The Intelligencer July 14, 1916 (page 5)

“When the Boys Come Home. The time to which all Canadians are looking forward, and the title of an already famous song which Evan Williams the world-famed tenor has converted into a veritable masterpiece. J.V. Doyle, Druggist, Belleville. C.W. Lindsay, Limited, 299 Front St. ‘Barrett’s Old Stand.’ ”

 

The Intelligencer July 13, 1916 (page 2)

“Married Abroad. Denmark—MacNutt—Miss Ida G. Denmark, formerly of the C.A.M.C., daughter of Mrs. M.A. Denmark, to Capt. L.W. MacNutt, C.A.M.C.

Montreal, Vancouver and Charlottetown papers, please copy.”

The Intelligencer July 12, 1916 (page 1)

“More Cigarettes Used in Canada During War. Ottawa. Special—The consumption of cigarettes in Canada has been increased during the war.

In the last fiscal year the aggregate number entered for consumption at the Inland Revenue Department was 1,168,097,845, of which 86,936,545 were entered for ‘army and navy stores’; 49,000 heavy cigarettes, and 95,363 pounds of tobacco came under the head.”

The Intelligencer July 12, 1916 (page 2)

“Order for Farm Help. The original order from Ottawa dealing with farm furloughs, only dealt with furloughs for ‘plowing and seeding,’ but a more recent order deals with furlough to take part in hay harvest.

In many cases commanding officers when recruiting in country places, promised that they would allow their men to assist in farm work during harvest, until they were really under orders for overseas, and some commanding officers feel that apart from a special order that it is only fair to allow the men to go, although it affects the work of a battalion very seriously. The men have just got nicely into platoon, company, and battalion drill, and a month on the farm will change the military character of any soldier.”

The Intelligencer July 11, 1916 (page 6)

“The Women of Belleville will give a sock shower for the French soldiers in the trenches, on their national day, the 14th of July, in the Armouries at 8 o’clock.

The Presidents of all the Societies in the city, men as well as women, and regents of Chapters are asked to interest the members of their organizations to make this shower a success. Musical programme. Admission, socks or money.”

The Intelligencer July 10, 1916 (page 1)

“Casualties Among Canadian Troops. Killed in Action. …  Pte. Wilbur J. Conkright, Belleville, Ont. …  Wounded. …  Pte. Francis H. Collins, Belleville, Ont. …  Sergt. E.G. Jones, Belleville, Ont.”

[Note: Private Wilbur John Cronkwright died on June 27, 1916. He is commemorated on Page 72 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.]

The Intelligencer July 10, 1916 (page 1)

“Harold Lloyd Prisoner of War. The following has been received by Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Lloyd, of 20 Franklin street, this city:

Coln, Deutschland, June 4, 1916. I was taken prisoner at Ypres on June 2nd. I am wounded in the left arm, but not very badly. Percy Jones is here with me, also a prisoner, and slightly wounded. Don’t worry, for we are used well. Write soon. Best love, from Harold Lloyd.

Harold went from Kingston with 8th C.M.R., last fall.”

The Intelligencer July 10, 1916 (page 1)

“Ewart Jones Wounded. The following intelligence was received Saturday: Nelson Jones, 52 Yeomans St., Belleville. Sincerely regret to inform you 59,523 Sergeant Ewart Garde Jones, Infantry, officially wounded. Admitted No. 1, London General Hospital, Camberwell, July 3rd. Wounded left arm, left thigh. Will send further particulars when received. Officer I.C. Record Office.”

The Intelligencer July 8, 1916 (page 1)

“100 Canadian Birdmen Wanted for Overseas. Ottawa, July 7.—Announcement is made by the Naval Service Department that the British Admiralty have requested the department to enter another hundred men from Canada to train for probation and flight sub-lieutenants in the Royal Naval Air Service. The period of service is for the war.

Candidates must be between the ages of 18 and 25 years, but particularly suitable applicants between 18 and 19 will be accepted. Only athletic and perfectly fit men of good education and intellectual capacity will be accepted. Perfect eyesight is also required of the applicants.

When the number of volunteers asked for have been secured, Canada will have contributed 350 airmen to the Imperial Service, a large number have already rendered valuable service and probably a score have been killed or injured.”

