The Intelligencer January 5, 1916 (page 2)

“French Cook Praises a Belleville Product. The Graham Co. of this city have received the following letter from a French cook in the trenches, and speaks well for the company and their products:

From the Trenches, Dec. 13, 1915. Sir:—Being a cook I am using your product with success; it is very practical. We have to give our men soup early in the morning. Before we were obliged to peel all the vegetables by candle light, which was very hard. All the men in our company say the soup is very good. I want to tell you that we are from different countries and a little help from you would do us a lot of good because we do not get help from home. Yours very truly, MILON DESIRE, 20th Co., 801st Infantry.

The Graham Co. are sending some assistance to these men, which they hope will be acceptable.”

[Note: The Graham Company produced desiccated vegetables and evaporated supplies.]

The Intelligencer January 3, 1916 (page 7)

“Letter of Appreciation. The following letter has been received by the pastors of the city churches from Mr. Sharpe, the secretary of the Military Y.M.C.A., acknowledging the assistance received from the churches in connection with the Christmas dinner for the soldiers.

‘May I express through you to the ladies of your church my thanks for their assistance in the providing and serving of the Christmas dinner for the members of the 80th and 155th Battalions and returned soldiers who were in the city Christmas Day.

The more I think of the splendid provision made the more I realize my indebtedness to the ladies of the city’s churches. I am specially grateful to the ladies who represented your church on the general committee and gave so freely of their time to the undertaking. Without their help a dinner of the proportions of the one served would have been quite out of the question.

After all there is so little we can do for the men in khaki compared to what they have offered to do, that it is little wonder that everyone seemed so eager and glad to honor them in this way.

I trust the New Year may be one full of prosperity and improved opportunities for the members of your congregation.’ ”

The Intelligencer January 3, 1916 (page 7)

Recruiting Concert. At the Princess Theatre, Front St., on Sunday, two sacred concerts were given under the auspices of the 155th Battalion, C.E.F., and both were well attended. In the afternoon and evening some moving pictures were shown and some suitable vocal selections were also given.

At the evening performance, Mrs. Adelaide Secord, who is connected with the Empire Players’ Company, which played here all last week was present, and gave an appropriate recruiting address. She stated that she had a son in the fighting lines some where in Belgium and that it was incumbent upon mothers to offer and allow their sons to enlist and fight for the Allies. It was a sacrifice to do so, but the sacrifice must be made. At the conclusion of her remarks, Mrs. Secord recited in feeling manner. ‘The charge of the Light Brigade.’

Col. Adams, commanding officer of the 155th Battalion, spoke briefly in favor of recruiting and also on behalf of the Battalion, thanked Mr. Green, the manager of the house, for his kindness and generosity in giving free the house for the concerts.”

The Intelligencer December 31, 1915 (page 4)

“The Awful Tragedy of War! Has paralyzed industries — Delayed consignments and dislocated the entire commerce of the world. Six Days’ Sensational Overcoat Sale. Any O’Coat to measure — Meltons, Beavers, Scotches, Tweeds, Friezes. Scotland Woollen Mills Co. Ltd. No More $15 No Less. E.C. Sprague, Agent.”

 

The Intelligencer December 27, 1915 (page 7)

“Poor Children’s Christmas Tree. To the members of the Fifteenth Regimental Band of Belleville, is due the credit of making Christmas Day pleasant for the many poor children in the city, by providing a Christmas tree and distributing gifts. It was indeed a happy crowd of youngsters and their beaming faces and expressions of gratitude at being remembered was a reward for faithful work on the part of the promoters.

At about one thirty several hundred children had gathered at the Armouries, but owing to the inclement weather hundreds of others were not able to get there. Though the tree was a great success, all the children could not be reached as many names were sent in without street address and ages, and time would not permit the investigation of all cases.

Assistance was given in the Armouries by several citizens, for which the members of the band are very thankful, as the distribution of prizes did not finish until near six o’clock, and without their assistance would have been much later.”

The Intelligencer December 27, 1915 (page 7)

“Khaki Christmas. The provision made for the Christmas dinners for the soldiers at the Barracks …  has set a new standard for events of that kind. Not a single detail was overlooked. There were all sorts of things to eat: roast turkey, cranberry sauce, dressing, green peas, potatoes, carrots, then plum pudding, brown sauce and pies innumerable—pumpkin, mince, apple, lemon, custard, raisin and representatives of every other variety. No, that wasn’t all. Then followed, nuts, candies, oranges, apples, raisins, and a supply of cigarettes, the gift of a friend of the soldiers.

