_ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE OVERSEAS
and
THE CRECHE AT PIER 2, HALIFAX._
The first branch of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas established
in Nova Scotia was organized in June, 1916, as the Halifax Central
Nursing Division No. 17, with Mrs. Bowman, Superintendent of the
Victoria General Hospital, Halifax, as Lady Divisional Superintendent.
This division, besides being the first in the Maritime Provinces, was
the largest in Canada. Most of the officers were graduate nurses, and
all of the members had received their instruction in First Aid and Home
Nursing through classes lheld in Halifax by the sister organization, the
St. John Ambulance Association.
On Mrs. Bowman’s removal from Halifax, Mrs. G. A. MacIntosh was
appointed Superintendent (April, 1917). Owing to greatly increased
membership, and for the purposes of more efficient administration, the
division was divided in July, 1918, into two Units, A. No. 17 and B. No.
47, Mrs. MacIntosh being promoted at the same time to be Lady District
Superintendent in charge of the Women’s Aid Department (Military
District No. 6). In January, 1920, a reorganization of the two divisions
was made effective by which all active officers and members were
assigned to Division A. 17, and the inactive members, or those in
reserve for emergencies, to B. 47. The active division continues as one
of the most efficient and effective in Canada under the able
superintendence of Miss E. M. Pemberton, of the Victoria General
Hospital.
The war work in Nova Scotia of this organization falls under four heads:
(_a_) Its work in Military Hospitals as auxiliary to the Army Medical
and Nursing Service.
(_b_) Its work in Nova Scotia in connection with the Red Cross
Society, Y.M.C.A. Canteens, and other voluntary patriotic
organizations.
(_c_) Its work of ministration to women and children returning from
England.
(_d_) Its emergency work on the day of the Halifax Disaster and in the
relief work and hospital service for the weeks and months following
the disaster.
(_a_) HOSPITAL SERVICE.
Hospital duties performed by the members of the Halifax Divisions during
the War include:—
(_a_) Eleven members who went Overseas, serving with great credit in
hospitals in England.
(_b_) Local hospitals.
We believe Pine Hill was the first Military Hospital in Canada to
recognize or use the services of the Brigade members. Three pioneers
served for two years and were followed by others.
In the latter part of 1918 the Women’s Aid Department was formed in
Canada in co-operation with the military authorities, the Lady District
Superintendent furnishing to the A.D.M.S. of each Military District the
following personnel, the number given below being that of those who
served in M.D. No. 6:—
1. _Volunteer Section_:—
(_a_) Nursing service of Brigade members, eight of whom served at Pine
Hill Military Hospital.
(_b_) Function Trainers, also Brigade members trained at Hart House,
Toronto, two of whom served at Camp Hill.
2. _Special Service Section_:—
Masseuses, trained at Hart House, Toronto, members of St. John
Ambulance Brigade, and serving at Camp Hill, Moxham Ross, Prince
Edward Island Military Hospitals.
_Section 3_:—
General Service Section consisting of a General Service Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent, bookkeepers, domestics and many there not
Brigade members, but for a short time recommended by the Women’s Aid
Department of the Brigade.
(_c_) Before the Women’s Aid Department came into effect five members
had served at the Nova Scotia Sanatorium in the tent Colony for
tubercular soldiers.
(_d_) During the Influenza epidemic of 1918 six members assisted the
depleted staffs in the Victoria General, the Dartmouth Emergency for
two months, two members at Infants Home for two months, also for two
months in the homes of the sick, at the Emergency Hospital,
Hazelwood Hospital, St. Mary’s Emergency Hospital, and for three
weeks at Brocton Field Hospital, Mass. During the epidemic in the
spring of 1919 a diet kitchen was organized and conducted and proper
nourishment prepared and delivered to all asking for it, in the
majority of cases no charge being made. The Brigade responded to
requests for diet from the Victorian Order of Nurses, City Board of
Health, Social Welfare Bureau, etc.
(_e_) The hospital work performed after the explosion is mentioned
separately.
(_f_) Miscellaneous duties performed in hospitals include mending each
week at the Station Hospital, emergency bedmaking at Camp Hill and
hospital train service.
(_b_) MISCELLANEOUS WORK
At the Clearing Depot, Pier 2, a splendid work was accomplished. Over
13,000 beds were made for soldiers disembarking at this port. At very
short notice members in sufficient numbers quickly responded to a call
from the C.O. to prepare the beds required (at times as many as 800 beds
were needed) in readiness for the men.
