CHRISTMAS, 1919.
Christmas boxes were sent from the Head Office in Montreal, specially made for the Knights of Columbus Catholic Army Huts for distribution on this day to all Military Hospitals in the Dominion. Each box contained one package gum, one Durham Duplex Safety Razor, one package razor blades, one shaving stick, one shaving brush, one package cigarettes, one box matches, one chocolate bar, one tooth brush, one tube tooth paste, one handkerchief, and short stories. In addition twenty-six quarts of ice cream were distributed, also five hundred apples, fifty pounds of assorted kisses and fifty pounds of frosted cake.
Many picnics were given patients who were convalescing during the summer of 1919, and entertainments given to special wards in Camp Hill and Cogswell Street Hospitals.
From January 1, 1919, to April 30, 1919, no fewer than 125,466 personal requests for comforts were granted by the Knights of Columbus Hospital Comfort Bureau.
CHAPTER LIV.
THE YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
For years previous to the Declaration of War, the Y.M.C.A. carried on its work in the summer Militia Camps; consequently the War did not find the Association without some idea of the requirements of troops, and from the early days of the first big concentration at Valcartier, the “Y” tried hard to measure up to each new phase of war activity.
In 1914 about 5,000 men were served in the camps of the Maritime Provinces. During the succeeding winter Y.M.C.A. work was established in the various barracks, and in 1915 the work on the piers at the points of embarkation was started. All this work was carried on continually from this time with increasing efficiency, not only in camps, barracks, and hospitals, but also on board transports and on troop trains carrying returning men. It consisted of the erection of large recreation buildings, giving assistance with the equipping of recreation rooms in barracks; the provision of free writing and reading materials, games, athletic goods, music, pianos, gramophones and records, moving picture machines and films; the organizing of concerts on land and on board ships; social evenings in homes, churches, barracks, hospitals and otherwise; athletics, religious services; supplying free hot drinks and doughnuts or biscuits at the disembarkation points and demobilization centres.
The first large financial appeal was made to the people of the Maritime Provinces in the spring of 1916, when approximately $34,500 were raised for home and Overseas’ military work. During that year Association service was rendered to troops in eighteen different places in these Provinces. Each succeeding year saw most successful campaigns for larger sums of money, until 1918, when requirements began to decrease. Altogether about $679,600 were raised in the Maritime area and spent on military work at home and Overseas.
Large recreation buildings, which were much needed, were erected at Aldershot and Sussex Camps, each capable of accommodating close to 1,000 men. These were used to capacity, and were practically the only adequate recreation centres. A large hut was erected in the Naval Dockyard, Halifax, for the men of the navy and the merchant marine. It was destroyed by the explosion, but was replaced by a larger structure, and was the great social centre for the men of the navy and the merchant marine.
The large Red Triangle Hut, on Barrington Street, Halifax, was erected as a demobilization service to offset the inadequate housing facilities in Halifax, to provide meals and beds for returning men who had to remain in the city while waiting for trains or demobilization, to assist returned men to become re-established in civil life by providing them with wholesome meals and beds at prices within their means, to help men taking Government re-training courses and drawing barely enough money to live on, and to provide them with a clean, attractive recreation centre.
Other recreation huts were built and equipped at St. John, New Brunswick, and Cogswell Hospital, Halifax. A large building was leased and equipped as a Red Triangle Club at St. John, N.B. Clubs on a smaller scale were operated in Sydney, Windsor, Kentville, Nova Scotia, and Fredericton and Sussex, New Brunswick.
Work was carried on among the German prisoners of war at Amherst in return for which the German Government permitted the Y.M.C.A. to carry on work in certain camps in Germany where Canadians were confined. Only the work in the Internment Camps in Canada made this concession possible.
Co-operating with the Sailors’ Comforts’ Committee, Halifax, the Y.M.C.A. workers visited many ships of the merchant service and supplied the men with reading and writing materials, games, mufflers, sweaters, socks, gloves, mitts, underwear, etc. Concerts were frequently arranged for the crews on shore.
