1914 | First World War

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Will Arrest German Reservists if They Try to Leave Canada (7 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 7, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

Almost immediately after Canada entered the war, the issue of German officers and reservists in Canada arose. As early as 7 August, the Canadian Militia Department and the Dominion Cabinet took steps to ensure that German officers and reservists were prevented from returning to Germany. German reservists were encouraged the report to authorities to state their intentions; a failure to do so would likely lead to arrest and confinement. Despite this hostility, reservists in the Waterloo region were assured that if they wanted to remain in Canada and proceed with their normal daily life, under parole, they would not be harassed. Any German reservist in Berlin and Waterloo was to report to Captain Osborne, Captain of the “C” Squadron of the 24^th Grey’s Horse Regiment, stationed in Waterloo Region.

(“Will arrest German Reservists if they seek to leave Canada,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 8 August 1914; “Will arrest German Reservists if they seek to leave Canada,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 13 August 1914; “German Reservists in Dominion must state intention at once,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 13 August 1914; “Reservists Handed in Their Parole,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 8 August 1914; “Reservists Handed in Their Parole,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 13 August 1914; “War News,” Elmira Signet, 13 August).

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Canada’s Gift to Britain (9 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 9, 1914 • In Economics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

In addition to Canada’s commitment to export as much as possible to Britain, the Canadian Government also offered Britain a gift. Soon after the war was declared, Canada offered to send Britain a gift of one million bags of flour, to be placed at the disposal of the British Government.

In response to this offer, the Colonial Secretary of the Imperial Government stated:

“On behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, his Majesty’s Government accepts with gratitude the splendid and welcome gift of flour from Canada … We can never forget the generosity and promptitude of this gift and the patriotism from which it springs.”

This gift was worth an estimated three million dollars. Parliament would be asked to vote for the necessary funds and once the funding was secured, the flour would be shipped to the United Kingdom in September.

(“Canada’s Gift to Britain,” Elmira Signet, 20 August 1914)

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Young German Warned to Keep Quiet (10 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 10, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

On 10 August, a young German named John Winterburg was arrested in Dutton, Ontario. He faced a charge of vagrancy. The young man had planned to leave Dutton and travel to Cleveland so that he could return to Germany. He was caught when he failed to keep his plan secret and was arrested by a local constable. The County Magistrate informed Winterburg that he would not be leaving for Germany and that he would be kept under strict surveillance for the remainder of the war, although he would not necessarily be detained for the duration of the war.

This article, originally printed in St. Thomas, Ontario (also part of Elgin County) demonstrated to those living in Waterloo Region that local law enforcement were taking the Canadian Militia Department and the Dominion Cabinet’s orders to prevent German reservists from leaving the country seriously. Both the Berlin Daily Telegraph and the Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph reprinted this story for their Waterloo Region readers. Articles like these demonstrated that law enforcement and the Canadian government would not hesitate to use their power over Germans and German-Canadians during the war.

(“Young German Warned to Keep a Quiet Tongue,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 11 August 1914, “Young German Warned to Keep a Quiet tongue,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 13 August 1914.)

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A Possible Naval Battle? (11 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 11, 1914 • In Summer 1914, Summer 1914', War

The week after war was declared, there was a rising suspicion that there would soon be a large naval battle. Britain was the leading naval power in the world, and some believed that she could bring a quick end to the war if she could engage Germany in a naval battle. When all of the Canadian Atlantic ports, including Montreal, closed at the same time that the British ports closed, predictions of a naval battle became all the more persistent. Contributing to this suspicion was the fact that two Canadian Ships, the steamships Margaret and Canada, were being transferred to the naval service. Many other ships had also been placed on active service. There was no report of any action on the water though, and officials remained adamant that the port closures were carried out as a precaution. German cruisers were in the Atlantic and once they were removed ports would be opened again. Despite these assurances, predictions of a naval battle continued throughout August.

