THE CRECHE AT PIER NO. 2, HALIFAX.
In the spring of 1917, when the German submarines were trying to starve Britain into surrender, the Canadian Government thought it wise to bring home the dependants of our soldiers who were not actually engaged in war work in the United Kingdom. The Olympic arrived in Halifax Port one morning with 1,000 women and children aboard, as well as her usual number of invalided soldiers. Many hours passed before the last travellers entrained for their homes, and one may imagine the scene at Pier 2 where these tired women waited for long hours with no shelter or food and no comforts for their little ones.
It was felt that something must be done to welcome those soldiers’ dependants who had left their loved ones in England or France, and who could not surmise what the future held in store for those from whom they were separated. A committee of ladies was formed to look after all soldiers’ dependants on their arrival in Canada. Spacious rooms, with kitchen, dining-room, rest-room, nursery and bath-rooms were provided by the Government at Pier 2, together with a sum of money sufficient to furnish necessaries.
For three years a band of ladies under the presidency—first of Mrs. Benson, wife of General Benson, and later of Mrs. J. G. McDougall—met all boats and cared for all travellers with the most wonderful devotion. As soon as the gangway was secured their work began. It mattered not whether the ship was docked at 7 a.m., or at midnight, on a summer morning, or on a cold winter evening, the workers were always there. Two of the Committee went on board to see if there were any special cases to be looked after and to notify those aboard of the Creche Committee’s willingness to help them in every possible way.
Some stood at the gangway to welcome tired mothers and relieve them of their tiny but very heavy burdens. Others led them to the warm and comfortable quarters provided for them. In the kitchen busy hands had been at work, and sandwiches and fragrant hot coffee were not wanting; while in the nursery many young girls were preparing beds with cool white sheets in which to lay Canada’s young and welcome immigrants.
Although the railway authorities were wonderfully expeditious in getting the trains despatched, still many hours had to be spent at the Creche—days sometimes—and, once or twice, even nights. The scenes when a boat arrived with many hundreds of women and children defy description. Parties were constantly being brought to the rooms by willing and helpful guides. If husband or father was there, he saw his dear ones safely housed, and he himself returned to look after the tickets and baggage. If the mother was in charge, she accompanied her little ones to the Creche, and after seeing them safe and happy, was assisted in collecting her baggage and procuring transportation. Kind hands undressed the babies, washed, warmed and fed them and laid them to sleep in comfort. The older children were also fed and then amused by toys and picture books. Older travellers, completely tired out by the long and often rough voyage, found indeed a warm and steady bed a source of joy. Times and movements of trains were called in the waiting rooms, and to the outgoing trains the travellers were finally escorted, as comfortable and as happy as it was possible to make them.
The Red Cross placed a most efficient trained nurse at the disposal of the Committee, and it is not possible to tell how much her services were appreciated by those who, though not fit for hospital and anxious to complete their journey, were still much in need of care. In a general way, as well as in her professional capacity, the trained nurse rendered services of a very high order. Space does not permit to tell of all the various activities carried on at the Creche—money was exchanged, hotel accommodation secured for those remaining over in Halifax for a few days, telegrams were sent, meal tickets given to those who needed them on the trains, babies were supplied with necessaries for travelling, and money was many times given to those who through stress of circumstances had not the wherewithal to complete their journey.
The returned men were always eager to assist in any way they could, and the bands of the Canadian Battalions gave all great pleasure by their delightful music.
Arrangements were made for any needing hospital care; and they were continually visited by members of the Committee while in Halifax City. The military authorities placed an ambulance at the disposal of the Committee for such cases. The Committee had the fullest support and co-operation of the military authorities. They also had the assistance of a hundred workers who gave up all engagements and pleasures when it was known that a boat was expected.
The Creche Committee deeply regretted the departure from Halifax of Mrs. Benson and Mrs. McKelvey Bell, under whom they began their work. The ladies who carried on to the close of operation were:—
| Mrs. McCallum Grant | Hon. Chairman. |
| Mrs. J. G. McDougall | Chairman. |
| Mrs. Hector McInnes | Vice-Chairman. |
| Mrs. W. A. Henry | Secretary. |
| Mrs. W. E. Thompson | Treasurer. |
Mrs. David McKeen.
Mrs. G. S. Campbell.
Mrs. Clarence MacKinnon.
Miss Jessie MacKenzie.
Lady Townshend.
Mrs. M. A. Curry.
