The Intelligencer March 1, 1916 (pages 1, 2)

“Bandmaster H.A. Stares and His Musicians Do Credit to a Splendid Program. It was a capacity house that greeted the initial concert appearance of the 80th Battalion Band, C.E.F., at Griffin’s Opera House last night.

Belleville has been singularly fortunate in the past in the calibre of their concerts. It is doubtful if any event of the kind ever more visibly stirred and gripped its audience than did this musical treat. …

The choice of the 80th Band in their assisting artist was a happy one. Miss Victoria Stares of Hamilton possesses a clear, sweet soprano voice and sings with ease of production, accurate intonation, symmetry of phrasing, and a general style that never departs from refinement. …

To say that Bandmaster Stares has a good band is putting it mildly. The 80th Band has one of the finest collection of musicians in America and although the band played its first public concert last night, we predict a glorious future for them.

The opening number on the programme was the ever-favorite Overture, ‘William Tell,’ and it was played magnificently. …  The French and Russian national anthems and Rule Britannia were a fitting close to an evening of music which has rarely been enjoyed in Belleville. …

Lt.-Col. Ketcheson occupied one of the boxes, and there was a smile of satisfaction on his face during the whole evening. He is to be congratulated upon having through his arduous efforts secured a band second to none in Canada and representative of the Dominion. The citizens of Belleville will never forget its debt to Col. Ketcheson for the skilful way in which he has helped the band in all its work and made it in this respect representative of Belleville.

The concert was under the patronage of General Sir Sam Hughes.”

 

The Intelligencer February 28, 1916 (page 1)

“Military Service at Bridge St. Church. Services at Bridge Street Methodist church in this city, on Sunday morning were of especial interest, owing to the fact that the officers and the members of the 80th Battalion and 155th Battalion of the Canadian Oversea Contingents, were present in a body. It was a service that will long be remembered by all who attended.

At a few minutes before 11 o’clock, the 80th Battalion, under command of Lieut.-Col. W.G. Ketcheson, commanding officer, left the barracks on Pinnacle street for the place of worship. The fine battalion band, under the leadership of Bandmaster Lieut. H.A. Stares, played appropriate marching selections.

The members of the 155th Battalion, under command of Lieut.-Col. Adams, commanding officer, paraded from the Armouries and were headed by their band, under the capable leadership of Bandmaster Hinchey.

The two battalions met at the church and were conducted to seats in the centre of the auditorium. The attendance of officers and men were such as to virtually fill the body of the sacred edifice. Members of the 80th Bugle Band and members of the 155th Band occupied seats in the choir loft. The 80th Battalion Band were ushered to the front and occupied seats about the altar railing.

A feature of the service was that the playing of the organ was dispensed with, the music for the hymns being furnished by the 80th Band. The voluntary selection by the band entitled ‘Angel’s Serenade’ was a number artistically rendered. During the taking of the offertory the band played ‘Nearer My God To Thee.’

The service was conducted by the pastor, Rev. H.S. Osborne, B.A., B.D., who before delivering the sermon expressed the pleasure it was to him and the officials of the church to have the members of the two battalions present, and he hoped they would return upon some future occasion.

Capt. (Rev.) A. Ketcheson, chaplain of the 80th Battalion, assisted in the service by offering up an appropriate prayer and leading in the responsive reading. It was in every sense a Christian military service and the discourse by the pastor was in keeping with it. …

After leaving the church the two battalions marched to their respective headquarters. On the route to and from the church the marching of the brave soldier boys was witnessed by hundreds of citizens and many a complimentary remark as to their appearance was heard.”

The Intelligencer February 26, 1916 (page 6)

“Mrs. William Johnson has received the following letter from Major Elmitt of the 21st Battalion in reference to the wounding of her son, Corp. Arthur L. Johnson …

Belgium, Monday, 7th Feb., 1916. Dear Mrs. Johnson,—At 2 p.m. today Arthur had the misfortune of being hit through the face by a rifle bullet. I don’t consider it is in any way serious, having gone through the side of the face and coming out the back of the neck. He was quite cheerful and not suffering much, as he described the same as similar to a bad toothache, and insisted on walking out to the dressing station.

