“Great Gallantry of 49th Hastings Rifles. France, May 5th, 1915. My Dear Colonel Ketcheson,—I feel it my duty to write to you to tell how the men of the 49th Hastings Rifles did honor to themselves, their country and the Empire; and yet, in relating the glorious achievements that they have accomplished there is a sadness and regrettable result in that some of the brave fellows have fallen.
Never were men called upon to show such courage and fortitude that these men were from April 23 to April 27, and I can only say, Colonel, that I am proud—as every officer is proud—of the behavior and conduct of these men under such fire. … Accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of these gallant fellows. … Fraternally yours, Richard D. Ponton, Capt., 2nd Batt.”
The Intelligencer May 22, 1915 (page 8)
“Cheese Board Makes Grant to 39th Batt. For Extra Comforts for the Men Who are Soon to Leave. At a very enthusiastic meeting of the Cheese Board this morning a grant of $500 was made to the 39th Battalion. This money will be used for extra comforts for the men, which were not supplied by the government.
Colonel Preston addressed the board and stated that he wanted $10,000 for this purpose and the government allowance would be entirely separate from this amount. … The motion was unanimously passed upon the motion of Mr. Sprague, seconded by Mr. George Nicholson, of the Sidney Town Hall Cheese Board.”
“Victoria Day Monday, May 24th. Citizens’ Celebration and Farewell to the 39th Battalion, C.E.F. Military Field Day, Mobilization of the Cadet Corps of the District. Sports, Races, Baseball. Belleville Driving Park 2 p.m. Parade From Market Square 1.30 p.m. God Save the King.”
The Intelligencer May 20, 1915 (page 2)
“Five Recover From Meningitis. Very encouraging news was received this morning from the spinal meningitis cases. For some time there have been seven cases in the local hospital and for the last couple of days five of these patients have been able to be walking about and today they will be allowed passes and leave. … These men are Privates McDinnick, Beard, Milberry, Scruver and Murray.
There have been no outbreak of any new cases for some time, and no carriers have been discovered for the last ten days. Apparently this epidemic is completely obliterated. Out of the 80 carriers, who were at one time at the exhibition camp, the number has dwindled down to 30.”
“No Official News of His Having Been Killed Has Been Received to Date. Mr. J. Ross, father of Leo Ross, who was stated in a letter from the front to have been killed, received the following letter this morning from the Adjutant-General:—’Name of Gunner, J.L. Ross, 1st Artillery Brigade, has not appeared on any official casualty list received at military headquarters to date. So far as is known he is still serving with the corps. Any casualty will be telegraphed to you as soon as received. Adjutant General.”
The Intelligencer May 19, 1915 (page 7)
“Batteryman Killed At the Front. Word has been received in this city that Gunner M.A. Gomes who went from this city with the 34th Battery, has been killed. His death was the result of a shell bursting beneath the horse he was riding. The victim was twenty-six years of age, and was born in British Guiana. He attended the Ontario Business College here and was for some time night clerk at the Grand Trunk Railway station. He left his city with the 34th Battery and went to the front with the First Contingent. The news of Gomes’ death is much regretted by those who knew him.”
[Note: Gunner Manuel Antonio Gomes died on April 26, 1915. He is commemorated on Page 16 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.]
The Intelligencer May 19, 1915 (page 8)
“Military Field Day, Victoria Day, May 24. As the 39th Battalion is likely to be ordered to the front at once, the Citizens Celebration Committee has made arrangements for a Grand Re-union and Military Field Day for the officers and men of the 39th Battalion and their friends from their own home district, to meet at the Driving Park on Victoria Day.
The committee will perfect arrangements to-night. There will be military manoeuvres by our fine regiment, which is in good shape now for the front, as well as manoeuvres by the Boys Cadet Corps. … Get busy to extend to the 39th a splendid farewell.”
“From Scholars To Old Boys At the Front. The various Public Schools of the city have from week to week been sending to the front scrap books of interesting clippings culled and selected by the pupils boys and girls for the benefit of the men at the front, in order to keep them in touch with their city and county, and so that the lines of communications may not be broken with the dear old homes. …
Queen Alexandra School has been particularly fortunate in enlisting
Queen Alexandra School, Belleville
the voluntary services of a genuine artist who, with loyal fervor, each week illuminates the backs of the books which are being sent forward, in most artistic fashion. With a modest patriotism which becomes him, he does not desire his name mentioned, but the identity of an honored citizen and professional man, who has attained his three score years and ten, and who can still wield the colors and the brush as he does, cannot remain long a secret. He has also done some splendid work for the boys and girls of Grier street and Queen Mary’s schools. …
Colonel Ponton, Chairman of the Board of Education, has placed eight copies of this week’s work in the windows of the Merchants’ Bank, so that the public may share in the delight, which the boys at the front will feel when they receive the covers and the contents prepared by loving hands.”
