The Intelligencer March 20, 1915 (page 1)

“Belleville Patriotic Fund Forces Go Into Action. …  Belleville is going to do unto itself a service. It is going to make an exhibition of true citizenship that will be a credit to the municipality, to the men and women within its borders, and to the aims and objects of the Canadian Patriotic Fund. All this is a fine ambition. That it will be realized there is no manner of doubt.

It is a Citizen’s movement. It emanates from the wellsprings of a sense of duty. Surely such is not absent in the case of one of the oldest of the lake cities. Belleville, as well as all other Canadian towns and cities owes a duty to the Dominion at large in this perilous juncture. …  Who will come forward and volunteer for service with the Patriotic Fund Committee. Who will be one of the sixty-four team-mates. Who, one of the eight team captains. …

During the next few days full explanations of the aims and objects of the Patriotic Fund will be made in the press. The local papers, the Intelligencer and the Ontario, have agreed to do the thing in a handsome way. The verification of their promises will be seen in the size of the advertisement and the amount of space placed at the disposal of the committee …  It remains for the people to read and understand, and doing so there need be no fear of the result. To understand is to be convinced. To be convinced is to give.”

The Intelligencer March 20, 1915 (page 2)

“‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary; It’s a Long Way to go’. The Belleville Canning Factory, alias the Barracks of the 39th Battalion, awoke to further strange sounds last evening. The occasion was the first of a series of ‘home’ concerts, by means of which the officers and men of the Battalion are seeking to make life more interesting.

Col. Preston occupied the chair; he explained at the outset that the present entertainment had been gotten up by the authorities with the Y.M.C.A. working in the shadows but that he would like future entertainments to be ‘for’ the men and ‘by’ the men. …  During the course of the evening Col. Preston gave a short talk on the subject of a Soldiers’ Duty. …  ‘Make this Battalion your father, your mother, your brother, your sister and your sweetheart’, he said, ‘Do this and we will be invincible wherever we go.'”

The Intelligencer March 17, 1915 (page 2)

“Patriotic Campaign To Be Instituted. A meeting of citizens for the purpose of organizing a campaign in this city for funds for the Canadian Patriotic Association was held last evening in the lecture room at the Armouries. Whilst the attendance was not as large as the worthy object warranted, those present were representative citizens. …

On motion Col. Lazier was voted to the chair and Mr. H. Sneyd was selected as secretary. Col. Lazier, in his opening remarks, stated that Belleville had not done what it should have done in this patriotic movement. Funds were not sufficient to meet all the financial obligations which were necessary to be met. …

Ex-Mayor Wills was unanimously selected President and Mr. S. Robertson Vice-President of the campaign committee. Ex-Mayor Wills stated that this was a time when every man should come to the front and do all he could in this matter. We should send our soldiers off with the assurance that their families will be protected. We have done our duty up to the present, but it is getting beyond our means. …

Col. Ponton said this was a campaign for all, and the press and pulpit could do much to assist in this matter and give an impetus to the movement. Ex-Mayor Wills suggested that as there were seven wards in the city, a committee of 21 should be appointed, three for each ward in the city. The working man as well as the wealthy man, no doubt, was willing and prepared to give to the fund.”

The Intelligencer March 17, 1915 (page 8)

“Of Special Interest To the Various Chapters of The Daughters of the Empire The Hospital Board and all those other willing workers who are devoting so much of their time and money to the various Patriotic Causes. We have placed in stock an UNBLEACHED COTTON, full yard wide, which we sell to these societies at 8¢ a yard or in full pieces at 7¢.

Then, too, we have 3 shades of GREY and BLACK YARN, 4 ply, 4 ozs. to the hank; very desirable for the knitting of socks, etc. By the separate skein, 30¢ or special quotations in lots of 10 lbs. or more. Ketcheson & Earle.”

 

The Intelligencer March 16, 1915 (page 2)

“Belleville Canadian Patriotic Association. A Meeting will be held in the Armouries on Tuesday Evening, March 16, at 8 o’clock for the purpose of Arranging for a Campaign for Funds for the Canadian Patriotic Association.

All the Men of Belleville are requested to be present. God Save the King. W.H. Panter, President. H. Sneyd, Hon. Secretary.”

 

The Intelligencer March 15, 1915 (page 1)

“Belleville’s Splendid Boys Fear Not Germans or Shells. At the special request of Sir Mackenzie Bowell the following interesting letter, received today, is given for publication:

France, Sunday, 21st Feb., 1915. Dear Dad: Well, we have had our baptism of fire and have just returned to billets for a few hours’ rest. We were up in the first line trenches, some of which are only 100 yards from the Germans. It was great. After the first half hour was over it becomes something indescribable. A great intense zest arises and one immediately begins to call all his thinking powers together in order to outshoot and outpost the enemy.

We went into the trenches at 3 a.m. on Friday, amidst bursting shells and machine gun fusilades in addition to searchlights and huge star shells. Such a sight and sound it was. Wonderful! By the time dawn came we had settled down to our work and overcome any little nervousness men naturally have when marching in, and in front appeared the trenches of the Germans. Shells started at dawn again, but our artillery was quite equal to the occasion. …

The country around here is in an awful state, bearing tragic witness to the great struggle that has lasted for weeks. Of course we notice these things more now than we will later on, but everything is laid waste. …  The men behaved splendidly and their work was highly complimented by British officers who have been here for weeks. All the Belleville 15th and 49th boys are fine and untouched so far. …  Now, dad, I am off to bed in a very comfortable billet, and from the way I feel I will sleep every minute of the few hours I have. Good-bye and dear love to you all. DICK.”