Everything worked like a charm. The dinner was called for 11.45 A.M., and just at that moment Capt. Ruskon of the Salvation Army asked the blessing, and the finest Christmas dinner that soldiers anywhere have ever been served, was started. The mess room was transformed into a fine dining hall by the use of flags, and tastily decorated tables that were a compliment to the ladies of the Khaki Club who undertook that important duty.

The committee in charge of the serving was convened by Miss Campbell and were in addition to being most capable and pleasant, exceedingly popular. In fact everyone was the same, whether they were working in the kitchen carving or serving like Captain Watson did all morning, or whether they were doing any number of a hundred and one other things that remained to be done, all had smiles. Without any comment from anyone the ladies would have known their kindness was appreciated, but just to put it tangibly, every lady who deferred her own Christmas dinner to come down and help was the recipient of a sterling silver 80th Battalion badge.

The provisions were aplenty; so much so that no demand was made at all on the allowance made by the Government for Christmas dinner and the men will receive that later.

More hearty co-operation in any enterprise would be impossible, and Mr. Sharpe of the Militia Y.M.C.A., having solicited the assistance of the churches, wishes to gratefully acknowledge their help and that of the press and every individual and organization that took part.

It was a day to be remembered. It may be, though we hope not, the last Christmas dinner for some of the boys and it must be gratifying to everyone who helped to have had a part.”

 

The Intelligencer December 24, 1915 (page 7)

“Hastings Boy Passes Away. The Bancroft Times has the following reference to the death of a Hastings County boy. …  Another home made desolate and a bright young life ended, that the principles of our Empire be upheld. On November 17th, Pte. Bobbie Black, who left Belleville with the 39th Battalion, was on his way home from France, where he had been in the trenches, and later in the hospital, and was being sent home to Canada to recuperate, when the hospital ship he was on ran onto a mine and almost all on board perished. Meagre enough in the details, but horrible in reality.

Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved family, who were expecting to nurse their boy back to health, but God in His wisdom saw otherwise and we must bow our heads to His will.

The deceased was of a bright cheerful disposition, and well thought of by his friends in Turriff and L’Amable, where he has many relatives living.”

[Note: Private Robert Black died on November 17, 1915. He is commemorated on Page 5 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.]

The Intelligencer December 21, 1915 (page 5)

“Help to Make Her Dream Come True. She is one of some Three Million Belgians who, since they refused to sell their honor to Germany, have lived on the brink of starvation. A thriving industrial people, used to life’s comforts, they have been reduced to a state where they dream, not of luxuries or pleasures, but of having enough to eat! True to their character as the war has unmasked it, the Germans callously refuse to help the starving. The task of feeding them has been undertaken by Belgium’s Allies and Neutral Nations, through the Belgian Relief Fund. …  $2.50 Keeps a Belgian Family a Month.”

The Intelligencer December 20, 1915 (page 7)

“Editor Intelligencer. Dear Sir:—Your paper has done such a lot in the past to encourage recruiting. I will ask the favor of a small space to make a few remarks.

We have at the present time two battalions in our town, the 80th and the 155th both, being practically commanded, by local officers who are well known throughout this and the adjoining counties. The 155th is a new regiment forming while the 80th has been mobilizing for the past three months and has earned for itself the name of being one of the best battalions in this division.

It is too bad to see, when walking along our streets, a number of young and eligible men standing around corners, in pool rooms and particularly patronising local concerts arranged for the purpose of aiding recruiting, with the audacity to criticise the boys in khaki and join in the patriotic songs.

I wonder if those boys, who in my opinion should be presented with the white feather, ever bring to mind the atrocities committed and being committed by the Huns and do they realize what their fate would be in the case of a German victory. No, they leave it to others to do the fighting while they enjoy their game of pool, etc. Come boys and don’t have anyone to say that you have cold feet. Thanking you in advance. I am, Mr. Editor, ONE OF THE BOYS.”

The Intelligencer December 18, 1915 (page 1)

“Local Company of Reserve Militia. The large class of Reserve Militia who have been drilling for the last six weeks or more held their organization meeting at the Armouries last night, presided over by Lieut.-Col. Barragar. The men were complimented by the Colonel upon the enthusiasm shown in undertaking this necessary work of organizing and thoroughly drilling the reserve strength of the community.