The Intelligencer May 18, 1915 (page 7)
“Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot. Dear Mrs. Yatman, I am writing to you for your son Thomas, who arrived here 1st May. He sends you his very best love and to say he is not too badly wounded, but I’m so very sorry to have to tell you the truth, that he is seriously injured, his spine has been damaged; but he is such a hero and talks and laughs quite a lot and there is never a murmur of complaint from him.
His chief worry I think is that you will be worrying about him, and, so please, when you write, cheer him up. I will write to you every week and let you know how he goes along. We got 150 wounded in on Saturday last, and quite a lot of Canadians, and the majority of them such laddies. I feel it an honor to nurse them. Yours sincerely, PEGGY M. BOLAND.”
The Intelligencer May 18, 1915 (page 8)
“Driver Tryon. May 5th, 1915. Dear Nellie:—As I sit down here to write you these few lines, I hope they find you all well, as it leaves myself well at present, but I have sad news to tell you. We have lost a few of our Belleville boys, which does seem hard, and yesterday morning we lost one of our officers. We have had some very hard and severe fighting the last ten days which is not over yet. It is something fierce; no one has any idea. There never was a war before like this. We have been under shell fire for the last ten days. …
It’s a shame to see the towns and villages which have been torn down and burned. It is terrible to see the poor people having to leave. No homes to go to. … Well, Nellie, Leo Ross was killed on May 1st, which was very hard for us to get over. He was killed in action. It will be hard for his poor mother but you know our turn will come in time. Good bye, Driver Tryon, 2nd Battery, 1st Brigade, Canadian Contingent; British Expeditionary Force.”
The Intelligencer May 18, 1915 (page 8)
“The Rumored Death of Leo Ross. In reference to the above letter, which states that Leo Ross was killed on May 1st, a reporter of the Intelligencer, saw Mr. Walter Ross, father of Leo, this morning and stated that he had heard nothing of his son’s death.”
“Mr. Charles Dickens of this city, received the following telegram which refers to his son: Ottawa, May 15th, 1915. C.C. Dickens, Belleville. Sincerely regret to inform you 1646 Private Harry C. Dickens 8th Battalion, officially reported sick with gas fumes. Further particulars when received will be sent you. Adjutant General.
Private Harry Dickens was at Winnipeg when the war broke out and enlisted with the 96th Regiment, Winnipeg Rifles. His many friends in this city will wish for him a speedy recovery.”
“An exceedingly pleasant evening was spent at the Quinte Hotel last night at a ‘Mess Dinner’ given by Col. Preston and the officers of the 39th Battalion, now stationed in this city awaiting orders to join their comrades who are doing brave and noble work in the trenches at Ypres, in Belgium, in defence of the Empire.
The Colonel and officers had extended invitations to a number of our leading citizens, many of whom had served in the Volunteer force of Canada, who could and did wear long service medals. … After the sumptuous repast, provided by the genial host of the Quinte, had been disposed of, the toast of the King was proposed and received in true British style. … Sir Mackenzie Bowell, in a few words, proposed the health, and a long and valiant future for the Colonel and officers of the 39th Battalion, coupled with the hope that all might return from the conflict in health, covered with glory. … The gathering separated after singing the National Anthem, highly pleased with the evening’s entertainment.”
“Mrs. J. Lavin, of 23 Charlotte St., Belleville, has received a letter from her husband, Pte. Jack Lavin, who went away with the first contingent, the letter written from the Hospital of St. John and St. Elizabeth, 40 Grove End Road, London, N.W., and dated April 29th. ‘Just a line,’ he says in the letter, ‘to let you know that I have arrived in London and staying in a very good Hospital, in charge of the Sisters of Mercy. Everybody here are very kind and I am likely to stay here for some time.”
The Intelligencer May 12, 1915 (page 3)
“Gunner E.G. Blaylock, of 2nd Field Battery, 1st Brigade, C.F.A., writes as follows to his parents in Belleville:—The British Hospital, Hotel Bellevue, Wimereux, Boulogne, April 28th, 1915. Dear Mother and Father,—Just a few lines to let you know that I have been wounded, but not seriously. … I was wounded last Sunday morning at 9 o’clock by a piece of shrapnel. One piece went into my right thigh and the other grazed my right side just below the arm. I have been operated on … I have the pieces of shrapnel that were in me, and am going to keep them as German souvenirs.”
The Intelligencer May 12, 1915 (page 3)
“a letter to his parents at Belleville by Pte. Jim Gorman, of the 2nd Battalion. April 28, 1915. Dear Mother,—Just a few lines to let you know I am in the City of London Hospital, wounded in the back with a piece of shrapnel when we made the big charge.”
