Summer 1914 | First World War

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Waterloo Region’s Local Support for the War (31 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 13, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

The region continued to contribute to the hospital ship fund for the Imperial Navy and the Red Cross Society throughout August. Waterloo Region residents also donated goods that were needed, such as pillows, shirts, socks, mending kits, and fabrics to soldiers who were about to go to the front. The region was also willing to do without certain things in the name of the war effort. The Waterloo Public Library halted their renovation plans, feeling that such expenditure would be unreasonable during the crisis. By the end of August it was clear that Waterloo region strove to support the war effort through a variety of methods.

(“To Raise Funds for Canadian Hospital Ship,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 11 August 1914; “Red Cross Society,” Hespeler Herald, 20 August 1914; “Supplies for Soldiers,” Elmira Signet, 27 August 1914; “New Wing to Library Will Not be Built,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 20 August 1914; “Red Cross Society,” Hespeler Herald, 20 August 1914.)

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Soaring Food Prices (13 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 13, 1914 • In Economics, Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

When Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August, the Canadian Grocer predicted a general rise in the price of foodstuffs. Foods that were imported from within the war zone, such as sugar, beans, nuts, cream of tartar, Bosnian prunes and French peas, would increase in price and decrease in availability. Additionally, domestic products such as wheat and flour had already seen an increase in price by the first week of August. After discussing the various increases in prices, and the reasons behind those increases, the Canadian Grocer reminded readers that Canadians were fortunate when compared to those in Europe. Canada would have enough sustenance throughout the war, even if rationing had to be implemented later on. It was evident that there was no need for the Canadian public to worry about foodstuff at this point in the war.

(“Soaring Food Prices,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 13 August 1914; “Prices for Foodstuffs Increasing,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 13 August 1914; “How Prices Have Soared in Ontario,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 13 August 1914; “War A Check On Commerce,” Elmira Signet, 20 August 1914; “No Shortage of Food,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 27 August 1914)

Excerpt from “Soaring Food Prices” (Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 13 August 1914)

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Berlin’s Soldier Boys (14 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 14, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

On 14 August, a poem was published in the Berlin Daily Telegraph that honoured the young men who enlisted in Berlin, Ontario. The first stanza states that Berlin’s sons who had enlisted were the pride of their community. They were loyal and true Canadians, ready to defend England’s honour. The poem concluded with encouragement to give the Berlin men a good send-off as they go off to carry out “Deeds of valour and might.” This poem emphasized that Berlin men, regardless of their ancestry, felt and were seen to be proud members of the British Empire. This message was emphasized by the fact that the poem was written by “A Britisher.” It is here, once again, that a member of the Waterloo Region emphasized the Canadian and imperialistic sentiment and identity of the region.

(“Berlin’s Soldier Boys,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 14 August 1914.)

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Germans in Canada (14 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 14, 1914 • In Politics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914,

On 14 August, the Hamilton Speculator published an article that defended the honour of Sir Adam Beck, which was reprinted in the Berlin Daily Telegraph. The article explained that although Beck was of German parentage he was thoroughly Canadian and a “thorough Briton.” The article stated that Beck was an example of the German population in the heart of Western Ontario, who all love the “land of their adoption” more than the land where their forefathers came from.

Not unexpectantly, the issue of how to regard German-Canadians was a question that was posed by regular citizens and even prominent politicians and businessmen. Beck was the Minister without Portfolio in Parliament from 1905 to 1914 and was a member of the Remount Committee of the Military Council of Canada, with the rank of Colonel. King George V knighted Beck in 1914 for his promotion of hydro-electricity in Ontario and Canada. Beck later built and expanded the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, making him an important figure in Ontario and Canadian history. Despite his service to Ontario and Canada, there were still some who questioned his loyalty when war was declared against Germany. Clearly all German-Canadians would experience some type of scrutiny during the war.

(“Germans in Canada,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 14 August 1914, “Sir Adam Beck Ready,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 14 August 1914; http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sir-adam-beck/)

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Berlin’s Volunteers Depart for the Front (17 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 17, 1914 • In Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914'

On Monday 17 August, Berlin’s fourteen Volunteers, and the other 8 volunteers from the surrounding area, boarded a train headed first to Galt and then Ingersoll. The Berlin contingent was joining the rest of the 24^th Infantry Regiment, with whom they would proceed to Valcartier on Wednesday 19 August. At Valcartier the men would be drilled for two weeks, after which 22,000 men would be selected and sent to the front in early September.

The Berlin men marched through Berlin, where between 600 and 800 locals bid them farewell. Many had tears in their eyes as they said goodbye to the men leaving for the front, knowing that this may be the last time that they see these men. “Rule Britannia” was sung as the men boarded the train car. These people gathered again on Tuesday to send off four young British reservists who had been residing in the Waterloo Region, when they too left for the front. Huge patriotic displays like this were typical across Canada; residents cheered for local men who went off to fight for the British Empire.