The Intelligencer July 8, 1916 (page 7)

“Negro Battalion to Be Organized. Montreal, July 7.—A battalion of Canadian negroes is the latest development of the recruiting for overseas service. Notice to this effect was yesterday received by Col. Fages, acting O.C. here, with authorization for the organization of No. 2 Construction Battalion, C.E.F. This battalion will be formed along the same lines as No. 1 Construction Battalion, which is still recruiting one-half its force here.

The new construction battalion, however, will be composed entirely of colored men, with the exception that its officers will be white men, in command of Lieut.-Col. Daniel Sutherland. …

This is an entirely new departure with the army service, although there have been a number of Indian companies in various infantry regiments for years past, and of late several companies of Japanese have been raised in British Columbia.

No attempt has hitherto been made to mobilize the colored population of Canada, and it is expected that the call will meet with a good response, the more so as many of the colored families here are closely connected with the negroes who escaped to freedom on British soil before the American civil war.

When the present war broke out a number of Montreal colored people were anxious to start a negro battalion, while this idea was also broached in other cities and towns. They will now have opportunity to back up their loyal impulses with a battalion which will be utilized for some of the most important work of an advancing army—repairing the ravages caused by the enemy.”

“The Intelligencer July 7, 1916 (page 2)

“Brings More Recruits. There is a decided improvement in recruiting. It is believed that at no other time during the past two months have so many men joined in one day as on Monday.

The artillery office at Ottawa headed the list with 23 recruits for the 73rd depot battery at Kingston. This was the record day for the office for some months. The Forestry battalion enlisted 13 and the Construction battalion got a goodly number of recruits. The 207th had a large list, and many more are applying to join this battalion. The 230th also did well.

Nothing succeeds like success, and the officers think that the big fighting in France has something to do with the readiness of young men to enroll.”

The Intelligencer July 4, 1916 (page 1)

“Information as to Missing Troops. His Worship Mayor H.F. Ketcheson received this morning the following, which tells its own story. 4th C.M.R. Battalion. To the Relatives and Friends of those Reported Missing belonging to the 4th C.M.R. Battalion:

During the action of the 2nd-3rd June, in which this battalion took part, some of the records, including the next of kin, were lost, and this prevents us from writing you direct. We are anxious, however, to point out that although they have been reported ‘Missing’ there is still the hope that they may be ‘Prisoners of War.’

Information will not be received from the enemy for some time it is feared, concerning those captured by them.

The officers and men of this battalion wish to express to you their deep sympathy in your anxiety, which we trust may be relieved when the list of prisoners is published. If, however, they should eventually be numbered among the fallen we wish you to know that the battalion fully appreciates how nobly they fought, and we honor them in the supreme sacrifice which they have made. (Sgd.) H.D. Lockhart Gordon, Major, O.C. 4th C.M.R. Bn. June 16th, 1916.”

The Intelligencer July 4, 1916 (page 1)

“Rodney Newton a Prisoner of War. Mrs. J.S. Newton, 46 Hillcrest avenue, received this morning a card containing the following information, which locates the whereabouts of her son, who, apparently is a prisoner of war, in the hands of the Germans. The printed form, filled out by the writer, is the size of an ordinary postal card reads as follows:

Dulmen (Welf), June 4—16. I am a prisoner of war and stationed at Dulmen Weslf. My address is: Name and Christian, Rodney Clark Newton, Rank: Private, 113457. Regiment: 4 Canadian Mounted Rifles. Gefangenenlager Dulmen i W, Germany.

The above limited information will at least relieve the parents of suspense, in that Rodney has been reported missing for some time.”

The Intelligencer July 4, 1916 (page 2)

“The 155th Leads. In Camp, Sunday, July 2nd. Dear Intell.—Just a card to tell you about the route march to Kingston Mills and return Saturday—distance 16 miles.

Our battalion led the parade, and according to accounts made the best showing, by having the largest percentage in the line at the finish. Our band and battalion were complimented by Col. Hemming, and all the men were given late passes to the city as a little indulgence.

The march, on account of the heat and distance, was most trying, and it is estimated that nearly 25 per cent fell out; some dropping unconscious. In one battalion a whole company quit when their Lieutenant collapsed, and a whole band (136th) fell out. Our band was the only one with enough steam left to play at the finish, and we played ‘Hail, Hail, etc.’ Our band was given first place in the parade and finished in the best condition. 155th Member.”

