Georgetown Stories: 1914-1918 64

impromptu musical program was carried out ‘We’ll Never Let the Old Flag Fall’ was sung by a chorus. Solos were given by Miss Ruth Campbell (‘The Call to Arms’); Miss Edith Rafuse (‘My Country Has First Call’); Mr. Thomas Renton (‘Boys of the King’); Miss Mae Renton (‘Your King and Country Need You’) The meeting closed with the National Anthem.” (Patriot, June 2, 1915)

The Face of Georgetown Changing

The summer of 1915 witnessed some dramatic changes in the face of Georgetown. Cement sidewalks were put in. The old jail was torn down and a new one erected. The house formerly owned by Reg. Batchilder on upper Richmond St. was purchased by Glen Jenkins and moved to lower Richmond in view the harbour on the ferry side. P. J. Soloman purchased the house on Main St. [Kent] formerly owned by William O’Brien and moved it to Water St. opening up his fruit and confectionery store there. Soloman’s old dwelling and store on Water St. was moved to the site of the O’Brien house on Main Street and was ready to be rented. Near the Railway Station, a grand new house, Ben Stewart’s, was being erected. James Batchilder and Peter Fougere renovated their houses. John Knight bought the Hamilton property (formerly Dr. Kaye’s) on the outskirts of town. There was work done on the railway wharf and repairs to the school. A new Cardigan River ferry was being built. Times were prosperous. (From reports in Patriot through summer, 1915)

Recruitment Drive of 1915 Brings Results

While some Georgetown men had joined the army earlier eg. Martin Dalton, George Currie, Michael Dalton, John D. MacPhee etc., the recruitment drive in the summer of 1915 brought in many others. Allister Stewart & Albion Walker, joined the 5th Battalion and went overseas in the summer. Joining the Island-based No.2 Heavy Siege Battery for Overseas was Max Hilchey, John A. E. McDonald, Bart Miar and J. A. McPhee with Lieutenant Temple W. Macdonald. These trained for months at Brighton Camp, Charlottetown before leaving for overseas in December, 1915. Those joining the Highlanders

in B Company of the 105th Overseas Battalion in 1915 included Pius McPhee, Woolard Yoston, Peter Morrison, Charles Manuel, Fred. Walker, John P. Dalton, George Walker, Stephen Cherry, Stillman Johnson, John S. McPhee. George Martell, Leo Christian, Frank McPhee, Harry Barnes, Ben Conrad, Noah Gamhum and from Boughton Island, William D. Wilson. Early in 1916 these were joined by James White, John Fitzgerald, Wilfred Hunter, Michael Burke, William David, Simon A. Young, William A. MacDonald, John Fairchild and John C. Yoston. Another who joined the infantry of the Canadian Expeditionary Force was W. B. Fitzpatrick. Lieut. Russell McLean helped in the training; H. H. Gamhum joined the No.11 Field Artillery Brigade Lieut. Edward MacDonald re—enlisted and Rev. Dr. A. E. Burke became Chief Catholic Army Chaplain. The Georgetown correspondent to the Patriot estimated that about 40 Georgetonians had joined up during 1915. This seems to have included those who joined up off the Island. (From Patriot and Guardian, July-~December , 1915) [Early in the war Martin Dalton, the first resident Georgetonian to enlist, died in Halifax before going overseas. Three brothers in this family enlisted. Lloyd Leeman, formerly of Georgetown who had joined a unit in Calgary was reported as missing, then as a prisoner, later as a casualty; Edward Hicken, age 17 formerly of Georgetown joined up in Trenton, N.S. emulating his older brother Stewart and was wounded early. George Currie was also wounded in 1915.]

Fire at the Town Hall

“The people of Georgetown were awakened at an early hour on Friday morning by the prolonged tooting of the train whistle, the ringing of bells and the shout of “Fire”. The first who arrived discovered that one of the small rooms at the front end of the town hall was ablaze with fire apparently started from the inside. However the doors were soon broken open and the fire extinguished after a short time and no very serious damage was done. The townspeople feel very grateful that their beautiful new hall which is so centrally located was not destroyed, as had the fire had a few more minutes headway, not only the hall but the buildings on the south and west would certainly have caught fire.” (Guardian, Sept. 15, 1915)