preserving burlington’s history for today and...

President’s Report

Page 3 New Year

Page 4 Historic Oak

Page 5 Do You Remember

Page 6 Nomination Report

Page 7 History in The Making.

Page 8 Executive Council

Coming Events

General Meeting Program

The War of 1812 &

The Six Nations Speaker

Zig Misiak

Monday, January 9th, 2012 Meeting at 7:00 PM

Burlington Central Library Centennial Room

Share a good thing Bring a friend to

the next General Meeting

What’s Inside

Volume 7 Issue 1 January 2012

The Burl ington His tor ica l Socie ty’s

Gazette

Preserv ing Burl ington’s His tory for Today and Tomorrow

Executive Meeting

Monday Jan. 2nd - 7:00 PM History Room

Burlington Central Library

Annual General Meeting

Monday Jan.9th -7:00 PM Centennial Room

At our January meeting Zig Misiak will tell us about the involvement of the Six Nations in the war of 1812. Zig is shown here in the dress of an

Officer of Caldwell’s Rangers

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Peggy and I had a very nice vacation in Myrtle Beach in October and November. The only sad part of being away was that we missed two very auspicious occasions. The plaguing of the

great Oak tree on Allview Avenue and the unveiling of the Brant Inn Memorial plaque. By all reports both ceremonies were a great success. A piece of my personal history has recently disappeared from Burlington. The home that I was born in, on the corner of the Guelph Line and St. Clair was demolished to make room for a new monster home. I had the opportunity to view the interior prior to it’s destruction. It was strange

Les Armstrong

BHS GAZETTE

President’s Report to see how small the rooms now appeared compared to the eyes of a seven year old.

P l ea se no t e t he be low announcement for our Annual general Meeting. Hope to see you all there.

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Notice Annual General Meeting

The annual General Meeting Of the Burlington Historical Society will take place on January 9, 2012. In the Centennial Room of the Central Library Burlington beginning at 7 pm. The purpose of the meeting is to: Elect the Executive of the Society Hear the report of the Internal Audit Review Committee And any other business that may properly be brought before the meeting.

The editor along with brothers Frank and Beezer in front of our farm house on the

Guelph Line in 1938

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BHS GAZETTE

2011 2012

The Year Ahead

JANUARY FIRST WINTER YOUTH OLYMPICS FEBRUARY DIAMOND JUBILEE of QUEEN ELIZABETH MAY WORLD EXPO YEOSU SOUTH KOREA JULY SUMMER OLYMPICS LONDON NOVEMBER 100th ANNIVERSARY BURLINGTON CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL

Burlington Central Public School Opened in 1912

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BHS GAZETTE

Volunteer Archivist I f you have an interest in history and/or the community and the people of Burlington and

are looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity perhaps helping out in the Historical Societies Archives would be the opportunity you are looking for. The archives are located in the History Room of the Central Library. Space in the History Room is shared with the library. Duties vary according to the volunteers interest. They may include sorting and arranging paper records, scanning of photographs and other images, research projects, writing articles for the societies newsletter or other projects that are of interest to the volunteer. Work times are flexible and working from home on a computer is also possible. Training is supplied by other BHS Archives volunteers. Three BHS volunteers in the past have taken archival management courses through Mohawk College (on line) sponsored by BHS. The BHS Achieves is part of a regional group of volunteer supported achieves. If you are interested in this rewarding opportunity for volunteering please contact Jane Irwin at 905-637-7266. or by email at [email protected]

Historic Oak on Allview Avenue Plaqued

Included in the crowd at the at the ceremony where Mayor Goldring and Councillors Craven and Dennison.

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BHS GAZETTE

By Jane Irwin

M any residents from the Six Nations Reserve along the Grand River used

to travel to work in what is now Burling-ton, as pickers on farms, or in industrial businesses. Many long-time Aldershot and Bur-lington residents remember these families, and some residents attended school with their children. The Burlington Historical Society has an opportunity to work in partnership with a group of people connected with East Plains United Church, thanks to a connection made by BHS Past President Noreen McNairn. The goals of the group are two-fold: to erect a memorial marker in the East Plains United cemetery, and to create a broader awareness of the history of Six Nations workers throughout Burlington. If you can supply surnames of Six Nations people in Burlington, or memories of them, or places where they lived, please contact Jane Irwin at burlingtonhistoricalsociety @yahoo.com. If you have no email, please telephone 905 637 7266. The BHS Archives has very brief ref-erences to two Maracle families who worked for Aldershot Cold Storage.

The Archives also has brief remem-brances of Alex Barnes, a Mohawk who was manager of the Maple Avenue farm of M. M. Robinson. Barnes retired to a house at 1043 Greenwood Drive in 1957. Edna Robinson and the Barnes children attended S. S. # 14 School, as did BHS member Mary (née Kirby) Robson. An image of students of the one-room school in 1941 / 1942 shows Elmer, Ronnie, Edgar and Georgina Barnes. (see page 6) Another Archives photo from 1953 shows Alex and Georgina Barnes with new im-migrants Dick, Matt and Weiki Kamstra. The Kamstra family, who knew no English when they immigrated, remember the Barnes family as kind friends. Mary Robson also recalls them as “very fine people -- friends of the Kirby family”. Another wonderful image in the BHS Archives is of Seneca and Cayuga berry pick-ers at the Fisher Farm on Guelph Line, circa 1900. As of 1976, seven of these people were still living . Please help the BHS contribute memo-ries to this project in partnership with East Plains United Church!

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DO YOU REMEMBER?

On the Farm of Bobby Robins On the Fisher Farm

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Volume 4 Issue 6 BHS GAZETTE

DO YOU REMEMBER?

This picture of the children of S.S.# 14 Nelson School taken in 1941 shows the Barnes children :Georgina 11th from left back row, Edger 9th from left middle row,

Ronny1st , Elmer13th from left in front row.

Report of the Nominating Committee

The following Members have been nominated to the following positions for the year 2012

President Les Armstrong 1st Vice president Alan Harrington 2nd Vice President TBD Treasurer Brian Ryder Secretary Noreen McNair

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Membership Memberships are for the calendar year, January 1st to December 31st each year. 2012 renewals are now being accepted. It would be a big help if you would use the form in the Gazette and mark it renewal. This is essential if you have any change in information.

History In The Making BHS GAZETTE

The new library in Aldershot opened at 10am on December 1st. It is located at 550 Plains Rd E. Plans are under way for a Grand Opening Celebration in the New Year.

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Name Telephone Address City Postal Code

Email Address Membership dues (Please check which one)

New Member Renewal

Family: $40.00 Single: $30.00 Senior: $25.00

I wish to make a donation to the society in the sum of A tax receipt will be issued for all donations totalling $25.00 above the cost of membership.