Ernest Geen was with him at the time, and accompanied him to the dressing station, where he will be well looked after, and the ambulance will take him down to one of the General Hospitals. Later on he may be sent to England to a Convalescent Hospital, like all the other boys who have been hurt. Arthur was very brave and took his injury as a matter of course.

You have every reason to be proud of your son, as he has proved a faithful and loyal soldier to King and country, and a credit to Canada. No doubt you will hear from him direct in a short time. With best wishes for your own welfare. Faithfully yours, (Sgd.) C.F. Elmitt, Major.

P.S.—Geen has just returned and reports ‘Arthur all right.’ “

The Intelligencer February 23, 1916 (page 2)

“The Band of the 80th ‘Overseas’ Battalion C.E.F., under the leadership of Lieut. H.A. Stares, Mus. Bach. will give its first concert in Griffin’s Opera House next Tuesday evening, February 29th. The programme that will be offered will be of a very high order, and the band will be assisted by Miss Victoria Stares, Soprano Soloist, from Hamilton, Ont.

The strength of the band at present is 45; many of the members have come from the famous 91st Band of Hamilton, of which Lieut. Stares was the distinguished Band Master, and many others from different parts of Canada. They have been practicing five hours a day for the last two and one-half months, and it is needless to say that their interpretation of the program to be presented at their first concert will afford the citizens of Belleville one of the finest evening entertainments that has been offered here in the last decade. …

The concert will be given under the patronage of Sir Sam Hughes, Minister of Militia Defence, under the auspices of the Officer Commanding and the Officers of the 80th ‘Overseas’ Battalion C.E.F.”

The Intelligencer February 21, 1916 (page 2)

“Colonel W.G. Ketcheson Remembered by Friends. At the town hall, Sidney Township, on Saturday night, there was a large gathering despite the severe cold weather. The occasion of the gathering was to do honor to Col. W.G. Ketcheson, the commanding officer of the 80th Battalion, whose home is in Sidney, and who was for years the honored colonel of the 49th Hastings Rifles.

It was intended to hold the affair at Col. Ketcheson’s residence, but the number who desired to honor the popular commanding officer was so great that the event took place in the hall in order that all might be accommodated. A supper was provided, and it was greatly appreciated by all present. …

During the proceedings an address of a complimentary nature was read to Col. Ketcheson by Mr. W.H. Nobes and at an opportune time Miss Violet Graham made a presentation of a sleeping kit to the Colonel, who in accepting the same made a most appropriate reply.”

The Intelligencer February 18, 1916 (page 1)

“Too Many Comforts Sent for Forces. Needs of Wounded and Invalid Soldiers Should be Cared For. London, Feb. 17.—Responsible Canadian officers request me to urge upon the people the needlessness of sending supplies of warm winter equipment. Many battalions are overwhelmed with enormous stocks of Balaclava helmets, mittens and the like, for which there is no possible use. Socks are always welcome. …

We appreciate the kind intentions but wish the donors would now direct their energies to the care of returned wounded and invalid soldiers, whose need is much greater. …

All ranks say they greatly appreciate Canadian newspapers and magazines posted direct regularly to officers and men’s messes. The delivery of papers by freight is greatly delayed.”

The Intelligencer February 18, 1916 (page 3)

“Canada’s Patriotic Givings. Two things the recent patriotic campaigns have revealed: First, that there is a good deal of money in Canada; and second, that her citizens are heartily in sympathy with all patriotic enterprises. …

But while this will help to carry us through another year, it is time we were looking forward to what we must undoubtedly prepare to face immediately—the care of those soldiers who may be returned home wounded and more or less incapacitated. These men must, as far as possible, be provided with suitable employment. It would be an eternal disgrace to us if our maimed soldiers were compelled to travel from shop to shop looking for work which they cannot find.

Already they are beginning to return, and their numbers will naturally increase. Are we making proper provision for their employment? This is even more important than our patriotic funds, and will soon be just as urgent.”

