and the event in its entirety was one of the most successful in Hamilton’s history.”¹

¹ “Twenty-Fourth in History of Hamilton : Fifteen years Ago One of the Greatest Days Ever Known.”

Hamilton Times. May 24, 1915.

The first of the formal events of May 24, 1900 took place in the eastern section of Gore Park, between Hughson and James Streets:

“In the presence of cheering thousands on the Gore extension in the morning the ceremony in connection with the presentation of the steel flag staff and a new flag to the City Corporation by the Canadian Club commenced the day’s programmer.

“President  Manning made the formal presentation, explaining the club’s policy in erecting the staff. Ex-President Kirwan Martin read the deed of gift. The Mayor accepted and replied suitably. Mrs. Teetzel unfurled the beloved Canadian ensign to the breeze, and the band played ‘God Save the Queen.’ ”¹

With the Gore Park ceremony completed, all through present prepared to march in procession:

“Mostly all the visitors and visiting societies and bands had arrived, and the procession, one of the greatest ever held in Hamilton, left for Dundurn Park.”¹

The 24^th of May celebrations for 1915 would prove to be must less modest, but still, one of the main locations of interest would be Dundurn Park.

Gore Extension, showing base of Canadian Club Flagstaff. Date of postcard unknown, NOT May 24, 1900

Image courtesy www.hamiltonpostcards.com

 

 

 

 

1915-05-21ww

“Empire Day, the movement founded by Mrs. Clementina Fessenden, of this city, and which has since become national in its scope, was celebrated in the schools of Hamilton today with a spirit that was inspiring.”

Hamilton Spectator.  May 21, 1915.

All across Canada in May 1915, Empire Day was celebrated, and it was also observed in England.

The history behind the creation of that special day was noted in the Spectator of May 21, 1915:

“Empire day really had its inception on June 8, 1896, before the Wentworth Historical society, when Mrs. Fessenden’s little six-year-old granddaughter was made an honorary member of the society in recognition of the loyal services of her ancestors as an earnest of the future. It was a notable experience for the child. When Mrs. Fessenden saw the delight her little granddaughter took in her badge and Maple Leaf, she could not see any reason why all the children of the empire should not be stimulated in the same way.

“In 1897, the Hamilton Board of Education endorsed the scheme, the minister of education expressed his approval and then the movement continued to grow with rapidity, London taking up the idea in 1902. Ever since, Empire day has been celebrated in the motherland with the same enthusiasm that marks its observance here”¹

¹ “Empire Day Observed With Fervent Spirit ; Canada’s Glorious Part in Crisis Adds Thrill”

Hamilton Spectator.   May 21, 1915.

Since it began, the arrival of Empire Day brought forth a burst of patriotism, but in 1915, the spirit was magnified as the day was observed in Hamilton schools given the warfare taking place:

“The exercises breathed the spirit of patriotism that has sent Britain’s sons by the hundred thousand from every corner of the earth rallying to the colors in this, the empire’s hour of need.

“God Save the King and Rule Britannia rang out from the throats of little children today with genuine fervor. O, Canada, The Maple Leaf and Men of the North had a thrill, such as was never felt before.

“The story of Langemarck with its casualty list of Canadian dead and wounded is fresh in every mind. It was only this week that Premier Asquith in the British house of commons declared : ‘The Canadians have won themselves in France an everlasting name.’

“In many of the schools, there were children whose loved ones died or suffered on the bloody fields of Belgium, to write that glorious page of history for Canada.

“Today the significance of Empire day was appreciated”¹

In all the schools of Hamilton, the was a large attendance of the students’ parents, other relatives and friends who came to witness the Empire day exercises. Each school had either a school trustee or a prominent clergyman in attendance to deliver an address.

Mrs. Fessenden was unable, due to health reasons, to attend any Empire day observances as had been her custom. Although not physically present, Mrs. Fessenden was still part of each school’s ceremony as she sent a letter containing her congratulations to each and every student taking part in the observance, noting that the movement had grown so much that an estimated 80,000,000 were celebrating the day. Mrs. Fessenden also pointed out that for Empire day, 1915 in London, England, the flags of each member country in the British Empire, 64 in all, would be carried in procession into St. Paul’s Cathedral by school children.

Finally, it was a pleasing feature of Empire Day observances in Hamilton that children would be called upon to read aloud the patriotic compositions that they had been asked to write.