 

The Intelligencer July 1, 1916 (page 3)

“189 Queen St., West, Toronto, June 29th, 1916. Dear Sir,—The writer noticed in the Toronto Globe of yesterday’s state that the city of Belleville is still actively interested in military proceedings, and that the possibility of raising another battalion is not remote.

There must be a lot of big husky fellows around Belleville and the Bay of Quinte district who would be an acquisition to No. 1 Construction Batt. now recruiting in Ontario, Quebec, Maritime Provinces and the City of Winnipeg.

No. 1 Construction Battalion will go overseas at the earliest possible date as the Imperial Government is in urgent need of men to assist in bridge building, road-making and general construction work. Its express purpose is to keep open the lines of communication to the trenches, and this is becoming of vital importance as advances on the Western front are contemplated.

Would it be asking too much of you to kindly insert a ‘reader’ in your valued paper. This would be greatly appreciated and should be of valuable assistance to us in our recruiting propaganda. Should this announcement elicit any attention, we would be pleased to reciprocate by using advertising space in your valued medium.

Col. Ripley, late construction engineer C.P.R. is in command and all the officers in No. 1 Construction Battalion have had valuable civil engineering experience. I include herewith some of the features of No. 1 Construction Bn. which I hope you will be able to use, also take the liberty to enclose a stamped envelope. Yours very truly, Pte. S.H. Bleakley. (No. 1 Construction Bn., C.E.F.)

No. 1 Overseas Construction Battalion is organized to assist the Imperial Government in the increasingly important work, building bridges; making roads and railroads and other means to facilitate the quick movement of troops and munitions.

This battalion is authorized to go overseas when up to strength; half the number have been recruited to date and our full quota should be secured inside of four weeks, as we have obtained permission to increase our area of recruiting activities.

All kinds of laborers are requested: Transit men, steel workers, bridge builders, etc. Men who have not enlisted previously and who have not the inclination to join infantry or artillery battalions may readily respond to our call and continue their usual avocations.”

The Intelligencer June 29, 1916 (page 3)

“Percy Jones Among Missing. Trooper Percy Jones, a Belleville boy, who enlisted in the 8th Canadian Mounted Rifles at Kingston last summer, is missing, according to a letter which a comrade has written home to friends in this city.

Trooper Jones had been in Belgium for a number of months and was evidently at Zillebeke when the German rush took place. The casualty lists have not yet reported him, but the Mounted Rifles have suffered heavily in ‘missing’ men.

Percy Jones is only about nineteen years of age. Three times he endeavored to enlist in the infantry here, but rejected on account of his height. Finally he was accepted for the C.M.R. His family removed from Belleville some time ago to Montreal, where they now reside.”

The Intelligencer June 29, 1916 (page 3)

“David W. Mossman Among the Missing. The following despatch brings its own story of the horrors of war:—Wm. Mossman, 7 Ridley St.:—Sincerely regret to inform you 113409 Pte. David Wm. Mossman, Mounted Rifles, officially reported missing June 2, 1916.

Will send further particulars when received. Office in charge of Record Office. Private Mossman enlisted with the 8th Mounted Rifles.”

[Note: Private David William Mossman died on June 2, 1916. He is commemorated on Page 139 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.]

The Intelligencer June 29, 1916 (page 3)

“Killed in Action. Additional particulars have been received in reference to Private James Mack of Belleville, who has been officially reported killed in action.

The brave defender of the British principles, which are being fought for had resided in Belleville for the past 16 years and was employed in the Belleville Rolling Mills for some time previous to his enlisting. Mr. Mack was a member of the I.O.F. Lodge, Belleville, also a member of the Methodist church.

He leaves many friends to grieve his demise. Besides the sorrowing widow he leaves two children, a son Burley, and a daughter Geraldine.”

[Note: Private James Mack died on June 16, 1916. He is commemorated on Page 127 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.]

The Intelligencer June 29, 1916 (page 3)

“Mrs. John Newton, Belleville, Ont. Sincerely regret to inform you 113457 Rodney Clark Newton, Mounted Rifles, reported missing June 2nd, 1916. Will send further particulars when received. Office in charge Record Office.”