The Creche closed on 31st December, 1919. Since the 18th November, 1918, the Committee and its helpers met 120 ships laden with returning Canadian soldiers, their wives and families. On one steamship alone, the Megantic, were 600 women and children, 180 of the children being under twelve months of age. On several occasions there have been as many as 900 women and children on a steamer, and, in one instance, the Olympic brought 1,000. All were sent on their homeward journey rested, refreshed, and cheered; and the kindly welcome they received has made the name of the Atlantic Gateway dear to the hearts of thousands of people the Dominion over. Countless letters bear testimony to unfeigned appreciation and gratitude. One newspaper extract may be permitted.
The Ottawa Journal of December 28, 1918, says: “While this work, and, to a large extent, its financial obligations have been borne almost entirely by the citizens of Halifax, as the benefits accrue to the country as a whole the gratitude of the people of Canada is due to the small band of workers who for the past eighteen months have generously and patriotically assumed the burden for the whole Dominion.”
Those were busy days at Pier 2; and although much sacrifice was demanded of the Halifax Creche Committee, it is not too much to say that it was willingly and joyfully given by those who wished to have some small share in the work of the Great War.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT—MRS. J. G. M‘DOUGALL, MRS. HECTOR M‘INNES, MRS. W. A. HENRY, MRS. M‘CALLUM GRANT.
CHAPTER LVII.
ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH AND THE WAR.
[A description of the work done by each of the churches in Nova Scotia would require a book in itself. The following article on the activities of St. Matthew’s Church, Halifax, is typical of the manner in which the churches of all denominations throughout the Province watched over the spiritual and material welfare of men of the Overseas’ Units.—Editor.]
Early in the War, as soon as it became evident to the citizens of Halifax that the struggle against “Might” would endure for some time, and that this station would become again and remain an important rendezvous for the army and navy while hostilities lasted, the question of showing some tangible appreciation to the volunteers who were rallying to the colors became paramount in many minds. Noticing the presence of many of these men at the regular church services in St. Matthew’s the minister (Rev. J. W. Macmillan, D.D.) conceived the idea of having special receptions so that they, while in Halifax, should find a real church home and get sociably acquainted with members of the congregation.
Such receptions were held at the close of the usual Sunday evening services. Many of the men were met thus and later welcomed at various homes during the week. It was later found expedient for these hosts to join forces so as to be able to entertain larger numbers than could be accommodated at the houses, and it was thus that the Thursday evening entertainments originated in the schoolroom of St. Matthew’s Church during October, 1914. These gained immediately in popularity until crowded houses with S.R.O. signs continued for five winters without intermittence, except for a few weeks following the great explosion of December, 1917.
The ladies of the congregation were from first to last the chief motive power at all these meetings, and the secret of their success. Some were not publicly in evidence but worked “behind the scenes” in supplying and providing the refreshments that formed a most important part of these functions and did yeoman service. The work was quickly organized into a perfect system, everybody being assigned to a task that suited the particular attitude of the worker, with plenty of eager helpers always on hand as reserves.
This organization was not any premeditated system nor was it arranged on the basis of any other movement, but being almost impromptu formed itself with a naturalness according to the needs as they developed until it appeared to become as perfect as is humanly possible and so it continued with an earnest patriotic zeal on the part of the people anxious to help but unable to go to the field of war because of their sex or their age limit. Some distinguished themselves as caterers, cooks, coffee makers, waiters or waitresses and even as dishwashers. Others at the doors as welcoming committees or indoors as cartoon makers, lantern manipulators, contest managers, leaders of choruses and accompanists or “masters of ceremonies” and chairmen. Others again found work in advertising the meetings at the various ships and barracks until it became the rule that every new Regiment or warship arriving at Halifax was promptly advised of these Thursday evening meetings.
The entertainment itself evolved into a systematic method by natural causes too, rather than by design. Noting the crowds of soldiers and sailors on the streets at an early hour the doors were opened at 6.30 p.m. and immediately the hall began filling. To entertain the early arrivals a magic lantern displayed reproductions of recent war cartoons and cheery messages, while various popular songs and choruses thrown on the screen by the same method with a good accompanist at the piano got every one settled down for a hearty sing-song. Each week the cartoons were supplemented with additions and new songs added, along with items of current interest and latest news, more pictures of local topics and jokes that were fully appreciated. These opening features proved attractive and were followed with some contest varying weekly in their style and nature, for which prizes were awarded—always two at the least and sometimes as many as twelve, most of them being made and given by the ladies of the congregation—that were keenly contested for by the men in uniform. This first portion of the meeting soon became an essential part of the entertainment and was usually controlled by a “master of ceremonies,” who between 7.45 to 8 o’clock would surrender his position to the chairman of the evening, and he in turn would call the meeting to order with the singing of the National Anthem, and after a few words of welcome the concert proper was conducted.
