The Intelligencer January 11, 1916 (page 3)

“The following letter has been received by Mrs. (Dr.) Yeomans from her son at the front. Belgium, December 4, 1915. Dear Mamma:—This will probably be the last letter which you will receive from us before Christmas,—if you do get it before, which I hope you will. So before I mention anything else at all, I want to wish you all the merriest possible time at Christmas and the happiest of New Year’s. Don’t let the fact of our being away bother you in the slightest, but think of us as sitting, comfortable and happy, in a cosy hut before a good fire, with nearly all we could desire, and far more than we need. …

Last week I received from Ann St. School another scrapbook with a lot of news in it. They are mighty interesting to us I can tell you, and whenever I get one it goes the rounds of the Belleville boys in the battery. It is the only news of any kind, outside of your letters, that we get of what is taking place.

There was a long description of the reception given to Ed Blaylock, and I was sure glad to see they turned out well for him. …  I was within seventy-five yards of him when he was wounded, and was with him for some time after until the stretcher bearers took him away. Terrible though his wounds were—and I have not seen anyone before or since who appeared to be in quite so bad a mess—he set his teeth and stood it, and when they were taking him off he waved his hand as though nothing was the matter at all.

Your Christmas parcels came and were certainly well fixed up and thoroughly enjoyed. Every gift as it was taken out seemed to me to be about the most thoughtful of gifts. …  Give my love to all and wishing you all the merriest Christmas. PAT.”

The Intelligencer January 8, 1916 (page 1)

“15th Reserves Have Splendid Attendance. The 15th Reserve had a splendid attendance on parade last night for the regular drill, which will be held at the Armouries each Friday night at eight o’clock sharp. Drill Instructor Dow took charge of the large number of new recruits and gave them a good start in the work. The officers of the platoons drilled the men in squad drill. The rifle exercise will soon be taken up.

The Reserve have an armoury set aside for their special use, and it will be fitted with convenient racks and books, for clothes, etc. Let every man in the city make up his mind that it is up to him to know his drill and come along next Friday. The Reserve want 250 drilling by 1st February next.“

The Intelligencer January 8, 1916 (page 2)

“Nurses for Egypt. Miss Grace Waters, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Waters of Belleville and Miss Stella Jenkins, daughter of the late Mr. John Jenkins of this city, who are trained nurses and been for some time in Utica, N.Y., arrived here last evening. After passing their examinations at Kingston it is their intention of going to Cairo, Egypt, as nurses.”

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.”