He favored the establishment of one company of 250 men and increasing same to two companies as soon as possible, these making a Reserve of half a battalion to add to the strength of the 15th Regiment. The qualifications for enlistment are much the same as the active militia and all men physically fit between the ages of 18 and 60 should come forward and take this necessary drill. The instruction is given by competent drill instructors on each Tuesday and Friday evening of each week. The election of officers was proceeded with by the chairman, assisted by Capts. Cook and Wallace as scrutineers. …

This work of organizing the Reserve is most important as we must be protected by a drilled force when so many of the gallant men are going forward on the active overseas expeditions. Let every man consider it his duty to be prepared.”

The Intelligencer December 18, 1915 (page 2)

“Successful Red Cross Tea. The Tea held at Hotel Quinte on Thursday afternoon in aid of the Red Cross and Women’s Patriotic Association was a great success, forty-five dollars being realized. …

The President of the Association, Mrs. Lazier, was presented with a check for one hundred dollars by Mrs. Rogers, proceeds of the tickets sold on the lunch cloth which was drawn for at the tea and won by Mrs. J.P. Thomas, the lucky number being 167. The Association is deeply grateful to Mrs. Rogers for this splendid addition to its finances.

The Association has received since the last meeting $68.50 from Colonel Stewart on behalf of Camp Rob Roy, Sons of Scotland, the proceeds of their concert on St. Andrew’s night, for which the Association is greatly obliged.”

The Intelligencer December 17, 1915 (page 8)

“A Letter from Santa Claus. Dear Editor:—I wish you would inform the poor children of Belleville that I have opened my supply house at No. 304 Front St., where I have a letter box and would be pleased to have them write me. The Band Men are working for me and promise to have everything ready so that when I meet you on Christmas day I will have a present for all whose name, age and address is sent in to me. SANTA CLAUS”

The Intelligencer December 16, 1915 (page 2)

“Christmas Dinners For the Soldiers. That the members of the 80th Battalion are thoroughly popular with the Belleville citizens was indicated by the very representative meeting called by the Khaki Club and the Military Y.M.C.A. to arrange for Christmas dinners for the men who will be spending Christmas in barracks.

Every church in the city was represented by two or more ladies and a committee was convened to attend to the details and supervise the serving of the dinner which will be at 11:45 on Christmas morning. The mid-day hour was found more satisfactory as ample help was available then and this hour would interfere in no way with the programme arranged for the evening by the Daughters of the Empire. …

The Khaki Club readily offered to attend to the decorating of tables as they were familiar with the arrangements to be made. Miss Campbell will supervise the serving and within a few minutes of volunteering for this work had plenty of offers of assistance. A list of provisions required was presented and it quickly vanished as one after another of the twenty-five present assumed responsibility on behalf of her church for portions of it. …

It was felt that a number of people in the country would be anxious to have some part in this work for the soldiers, and they are invited to communicate with Mrs. MacColl, phone 418, or Mr. Sharpe, phone 413, if they can assist in providing fowl, fruit, or any of the provisions necessary.

While the success of the undertaking is assured by the very capable committee selected, it will require the assistance of a lot of people, and the hearty co-operation of every one approached is solicited.”

The Intelligencer December 16, 1915 (page 7)

“15th Band Complimented. To the Editor of The Daily Intelligencer. Dear Sir:—Would you be kind enough to publish this letter for me. Last Sunday night I was invited to take part in the concert given by the 15th Battalion Band, in Griffin’s Opera House, for the poor children’s Christmas tree, and I was, as a professional musician, agreeably surprised at the class of music played, and the way it was rendered; one number especially, the second selection of Faust by Gounod. This very difficult number was well played, and the writer was also amazed at the way the band accompanied the singers, not as is generally the case, over blowing to drown them, but to let the voice stand out over the band. This is the art of accompaniment, and I certainly had an enjoyable evening, and I hope the citizens of Belleville will not only appreciate, but loyally support a musical organization, which in the opinion of the writer, can compare very favorably with many of the large cities.

Mr. Lomas, the bass player of our company, also played at the concert and he is of the same opinion as myself. Mr. Lomas for years was with the famous 13th Battalion Band of Hamilton and also with the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra. I remain. Yours truly, J.W. PRATT. Flute and Piccolo Soloist with ‘Birth of a Nation Company.’ “