Please complete and mail this application, making your cheque payable to: The Burlington Historical Society

Membership Convener PO Box 93164

1450 Headon Road Burlington, Ontario. L7M 4A3

Burlington Historical Society Executive Council President Les Armstrong 905 637 2270 Past President Dave Morris 905 336 6503 1st Vice President Patrick Sweeny 905 634 5177 2nd Vice President Alan Harrington. 905 319 4277 Secretary Noreen McNairn 905 637 6400 Treasurer Brian Ryder 905 336 2105 Dir. Digital Imaging Jane Irwin 905 637 7266 Archivist TBA Convenors Greeting Cards Anne Wingfield HUG Representatives Les Armstrong Heritage Burlington LACAC Jane Ann Newson / James Clemens Membership Team Brian Ryder / Ken Davy Meet & Greet Team Dohn Nagy Newsletter Editor Les Armstrong Plaques Alan Harrington Program Ken Davy Promotion Team Display Judi McNairn Publications Judi McNairn Special Events Ruth Borthwick Publicity Dohn Nagy Telephone Committee Iris Davy Web site Convenor Dave Morris

BHS GAZETTE

Membership Application


Page 3 Burlington’s Name

Page 4 War of 1812

Page 5 Obituaries

Page 6 Farm For Sale

Page 7 West Plains Church


Coming Events


Ruby & Thomas McQueston Speaker

Mary Anderson

Monday, February 13th, 2012 Meeting at 7:00 PM




What’s Inside

Volume 7 Issue 2 February 2012


Gazette


Executive Meeting

Monday Feb. 6th - 7:00 PM History Room


General Meeting

Monday Feb.13th -7:00 PM Centennial Room

Burlington Central library

The McQueston family Circs 1890 L to R Hilda, Thomas, Mary Baker, Margaret Edna, Mary Baldwin,

Ruby, Calvin

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O u r J a n u a r y meeting set an all

t i m e r e c o r d f o r attendance. An overflow crowd filled the room and unfortunately there were some people who were turned away because of lack of space.

The annual meeting went well with all persons elected to all positions on the executive save for the Second Vice President. We will continue to search for a person to fill that position. I believe that the increase in interest towards our society is in the fact that we have over the past year partnered with several organizations to help further our mandate, to “Preserve Burlington’s History for Today and Tomorrow”. The February General meeting will be a collaborative effort of the society and the Burlington Public Library. We are partnering with the Friends of Freeman Station to restore and relocate the Freeman station. We partnered with the Burlington Horticultural Society and the City Arborist to get provincial recognition of the Historic, Allview White Oak Tree. Currently we are partnering with Heritage Burlington to preserve and designate the Panton Homestead in Kilbride. There are many more instances were we are working with other groups within the city to further our mandate. It is our plan to see that your society is much more that just monthly meetings. It’s strength is in it’s dedicated volunteers who are working to make Burlington the place that remembers its history .

Les Armstrong

Membership

Memberships are for the calendar year, January 1st to December 31st each year. 2012 renewals are now being accepted. It would be a big help if you would use the form on the back page and mark it renewal. This is essential if you have any change in information. Brian Ryder will be glad to accept your 2012 renewal at the February

BHS GAZETTE


Happy 100th

Birthday L ong time

member of BHS Herma

Bailey will celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday January 22nd with a party at thee Burlington Seniors’ Centre. She was born January 30, 1912 and started teaching in a Saskatchewan one room school during the early 1930’s.

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BHS GAZETTE

EDITOR’S NOTE I have long been suspicious of the urban legend which credits the name Burlington to the misspelling of Bridlington. Knowing that the name Burlington was used elsewhere in North America I spent some time researching other locations in North America that use the name Burlington. I found cities and towns called Burlington in Newfoundland, Vermont, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Iowa, Colorado, Washington, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Indiana, Oregon, Kansas. As well, Burlington counties are found in California and New Jersey, Townships are found in New York and Kansas. One night after a LACAC meeting, in discussion with a fellow member I discovered that he had the same view as I did in regard to our city’s name. Below is an article he wrote outlining his theory.

Is Burlington Really a Misspelling of Bridlington?

Robert Lyng

T he name Burlington is often attributed to be a misspelling of the name Brid-

lington, allegedly the name assigned by John Graves Simcoe to the bay and heights at the Head-of-the-Lake. This attribution is dubi-ous. It fails to recognize that the name Bur-lington was well known in Simcoe’s era. And it fails to recognize the practice, carried out by Simcoe himself, of naming places to honour important or powerful people of the day. Burlington is recognized in English peerage extending back to 1664. But it is Richard Boyle (1695-1753), 3rd Earl of Bur-lington and 4th Earl of Cork, a highly ac-complished and influential architect, that brings the name to prominence. The National Portrait Gallery says of Rich-ard Boyle: “Burlington's profound architectural knowl-edge and his position in society made him the arbiter of English architectural taste. Called 'The Apollo of the Arts' by Horace Walpole, he was inspired by the work of Pal-ladio and Inigo Jones and promoted the Pal-ladian style, a reaction against the Baroque.

An early patron of Handel, he also encour-aged the production of Italian opera in Lon-don.” The peerage Burlington ceases when he dies in 1753 without a male heir. However, his only child, Charlotte Elizabeth, married the very successful William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1775), First Lord of the Treasury & Prime Minister (1756). Their third son, a con-temporary of John Graves Simcoe, was George Augustus Henry Cavendish. George Cavendish was owner of extensive lands in southern England, particularly as a result of his marriage to Elizabeth Compton, the heir-ess of the 7th Earl of Northampton. When George Cavendish was later elevated to peer-age in 1834, he resurrected the title 1st Earl of Burlington – evidently in honour of his mater-nal lineage. Undoubtedly, Simcoe would have been keenly aware of the power and prestige of the Cavendish family. Following his own exam-ple in naming Dundas after his friend Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, and naming

(Continued on page 4)

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Check out the societies web site at

www.burlingtonhistoricalsociety.ca

BHS GAZETTE

Volunteer Archivist I f you have an interest in history and/or the community and the people of Burlington and

are looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity perhaps helping out in the Historical Societies Archives would be the opportunity you are looking for. The archives are located in the History Room of the Central Library. Space in the History Room is shared with the library. Duties vary according to the volunteers interest. They may include sorting and arranging paper records, scanning of photographs and other images, research projects, writing articles for the societies newsletter or other projects that are of interest to the volunteer. Work times are flexible and working from home on a computer is also possible. Training is supplied by other BHS Archives volunteers. Three BHS volunteers in the past have taken archival management courses through Mohawk College (on line) sponsored by BHS. The BHS Achieves is part of a regional group of volunteer supported achieves. If you are interested in this rewarding opportunity for volunteering please contact Jane Irwin at 905-637-7266. or by email at [email protected]

York, the present day Toronto, in honour of Frederick, Duke of York, George III’s sec-ond son, Simcoe’s naming of features at the Head-of-the-Lake as Burlington Bay and Burlington Heights was almost certainly in-tended to honour or ingratiate himself with Cavendish. Bestowing such an honour upon the Cavendish, whose land holdings in southern England were in the vicinity of Exeter, where Simcoe eventually acquired his own estate, more likely reveals Simcoe’s good career planning rather than a later mis-spelling of Bridlington. Robert Lyng was a member of Heritage Burlington LACAC and Chair of the Heri-tage Properties Sub Committee. Editor’s note; Coincidentally George Cavendish and John Simcoe were born and died the same years.