[Note: this letter is from Richard D. Ponton]

The Intelligencer March 13, 1915 (page 2)

“Belleville Patriotic Association. 113 citizens of Belleville have each made one or more individual contributions, ranging from $200 to 50¢ each. Included in this list are 25 citizens, who have promised regular payments each month as long as the war lasts; and one citizen who promised regular monthly contributions for a stated number of months.

In addition to the above list of 113 citizens, there are 52 groups of contributers, comprising Brotherhoods, Lodges, Fraternities, Societies, Entertainment Committees, Church Associations, Employees of Railways, of Mercantile Houses, and of banks, officers in the Government Service, Woman’s Clubs, Staffs of Colleges and of Schools, Companies, etc., who have each made contributions ranging from $516., down to $5.00. Ten of these groups have promised regular monthly contributions as long as the war lasts. A good many of the 113 Citizens above mentioned are also contributing through the Lodges, Societies, Associations.

There is still, however, a large portion of Belleville’s population of 11,000 who have not yet signified what they intend to contribute to the Patriotic Fund.”

The Intelligencer March 8, 1915 (page 1)

“Shorncliffe Camp Greets the Second Contingent from Canada. London. (Special) The four thousand men of the second Canadian expeditionary force who have reached England will be quartered at Shorncliffe camp, which is a big improvement over Salisbury Plain, and the men will be more comfortably quartered than the Canadians who came across in October. The camp at Shorncliffe is within a mile of the railway station, and is located on dry soil. There are paved roads and sidewalks, and there are brick huts to quarter the troops. The camp is also within easy reach of Folkestone, one of the most pleasant and picturesque seaside resorts in England.

Although the arrival of the contingent was quietly effected, the Canadians were given an enthusiastic reception when they reached Liverpool on Thursday night, the welcome being all the more hearty because the appearance of the troopships dispelled the rumors from hostile sources. The movement of the troops from the port to the camp was begun on Friday, and by midnight on Saturday the last of the troops had reached Shorncliffe.

The health of the men on the voyage is reported to have been excellent. On one of the ships a grand military athletic tournament was held during the voyage. Some of the men seem to fear that they will not get a chance to go to the front like the first Canadian contingent. This is caused by the belief that the war will be over before their period of training in England is completed.”

The Intelligencer March 6, 1915 (page 1)

“It was a thoughtful and most generous act on the part of Col. W.G. Ketcheson, the popular commanding officer of the 49th Hastings Regiment, when at Hotel Quinte last night he tendered a complimentary banquet to seven officers of his regiment who have volunteered as members of the second and third overseas contingents. Two officers, namely Capt. J.H. Mills and Lieut. A.P. Miller, are in the second contingent, and those on the honor roll of the 3rd contingent are Major A.E. Bywater, Capt. R. Vandervoort, Capt. J.L. McLean, Lieut. H.B. McConnell, Lieut. G.E.G. Craig, and Lieut. W.W. Wallace. All were present and occupied seats together at the head of the table.

The spread provided by mine host Mr. J.V. Jenkins, was all that could have been desired, and it was faultlessly served. It is needless to state that all did justice to the fine spread provided.

The menu was as follows: MENU. Oyster Cocktail, Queen Olives, Celery, Cream of Tomatoes, Filet of Halibut au Vin Blanc, Sliced Cucumbers, Pommes Anna, Sweetbreads a la Toulouse, Saratoga Chips, Young Stuffed Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus, Black Duck, Currant Jelly, Fried Hominy, Steamed English Plum Pudding, Brandy Sauce, Neapolitan Ice Cream, Assorted Cakes, Mixed Fruit, Cheese, Cafe Noir.

Whilst supper was being partaken of an inspiring programme of music was furnished by the Sills Orchestra. The selections were much enjoyed. At the conclusion of the repast the first toast proposed was that of ‘The King.’ The National Anthem was sung by the company.”

The Intelligencer March 5, 1915 (page 2)

“Artillery Recruits Wanted. Men are wanted at once for 3rd contingent artillery for overseas service. The artillery offers many advantages over other branches of the service.

Qualifications: Age—18–45. Height—5′ 3″ and over. Chest—not less than 33 1/2″.

Pay at the rate of $1.10 daily and 75¢ for subsistence, (Sundays included) from date of enlistment.

Apply at 34th Battery C.F.A. Headquarters. P. McL. Forin, Captain, O.C. 34th Battery, C.F.A.”

The Intelligencer March 4, 1915 (page 2)

“Letter from Gunner Wm. Paterson, 34th Battery. France. Feb. 16, 1915. Dear mother.—We are in France, ten miles from the firing line. We are not allowed to tell where, how or when. We can hear the gun fire distinctly. I was in a nearby village last night and saw a shell burst ten miles away on the firing line. We are billeted at a farm house, and sleep up in a loft over the barn—it is great.

We landed on the west coast of France and came across to the front by train. It has been raining ever since we landed until today. Now it is fine weather, and nice and warm, with the sun shining. It is sure La Belle France, when the sun shines.

When the Germans were advancing in France they slept in the barn that we occupy now. This is the last piece of paper I have got, so with your reply send paper and envelopes. My address is: Gunner Wm. M. Paterson, 4th Battery 1st Artillery Brigade, 1st Canada Contingent, British Expeditionary Force, France. Your loving son, BILL.

The boys can’t write long letters now, telling all they know. This letter had to pass the censor.”