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.