The Intelligencer February 17, 1916 (page 2)

“Military Y.M.C.A. Notes. Upwards of two hundred bound books have been furnished the Military Y.M.C.A. for use at the Barracks by the Corby Library. While most of the books are much worn, they are all complete and their evidences of much use suggests that they are amongst the most popular that have been on the book shelves. …

It looks as if the gramophone and record equipment of the 80th made possible by the Khaki Club would be pretty complete. On top of the gift of the machine and a supply of records comes an additional offer from a friend of Mr. Sharpe’s in Toronto who will pay half the price of any number of records donated for this purpose.

Arrangements are being made to play off the postponed games in the baseball league within the next week. The schedule proper closes this week and as soon as baseball finishes another line of sport will be started. Up to date only two games in the league have been defaulted. On account of guards, innoculation, etc., several games have been postponed.

Upwards of a hundred men took advantage of the bathing privileges at the Y.M.C.A. pool this morning. The N.C.O.’s class from the 155th, their band, pioneers, etc., came in along with one of the platoons from the 80th. One who has never seen the swimming pool with anywhere from twenty-five to thirty men in, has no idea of the amount of sport that can be crowded into the half hour or more they have in it.

A meeting of the athletic committee of the 80th is being held to-day to arrange for further athletics and games for the men.”

The Intelligencer February 15, 1916 (page 2)

“Reception to Members of 80th and 155th Battalions. The ladies in connection with St. Thomas’ Anglican Church last evening at the Parish Hall, Bridge street, were at home to the officers, non-commissioned officers and members of the 80th and 155th Battalions. Many who are members of these battalions were present and everything possible was done to make the brave defenders of our Empire feel at home.

Rev. Canon Beamish, rector of St. Thomas church, was present and accorded a hearty welcome to all who presented themselves at the door. It proved to be a thoroughly at home affair, and this spirit permeated the whole proceedings. Many were present and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. …

During the evening refreshments consisting of coffee, sandwiches and cake, were served in the dining hall in the basement. The hall had been most appropriately decorated for the occasion, red hearts being the chief decorations in commemoration of St. Valentine’s Day. The ladies in charge were most assiduous in their efforts to look after the comfort of their guests, and it would be unwise to designate any in particular, as all vied with each other in their efforts to excel.

At the close of the evening’s entertainment brief remarks were made by …  Col. Adams of the 155th Battalion, who expressed the thanks on behalf of the officers and men present for the hospitality which had been extended to them.”

The Intelligencer February 14, 1916 (page 2)

“Large Crowd at Recruiting Meeting. A large crowd was present at the Patriotic Meeting held at the Griffin’s Opera House, the building being filled to capacity; a large part of the audience consisting of ladies. The stage was decorated with flags and recruiting posters. The chairman of the meeting was Mayor Ketcheson, who fulfilled his duties in his usual affable manner. …

Lt.-Col. Adams in his address stated that when he first came to Belleville as a member of the 80th Battalion, he was very little known, but now, owing to the friendly attitude of the local people, he felt that when the 155th Battalion leaves, every one will be ready to help the boys when they are overseas. About 600 men have enlisted in the Battalion, and 75 per cent of them are Canadians, bred and born in Hastings County and Prince Edward County. (Applause.) He urged that every man who can, ought to don the khaki. …

Mayor Ketcheson then arose and holding the Union Jack exclaimed in stirring tone: ‘Is this our flag? Is it worth fighting for? Is it worth dying for?’ The meeting then closed with the singing of the National Anthem.”

The Intelligencer February 12, 1916 (page 2)

“A Good Christmas Dinner for the Boys. A friend in Belleville receives a menu of the Christmas dinner given to the soldiers on board the ship as follows: Bruce Kincaid, of Belleville. Canadian Pacific Railway Company (at sea Saturday), Dec. 25, 1915. Royal Mail steamer Missanabie.

A merry Christmas to all.

Breakfast—Oatmeal porridge with fresh milk; griddled liver and onions; boiled eggs, fresh bread and butter; marmalade and coffee.

Dinner—Bovilli soup; chicken; parsley sauce; corned pork; roast ribs of beef; gravey; boiled potatoes; carrots and turnips; plum pudding with rum sauce; mince pies; apples; oranges; nuts assorted; coffee.

Supper—Tarmouth bloaters; cold roast beef; mutton, Canadian cheese; pickles; jam; bread and butter and tea.

So it was not too bad after all.”