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(Continued from page 3)

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BHS GAZETTE

Mary Frances Fraser

M ary was born in London ON, June 2, 1921, passed away peacefully at

Joseph Brant Hospital Friday December 23, 2011. Wife of the late Duncan Fraser. Mary is survived by four children. Her unflagging efforts in documenting local history resulted in a provincial award for outstanding achievement in volunteerism. Mary was involved in many projects including the Historical Society, the Joseph Brant Museum and Burlington’s Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee. Intense lobbying led by Mary convinced Burlington City Council to purchase Ireland House in the 1980s. She also produced an inventory of historic buildings. Mary was named Burlington’s Citizen of the year in 1984 for her work in documenting and preserving local history. Mary served as President of BHS in 1983

Florence Meares

F lorence passed away at Joseph Brant Hospital on November 10th. She was 97.

Florence was named Burlington’s Citizen of the Year for 1987 and the International Year of the Older Person for Burlington South in 1999. She won an Ontario Residential Care Association Award in 2001 and was named Ontario Retired Person of the Year in 2002. Her teaching career spanned 40 years starting in the one-room school at Fisher’s corner in 1934. Ms. Meares, who never married, went on to become the first female principal appointed by the Burlington Board of Education when she became principale of Kilbride Public School in 1960. She later became principal at Lakeshore P.S. and lastly at Elizabeth Gardens Elementary. Florence was so respected in the community that a school called the Florence Meares Public School, was named after her., located on Berwick Drive. It opened in 2002. At the time the board was deciding the name of the school the Historical Society, The Nelson Women’s Institute and many individual ballots supported Florence's nomination. Florence served as President of BHS in 1987.

Two Past Presidents Pass

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"SUNNYSIDE," RESIDENCE OF D. P. CROSBY, ESQ., BURLINGTON.

FOR SALE

VALUABLE FRUIT FARM IN THE VILLAGE OF BURLINGTON

Consisting of twelve and a half acres, is situated in the Village of Burlington, County of Halton, one of the finest fruit-growing districts in Ontario. SOIL. The soil is sandy loam, all well underdrained, and specially adapted for farming, gardening and fruit growing. FRUIT. Excellent orchard, consisting of 8 acres; 250 apple trees, all bearing; 225 pear trees, all bearing; 375 plum trees; 15 peach trees, also one acre of grapes. BUILDINGS, ETC.---Large frame dwelling, as seen in photo, in excellent condition and nicely painted; also large barn, as illustration; cellar, full size; lumber room, cow stable, large box stall, hennery, all painted. Two large cisterns, and a never-failing well (excellent water). The whole front of the farm is adorned with different varieties of shade and ornamental trees. The situation of the property is very desirable. It is within 80 rods of the wharf, where boats call daily for fruit shipments to Toronto; one mile from G.T.R. Station, and within five minutes walk of churches, schools and the Radial Electric Railway Station. Price, $8,000. Easy terms. For further particulars apply to D. P. CROSBY, Box 43, Burlington, Ont.

The following is taken from the Garden of Canada book Printed about 1902. The property, located on Carolyn Street is the current location of Wellington Square United Church.

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SHARE A GOOD THING BRING A FRIEND TO OUR NEXT MEETING

BHS GAZETTE

West Plains United Church Celebrates 140 Years 2011 marked the 140th year of West Plains United Church congregation. The congregation first began as a Methodist Episcopal Church. After the generous donation of a piece of land on which to build a church a small white structure with seating for 90 people was erected. The church was constructed at a cost of $400 and first opened it’s doors in 1878. In 1884 the congregation of 25 members joined the Union Methodist Churches and in 1925, West Plains became a congregation of the United Church of Canada. On Sunday October 23, 2011 the present congregation celebrated its 140th year with a special service and potluck lunch. Current members, previous ministers and friends enjoyed a inspiring message by Laurie Atkins. Displays of memorabilia provided for lots of reminiscing following a delicious lunch.

The current West Plains Church located at 549 Plains Road West was constructed in 1930.

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New Member Renewal

Family: $40.00 Single: $30.00 Senior: $25.00

I wish to make a donation to the society in the sum of A tax receipt will be issued for all donations totalling $25.00 above the cost of membership.

Please complete and mail this application, making your cheque payable to: The Burlington Historical Society

Membership Convener PO Box 93164

1450 Headon Road




Burlington Historical Society Executive Pres. Les Armstrong 905 637 2270 1st Vice Pres. Alan Harrington 905 319 4277 2nd Vice Pres. TBD Secretary Noreen McNairn 905 637 6400 Treasurer Brian Ryder 905 336 2105 Past Pres. Dave Morris 905 336 6503

Dir. Digital Archiving Jane Irwin 905 637 7266

Greeting Cards- Ann Wingfield Hug Representative-Les Armstrong Heritage Burlington Representatives -Jane Ann Newson and James Clemens Membership Team- Brian Ryder and Ken Davy Newsletter Editor- Les Armstrong Plaques- Alan Harrington Programs- Ken Davy Promotion- Display Team Judy McNairn Publications- Judy McNairn Publicity- Dave Morris and Ken Davy Telephone Committee- Iris Davy Web Site- Dave Morris

Convenors

Volunteer Archivists

Alan Norton Heather Mace Marianne Hubbs Peggy Armstrong Pat Taylor

BHS GAZETTE


Page 3 Gun Fight on Brant St.

Page 4 Memorial Fund

Page 5 New Life for Greenwood

Page 6 Web site

Page 7 100 years ago


Coming Events


War Of 1812 Speaker

Ken Weber

Monday, MAY 14th, 2012 Meeting at 7:00 PM




What’s Inside

Volume 7 Issue 5 May 2012


Gazette


Executive Meeting

Monday May 7th - 7:00 PM History Room


General Meeting

Monday May 14th -7:00 PM Centennial Room


Bank Robbery

Bullets Fly on Brant Street

Bank Employee Shot

High Speed Car Chase Through Town

Robber Wounded in Gun Battle

This past month has been full of exciting historical events. I’m sure that many have gotten about all they needed on TV about the tragedy of the Titanic. If you are like me, the events of that fateful voyage

hold a fascination that knows no bounds. After one of the programs which had stated the location of the wreckage I got to wondering just how close I had come on my sailing adventure across the Atlantic Ocean to the disaster site. I got out the chart I had used on my crossing and plotted the location of the Titanic disaster. I found that my course line exactly crossed the spot where the Titanic went down. It was during one of the storms we encountered on our crossing so I’m just as glad that I didn’t know the significance of the location at the time. The other historical event that is ongoing this year is the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. Surprisingly this war that has not had much publicity in the past has garnered much interest. This seems to be borrn out by the increased attendance at our monthly meeting when the topic is about the War. One of the projects that some members of our Society have been working on is in identifying the burial place of local residents who served in the war of 1812. So far the draft report is 52 pages in length. Research has found the units that men served in, where they are buried, and some genealogical facts. Eventually the grave sites of these veterans will be marked as veterans of the war. This war, although started by the Americans when they invaded Canada, was the only war the Americans lost in North America. If you doubt that they lost the war of 1812 bear in mind that had they won we would now all be Americans.

