Home Front

As with the other communities, Hespeler became concerned about how to display its appreciation for volunteerism. On September 14^th, the city council deliberated over the town’s budget. As a conclusion to the meeting the group discussed the viability of funding these troops. The Hespeler Herald reported that the town was “very favourable to the idea of insuring its troops.” This resulted in the consideration as to whether or not they could afford this act. It would not be until September 24^th that the town council unanimously agreed to financially back their volunteers for the remainder of the war. In the picture is Ralph Keffer a Hespeler native who volunteered Jan 7^th 1915 and died during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

(“Insuring Volunteers,” Hespeler Herald, 10 September 1914; Picture courtesy of the Kitchener Public Library Soldier Cards Project)

Glorification and interest in the war was evident in several of Waterloo Region’s newspapers. Here the Berlin Daily Telegraph displays an advertisement for colourized maps of the frontlines, which would provide a visual aid to the average Canadian reader. While the maps do require an additional fee plus the daily subscription, they would provide readers with a way to track the campaign. The Elmira Signet was the only paper to offer free war maps with a subscription.

(“War Maps“ Berlin Daily Telegraph, September 16 1914)

The Elmira Signet released an article urging members of the Waterloo Region to join the war cause that was occurring nation wide. This editorial points towards the universal aspects of the war effort by saying “even the farmers, who generally escape the many calls for charity which come to the merchant and business men, have taken action.” Without the demand from the city centers the agricultural industry of the area would be feeble. This, the Signet claims, means the farmers must show their loyalty to the nations multiple causes in order to maintain favour with the local communities they supply. The article urges local farmers of the region to contribute their surplus food to the war effort as the battle rages on in Europe.

(“All Should Help,” Elmira Signet, 17 September 1914)

Waterloo County Council met to discuss the rising concern over the funding of the war and international aid. Canada’s Patriotic Fund appointed several members to create the Waterloo division. This group headed the campaign over the next several months to collect donations for the war effort and international aid. A Berlin Daily Telegraph article reported that the only significant individual who was missing from the appointments was Waterloo’s Mayor Kauffman which made this primarily a meeting of Berliners.

(Picture courtesy of the Canadian War Museum; “Committees on Finance and Work Relief,“ Berlin Daily Telegraph, 17 September 1914)

Much like the Patriotic Fund branch, the Berlin Red Cross Society branch appointed its first members on 23 September. The group’s new president was Mrs. C. Kompf. The Red Cross would become a vital outlet providing aid for the soldiers on the front. Elmira also contributed to the group by providing forty-five volunteers on November 19^th 1914. At the time, it took twenty-five cents as a start up fee for each volunteer. The women of Waterloo were eager to help the war effort, which they were able to do through their work for the Red Cross.

(Picture courtesy of the Red Cross of Canada; “Red Cross Work,“ Berlin Daily Telegraph, 23 September 1914)

The annual Elmira fair was held on 24 September 1914. Numerous people attended the event regardless of the deplorable weather conditions. Farm animals were displayed, along with fruits, vegetables and meats from the surrounding area. Local companies were also allowed to display new equipment. Elmira Machinery and Transmission Co. exhibited a number of their new innovative farming tools.

The fair was concluded with multiple horse races. Prizes were handed out at the conclusion of the festivities. Although Waterloo Region strove to support the war effort, the war did not interfere with annual cultural events in Waterloo Region during 1914.

(“The Elmira and Woolwich Fall Fair,” Elmira Signet, 24 September 1914)

New Hamburg’s Mr. S.J. Williams hosted the first major public fundraiser for the Patriotic Fund. Waterloo’s “C” company of the 29^th 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)