(“Would Join Force,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 11 August 1914; “What A Spoil,” Elmira Signet, 20 August 1914, “Now in Navy,” Hespeler Herald, 13 August 1914; Photo Origin: London Advertiser, 3 August 1914.)

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Ontario Offers to Vaccinate Troops (11 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 11, 1914 • In Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914'

The Ontario government offered to contribute to the preparation of the Canadian Forces by bearing the cost to vaccinate the First Contingent. Typhoid and enteric fever had resulted in approximately 8200 deaths during the South African War. It was hoped that vaccination against typhoid, before Canadians went overseas, would save Canadians from a similar fate during this war.

The Department of Health in Ontario began preparations for a system of anti-typhoid vaccination to be carried out by the end of the month. This would require many health care professionals and a large amount of the serum. This was seen as a way for the province to demonstrate its support of the Dominion and by extension the motherland, and hopefully to help protect Canadian soldiers.

(“Offers Vaccine for Troops,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 13 August 1914.)

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Raising Funds for the War Effort (11 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 11, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

On 11 August, a suggestion was made in various localities across Canada, to establish a Patriotic Fund much like the one that had been established during the South African War. During the South African war, approximately $500,000 was raised to provide relief to the families of men who were at the front and men who had taken sick or been wounded during their service. Almost $150,000 of this money was never paid out, and it was suggested that this sum form the beginning of the new Patriotic Fund. Individuals, companies, and communities would then be asked to raise more money for the fund.

In addition to considering another patriotic fund, Canadians also started raising a fund for a Canadian Hospital ship. On 11 August, the British Admiralty accepted the offer made by the women of Canada to provide a Hospital Ship for the British Army. In the Waterloo Region, the Princess of Wales Chapter of the Daughters of the Empire explained that it was the desire of the “women of Canada to equip a Hospital ship to be placed at the disposal of the Admiralty.” Anyone wishing to donate to the fund could do so at Roos’ and Swaisland’s Drug Stores in Berlin and at E.M. Devitt’s Drug Store in Waterloo. The press would publish any donation made at these locations.

(“Would Join Force,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 11 August 1914, “To Raise Funds for Canadian Hospital Ship,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 11 August 1914, “Hospital Ship is Accepted,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 11 August 1914, “Hospital Ship is Accepted,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 12 August 1914)

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Displays of Patriotism in Berlin, Ontario (11 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 11, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

On 11 August, acting Mayor W. E. Gallagher gave orders for the City Hall flag to be hoisted, so that there would be no question in the minds of visitors where the Berlin, Ontario’s loyalty laid during the war. The City Hall flag was a Union Jack, which would be flown to demonstrate Berlin’s loyalty to the British crown. The flag would fly in Berlin until the war was over. Waterloo and Hespeler followed suit and flew their Union Jack flags as well.

Similar acts of patriotism were displayed elsewhere in the region. Patriotic Church services were held in Berlin, Waterloo, and surrounding communities. Additionally, C.E. Swaisland placed a patriotic display in the window of his bookstore. In the center he placed a portrait of King George V and covered the rest of the window with flags and other military symbols and articles to represent the artillery and infantry. A portrait of Canada’s Governor-General, the Duke of Connaught, was also displayed. The Berlin Daily Telegraph and Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph proclaimed the window display the most fitting for the current crisis. It is evident that citizens of Waterloo Region wanted to demonstrate their patriotism in a visible way.

(“Ordered the City Hall Flag Hoisted,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 11 August 1914; “Ordered the City Hall Flag Hoisted,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 13 August 1914; “Where is the Town Flag,” Hespeler Herald, 27 August 1914; “Fine Patriotic Window Display,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 11 August 1914; “Fine Patriotic Window Display,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 13 August 1914; “Patriotic Services on Sunday,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 15 August 1914.)