An important work carried on at Pier 2 was the serving of meals three
times daily for over a week to 150 men.
Boats were met by the Lady District Superintendent, who, assisted by the
members, welcomed and assisted when necessary any V.A.D.’s returning to
Canada from Overseas duty.
A very interesting and important service rendered by the organization
was in connection with the vocational re-education of the soldiers. For
eight months two members read daily to blinded soldiers, assisting them
in this way with their study. Four other members also performed like
service for five and a half months. Ten members took a special two
months’ course in weaving and basketry, nine of whom were able to
instruct patients at Camp Hill Hospital for from one to seven months.
Truly patriotic work has been performed under the Y.M.C.A. At their Red
Triangle Hut a team of eight members have given one day each week and
every sixth Sunday for one and a half years to serve meals to returned
soldiers taking vocational courses in the city. Members have also served
refreshments on trains to soldiers recently discharged and entraining
for their homes. At the Armories members have responded at all hours,
sometimes working all night to serve refreshments to soldiers just
disembarked and awaiting their discharge.
The Red Cross has been ably assisted by the making of numerous garments,
surgical supplies, sphagnum moss dressings, and the raising of funds
during campaigns.
The following “drives” have been given willing and able support:—
Navy League, Patriotic Fund, Knights of Columbus, Children’s
Hospital, Victorian Order, Salvation Army, Maternity Hospital, and
the Canadian Red Cross.
For two years a rest and refreshment room has been conducted at the city
market and has been of great benefit to the market people who often
drive long distances.
For two years the Halifax Dispensary has had the assistance daily of a
member for clerical work.
The Halifax Welfare, Victorian Order of Nurses, and many other
organizations have had assistance, and many kindnesses have been
performed, such as assistance given at orphans’ picnics.
First aid booths have been conducted at exhibitions, Wanderers’ Athletic
Grounds, and first aid rendered during public processions and
individually in the every-day life of the members.
All service rendered except that required in the last two sections of
the Women’s Aid Department has been voluntary and performed quietly and
systematically in times of emergencies, and in war as in times of peace
for the public good.
THE DISASTER WORK
It is unnecessary here to refer to the causes and disastrous results of
the great explosion on the morning of December 6, 1917. As nearly as can
be ascertained more than 1,500 people lost their lives, approximately
5,000 people were injured, of whom about 1,000 received more or less
serious injuries. With hundreds of other citizens the members of the
Halifax Divisions of the Brigade responded at once to the calls for
assistance, and within an hour more than 140 members were on duty in the
devastated area; on the Common, in improvised aid stations, and in the
various emergency hospitals rendering first aid to the injured, the very
object for which they had all been trained.
Later in the afternoon and through the two or three days following they
added to their duties those of material relief, and until a few days
later the citizens’ organization was established when the Brigade
workers were fitted in under their Lady Superintendent as part of the
medical relief work.
About sixty of the members remained on duty as V.A.D.’s in Camp Hill
Hospital, the Y.M.C.A., Morris Street, and the various other hospitals
for from one to five months following the explosion. For a short period
following the disaster eight members of the St. John (N.B.) Division
assisted the local division in providing personnel for the various
hospitals.
The total of the services rendered during the period December 6th to
31st shows 1,098 days of hospital work, 217 cases of district relief
followed up, 140 missing children located, as well as other missing
persons traced, food distributed, and first aid service rendered.
An official report forwarded through regular channels to the
headquarters of the Brigade in England was referred by headquarters
to the parent organization, the Ancient Order of the Hospital of St.
John of Jerusalem in England, and in the spring of 1920 selected
members of the Halifax Division and various citizens who co-operated
with the Brigade in its invaluable work, were presented by the
Lieutenant-Governor with the beautifully engraved certificates of
thanks of the Order for their services rendered on the occasion of
the disaster.
THE CRECHE AT PIER NO. 2, HALIFAX.
In the spring of 1917, when the German submarines were trying to starve
Britain into surrender, the Canadian Government thought it wise to bring
home the dependants of our soldiers who were not actually engaged in war
work in the United Kingdom. The _Olympic_ arrived in Halifax Port one
morning with 1,000 women and children aboard, as well as her usual
number of invalided soldiers. Many hours passed before the last
travellers entrained for their homes, and one may imagine the scene at
Pier 2 where these tired women waited for long hours with no shelter or
food and no comforts for their little ones.