Les Armstrong

Burlington Loves

Heritage

BHS GAZETTE

President’s Report There were also two recent events that are significant to the heritage of Burlington. First the donation of land by Lorne McMillan for the expansion of Greenwood Cemetery, and directly influencing our society was the bequest of the Jessie Helen Lee Memorial Archive Fund. The latter will help our society fulfill its main goal, the preservation of Burlington’s History.

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Central Public School Turns 100

Burlington School Board 1912

Central Public School is celebrating its 100th birthday in September. They are asking former students and teachers with memorabilia from the school such as photos, yearbooks or awards to contact the anniversary committee at 905-592-9452 or email

[email protected].

BHS Photo

BHS GAZETTE

A pril fool’s Day, 1959... It was no April Fool’s Day joke when at 11:30 AM two

masked gunmen rushed into the Caroline and Brant Street branch of the Imperial Bank, one going into the office of Mr. William Pizer, the manager and the other approaching the teller’s cage. Mrs Bernice Slack who was working at the rear of the Bank, having seen the men putting on their masks at the doorway, pushed the alarm button and then ducked to the floor. Andre Michels the bank’s accountant grabbed the bank revolver and ordered the men out. Rather than leaving, the bandits opened fire and a gunfight ensued. Standing face to face, the robbers and Mr. Michels exchanged thirteen shots with both Mr. Michels and one of the gunmen being wounded. The accountant was later treated in St Joseph’s Hospital. One bullet went out the front window of the bank and entered the apartment window across Brant Street.

After the exchange of gunfire the robbers rushed out of the bank to a waiting car and sped north on Brant Street. The first police officer responding to the alarm was Constable Robert Alferink. A citizen gave him a description of the getaway car and the first three digits of the plate number and which way it went. When Alferink got to Freeman there was the getaway car stopped by a train crossing Brant Street. When the constable approached the car it sped off. He tried to shoot a tire but missed. A high speed chase ensued.

The crooks sped west on the QEW and turned toward the Skyway. They then reversed their course and backtracked to Plains Road. Travelling west they turned up the Waterdown Road and reaching the Dundas Highway, turned east.

Other police forces were now alerted and joining in on the chase. Several shots were fired at the fleeing car by both Burlington Police and the OPP. An OPP

cruiser was forced off the road by the fleeing crooks. The chase reached speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour. Trafalgar police set up a road block by parking two transport trucks on the Tansley Bridge. The crooks then headed south on Orchard Road. When they got to Upper Middle Road the car ended up in the ditch. One crook was apprehended under the car. He was found to be wounded in the shoulder.

The second bandit headed out on the run across a plowed field with Constable Alferink in hot pursuit. The gunman turned and fired shots at the Constable from about 150 feet away. Constable Al McQueen of the OPP Waterdown detachment emptied his gun at the fleeing man but missed. By now other police had surrounded the field and when Chief Fred Oliver of the Trafalgar force fired two shots into the ground at his feet the gunman surrendered.

After two remands, Gilbert and Gordon Tait were sentenced to 15 and 10 years at hard labour in Kingston Penitentiary.

In total 45 shots were fired in the bank and during the chase.

Gun Fight on Brant Street

Nineteen year old Patricia Bye beside a bullet shattered window. Patricia the bank’s teller

faced the gunmen.

By Les Armstrong

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B.H.S. photo

4

BHS GAZETTE

Jessie Helen Lee Memorial Archive Fund

O n April 9th the Burlington Historical society received a bequest in memory of former member Jessie Helen Lee to be used for the education of archivists and the employment of

summer students interested in archival opportunities. Mrs. Lee and her husband Jack were long time residents of Burlington. Jessie was the last of the original residents of the Regency Survey in Burlington having resided on Halifax Place from 1948 until her move to Sunrise Nursing Home. She was the daughter of Dr. Henderson Bryce of Kelowna, British Columbia and is survived by two sons Bryce Lee, a member of our society and David Lee of Houston Texas and her granddaughter Catherine Helen Lee of Boston Massachusetts. Editors note, “This bequest is a most worthy memorial to Mrs Lee. It comes at a time when our archives is in need of expert work because of the influx of important archive material. The executive has set up a separate memorial account in Mrs. Lee’s name. Details of the dispersal of the funds will be worked out and the activities associated with the fund will start in 2013”. The Society is indebted to Bryce Lee for this bequest in honour of his mother.

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BHS GAZETTE

Hamilton Spectator Photo

L orne McMillan has added at least 30 years to the active life of Greenwood Cemetery. The 123 year old cemetery is almost filled to capacity. Mr.

McMillan has donated a two acre plot of his farm to the city of Burlington cemetery. The land, worth an estimated 2.1 million dollars is situated on the western boundary of Greenwood. The original farm was purchased in 1900 by John Alexander McMillan and the farm home was constructed in 1906. Lorne is the fourth generation to farm the land. Burlington’s Mayor Rick Goldring said the city was impressed with his generosity and called it a “a real significant gift to the city”. Mr. McMillan is keeping three quarters of an acre so that he will still be able to grow his fruit and vegetables.

New Lease On Life For Greenwood Cemetery

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www.burlingtonhistoricalsociety.ca/

It’s Your Web Site – What do you want to see more of? The Burlington Historical Society’s web site has been up and running since late 2010. Since its inception the home page has been “hit” over 15,600 times. This is quite a bit of traffic! At the time much consideration went into what you the members wanted to see on the web site. Now coming up to its second anniversary it is time for you the members to tell us what else you would like to see. It is your web site. Perhaps you would like to see more visual montages like the one on weddings or you would like to see more old houses. How about an expanded local history story page or perhaps a mem-ber of the month? How about a picture and description of a piece from the archive collection? We have a number of ideas now but really want to hear from you first before we spend any time making changes. Ideally we would like to unveil the updated site in late summer. If you have any ideas (small or large) send a note to Dave Morris by e mail

[email protected]

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“Friday, May 2nd will long be remembered by residents of the pretty little lake town of Burlington. Several months ago James Harrison, of Burlington, conceived the commendable idea of erecting a public drinking fountain to be known as the King Edward Memorial. The big occasion of yesterday, on which occasion the fountain was unveiled and declared open for public use by his Honor, Lieut.-Governor Sir J. Gibson, in the presence of about four thousand people, marked the closing point of the work of the committee.”

