The Intelligencer November 16, 1915 (page 2)

“Dear Sir:—I read with a good deal of satisfaction the letter of Mr. J.F. Wills, K.C., in last night’s issue, urging all males from 18 to 60 years of age who are not in training for Overseas service to attend drill for home service. This is the right thing to do. There is no doubt Germany knows our exact position and has plans all prepared to strike a blow at Canada. …

Last winter we had our experience with the Home Guard. Only a few citizens turned out to drill. The professional men, the business men, the property owners, all of whom would lose most by invasion, took little or no interest in it, and the number on parade dwindled till it seemed useless to continue drilling longer.

In Toronto the citizens and the military authorities took a deep interest in the Home Guard and the council gave grants to it. It was a training school and materially helped recruiting.

It is apparent that the only kind of an organization that can be effective is one the members of which are compelled to attend parade or suffer a penalty. Apparently people will put their pleasures, their business and their personal convenience first. We have easily 5,000 males in the city. Of these at least ten per cent should be willing to drill once a week. Drilling might be arranged for every night and also in the day time, especially Sundays. Men who don’t care to go to Church perhaps might come out to drill. Again I repeat attendance at drill ought to be compulsory to those who join. W.C. MIKEL.”

The Intelligencer November 15, 1915 (page 2)

“Dear Sir:—I am not an alarmist and not very emotional but we are now at a very critical time in the great war. Are we Belleville citizens doing our full duty? Do we fully realize what is possibly before us? From the conduct of many of our townspeople and townsmen we are not. …

What can we do further then? Be prepared ourselves to repel the enemy that may invade our country, may attempt to desecrate our homes. How can that best be done? By every man between the ages of 18 and 60 years in our city taking up seriously the work of being instructed in the necessary drill of our army. The people of this community have the spirit and the intelligence to become abler and better soldiers than any German trained citizens. …

We are sending forth our men in contingent after contingent and in a short time all our trained Volunteer men will have gone. Then who will be left to guard our shores? An untrained mob. …

There is nothing on earth to prevent our attendance except sickness or death, as all meetings, lodges, societies, committees and pleasure gatherings, the pool room, the dancing hall, the picture show are entirely secondary to drill instruction on Tuesday and Friday evenings from 8 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. …  Yours for the protection of home and country. J.F. Wills.

We commend the above letter of Ex-Mayor Wills to the earnest attention of all citizens. No loyal subject will venture to gainsay its logic or to underestimate its loyal spirit.—ED.”

The Intelligencer November 15, 1915 (page 7)

“The opening of the Pollyanna Tea Room Saturday afternoon and evening was an event which could be recalled with great satisfaction and pleasure.

The Pollyannas are twelve little ladies banded together to help further the patriotic cause. A ‘Fairyland’ it is with its gorgeous decorations of flags, maple leaves, barberries, brilliant and artistic lights adding greatly to its beauty. Too much cannot be said of the Pollyannas themselves. Their costumes were most attractive! middy suits trimmed with red and white caps with the ‘Red Cross’ seal. Their gracious and courteous manner was freely commented upon by those who visited Fairyland. The tables were very attractive, bouquets adorning the centre of each.

‘Fairyland’ is not complete without music. Beautiful were the selections rendered through the agency of ‘our friend’ the ‘Victrola’ during afternoon and evening.”

The Intelligencer November 13, 1915 (page 7)

“Belleville Boy Awarded D.C.M. We have learned from a reliable source, that Bombardier (Pat) H.E. Yeomans of this city, who left with the 34th Battery, in August, 1914, has been promoted to the rank of Corporal and has also received the D.C.M. for bravery on the field at the battle of Ypres. This is the second time that he has received promotion since being at the front. The honor conferred upon him has been mentioned in order on account of the good work he has performed.

‘Pat,’ as he is familiarly called, is a son of Dr. Yeomans of this city, and his host of friends will be pleased to learn that his valuable services have been fittingly recognized.”

[Note: D.C.M. = Distinguished Conduct Medal.]

The Intelligencer November 13, 1915 (page 7)

“Children’s Red Cross Work. Miss Bailey, of school section No. 20, Thurlow, invited a Red Cross worker to visit her school and a very pleasant hour was spent with the children. Each week they have been contributing small amounts until there was a large box of coppers and silver. Advice was asked as to the investment for supplies. Material for hot water bottle covers and knitting cotton for wash clothes was supplied. The boys wished to roll bandages which will be begun. The children then added two dollars of their money to go to the Lady Jellicoe Fund for the Grand Fleet.

An interesting fact in connection with this visit was that the Red Cross worker’s father was a pupil at this school over fifty years ago and then Major Farley who is now serving his King and Country in France, was also a pupil some years ago. This work may suggest to other rural schools a very practical way of teaching patriotism and also of doing helpful work.”

