The Intelligencer April 18, 1916 (page 2)
“Request $40,000 for Patriotic Fund Grant. A request was made by a deputation of the Belleville Patriotic Association for a grant of $40,000, which was supported by several speakers. The matter was referred to the Executive Committee. … A grant of $400 was made to the 80th Battalion, and it was decided to have a roll of honor prepared of all Belleville citizens who have or will leave for overseas. …
Patriotic Association. … At a meeting just held by the Association a resolution had been unanimously adopted asking the Council to give a grant of $40,000, and this would be added to by a special appeal to citizens, so as to make about $60,000. This sum would be needed in the year for patriotic purposes. …
Ex-Mayor Wills said … We will require between $60,000 and $70,000 during the coming year to meet the demands. We will soon be at the $4,000 mark per month, and it will increase. You will see that this is the best course possible to pursue. …
Alderman Deacon … in addition to this patriotic scheme there were other matters to look after, namely the Red Cross, Canning factory rental, grants to the two battalions. It would mean about $10,000 for patriotic purposes in addition to the $40,000 asked for. Could the city stand $50,000 for patriotic purposes?
Col. Lazier—Certainly, if necessary. … The matter was then referred to the Executive Committee for consideration.
The Intelligencer April 18, 1916 (page 7)
“Token of Respect. Flags are floating at half mast on the city and Y.M.C.A. buildings out of respect to Signaller ‘Pat’ Yeomans, whose life has been sacrificed at the front.”
The Intelligencer April 18, 1916 (page 7)
“Another Bellevillian Wounded. In the list of Canadian casualties published today appears the name of Clarence Roy Rickett of Belleville, Ont., who is reported as wounded.”
The Intelligencer April 18, 1916 (page 7)
“Patriotic Send Off at Cannifton. Should anyone have any question as to the sympathy of the Cannifton community with the cause of the Allies in the present war, such an one should have been at the Town Hall in Cannifton on Saturday evening last. He would have had his notions blown higher than ‘Gilroy’s kite’ ever soared.
It became whispered about that seven of the village’s young men were about to leave in the service of the Empire, and the community at once set about to give significance to the event and honor to the boys who were stepping into the call of the nation’s heroes. Mrs. Fred Mason and Miss Flossie Watts were the popular young ladies to whom the task of canvassing was committed. The response was ready and generous; and the matronly mothers of the canvassers were commissioned to provide some tangible expression of the people’s interest in their boys, who had donned the khaki.
A meeting was appointed, and the soldiers summoned to the Town Hall. The meeting was called to order and Rev. Mr. Wilson was asked to preside. Mr. Wilson, who long before this had shown his sympathy with the soldiers and recruiting, in his opening remarks called attention to the fact that sixteen of the Cannifton youths were now in active service in the King’s army, while from the immediate vicinity in the Township of Thurlow more than thirty of her sons were in the ranks. Some of them had already given life and blood in battle and acquitted themselves in a creditable manner for their King and nation. … the Lloyd orchestra, from Sidney, always popular in Cannifton, rendered a number of selections appropriate for the occasion.
The climax of the hour was reached when the names of Wilfrid Badgley, Ross Callery, Blake Waterhouse, Fred Lawrence, Harold and Wilfrid Horn, Jas. Parm and Walter Barlow were responded to upon the call of the chairman. Mrs. Fred Mason and Miss Flossie Watts also were called to the platform, and Mrs. Mason presented to each of the young soldiers a signet ring of gold, the gift of the community, in recognition of their heroism in entering the ranks in defence of liberty.
A few words were spoken by Rev. Mr. Wilson to the boys whom, he believed, would heroically defend the nation’s honor and preserve their own. They would be followed by the prayerful memories of himself and the Church of God in the serious business they had undertaken. Upon their return they might be assured of a cordial and joyous welcome. The interesting event was brought to a close, by all joining in the National Anthem.”
[Note: Eight young men are listed.]
First World War Belleville 