Uniform reports of activities and the attendance were not kept in the early days of the War, and it is impossible to arrive at anything like accurate estimates of the extent of some of the services rendered. The report of a few activities for the two years of maximum efficiency may serve to indicate, however, the great extent to which the men patronized the Y.M.C.A. military services.
| Activity. | Number. | Attendance. |
|---|---|---|
| Concerts | 694 | 84,550 |
| Social evenings | 815 | 112,800 |
| Moving Picture Shows (free) | 1,365 | 210,800 |
| Religious Services | 1,108 | 88,100 |
| Theatre parties arranged and conducted through courtesy of theatre managers, without charge to patients | 356 | 12,619 |
| Illustrated Lectures | 98 | 18,050 |
| Supplies Used. | |
|---|---|
| Magazines | 162,685 |
| Sheets of writing paper | 1,511,000 |
| Sex and health education booklets | 39,000 |
| Athletic goods | large quantities |
| Pianos in continual use | 22 |
| Billiard tables in continual use | 31 |
| Gramophones and records supplied continually | 50 |
| Moving picture machines in continual use | 9 |
| Reels of picture films per week provided, no charge made | 40 |
At the disembarkation piers, in co-operation with various women’s organizations, the Creche in Halifax, and the combined organizations in St. John, free hot or cold drinks and mixed biscuits were provided. At the Demobilization Centre, Halifax, co-operating with the G.W.V.A. Ladies’ Auxiliary, drinks and doughnuts or mixed biscuits were supplied free, and a six months’ membership ticket in any Y.M.C.A. was given to each man.
A “Y” representative accompanied each troop train to its destination and carried a standard stock of equipment, gramophones, portable organs, music, song sheets, games, fruits, chocolate, and cigarettes. He rendered personal services in every way possible, such as wiring ahead, mailing letters, and carrying on a programme of concerts and games. These representatives were principally business men, and all gave their services voluntarily. In all 449 representatives accompanied troop trains.
Further assistance was given returned men to re-establish themselves by Red Triangle Clubs at Halifax and St. John, where bed and board could be had at reduced rates. During the first year of the Halifax Club. 147,713 meals were served, and 38,855 beds occupied for one night or more. This work is still going on. The rate for bed and board was $1 per day. The food was far above the average meal at similar prices. A programme of entertainments, athletics, moving pictures, religious services, and educational lectures and discussions was carried on. The Association’s hospital service will be continued as long as necessary, and funds are available.
CHAPTER LV.
THE HALIFAX CITIZENS’ RECEPTION COMMITTEE.
W. S. DAVIDSON.
The splendid service performed by the Halifax Citizens’ Returned Soldiers’ Reception Committee had its inception in the fall of 1916, when Mr. P. F. Martin, at that time Mayor of the city, called a number of representative citizens together at the city hall for the purpose of forming a committee to extend a welcome to the men returning home. The matter did not take definite form, however, until a little later on, when a score of energetic citizens selected by the various National Societies, the Board of Trade and other organizations of the city, met at the Board of Trade Rooms in November, 1916, at the call of Mr. W. S. Davidson, Vice-President of the Board. At this meeting the Committee was organized, as also an Auxiliary Committee of the following ladies:—Mrs. G. McGregor Mitchell, Mrs. Geoffery Morrow, Mrs. T. Sherman Rogers, Mrs. Norwood Duffus, and Mrs. (Dr.) Ryan. Mr. W. S. Davidson was elected Chairman, Mr. Arthur B. Mitchell, Secretary, Mr. A. M. Smith, Assistant-Secretary, and Mr. W. A. Major, Treasurer. The excellence of the choice of this Executive was amply proven by the fact that the personnel remained unchanged from the night the Committee was formed until the last transport docked, and the work was finished.
The following gentlemen composed the original Committee: Messrs. W. S. Davidson, W. A. Major, H. H. Marshall, C. H. Mitchell, J. McL. Fraser, Felix P. Quinn, C. E. Creighton, W. A. Hart, A. M. Smith, Paul Creighton, W. E. Hebb, C. H. Climo, W. L. Kane, J. P. Quinn, P. T. Strong, and R. B. Colwell, representing the North British Society, St. George’s Society, the Charitable Irish Society, the Canadian Club, and the Citizens of Halifax in general.
These gentlemen, who became known as “the originals,” carried on through fair weather and foul, night or day as occasion required from start to finish. The only exception was Mr. H. H. Marshall, who, to the great regret of his friends and fellow-workers, was ordered by his physician to seek a change of climate, his health having broken down, but nevertheless, he was with the work in spirit, always keeping in touch, sending greetings and material aid from time to time.