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Cannot Buy German Goods (11 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 11, 1914 • In Economics, Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

As a result of the war with Germany, the Canadian Government prohibited any importation of goods from Germany into the country. This resulted in a sudden shift in the Canadian economy since Canada’s trade with Germany in the past included millions of dollars worth of imports, including printing, lithography, drugs, calendars, jewelry, silks, ornaments, toys and other novelties. Stores in the Waterloo Region had been waiting for shipments from Germany that would now never arrive. This issue was amplified when all mail and correspondence was halted with Germany, Austria-Hungary and Luxembourg.

The loss of these goods would mean that Canadian manufacturers and merchants needed to start producing these goods themselves and fill the holes left in the market. Many manufacturers were already making many of the goods that were normally imported from Germany, but the German goods proved popular because of their lower price. Despite the fact that Canadian manufacturers would be able to provide alternatives, drug stores worried that they would run out of certain drugs, while customers worried about the availability of Christmas novelties and jewelry that were normally imported from Germany and Austria.

(“Cannot Buy German Goods,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 11 August 1914; “Cannot buy German Goods,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 13 August 1914 “How Berlin is Effected by the War,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 11 August 1914; “How Twin City is Effected by the War,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 13 August 1914; “Canada’s Trade with Germany at an End,” Elmira Signet, 13 August 1914; “No Mail For Germany, Austria or Luxemerg,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 14 August 1914; Visual: http://ao.minisisinc.com/WEBIMAGES/I0014287.JPG)

Two young girls who pose with a doll and carriage. With trade with Germany traded, families in Waterloo Region and across Canada wondered where they would get toys for the 1914 Christmas.

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Canada Undivided (11 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 11, 1914 • In Politics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914,

The truce that Laurier declared between the Liberals and the Conservatives in the initial days of the war was still being implemented into the second week of the war. ‘Right thinking’ Canadians recognized that this was not the time for party divisions or fighting. This truce between the parties was to be observed by the public and newspapers alike. It was proclaimed that true patriotism was to “do nothing to rouse political strife when there is need of a united front and united action.” Canadian leaders and the Canadian people understood that their duty was “prompt, wholehearted action” for the empire, which could only occur if they were unified.

(“Canada and the empire,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 11 August 1914, “Canada and the empire,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 11 August 1914; “Canada in a State of War,” Elmira Signet, 13 August 1914; “United in War,” Elmira Signet, 13 August 1914, “We Stand as One,” Hespeler Herald, 13 August 1914; Visual: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Borden_and_Laurier.jpg/424px-Borden_and_Laurier.jpg)

Robert Laird Borden (left) and Wilfrid Laurier (right) circa 1910

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22 Volunteers from Berlin (12 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 12, 1914 • In Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914'

Captain B. Osborne and twenty-two members of the “C” squadron, Grey’s Horse, volunteered and were accepted for overseas service. Fourteen of these twenty-two men were Berlin locals, included twelve privates and Sergeant B. Mitchel and Captain B. Osborne. Initially, 28 men had volunteered from the squadron, but only 22 were even granted a medical exam. In addition to these men who volunteered, the region also reported that many British reservists, who resided in the Waterloo Region, were leaving for the front in the initial weeks of August.

Many Canadian men were turned away for lack of military experience or medical reasons, which explains why 63 percent of the First Contingent were British-born men who were either current or former British regulars. Therefore, the high proportion of volunteers with Anglo-Saxon last names, listed in the articles printed in the region, was not necessarily an indication that German-Canadians or other residents of Waterloo region were uninterested in military service and supporting the British Empire. The first contingent’s composition was a reflection of the enlistment requirements set by the Militia Department of Canada.

(“22 Volunteers Will Leave for Front,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 12 August 1914, “22 Volunteers Will Leave for Front,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 13 August 1914, “Berlin’s Volunteers Depart for the Front,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 20 August 1914, “Reservists for the Front” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 20 August 1914; “First Ayr Volunteer,” Ayr News, 20 August 1914; K. Radley, We lead, others follow: First Canadian Division, 1914-1918 (St. Catherine’s, ON: Vanwell Publishing, 2006), 46.)

[1] “22 Volunteers Will Leave for Front,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 13 August 1914, p. 10.