BHS GAZETTE

The Burlington Gazette 100 years ago

Sealed Tenders Bulk and separate Tenders will be received at the offices of Munro & Mead Architects, Hamilton up to 12 o’clock noon, Friday, April 12th, for various trades required in the erection of a

Public School at Burlington, Ontario Plans and specifications may be seen at the office of the Architects, and at the office of Mr. H.J. Blair, Burlington. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. Mr. Ed Dickenson has installed an Up-To-Date Hygiene soda water fountain and counter, which will enable him to cater to his patrons better than ever the coming season. Besides the handsome fountain, the various compartments consist of five ice cream cans, twelve syrup lifts for different flavours, six fruit bowls, two cooling systems for ice drinks and cracked ice, automatic tumbler washer and sink for dishes. The counter is marble with marble base and oak front. He has put in new tables and chairs. The new outfit adds much to the appearance of the interior of the store.

NOTICE Mr. Wm. Hannon begs to announce that he has opened up business in his barn as temporary premises until the new building is erected on the lot on the corner of Pine and John Streets. Have just received a car of horse feed and chicken feed, and will be pleased to receive orders for same. A car of hay expected this week.

KING EDWARD FOUNTAIN FUND The Secretary acknowledges with many thanks the following donations. Rev. Jas. Kendall, $1.00 Mr. A. Hager, $1.00 Messrs A. Coates & Sons $5.00 Mr. W.H. Easterbook $2.00 Mr. Stanley Dynes $1.00

Anyone wishing to contribute to this loyal project, please send donations to James Harrison, Box 3, Burlington. It will be a useful asset to Burlington. The committee are not able to complete arrangements this week owing to the absence of His Honor Sir John Gibson who will not return from the United States till next Saturday, but the Secretary has heard from his Aide-de-Camp Major Stanley saying that he will let the committee know next Monday the time that His Honor will arrive here, but it will probably be so that the opening ceremony will take place at 2:30 on the afternoon of Arbor Day, Friday, May 3rd. We hope Burlington residents keep this date in mind and as many as possible be present at the opening. Get your flags and bunting ready and make Burlington show itself worthy of the occasion.

Ontario Archives

Spectator May 3, 1912

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New Member Renewal Family: $40.00 Single: $30.00 Senior: $25.00

I wish to make a donation to the society in the sum of

A tax receipt will be issued for all donations totalling $25.00 above the cost of membership. Please complete and mail this application, making your cheque payable to:

The Burlington Historical Society Membership Convener

PO Box 93164 1450 Headon Road

Burlington, Ontario. L7M 4A3

Name Telephone Address City Postal Code Email Address

Membership dues (Please check which one)


Burlington Historical Society Executive Pres. Les Armstrong 905 637 2270 1st Vice Pres. Alan Harrington 905 319 4277 2nd Vice Colin Morley 905 634 1477 Secretary Noreen McNairn 905 637 6400 Treasurer Brian Ryder 905 336 2105 Past Pres. Dave Morris 905 336 6503


Greeting Cards- Anne Wingfield Hug Representative-Les Armstrong Heritage Burlington Representatives -Jane Ann Newson and James Clemens Membership Team- Brian Ryder and Ken Davy Newsletter Editor- Les Armstrong Plaques- Alan Harrington Programs- Ken Davy Promotion- Display Team Judy McNairn Publications- Judy McNairn Publicity- Dave Morris and Ken Davy Telephone Committee- Iris Davy Web Site- Dave Morris

Convenors

Volunteer Archivists Alan Norton Heather Mace Marianne Hubbs Peggy Armstrong Pat Taylor

Marilyn McBride

BHS GAZETTE

President Report Page 3 Heat Wave Page 4 Stolen Pigs Page 5 LePatourel’s Fire Page 6 Train Station Page 7 S.S. Turbinia Page 8 Executive Council

Coming Events


Life & Legacy of Isaac Brock Speaker

Webb Turner

Monday, September 10th, 2012 Meeting at 7:00 PM




What’s Inside

Volume 7 Issue 6 SEPTEMBER 2012


Gazette


Executive Meeting

Tuesday Sept. 4th - 7:00 PM History Room


General Meeting

Monday Sept. 10th -7:00 PM Centennial Room


Sir Isaac Brock, The hero of Upper Canada.

In the May issue of the Gazette we recounted the story of the bank robbery on Brant Street and the subsequent shootout between the bandits and the police. Shortly after the publication of the

story I received an email from Robert Alferink. I would like to share it with you as a most suitable postscript to the story Dear Sir, Thank you for choosing and reprinting the "Gun Fight on Brant St." article of April 1/1959. I recall this occurrence vividly including the license number of the get away car being 54559D, a commercial plate placed on a 1953 Chevrolet both stolen from Hamilton. The 45cal. handguns were obtained by the culprits after a violent robbery and vicious assault on an elderly security guard at the Hamilton Armouries, on Burlington St. in Hamilton Ont., during which he was severely beaten and injured. I have always considered myself very fortunate that I was not injured or killed that day which may be partly due to my being 6'3" tall and weighing only 135 lbs and according to my colleagues the reason for not being struck by the many bullets fired at me must have been that I was standing sideways! In any event my shooting abilities certainly improved after that time. Now retired and living in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley with my wife, I was pleased to see the printed article which was sent to me by several people. Until his recent death Chief Fred Oliver and myself exchanged phone calls every April 1st thanking each other on the fortunate

Les Armstrong

Burlington Loves

Heritage

BHS GAZETTE

President’s Report outcome of this situation. Thanks again for printing the article. Yours truly, Robert Alferink, Staff Sergeant (Ret) Halton Regional Police Service. (Formerly Burlington Police Dept) Prompted by the story in our newsletter of May, which was reprinted in the Burlington Post, the Thursday July 19th issue of the Burlington Post featured yet another story, initiated by the Gazette’s story. It related the experiences of Constable Jack Petrarca, one of the other police officers involved in the Bonnie & Clyde type chase and capture of the nefarious bank robbers.

**** Three of our member were honoured in July when they were awarded the Queen's Jubilee medals. Jane Irwin and Wynne Stewart were awarded the medals for their active interest in heritage downtown and heritage issue over the decades. Don Smith received his award for his work with seniors and health care in Burlington.

**** In September we will continue our review of the events surrounding the war of 1812 when Webb Turner talks to us about the Canadian Hero of the war of 1812, Sir Isaac Brock. The war of 1812, is one of the only two wars of aggression that I know of, that the U.S. of A instigated and lost. As Canadian we don’t often celebrate our successes but after 200 years it’s fitting that we acknowledge those who gave us our freedom.