In addition to those above-mentioned, the following gentlemen joined the movement later, entering into the spirit of the work with energy and enthusiasm: Messrs. E. J. Murphy, G. J. Allen, Cyril Gorham, A. W. Robb, W. R. Morton, H. C. Murphy, Hugh Fraser, Chas. Waterfield, R. A. Wood, W. S. Munnis, John D. Campbell, P. J. Hannifen, Geo. M. Wood, F. M. Guildford, R. K. Elliott, George Ritchie, G. W. Perry, J. A. Neville, H. T. Kline, J. A. Reid, V. B. Faulkner, J. L. Wilson, E. M. McLeod, Geo. T. McNutt, John Fry, J. J. Penny, J. M. Davison, George Robinson, W. R. Scriven, Wm. Wilson, Capt. W. F. Mitchell, W. E. Donavon, G. A. Smith, J. F. Roue, Walter Black, R. J. Flinn, G. A. Gauvin, George Winters, Howard Lawrence, W. Cyril Smith, Cyril Stairs, Sedley E. Thompson, J. L. Hetherington, H. E. Mahon, C. H. Wright, the late Professor Eben McKay, F. A. Marr, Allen Patrick, and H. R. Price.
A number of ladies, Mrs. W. T. Allen, Mrs. M. R. Morrow and others, joined the original Auxiliary Committee of five above-mentioned, doing splendid work in connection with the cot cases, etc., but unfortunately a complete list is not available. Two young ladies deserving of special mention who became associated with the General Committee are Miss Edna Davison and Miss Helen Creighton. Their work was admirable, being here, there, and everywhere when required, untiring in their efforts, having the capacity to perform, as well as zeal to undertake. It is safe to say that the soldier boys who landed at Halifax will never forget the ladies connected with this Committee; for their bright kindly faces, apart from their work, gave them a welcome home which is hard to express in words; and it was not only on fine days when the sun was shining that they were to be seen on the pier when transports were expected, but in all kinds of weather, night as well as day, and only those who worked there know how cold it sometimes was at Pier 2 on a winter night. However, the welcome given the boys was warm enough to take away the chill of the weather.
During the period in which this Committee carried on its work, 138 transports disembarked some 200,000 Overseas men at Pier 2, and of this number very few indeed missed the kindly attentions of the Committee.
The amount expended was as follows:—
| Paid for | Cigarettes, Tobacco, etc | $14,473 51 |
| „ | Fruit | 7,931 82 |
| „ | Postage, telegrams, telephones, etc. | 462 42 |
| „ | Welcome Cards, badges, printing, etc. | 1,294 49 |
| „ | Newspapers | 1,813 62 |
| „ | Taxi service conveying local returned men to their homes | 118 80 |
| „ | Music | 15 00 |
| „ | Baskets, equipment and sundries | 278 66 |
| „ | Matches | 4,782 25 |
| „ | Chocolate bars, cakes, etc. | 7,157 21 |
| „ | Deficit exchanging money | 9 50 |
| „ | Flowers (for cot cases) | 34 50 |
| Money refunded Provincial Recruiting Committee | 9 00 | |
| Total | $38,380 78 |
A word or two in connection with these figures which are from the Treasurer’s report. The item for postage, etc., would have been much larger but through the representations of the Committee, after the work had been carried on for a considerable time, the Government was induced to allow letters from returned men, on arrival, to be posted free, thus conserving the funds for other purposes. The item $15 for music does not mean that this was the extent of the music by any means; for the Commanding Officers of local military units very cheerfully permitted their bands to play on the pier on arrival of transports.
Of the above total amount, the sum of $9,178.96 was received in voluntary subscriptions, and $3,000 from Halifax Victory Loan canvassers, which came in spontaneously and entirely unsolicited.
As the end of the War approached and the number of returning men became greater, it became apparent that the funds would require to be largely augmented, and in order to cope with the good work, the Y.M.C.A., the Red Cross Society, and the Knights of Columbus very generously contributed equal amounts of $9,000, less a refund to each of these organizations of $266.06, being the balance or surplus left over at the close of the work.