The Intelligencer November 10, 1915 (page 1)

“When to Forward Gifts to Soldiers. Mail for Canadian soldiers in France and England, if it is to be delivered before Christmas, ought to leave Belleville before the end of this month. Post office officials say that parcels, etc., mailed before December 7th have a pretty good chance of being delivered before Christmas; things mailed after that date have a pretty poor chance. …

Every parcel must carry a customs declaration properly filled out and securely attached. There are four conditions which have to be observed in respect of every parcel. First, it must be prepaid. …  Second, it must be so completely addressed as to be reasonably sure of finding the person to whom it is sent. …  Third, a parcel must in no circumstances exceed 11 pounds in weight. Fourth, it must be so packed as to be reasonably secure against the inevitable abuses to which it will be subjected in transit. The address should be written on the cover, preferably more than once. Address tags should not be employed, because they are liable to be torn off and lost.

As already stated, the Belleville postmaster fixes December 7th as the last day for sending Christmas mail to the trenches. …  The reason for the uncertainty is the disorganization of the ocean mail traffic. Before the war schedules of mail boat sailings were prepared six months in advance. It was possible to predict a mail delivery with almost mathematical accuracy. But nobody knows now what mail boats will be in the business. For members of the expeditionary force in the Dardanelles parcels should be sent away from Belleville before November 25th. …

Mail for prisoners of war in Germany and Austria goes absolutely free. Newspapers, however, may not be sent; and it is not advisable to send books because they are liable to be held up by the censor so long as to be useless. Tobacco is a good article to send.”

The Intelligencer November 10, 1915 (page 7)

“Following the soldier boys wherever they go is a Y.M.C.A. representative, who is appointed by the National Council of that organization to serve the soldiers in every way possible. Along with the battalion that arrived to take up winter quarters in town is a member of the Barriefield Y.M.C.A. staff, Mr. C.T. Sharpe, who is already very well known to the men. He will make his headquarters in Belleville and supervise the work of the Y.M.C.A. for the men here and those at Picton and Napanee as well.

As soon as the quarters are ready a reading and recreation room will be opened and a programme similar in many ways to the one carried on at the camp all summer will be conducted. Mr. Sharpe can make use of any number of magazines and books in his work, as well as articles of furniture that will help make the barracks life and the regimental recreation room a cheery place. For the present he is located at the city Y.M.C.A. and if messages are left there he will be glad to send for parcels of books, or that chair or table that you are no longer using.”

The Intelligencer November 9, 1915 (page 1)

“Your King and Country Need THEM. If you know of any men who ought to enlist won’t you use your influence to have them Enlist at Once?”

 

The Intelligencer November 8, 1915 (page 1)

“80th Battalion Reach Belleville. Many men in khaki who have enlisted for overseas service in defence of the British Empire were to be seen upon the streets of Belleville this afternoon. This was owing to the fact that members of A and B Companies of the 80th Battalion who have been in camp at Barriefield for some time, arrived here and will remain here for some time. There were 530 all told, composing officers and men, and were under command of Lt.-Col. W.G. Ketcheson. …

The men quickly detrained and marched from the station to the barracks on Pinnacle street where they will be quartered during their stay in the city. Lt.-Col. Ketcheson led his brave soldiers, and during their route of march were repeatedly cheered by citizens who were fortunate enough to witness their arrival.

When the city hall was reached Mayor Panter approached Lt.-Col. Ketcheson and on behalf of the citizens of the city extended a hearty welcome to the officers and men and expressed the hope that their stay in the city would prove to be both pleasant and profitable. The Mayor was by the commanding officer thanked for his kind expressions.

The men then proceeded to the parade ground in connection with the barracks and were put through some manoeuvres previous to entering the building for dinner, for which, it is needless to state they were prepared. The dinner was provided by the members of the Ladies’ Rifle Club, and was all that could have been desired. Many of the ladies assisted in serving dinner and their efforts were much appreciated by the men. After dinner the men were dismissed and allowed their liberty to go about the city.”

The Intelligencer November 8, 1915 (page 7)

“The Soldiers in Europe have written home repeatedly for Wrigley’s—the Perfect Gum. Case after case has been shipped by our London office. Why? For the same reason that it helps workers at home. It quenches thirst, steadies the nerves, soothes, refreshes, benefits. A delicious aid to appetite and digestion.

Look at the sealed package. It guards the contents against air, moisture and impurity as carefully as men, machines and money can make it. It’s the Perfect Gum in the Perfect Package.”