 

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“Today Edmund Bradley, bank clerk, who resides at the home of his mother, Mrs. C. C. Bradley, 348 Aberdeen avenue, is lying in St. Joseph’s hospital with a revolver shot in his stomach”

Hamilton Spectator.    June 21, 1915.

Hamilton newspaper readers were shocked on Monday June 21, 1915 when they read of a bizarre shooting incident which had occurred the previous Saturday evening. The shooting victim was given little chance of survival by any of the four doctors who were attending to him.

Shortly before seven o’clock, Saturday evening, June 19, 1915, Edmund Bradley, 17 years old, was visiting Miss Mildred Colquhoun at her family home, Glenhead, on the mountain.

Bradley was a very popular young man in both banking and social circles, and had recently stated his intention to enlist for active service within a week.

There was no one present when the shot rang out, other than Bradley and Miss Colquhoun:

“The incident occurred during a tennis party held at Glenhead on Saturday afternoon and evening. James Bradley, brother of the injured lad, states that his brother and Miss Colquhoun, having finished a set of tennis, went into the dining room of the house for a drink of water.

“Mr. Bradley had previously shown a party of young people present a revolver of .32 caliber, which he had borrowed from the Imperial bank where he was employed as a ledger-keeper.

“The rest of the party was on the lawn, according to the injured lad’s brother, when the shot was heard and Miss Colquhoun ran out of the house crying, ‘He’s shot, he’s shot!’ Young Bradley was found lying on the floor of the dining room, his tennis shirt red with blood.”¹

¹ “E. Bradley May Be Fatally Wounded : He Was Accidentally Shot While at a Tennis Party at Home of E. R. Colquhoun on Mountain Saturday Evening.”

Hamilton Spectator.   June 21, 1915.

Glehead, the Colquhoun home, was located nearby the Hamilton Asylum. Dr. Webster, of the asylum, was informed of the incident. He was on the scene in very short order, but could little for young Bradley.

“The Hamilton police were quickly telephoned, asking that an ambulance be brought quickly. Chief Whatley, advised of the call, said that the caller should be informed that as the home was not within the city limits, a private ambulance would have to be summoned. This was done, and Bradley was finally rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital.

At the hospital, an operation was performed, and the bullet was extracted. Bradley’s mother was at her son’s hospital beside constantly. On Monday morning, Chief Clark, of the Dundas police, informed reporters that he would attempt to secure a statement from Bradley from the wounded lad, although he was still in very critical condition.

The following day, Mrs. E. A. Colquhoun, Mildred Colquhoun’s mother made a public statement regarding the accident:

“My daughter was not alone in the dining room with Mr. Bradley as stated yesterday, but was reading a book when a member of the party entered and began to tease her

“Mr. Bradley entered after this and, taking a revolver from his pocket , pushed it across the table towards my daughter, with the muzzle pointing towards himself, jokingly saying as he did so, ‘Shoot him.’

“My daughter put her hand on the weapon without lifting it. As she did so, Mr. Bradley said, ‘Look out : it’s loaded.’ She laughed as he spoke then there was a report and he exclaimed, ‘I’m shot.’

“My daughter immediately went out and procured a doctor, who attended to Mr. Bradley. Before he was taken to the hospital, he stated that my daughter was not in the least to blame for the accident, and he conducted himself very bravely throughout.”²

² “How It Happened : Mrs. E. A. Colquhoun Makes a Statement Regarding Accident.”

Hamilton Herald.    June 22, 1915.

Edmund Bradley lingered for three weeks, but finally succumbed to his wound on July 4, 1915. His mother was at his beside when he passed.

It was determined that there would be no inquest. It had been fully determined that Mildred Colquhoun had indeed discharged the .32 caliber revolver, the bullet entering Bradley’s stomach.

Mildred Colquhoun had been completely overcome with grief since the incident.

In a statement, made as he was dying, Bradley was quoted as saying, “It was all my own fault. I should not have had the gun with me, and the only reason I had it was for protection going down the mountain drive at night. The young lady, a lad from Toronto and myself were in the dining room of the house when I pulled out the gun and showed it to her. I don’t know what made me say what I did, but I told her to ‘look at that.’ She took it from my hand and it accidentally went off. The blame was all mine.”³

³ “Took All the Blame : Edmund Bradley Made Statement Before His Death”

Hamilton. Herald.   July 5, 1915