It was not long after the work began until a splendid system was evolved which worked with almost clock-like precision. The usual procedure was as follows: Immediately a transport was docked a certain number of the Committee were told off to go on board with the latest newspapers, collect telegrams and letters which were, as mentioned above, sent off free of charge, thus doing away with the inconvenience of hunting up stamps, etc. Whenever it happened that a ship had to drop anchor in the stream while waiting for a berth to dock at the pier—and as these were busy days in shipping circles in Halifax, this very frequently happened—a tugboat was promptly secured by the energetic Chairman, and a contingent landed on board with newspapers, cigarettes, matches, fruit, etc.; and, in most cases, if the ship was to remain at anchor over-night, a concert party was always ready to join their efforts with those of the Committee in extending a hearty welcome to the boys, many excellent entertainments being given on board transports waiting to dock. The very best musical talent in Halifax was always ready and willing to respond at a moment’s notice to calls of this nature. Mr. Davidson being one of the principal members of the large shipping firm of Messrs. G. S. Campbell and Co., of course always knew where to locate one of these tug-boats, as they own and operate a number of them, and although in the forefront as business men, and blessed with good memories, they must have forgotten to render any bills or charge for this excellent service.
When the men left the ship and were entrained, a sufficient number of Committee-men having in the meantime been told off and sub-divided, allowing an equal number to look after each car, the cars being designated by letters “A,” “B,” “C,” and so on, beginning with the car nearest the engine, and each party knowing the particular car it had to look after, confusion or oversight was practically nil. The first Committee-man went through the car with baskets of apples and oranges, being followed by another with cigarettes and matches, a third and fourth bringing up the rear with chocolate bars, welcome cards, newspapers, and collecting any letters or postal cards the boys had scribbled while waiting for their train to back in. Oftentimes when large steamships like the Olympic, Mauretania, or Aquitania arrived, fifteen or twenty trains would be dispatched with an average time between of twenty or twenty-five minutes; so that the necessity for system was evident, or otherwise only a portion of the boys would be looked after; but in the way in which the work was handled every man received attention; and usually a few minutes were left over, before the conductor called “All aboard,” in which to chat with them, give them a hearty handshake and wish them “Bon voyage” and a safe journey to their destination.
This sketch of the work of the Halifax Citizens’ Returned Soldiers’ Reception Committee is necessarily short. It does not begin to express the scope or extent of the work carried on by this Committee, but the boys who returned home no doubt still remember the way they were received and treated.
Letters of appreciation were received from all parts of Canada and points in the United States. Such evidence of appreciation amply rewarded the Committee for any efforts they had made to ensure a hearty, and pleasant welcome home to those splendid men, who made the name of Canada for ever respected and glorious.
CHAPTER LVI.
ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE OVERSEAS
and
THE CRECHE AT PIER 2, HALIFAX.
The first branch of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas established in Nova Scotia was organized in June, 1916, as the Halifax Central Nursing Division No. 17, with Mrs. Bowman, Superintendent of the Victoria General Hospital, Halifax, as Lady Divisional Superintendent. This division, besides being the first in the Maritime Provinces, was the largest in Canada. Most of the officers were graduate nurses, and all of the members had received their instruction in First Aid and Home Nursing through classes lheld in Halifax by the sister organization, the St. John Ambulance Association.
On Mrs. Bowman’s removal from Halifax, Mrs. G. A. MacIntosh was appointed Superintendent (April, 1917). Owing to greatly increased membership, and for the purposes of more efficient administration, the division was divided in July, 1918, into two Units, A. No. 17 and B. No. 47, Mrs. MacIntosh being promoted at the same time to be Lady District Superintendent in charge of the Women’s Aid Department (Military District No. 6). In January, 1920, a reorganization of the two divisions was made effective by which all active officers and members were assigned to Division A. 17, and the inactive members, or those in reserve for emergencies, to B. 47. The active division continues as one of the most efficient and effective in Canada under the able superintendence of Miss E. M. Pemberton, of the Victoria General Hospital.
The war work in Nova Scotia of this organization falls under four heads:
(a) Its work in Military Hospitals as auxiliary to the Army Medical and Nursing Service.
(b) Its work in Nova Scotia in connection with the Red Cross Society, Y.M.C.A. Canteens, and other voluntary patriotic organizations.
(c) Its work of ministration to women and children returning from England.
(d) Its emergency work on the day of the Halifax Disaster and in the relief work and hospital service for the weeks and months following the disaster.
(a) HOSPITAL SERVICE.
Hospital duties performed by the members of the Halifax Divisions during the War include:—
(a) Eleven members who went Overseas, serving with great credit in hospitals in England.