 

The Intelligencer November 6, 1915 (page 1)

“Returned Hero Welcomed Home. Bombardier E.G. Blaylock, who left Belleville last August with the 34th Battery, has been invalided home and arrived in the city this afternoon by the 3.02 G.T.R. train. He was the second of the returned soldiers to have a public welcome, the first being Capt. R.D. Ponton.

It was difficult to get a band together on Saturday afternoon, but a number of members of the 15th Regimental Band were present at the station. A large crowd assembled and gave the weary warrior a rousing welcome as the train steamed into the station. Escorted by soldiers and citizens, and accompanied by many motor cars, the brave Bombardier was conveyed to his home in Albert St., being loudly cheered en route.”

The Intelligencer November 6, 1915 (page 2)

“In Hospital. Pte. Wm. Rawlinson, who has been discharged from the army through internal injuries, is now in Belleville Hospital. He only arrived in the city on Sunday, and appeared on the stage at the Opera House, at the recruiting meeting. His condition however, was such that he has been removed to hospital.”

The Intelligencer November 3, 1915 (page 2)

“Belleville Boy Killed in Battle. Mrs. H.E. Baldree, 81 Mill Street, received a cable from her daughter, Mrs. F. Coburn, to say that they had received a cable from the English Government to say that Pte. F. Coburn, of the 1st Middlesex Regt., had died of wounds received in battle on September 25th. He was a member of the L.O.L. No. 274, and his residence was 149 Lingham street.”

[Note: Private Frederick Coburn died on October 1, 1915. He is commemorated on Page 566 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.]

The Intelligencer November 1, 1915 (page 1)

“Recruiting Rally on Sunday Night. The Opera House was last night the scene of an unusual gathering for Sunday. The Speaker’s Patriotic League introduced an innovation as far as Belleville is concerned and arranged for a recruiting meeting, and the novelty attracted a large crowd. The house was packed in every part and the meeting was an eminently successful one. …

The chair was taken by Col. Lazier. …  he said that when Mr. religion and Mr. civilization were at stake no day could be considered too sacred to prepare to fight the dragon of military despotism and brutality. …

He spoke of the work of the women of Canada, who he said had set a noble example. The only class in the community who had not sized up to their responsibility was the young men. It was to them that the country looked to. When he saw crowds of young men attending pool rooms or picture shows, or standing at street corners, he wondered how it was they had withstood the clarion call of duty. It was to reach their hearts and consciences that the Patriotic League was called. …

A strong appeal for recruits was made by Corp. Sandford. ‘Mothers you will have to make up your minds to let your sons go. I am going back in December. I have secured several recruits since I have been here and I want more. If a man gets there once he will never want to come back.’ ”

The Intelligencer November 1, 1915 (page 2)

“Home From Front. Private Rawlinson, of this city, who enlisted as a member of the 15th Regiment, and left here with the first contingent, arrived in the city yesterday, having been invalided home. At the battle of Langemarck, Private Rawlinson was injured and was for some time confined in a hospital owing to the injuries he received. The unfortunate man is also suffering from other ailments which are of a painful nature and necessitate his retirement from active service.

He has not only received his discharge but has been granted a certificate of a clean record and will receive a pension from the Old Country in recognition of the services he rendered for the Empire.”

The Intelligencer November 1, 1915 (page 3)

“Signaller C.M. Sprague. Trenches, Oct. 18, 1915. Dear Sir:—Some time ago I was handed an extract taken from your paper, and referring to a letter I had written from Flanders to Canada. At any time we are adverse to having our letters made public reading matter, and it is regrettable that at times we see, printed over our own names, statements which we have never written but rather are the results of some misguided faker. …

I think it would be well for all papers to make sure that any extract published from soldiers’ letters are genuine. I am Sir, yours respectfully, Chas. M. Sprague.

We would point out to our gallant correspondent that most of the soldiers’ letters appearing in The Intelligencer are sent to this office just as they come from the front—in the original envelopes. In a few cases parents send us copies of the letters, so there is very little opportunity for the ‘misguided faker.’—Ed.”

Intelligencer October 30, 1915 (page 3)

“Children to Sing National Anthem. Must be Included in the Opening Exercises of Every Ontario School. Commencing soon after the issuance of the regulation, every morning at nine o’clock, from every class room the strains of the ‘National Anthem’ will rise, sung by childish voices. This regulation is to be issued by the Department of Education within a few days, and will take effect at an early date. It provides that the singing of the first three verses of the ‘National Anthem’ shall hereafter be a portion of the morning exercises of every school in the province.

‘It is purely a matter of stimulating patriotic sentiment in the minds of the children,’ said Hon. G. Howard Ferguson, acting Minister of Education, by way of explanation. ‘There is not too much of that sort of thing in our schools, and we thought this might help.’ “