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Industrial Expansion Halting in Ontario (28 September 1914)

By • On • In Economics, Fall 1914

The industrial growing pains of Ontario were still being felt even after the war contracts were being handed out in August and September of 1914. Only a select few companies were receiving war contracts from the government to stimulate new businesses. As the Berlin Daily Telegraph reported, this was a growing concern for Ontario’s economic future.

Over the span of one week a total of seven new companies were introduced in the province. Those include the: Claufield & Sons Ltd., Brantford Bowling & Athletic Club, Boxall and Matthhie Ltd., Welland Land Cooperative Society Ltd., Peninsular Motor Sales Co., Ltd., Feick Manufacturing Co., Sarnia Metal Products Co. This illustrated how the war economy was taking considerable time to fully develop in Canada.

(“Few new Companies are Being Formed,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 28 September 1914)

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Fund Concert (29 September 1914)

By • On • In Fall 1914, Home Front

New Hamburg’s Mr. S.J. Williams hosted the first major public fundraiser for the Patriotic Fund. Waterloo’s “C” company of the 29th Infantry Regiment and local school children performed a march in a local New Hamburg rink. The event opened with elaborate decorations, live music and refreshments. This was the Waterloo Patriotic Fund’s first attempt at outreach to smaller town communities located around the county. This event demonstrated that the entire Waterloo Region wanted to aid the war effort.

(“Patriotic Concert a Big Success,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 29 September 1914)

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Canadians Have Sailed (1 October 1914)

By • On • In Fall 1914, War

After one month of intense training at Valcartier, Quebec, Canada’s first contingent set sail for England on 24 September from Quebec. British steamers transported the soldiers across the Atlantic Ocean to Britain. The soldiers were to land in Liverpool, England, for their final training. The Hespeler Herald assured its readers that a heavy escort of British cruisers and torpedo boats, to protect the Canadian units on their voyage, accompanied the troops. Units containing men from Waterloo Region were shipped over on the ship “Laurentic,” on the Sunday 27 September 1914.

(“Canadians Have Sailed,“ Hespeler Herald, 1 October 1914)

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Elmira and Ayr Contribute to the Patriotic Fund (October 1, 21 1914)

By • On • In Fall 1914, War

After council deliberations, it was decided that Elmira would start its own branch of the Patriotic Fund. Much like Hespeler, the town took significantly longer to form a Patriotic branch of their own when compared to the larger city centers such as Berlin and Waterloo. On 22 October, an Elmira Signet article informed the citizens of Elmira of the nature of the Patriotic Fund and how every individual was expected to commit fully to the cause.

This was also the first day of campaigning for donations. As such, the town of Elmira hosted a concert at the Beethoven Club.  Over eighteen different bands and singers performed at the event. A total of $93.00 was raised. This was their first step toward reaching a total of $5,000, which was accomplished on 12 November 1914.

In comparison, Ayr hosted its own concert on 13 September. The Citizens’ Band raised a sum of $32.75. The majority of this donation went to the Red Cross for the purchasing of materials. Ayr’s and Elmira’s contributions took time to grow, since their residents were preoccupied with the fall harvest. As the war dragged on, contributions from these areas grew.

(“Patriotic Concert,” Ayr News, 1 October 1914; “The Patriotic Relief Fund,” Hespeler Herald, 22 October 1914)

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The Cost of War (3 October 1914)

By • On • In Fall 1914, War

With the war underway and Canadian enlistment ever increasing, the Waterloo Region’s newspapers became concerned over a variety of issues such as foodstuffs and financial burdens. One of the troubles was the financial strain of fielding an army. A Berlin Daily Telegraph article suggested it cost roughly $100 to equip each soldier. The article further explained that this total did not take into account the cost of training, transport, rations, and other challenges of preparing the nation for war. This was a great burden for the Canadian government that wished to deploy over 100,000 fully trained soldiers. This article emphasized why support from localities was so important to the Canadian War effort.

(Photo is a button manufactured by the Toronto Patriotic Fund. Courtesy of Canadian War Museum, “The Cost of War,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 13 October 1914)

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Start of the Patriotic Fund Campaign (5 October 1914)

By • On • In Fall 1914, German-Canadian Identity, Home Front

Berlin officially set its first Patriotic Fund goal on the 5th of October. They persuaded the city’s residents to donate by reminding them of “British chivalry and humanity” along with their commitment to those who had already volunteered. The first goal Berlin set was to reach $75,000 by October 8th. This was the first step towards the city’s significant monetary commitment to the war effort. Berlin would contribute a significant portion to the roughly $22,981,616 that was collected across Canada by the end of the war.

(Photo courtesy of the Canadian War Museum.  Patriotic Fund stat from Statistics Canada, “The Patriotic Fund Campaign,“ Berlin Daily Telegraph, 5 October 1914)

 

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Not Known Where Canada’s Contingent Will Be Sent (5 October 1914)

By • On • In Fall 1914, German-Canadian Identity

With the ever-increasing tension on the frontlines mounting and the threat of a long war becoming ever clearer, Canada began to ponder where the First Contingent, who were currently on route to England, would be used. Canada waited patiently as Indian and British reserves battled on the frontlines. The Berlin Daily Telegraph reported that rumors had begun to swirl around whether or not the Canadian troops would be sent directly to the continent or if they would be sent to Aldershot for additional training. Canada’s government remained silent on this issue.

(“Not Known Where Canadian Contingent Will be Sent,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 5 October 1914)

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Loyalty to the Crown (5 October 1914)

By • On • In Fall 1914, German-Canadian Identity, Home Front

Several articles were published addressing the English and Germanic background of the Waterloo Region during the first months of the war. A Berlin Daily Telegraph article explained, on 15 October, that regardless of one’s background, everyone was fighting for Great Britain and the King. The article made it clear that those of German origin or background should not be separated from English-Canadians and would fight for the British Empire through labour on the homefront or service on the frontlines. The picture below shows the local Breithaupt family’s tanning factory. The Breithaupts, who were of German heritage, began producing materials for British forces just weeks after the war began.

(Photo courtesy of Waterloo Generations, http://generations.regionofwaterloo.ca; “Loyalty to the Crown,“ Berlin Daily Telegraph, 15 October 1914)

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Patriotic Fund Growing (7 October 1914)

By • On • In Fall 1914, Home Front

Berlin reached their goal of raising $75,000 for the Patriotic Fund, and the community kept contributing beyond that goal. With over $16,000 extra earned in the matter of a week after their initial donation of $75,000, Berlin and the Waterloo Region ranked among the top regions in Canada for monetary support per capita.

Waterloo Region was at the forefront of the Patriotic Fund campaign at the initial outset of the war. The cause was supported by several prominent local figures, including L. J. Breithaupt. (Photos courtesy of the Canadian War Museum, “Patriotic Fund Growing“ Berlin Daily Telegraph, October 17 1914 and Breithaupt Diary Collection, Rare Books Room at Dana Port Library, University of Waterloo))

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Concerns over Religion (8 October 1914)

By • On • In Fall 1914, Politics

On 8 October, the Hespeler Herald reported that ‘Evangelism [was] Dying.’ All churches were suffering a declining attendance during their services. This article printed a plea that asked the people of the Waterloo Region to find balance in their business and politics, in order to still attend church and maintain their faith. “The church must uncompromisingly proclaim the deadly peril of riches… the dominant aim of commerce and industry must come to be service, not profits.”  The article pleaded for a new national conscience to revive religion in Canada, especially when dealing with the realities of war.

(“Concerns over Religion,” Hespeler Herald, 8 October 1914)