(b) Local hospitals.
We believe Pine Hill was the first Military Hospital in Canada to recognize or use the services of the Brigade members. Three pioneers served for two years and were followed by others.
In the latter part of 1918 the Women’s Aid Department was formed in Canada in co-operation with the military authorities, the Lady District Superintendent furnishing to the A.D.M.S. of each Military District the following personnel, the number given below being that of those who served in M.D. No. 6:—
1. Volunteer Section:—
(a) Nursing service of Brigade members, eight of whom served at Pine Hill Military Hospital.
(b) Function Trainers, also Brigade members trained at Hart House, Toronto, two of whom served at Camp Hill.
2. Special Service Section:—
Masseuses, trained at Hart House, Toronto, members of St. John Ambulance Brigade, and serving at Camp Hill, Moxham Ross, Prince Edward Island Military Hospitals.
Section 3:—
General Service Section consisting of a General Service Superintendent Assistant Superintendent, bookkeepers, domestics and many there not Brigade members, but for a short time recommended by the Women’s Aid Department of the Brigade.
(c) Before the Women’s Aid Department came into effect five members had served at the Nova Scotia Sanatorium in the tent Colony for tubercular soldiers.
(d) During the Influenza epidemic of 1918 six members assisted the depleted staffs in the Victoria General, the Dartmouth Emergency for two months, two members at Infants Home for two months, also for two months in the homes of the sick, at the Emergency Hospital, Hazelwood Hospital, St. Mary’s Emergency Hospital, and for three weeks at Brocton Field Hospital, Mass. During the epidemic in the spring of 1919 a diet kitchen was organized and conducted and proper nourishment prepared and delivered to all asking for it, in the majority of cases no charge being made. The Brigade responded to requests for diet from the Victorian Order of Nurses, City Board of Health, Social Welfare Bureau, etc.
(e) The hospital work performed after the explosion is mentioned separately.
(f) Miscellaneous duties performed in hospitals include mending each week at the Station Hospital, emergency bedmaking at Camp Hill and hospital train service.
(b) MISCELLANEOUS WORK
At the Clearing Depot, Pier 2, a splendid work was accomplished. Over 13,000 beds were made for soldiers disembarking at this port. At very short notice members in sufficient numbers quickly responded to a call from the C.O. to prepare the beds required (at times as many as 800 beds were needed) in readiness for the men.
An important work carried on at Pier 2 was the serving of meals three times daily for over a week to 150 men.
Boats were met by the Lady District Superintendent, who, assisted by the members, welcomed and assisted when necessary any V.A.D.’s returning to Canada from Overseas duty.
A very interesting and important service rendered by the organization was in connection with the vocational re-education of the soldiers. For eight months two members read daily to blinded soldiers, assisting them in this way with their study. Four other members also performed like service for five and a half months. Ten members took a special two months’ course in weaving and basketry, nine of whom were able to instruct patients at Camp Hill Hospital for from one to seven months.
Truly patriotic work has been performed under the Y.M.C.A. At their Red Triangle Hut a team of eight members have given one day each week and every sixth Sunday for one and a half years to serve meals to returned soldiers taking vocational courses in the city. Members have also served refreshments on trains to soldiers recently discharged and entraining for their homes. At the Armories members have responded at all hours, sometimes working all night to serve refreshments to soldiers just disembarked and awaiting their discharge.
The Red Cross has been ably assisted by the making of numerous garments, surgical supplies, sphagnum moss dressings, and the raising of funds during campaigns.
The following “drives” have been given willing and able support:—
Navy League, Patriotic Fund, Knights of Columbus, Children’s Hospital, Victorian Order, Salvation Army, Maternity Hospital, and the Canadian Red Cross.
For two years a rest and refreshment room has been conducted at the city market and has been of great benefit to the market people who often drive long distances.
For two years the Halifax Dispensary has had the assistance daily of a member for clerical work.
The Halifax Welfare, Victorian Order of Nurses, and many other organizations have had assistance, and many kindnesses have been performed, such as assistance given at orphans’ picnics.
First aid booths have been conducted at exhibitions, Wanderers’ Athletic Grounds, and first aid rendered during public processions and individually in the every-day life of the members.
All service rendered except that required in the last two sections of the Women’s Aid Department has been voluntary and performed quietly and systematically in times of emergencies, and in war as in times of peace for the public good.