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BHS GAZETTE

From Jane Irwin 31 March 1834:

TWO SMALL PIGS STOLEN SUSPECT GETS OFF

O ne of the best historic houses still standing in Burlington is “Limestone

Hall” at 6391 Walkers Line, built in 1853 for John McGregor. John received the patent for the lot in 1846. Before 1853, he and his wife Phoebe (née Zimmerman) and family – 10 children in the 1851 census, ages 17, 16, 15, 13, 12, 10, 8, 6, 3, and 1 – lived in the small frame house which now forms a rear addition to Limestone Hall. John was an eminently successful famer, with a wide range of grains and livestock on his 307 acres.

On 31 March 1834 John McGregor made an oath before William McCay, Justice of the Peace in Hannahsville or Nelson, to say that on the previous day, “divers goods of him ... to wit, two small pigs, were feloniously stolen, taken and carried away from an open place near the premises of him ... and that he hath just cause to suspect, and doth suspect that Abraham Deforest of Nelson aforesaid, Labourer (a Minor), did steal, take and carry away the same.” Abraham Deforest was age 15 at the time.

“Abraham D. ... says he did not steal any such, was at the place where the said pigs were said to be, but did not see any hogs of any kind, did not know there were any there.” Adolphus Peer, sworn as a witness, “says, he has seen a sow with 4 pigs owned by J. McGregor at some old buildings near J. McGregors, saw them yesterday morning, that is the 4 pigs, towards noon. He saw the prisoner, A. Deforest between the old buildings above mentioned and his father’s house, driving a yoke of oxen and having some hay on a rack, was about 6 Rods [about 30 yards] from him. When he saw him, he heard a pig squale, and saw the said A. Deforest in the act of apparently catching and holding a pig and drove on the oxen smartly. Witness afterwards went to the place he had seen the said sow and pigs in the afternoon of same day, and there were but two small pigs. Thinks he could not be mistaken in the noise he heard, thinks it was a pig he heard squale on the rack.” “C. Harris Constable states that he apprehended the said A. D. this day at his father’s residence, that made search on the

Continued on page 4

Old News from the Archives

Limestone Hall

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BHS GAZETTE

Heat Wave-Summer of 1936

D uring the second week of July 1936 a heat wave hovered over this district

as well as the province in general. Even the oldest of old-timers could not recall such a heat wave and dry spell. All high records of temperature were broken as the thermometer travelled over the one hundred mark. 105 was stated as high for this district recorded on Thursday (9 July 1936) With the heat came a continued dry spell. Many farmers faced total crop failure. Gooseberries, currents and raspberries cooked on the vines. Many farmers had to lay off help, as with their crops burnt up, there was no work for them to do.

Many functions were called off. The Hume Theatre was closed on account of the heat. Residents flocked to the lakeside in the

evening in an endeavor to cool off, and many slept on lawns during the night. Ice-cream dealers and pop manufacturers did bumper business, however many dealers lost their chocolates as they melted in the cases. Only those taken to a basement survived the heat. Mr. Guy Munson one of Burlington’s “Bee” farmers lost about a hundred

bees. The heat caused the honey to melt and the bees were drowned in the honey. At least one death related to heat was reported in the Burlington Gazette.

****

Continued from Stolen Pigs on page 3 premises but did not discover any such pig or pigs and any indications to have him to suppose any such had been killed or dressed there lately.” J. P. William McCay’s ruling was that “upon examination, no proof of the charge”, and Abraham Deforest was discharged.

****

The documentation for this Old News story is from a collection of records in the Ar-chives of Ontario, which was compiled in 1966 - 1967 as a Centennial Project by stu-dents in Grade 10 classes at Burlington Sec-ondary Schools. A printed copy of the pro-ject is in the BHS Archives.

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BHS GAZETTE

From the Burlington Gazette July 1912

T he residence of Mr. T.A. LePatourel had a narrow es-

cape. Without the prompt work of the newly formed fire brigade, there is no doubt the house would have been burned. About 11o’clock Mrs. LePatourel went down cellar, and noticed there was considerable smoke in the place. She called her husband, and being unable the locate the trouble, he hurried to the town hall and rang the fire alarm. Chief Nicholson and his men were on the scene in about three minutes. The Chief first broke through the plaster in the sitting room near the fire place, and here found the fire burning quite merrily. He then attached a small garden hose to the tap in

the kitchen, and soon extinguished the blaze. A hole was also broken in the partition upstairs and water poured in. The water from the hy-drant was turned on, but was not used, which saved the interior of the house from being dam-aged by water. It is sup-posed the fire had eaten through the mortar in the fire place and ig-nited the lath and stud-ding. The fire burned up the partition and in a few minutes would have reached the garret. The loss is estimated at $50.00 Mr. LePatourel is loud in his praise of the promptness and splendid work of the fire brigade.

****

Fire at T.A. LePatourel’s Residence

The LePatourel’s house was moved from Elizabeth Street to 247 Malvern Road when it faced demolition in 1978

Mary, Tom and Daisy LePatourel in front of their home ,decorated for the queens jubilee in 1897

I n 1 8 8 0 T o m LePatourel bought the drug store at Brant and Pine Streets (now 361 Brant), graduating in the first class of the Ontario College of Pharmacy in 1890. His d a u g h t e r D a i s y (Marion), a later graduate from OCP, eventually took over the drugstore. Tom LePatourel was Bell Telephone 's f i rs t company agent for the village, providing switchboard service himself before 1900, on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m.

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BHS GAZETTE

The Burlington Gazette 100 years ago

August 28, 1912

New Industry for Burlington Large American Concern to

Establish Here Through the effort of Reeve M.C. Smith the town has secured a new live industry. For the past several weeks our Reeve has been quietly working on the matter, and it was finally closed on Thursday last, when the heads of the concern were here and purchased about five acres of land from Mr. Joseph Anderson, and paid down a substantial deposit. The property is located along the Grand Trunk Railway close to the Niagara Brand Spray Co’s. factory. The concern which manufactures chemicals, owns two large factories in the United States, and will establish their Canadian Branch here. Their architect accompanied by a surveyor, has been at work on the property, and the plans for the factory are being prepared. It is expected work will be commenced on the erection of the building inside of two weeks, and the structure will be rushed to completion as speedily as possible. The concern will give employment all the year round, and will start out with about twenty-five hands, which number will be gradually increased as the business demands. Reeve Smith is receiving the congratulations from the citizens generally upon his success in landing the industry. Editors comment The American company, Ashland Chemicals have been a significant part of our community for 100 years. Recently they have shown continuing support for the community by making available to the City a part of their property facing on Fairview Street for he temporary home of the Freeman Station while it is being restored.

