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.