(“Berlin’s Volunteers Depart for the Front,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 20 August 1914, “Reservists for the Front” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 20 August 1914; “Berlin Boys Appreciated Send-off,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 27 August 1914; Photo Origin: London Free Press, 20 August 1914.)

This picture shows the type of mass crowds that gathered to see the volunteers depart for Valcartier in August 1914.

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Special Parliament Session Opened (18 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 18, 1914 • In Politics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914,

Parliament convened on 18 August to discuss the war and the type of aid that Canada would provide to Great Britain. This was Canada’s first war session in over a century. The parliament was devoid of politics, unified by their desire to help Great Britain. It was hoped that this truce would be maintained during the entire session so that deliberations would be quick.

Both Sir Wilfrid Laurier, leader of the opposition, and Prime Minister Borden addressed the topic of German-Canadians during this parliamentary session. The two leaders stated that German-Canadian citizens were “certainly amongst our best citizens” and that they had proven their loyalty to Canada and the British Empire. The Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph and the Elmira Signet reprinted Laurier’s Speech, while the Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph included a section of Borden’s speech as well. The two newspapers did not reprint the two leaders’ entire speeches, but instead only printed the sections referring to German Canadians. This demonstrates how important these statements about German-Canadians’ loyalty to Canada were for all the citizens in Waterloo Region.

(“Parliament and the War,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 20 August 1914; “Canadian Parliament Opened,” Elmira Signet, 20 August 1914; “Sir Wilfrid Laurier in the House of Commons,” Elmira Signet, 27 August 1914; “Tributes Paid to German Canadians,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 27 August 1914; Sir R.L. Borden in Opening the Special Session of the Dominion Parliament,” Elmira Signet, 27 August 1914; R. Borden, “Canada at War” (speech, Ottawa, ON, 18 August 1914), Wartime Canada, http://www.wartimecanada.ca/sites/default/files/documents/CanadaAtWar.Aug_.1914.pdf)

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Kitchener’s Advice to Soldiers (19 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 19, 1914 • In Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914'

On 20 August, the Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph reprinted an article that contained an advice pamphlet written by Lord Kitchener to soldiers in the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). This advice was directed to all soldiers, and was to be carried in each soldier’s active service pay book. Kitchener emphasized one’s duty to serve with honour, discipline and steadiness, and most of all to “do your duty bravely, fear God and honour the King.” Kitchener’s expectations for the BEF were also his expectations for colonial forces, including the Canadian Contingent set to arrive in the fall.

(“Advice to Soldiers,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 20 August 1914)

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Canadian Volunteers Mobilize (19 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 19, 1914 • In Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914'

On 18 August, The Minister of Militia announced that commanding officers throughout Canada were to mobilize the following morning. On the morning of 19 August, troops across Canada began making their way to Valcartier. It was also announced that a total of 22,218 men would be selected, from the 25,000 men who would soon arrive at Valcartier, for the Canadian Expeditionary Force. A detailed list of what personnel would compose the 22,218 can be seen in the article published in the Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph here.

(“To Mobilize Tomorrow,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 20 August 1914)

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Explanation of Military Terms (20 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 20, 1914 • In Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914'

With recruitment ended and troops from across Canada making their way to Valcartier for training, it became evident that Canadians needed to understand the various military terms that would be used in war news articles. Here you can see a list of definitions that the Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph provided their readership with on 20 August 1914.

In addition to explaining military terms, local newspapers also explained the time differences between all of the belligerent countries. This was important, as not every country worldwide had adopted standard time by the outbreak of the war; some areas were still using ‘local time.’ By explaining what time it was in places like Paris, London, St. Petersburg, Vienna, Belgrade, Rome and Berlin, the region’s residents were better informed of time differences across the globe and across the areas involved in the war.

(“Explanation of Militia Terms” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 20 August 1914; “War News,” Elmira Signet, 13 August 1914.)

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Canadian National Exhibition (20 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 20, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

Despite Canada’s preoccupation with the war effort and the mobilization of troops at Valcartier, Canadian culture continued to thrive. Although it was suggested that the Canadian National Exhibition might be cancelled due to the war, the Exhibition was held as planned in Toronto at Exhibition Place. It concluded on Labour Day (7 September) after running for eighteen days. The Exhibition included big attractions such as the Water Carnival featuring the ‘Indian’ canoe races, celebrations for one hundred years of peace with the United States through song, and a performance called ‘Babylon’ that featured over a thousand performers. The large fair provided an entertaining distraction from the European war for thousands of Canadians.

(“Nothing Can Stop It!,” Hespeler Herald, 20 August 1914; Visual: http://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011_08_27_f1244_it0877_6401.jpg)