In this respect all the best and cleverest artists, without distinction of class or creed, responded willingly and enthusiastically to the committees having charge of the programmes. These committees rotated in their work and there arose a healthy competition between them in acquiring special performers and singers to assure successful concerts.
At nine o’clock an adjournment for refreshments took place. This half-hour provided an opportunity for conversation as well as for eating; the lantern threw cartoons and pictures, jokes and songs on the screen so that good humor continued to prevail. During this interval some committee members moved among the audience seeking for impromptu items for a programme that was continued along with choruses from 9.30 to 10 o’clock and even later for the benefit of such as had special “late leave.”
The interest in these entertainments did not wane. It never flagged at any period of the five winters. The workers never tired of their tasks, nor was there ever any difficulty noticed in obtaining a bountiful supply of musical talent or refreshments to ensure success.
The secret of any extra degree of popularity for these Thursday evenings cannot be attributed to any one cause but rather to a combination of circumstances. To a great degree the down-town position of St. Matthew’s made a strong appeal. The early start of these concerts caused them to be better known perhaps, and the fact of their regularity and continuity helped matters greatly, and yet, perhaps more than all, the ladies of St. Matthew’s were a greater factor than all these. This can be stated without in any degree disparaging the great work done by other churches and institutions or of ladies who were equally active in other places, and yet these ladies as a body were able to greet all the men in uniform with a heartiness that was promptly felt and without at any time the semblance of that familiarity that breeds contempt or of a patronizing air to which soldiers and sailors especially are most sensitive, and at no time was there anything but the most respectful and kindly feeling shown on either side.
No smoking was indulged in at these gatherings, and none appeared to wish the privilege. The men refrained out of their natural respect to the ladies in the audience. Later on some “No Smoking Allowed” signs were placed in the ante-rooms, where some were wont to indulge in a few puffs during the intervals, but this was done on account of the fire risks in the older part of the structure and did not occasion much if any comment.
To the credit of the men themselves it can be recorded now that though between 125 and 150 of these meetings were held and the average attendance was well over 400 men in uniform at each, only two men were noticed to be the worse for liquor, and one of these occasioned the only instance of a disagreement over any contest that took place on those evenings, and in his case the offender came back to the following meeting and apologized for his own unseemly behavior. This is a record for our soldiers and sailors of which the people of St. Matthew’s feel particularly proud. In itself it repays them fully for any efforts that were undertaken and leaves them ready to entertain such men whenever an opportunity occurs.
The Sunday evening services of song were in some respects even more successful than the Thursday night concerts. A better chance to meet and know the men was afforded, and a better opportunity provided to intermingle and converse. The strangers invariably seemed to meet people from their own home towns or provinces, and the men from Britain found enthusiasts from Scotland, England, Ireland or Wales ready to greet them on mutual racial grounds.
The addresses on these occasions always had a more serious, religious or sentimental strain than was noticeable on week nights, and the Rev. Dr. Clarke, who succeeded Dr. Macmillan in 1916 as minister of the congregation was always ready to tell a good story and point a moral with good effect. The lantern was used for throwing the words of well-known hymn tunes on the screen, and the singing often had the fervor of a revival meeting. As each Unit or Regiment was known to be embarking for the Front, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” was invariably sung and often that hymn, “Eternal Father Strong to Save” and various war-time versions thereof were prayerfully sung. Besides the hymn singing there were always solos, duets or quartettes rendered by the church choir and other artists. Refreshments were served before dispersing, but were plainer than the fare dispensed on Thursdays, being confined to tea and biscuits so as to lessen the labor in deference to the Sabbath. These however, were greatly appreciated by men who had eaten their suppers at 4 p.m. with no other meal in prospect until the next day.
Some thousands signed their autographs in visitors’ books that were frequently passed around for signature, and among them are those of hundreds who now lie in Flanders fields or gave their lives for God and King and Country in other spheres of the War zone. Many appreciatory letters were received from boys and men after they left Halifax, expressing their appreciation of these receptions, some of them comparing the wintry nights in the trenches or on the North Sea with the peaceful hours spent at St. Matthew’s. Many wives and mothers in all parts of Canada have heard of St. Matthew’s and Halifax and have shown their thankfulness in many ways for the attention given their husbands and sons while here. The work of the Halifax Churches combined with the activities of the Citizens’ Reception Committee and the Y.M.C.A. work at Pier 2 throughout the War have made the name of Halifax well and favorably known throughout the land. Even now that the War is over the duty of the churches towards the strangers within their gates should be continued—the need is great though the boys and men may not be in uniform and many of these could enjoy and appreciate as the soldiers and sailors did, a warm and kindly welcome from a Christian community.