Friends Of Freeman Station, City Sign Lease

With Ashland The Friends of Freeman Station (FOFS) and the City of Burlington have signed a lease with Ashland Canada Inc. for a portion of Ashland's land located just east of the Fire Station Headquarters at 1255 Fairview Street. The land will be used by FOFS to re-locate and restore the historic Freeman Station, which will remain the property of the City of Burlington. The lease is for a term of three years, with the possibility of extension by mutual agreement. FOFS board members wish to thank the staff at Ashland for their generosity in providing the land for a token fee of $1.00. While the station is being restored FOFS will continue its efforts to find a permanent home and use for it. The group is currently in negotiations with the City about the re-location of the station to the new site. They are looking for donations of materials for the construction of a foundation for the building, a large shipping container for storage, and the use of equipment for grading the site. All donations will be gratefully acknowledged and tax receipts are available. Please contact [email protected]. The Friends of Freeman Station is a non-profit community group and registered charity, whose aim is to relocate, restore and preserve the historic Freeman Station for the enjoyment of current and future generations. The Freeman Station, built in 1906 by the Grand Trunk Railway, has been recognized for its architectural and historic significance by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Culture and Heritage Burlington. More information at: www.freemanstation.ca.

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J une 19, 1904 the $175,000 Turbinia appeared in Burlington Bay to great

fanfare. The steamer arrived to begin regular passenger service between Toronto and Hamilton. The Spectator reported the arrival “was announced by the firing off of a cannon and the blowing of whistles along the waterfront. Her approach was heralded miles away out on the lake by shafts of light sent out by her powerful searchlight, and she made the turn in the bay coming into the company’s new wharf. There were thousands of people along the shore and on the wharf ready and willing to cheer lustily”

The service lasted several summers, until a growing number of automobiles and paved roads caused people to lose interest in water travel between the two cities. During the First World War the Turbinia returned to England and was used to ferry soldiers across the English Channel to France. Burlington’s famous resident John Moodie’s hobby was being a passenger on ocean liners maiden voyages. John and his partner Timothy Eaton were passengers on the Turbinia’s maiden voyage from England. Of the many maiden voyages Moodie took, he did miss Titanic’s.

S.S. Turbinia Enters Burlington Bay June 19, 1904

BHS GAZETTE

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New Member Renewal

Family: $40.00 Single: $30.00 Senior: $25.00 I wish to make a donation to the society in the sum of











Convenors


Alan Norton Heather Mace Marianne Hubbs Peggy Armstrong Pat Taylor Marilyn McBride

BHS GAZETTE

President’s Report Page 3 In Flanders Field Page 4 Juno Beach Page 5 Caldwell Prize Page 6 Letters From France Page 7 Letters Continued Page 8 Executive

Coming Events


Who Won the War of 1812? Speaker

Ron Dale

Monday, November 12th, 2012 Meeting at 7:00 PM




What’s Inside

Volume 8 Issue 6 November 2012


Gazette


Executive Meeting

Monday Nov. 5th - 7:00 PM History Room


General Meeting

Monday Nov. 12th -7:00 PM Centennial Room


On December 24th, 1814 the signing of the Treaty of Ghent brought to an end the war between Britain and the United States of America. The War of 1812 started with the invasion of Canada by US troops. Our speaker on November 12th will tell us who won the war.

Good news on the effort to save the historic Freeman Station. At its meeting on Oct. 15th the City Council passed a motion that breathes new life into the station. The “APPROVAL OF A JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT WITH FRIENDS OF FREEMAN STATION” authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Joint Venture Agreement with the Friends of Freeman Station subject to approval of the General Manager of Development and Infrastructure and the City Solicitor; and authorize the use of the funds in capital account MB0124 for the purpose of relocating the station to the Ashland lands subject to execution of the Joint Venture Agreement. There are still some hoops to go through

before the station is located on the Ahsland site and restoration can commence, but the process has really started. In keeping with the long standing tradition of your Society's commitment to the saving of historically significant buildings in Burlington, like the Ireland House and Joseph Brant Museums a commitment of $10,000 dollars has been pledged to the restoration of the station. In addition the Society will match individual member’s donations to a total of $5,000 dollars. Your help in this worthwhile project will be appreciated. To make sure that you donation earns double the money make sure you make it through the Society. Make your cheque out to the Burlington Historical Society and mark it plainly to the Freeman Station and send it to our treasurer Brian Ryder.

Les Armstrong

BHS GAZETTE


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Merry Christmas

Remember that there is no meeting in December.

Have a wonderful Holiday Season and

We hope to see you all in the new Year.

Membership Memberships are for the calendar year, January 1st to December 31st

each year. 2013 renewals are now being accepted. It would be a big help if you would use the form in the Gazette and mark it renewal. This is essential if you have any change in information.

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BHS GAZETTE

McCrae's "In Flanders Fields" remains to this day one of the most memorable war poems ever written. It is a lasting legacy of the terrible battle in the Ypres salient in the spring of 1915. Here is the story of the making of that poem: French, and Germans -- in the Ypres salient. Although he had been a doctor for years and had served in the South African War, it was impossible to get used to the suffering, the screams, and the blood there, and Major John McCrae had seen and heard enough in his dressing station to last him a lifetime.

As a surgeon attached to the 1st Field Artillery Brigade, Major McCrae, who had joined the McGill faculty in 1900 after graduating from the University of Toronto, had spent seventeen days treating injured men -- Canadians, British, Indians. It had been an ordeal that he had hardly thought possible. McCrae later wrote of it:

"I wish I could embody on paper some of the varied sensations of that seventeen days... Seventeen days of Hades! At the end of the first day if anyone had told us we had to spend seventeen days there, we would have folded our hands and said it could not have been done."

One death particularly affected McCrae. A young friend and former student, Lieut. Alexis Helmer of Ottawa, had been killed by a shell burst on 2 May 1915. Lieutenant Helmer was buried later that day in the little cemetery outside McCrae's dressing station, and McCrae had performed the funeral ceremony in the absence of the chaplain.

The next day, sitting on the back of an ambulance parked near the dressing station beside the Canal de l'Yser, just a few hundred yards north of Ypres, McCrae vented his anguish by composing a poem. The major was no stranger to writing, having authored several medical texts besides dabbling in poetry.


In Flanders Fields

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BHS GAZETTE

Juno Beach, June 6, 1944

In the nearby cemetery, McCrae could see the wild poppies that sprang up in the ditches in that part of Europe, and he spent twenty minutes of precious rest time scribbling fifteen lines of verse in a notebook.

A young soldier watched him write it. Cyril Allinson, a twenty-two year old sergeant-major, was delivering mail that day when he spotted McCrae. The major looked up as Allinson approached, then went on writing while the sergeant-major stood there quietly. "His face was very tired but calm as he wrote," Allinson recalled. "He looked around from time to time, his eyes straying to Helmer's grave."

When McCrae finished five minutes later, he

(Flanders Fields Continued from page 3)

took his mail from Allinson and, without saying a word, handed his pad to the young NCO. Allinson was moved by what he read:

"The poem was an exact description of the scene in front of us both. He used the word blow in that line because the poppies actually were being blown that morning by a gentle east wind. It never occurred to me at that time that it would ever be published. It seemed to me just an exact description of the scene."