The Intelligencer May 12, 1915 (page 3)
“The following letter was received by Mr. W.A. Yatman, 82 Mill street, this morning, regarding his son, Thos. A. Yatman, who was wounded at the second battle of Ypres. No. 11 General Hospital, British Expeditionary Force, April 24, 1915. Dear Mr. Yatman, I am sorry to have to tell you that your son, Pte. Yatman, was brought into hospital today suffering from a gun shot wound in the neck. I am afraid it must have injured his spine for the time being, as he is paralysed. He is quite cheerful, and a very good patient. I am hoping soon to let you know that he is much better. Yours truly, M. WOODHOUSE, Sister.”
“Another Belleville Soldier Killed. Bert Lavender, whose name appears amongst the list of killed at the front, is a Bellevillian, having enlisted with the First Contingent. He joined the Regiment here. Relatives of the unfortunate patriot, who reside in this city, have not officially been notified of his death, but his name appears amongst members of the 2nd Battalion whose lives have been sacrificed.”
[Note: Private Bert Lavender died on April 22, 1915. He is commemorated on Page 23 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.]
The Intelligencer May 11, 1915 (page 3)
“Letter From Dead Soldier. Sergt. Harry C. Ablard Says He Is ‘Ready for Whatever Comes.’ … It bears the date of the field postoffice, March 20th: ‘Somewhere’ in France. Dear Rector:—Just a line to let you know that I am getting on fine out here. …
I wish you could pop into our little ‘dug-out’ and see our novel surroundings. It is very dark, and quiet to-night, and it is difficult to believe that a few yards away are the much talked of ‘rival’ of ours.
In the actual realities of this road of warfare, one loses a good deal of the bitterness one feels towards them at first. They are always singing and whistling and appear to take their lot as easily as we. Of course, there are times when we feel like putting them all to sleep and that is when you see some one you know being taken away for the last time. … Sincerely yours, Harry C. Ablard.”
“First Bellevillian Killed in Action. Mrs. Harry Ablard, who resides at 196 Dundas street, in this city, this morning received the following sad message: ‘Mrs. Harry Ablard:—’Deeply regret to inform you No. 7813, Sergt. Harry Ablard, 2nd Battalion, officially reported killed in action. Yours, Adjutant General.’
Sergt. Ablard was well known in this city, and had many friends. He was for some time a color-sergeant in the 15th Battalion, and when the call for arms was made, responded and enlisted, leaving here with the first battalion. The message conveying the news of his death has been received with deep regret. Mrs. Ablard, wife of the slain Bellevillian, is a daughter of Mr. J.K. Mitchell, gardener, who resides on the Front of Thurlow. Since the Sergeant’s absence to the front, a child has been born, making in all a family of three children.
Mr. Ablard was a member of St. Thomas’ choir of this city for many years. The rector, Rev. Canon Beamish, just lately received a letter from him, written in the trenches. It was written in a very cheerful vein.”
[Note: Sergeant Henry Charles Ablard died on April 22, 1915. He is commemorated on Page 3 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.]
“Practical Patriotism Exhibited in City. The happy possession of a spacious house and grounds and of philanthropic spirit has enabled Mr. W.B. Northrup, K.C., M.P., and Mrs. Northrup to make an offer to the Government of a convalescent home for wounded Canadian soldiers from France and Belgium, who are to be sent to Canada to be refitted and to regain the strength and vigor necessary for them to resume the fight in the firing line.
Home of Mr. W.B. Northrup on Front Street North, Belleville
Mr. Northrup has practically handed over the key of his beautifully furnished home and the Government has accepted his offer provided that the citizens of Belleville and vicinity will undertake the cheering and the outdoor care of the convalescents by volunteering an ample supply of motor cars and motor boats for outings every morning and every afternoon until the convalescents are guaranteed fit for service and are drafted back to the army again.”
The Intelligencer May 8, 1915 (page 7)
“Sergt. A Cooke Writes Home. Mrs. Cooke of College Hill, Belleville, has received the following letter from her son, Sergt. Archie Cook, who left here with the 1st Contingent. Belgium, April 19, 1915. At last we are in Belgium. It has taken quite a long time for us to come from home to there but we are none the worse off by the journey.
Yesterday morning we were awake early and told to get ready to move to some place, we didn’t know where. … After we had gone about three miles we crossed the Belgium frontier, and about six miles further we arrived at our billets. It is a pretty country around here. There are in some parts large mansions and parks. … It will not be long before we are back in the trenches again, and I think we are certain of seeing something this time.”
First World War Belleville 