In fact, it was very nearly not published. Dissatisfied with it, McCrae tossed the poem away, but a fellow officer retrieved it and sent it to newspapers in England. The Spectator, in London, rejected it, but Punch published it on 8 December 1915.

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BHS GAZETTE

The President presented the Helen Caldwell Award to Olivia Pare at the graduation ceremony held for Central High School on October 5th. The prize to be awarded annually is the first one awarded from the legacy bequeathed by Helen Caldwell. The prize is awarded to the graduating student with the highest achievement in grade 12 history. The award honours not solely the highest mark, but the student that embodies a passion and curiosity for history.

Handmade Christmas Workshop at Ireland House Wednesday, November 28th, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

$40 per person Pre-registration is required - only 30 spaces available. Participants are asked to bring their own garden shears and a garbage bag. All other supplies provided. The evening includes the greenery workshop which will be lead by the Burlington Horticultural Society; Elizabeth Crozier has taught at the RBG in the past and is a horticultural judge. Also included is a guided Christmas tour of Ireland House and refreshments made on the hearth (cookies and wassail).

The workshop can only hold 15 participants at a time .

Please contact Brianne Crites for more information.

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BHS GAZETTE

Letter From Battlefield Sanitary Squad, P. P. C. L. I. British Exped. Force, Jan. 24th, 1915, Dear Mr. Harris, I suppose you are wondering in Burlington how things are going on out here in France. I first want to thank the people of Burlington for the help they have been kind enough to give my wife and family since I have been away, especially Mr. Allen for all his kindness and trouble. Well I suppose you have seen by the papers that the Pats have at last got one in against the Germans. I can tell you that it’s pretty thick, not only the fighting, but the mud and water. We relieved (name erased by censor) in the middle of the night, and groped our way into the trenches, and were at once up to our knees in mud and water that was very cold. We anxiously waited for daylight and saw the German trenches only 120 yds. away, and we did our best to knock out as many Germans as we could see, but they are very good at taking cover, and it is very hard to get a good shot. In all the time we were subjected to a pretty stiff fire from the enemies big guns, who were throwing shrapnel shell all around, and in the trenches. It was all very thrilling, and though we lost a few in killed and wounded, I think on the whole that after our 48 hours in the trenches and 3 days reserve, we came out of it pretty well. The great difficulty is to keep warm, and I am sorry to say that most of the casualties are from frost-bitten feet. We are now taking a few days rest and shall, before many hours have gone be at it again. Tell all the boys that before this is over we shall want all the men we can possibly get to put a quick end to all the mad Kaiser’s plans. I see by the Gazette that Burlington has become a town. Now let me congratulate

through you, the first Mayor, Mac. Smith. I hope he will turn out successful, and during his term of office succeed in making Burlington one of the most prosperous towns in Ontario. I have just been interrupted in writing this letter to go and have a nice warm bath, and although it is not so comfortable as one in a family bath in Burlington, it was very acceptable, and also managed to get a change of underclothing. I don’t think there is any more to tell you this time, except to wish you a happy and prosperous New Year. Yours sincerely, Pte. CRIPPS, P.P.C.L.I. NOTE: Mr. Harris was editor of the Burlington Gazette Letter from Corp. E. J. Summers West Sandling Camp, Kent, England, June 4th, 1916 To the Burlington Gazette: Dear Editor, - Just a line from a few more of the old Chaps who are getting chirperized whilst in England. I had just finished my dinner of stewed onions, potatoes, beets, bread and margarine ( a sub for butter) when Orderly Corp. came in with the Gazette. Well, it was sure as good to me as a good smoke, for I went right after it and read almost every word of it, and then passed it on to Jack Garnham, who is going to give it to another tent, in which are Starr, C. Stephenson and Hedges, who are going to pass it on to Adam Graham in the transport, then it is going to get the measles and mumps in the hands of Art Brain, who is in


During World War One the Burlington Gazette published letters received from Burlington men who were fighting in France. The following are reprints of two of those letters.

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BHS GAZETTE

an isolated part of the camp about twenty feet from where we are. There I think it will never get over the measles, and will die, but will be given a soldier’s burial. Well to go on with the letter, we are having as good a time as can be expected, as about a week ago the battalion was placed under quarantine, so we are in for a few weeks but when we get out we are going on pass to make up for it. We arrived in West Sandling camp about 10 o’clock at night , May 5th, and were billeted in huts, with thirty men to hut, but we are now in tents on a hill a short ways from our first quartwers. While in huts we were under training by officers and N.C.O.’s of the 39th Batt., but our Col. J. Ballantyne, who is a gentleman and a soldier every inch, raised a kick and we left them, and are on our own hook now, and might say better off. Our training here is good, but very hard, our hours being from 5:30 in the morning until 10:15 at night. Our working hours are from 6 to 7, drill; 7 to 8:15, breakfast and clean up 8:15 to noon. drill; noon hour, 12 to 1 dinner; 1 to 5, drill; the rest of the day to ourselves. For ten days we were up at 3 a. m. to go to the ranges, which are about six miles away, to shoot, and believe me when we get back we are pretty well tired out. Our stay in England has been pretty well used up in renewing acquaintances with a few of the old Burlington chaps, namely R. N. Stephenson, Jack Church, and D. G. Henderson, who are old fourth boys. We have also met Art Allen, Harry Thomas, Walt Braham, and T. Ham So you see we are seeing a few of them. It is Sunday afternoon and is raining, so a few jokes are flying around. Jack is just beside me writing also. A few nights ago the 92nd Batt. came into camp about 300 yards from us, so we have a few more of the boys. E. A. Anderson was up to see us yesterday.

(Letters Continued from page 6) While reading your paper I came across a letter from Chas. Coleman, so read his parody on “Tennessee”. Here’s one on THE MEASLEY BUNCH Sure, a little bit of measles fell on Sandling camp one day, And they moved us into some old tents about three hundred yards away. When the Dr. saw us, sure he got an awful scare, He dropped some disinfectant around, and said I’ll leave you there. Then they painted us with iodine, just to kill the germs, you know, You can tell it by the smell, no matter where you go. And then they put a guard around us, we were not to cross the line, And when they had it finished, sure they called it quarantine. Well, I think I have told you all for now, so will close. Kindly remember us to all. We are as ever, The Boys of the 76th Per Corpl. E. J. Summers NOTE: Several of the “Burlington Boys” mentioned in these letters, including Edward Summers, the letter writer, paid the supreme sacrifice during this war. Remember them!

8

New Member Renewal

Family: $40.00 Single: $30.00 Senior: $25.00 I wish to make a donation to the society in the sum of











Convenors


Alan Norton Heather Mace Marianne Hubbs Peggy Armstrong Pat Taylor Marilyn McBride

BHS GAZETTE

preserving burlington’s history for today and...

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