It was felt that something must be done to welcome those soldiers’
dependants who had left their loved ones in England or France, and who
could not surmise what the future held in store for those from whom they
were separated. A committee of ladies was formed to look after all
soldiers’ dependants on their arrival in Canada. Spacious rooms, with
kitchen, dining-room, rest-room, nursery and bath-rooms were provided by
the Government at Pier 2, together with a sum of money sufficient to
furnish necessaries.
For three years a band of ladies under the presidency—first of Mrs.
Benson, wife of General Benson, and later of Mrs. J. G. McDougall—met
all boats and cared for all travellers with the most wonderful devotion.
As soon as the gangway was secured their work began. It mattered not
whether the ship was docked at 7 a.m., or at midnight, on a summer
morning, or on a cold winter evening, the workers were always there. Two
of the Committee went on board to see if there were any special cases to
be looked after and to notify those aboard of the Creche Committee’s
willingness to help them in every possible way.
Some stood at the gangway to welcome tired mothers and relieve them of
their tiny but very heavy burdens. Others led them to the warm and
comfortable quarters provided for them. In the kitchen busy hands had
been at work, and sandwiches and fragrant hot coffee were not wanting;
while in the nursery many young girls were preparing beds with cool
white sheets in which to lay Canada’s young and welcome immigrants.
Although the railway authorities were wonderfully expeditious in getting
the trains despatched, still many hours had to be spent at the
Creche—days sometimes—and, once or twice, even nights. The scenes when a
boat arrived with many hundreds of women and children defy description.
Parties were constantly being brought to the rooms by willing and
helpful guides. If husband or father was there, he saw his dear ones
safely housed, and he himself returned to look after the tickets and
baggage. If the mother was in charge, she accompanied her little ones to
the Creche, and after seeing them safe and happy, was assisted in
collecting her baggage and procuring transportation. Kind hands
undressed the babies, washed, warmed and fed them and laid them to sleep
in comfort. The older children were also fed and then amused by toys and
picture books. Older travellers, completely tired out by the long and
often rough voyage, found indeed a warm and steady bed a source of joy.
Times and movements of trains were called in the waiting rooms, and to
the outgoing trains the travellers were finally escorted, as comfortable
and as happy as it was possible to make them.
The Red Cross placed a most efficient trained nurse at the disposal of
the Committee, and it is not possible to tell how much her services were
appreciated by those who, though not fit for hospital and anxious to
complete their journey, were still much in need of care. In a general
way, as well as in her professional capacity, the trained nurse rendered
services of a very high order. Space does not permit to tell of all the
various activities carried on at the Creche—money was exchanged, hotel
accommodation secured for those remaining over in Halifax for a few
days, telegrams were sent, meal tickets given to those who needed them
on the trains, babies were supplied with necessaries for travelling, and
money was many times given to those who through stress of circumstances
had not the wherewithal to complete their journey.
The returned men were always eager to assist in any way they could, and
the bands of the Canadian Battalions gave all great pleasure by their
delightful music.
Arrangements were made for any needing hospital care; and they were
continually visited by members of the Committee while in Halifax City.
The military authorities placed an ambulance at the disposal of the
Committee for such cases. The Committee had the fullest support and
co-operation of the military authorities. They also had the assistance
of a hundred workers who gave up all engagements and pleasures when it
was known that a boat was expected.
The Creche Committee deeply regretted the departure from Halifax of Mrs.
Benson and Mrs. McKelvey Bell, under whom they began their work. The
ladies who carried on to the close of operation were:—
Mrs. McCallum Grant _Hon. Chairman._
Mrs. J. G. McDougall _Chairman._
Mrs. Hector McInnes _Vice-Chairman._
Mrs. W. A. Henry _Secretary._
Mrs. W. E. Thompson _Treasurer._
Mrs. David McKeen.
Mrs. G. S. Campbell.
Mrs. Clarence MacKinnon.
Miss Jessie MacKenzie.
Lady Townshend.
Mrs. M. A. Curry.
The Creche closed on 31st December, 1919. Since the 18th November, 1918,
the Committee and its helpers met 120 ships laden with returning
Canadian soldiers, their wives and families. On one steamship alone, the
_Megantic_, were 600 women and children, 180 of the children being under
twelve months of age. On several occasions there have been as many as
900 women and children on a steamer, and, in one instance, the _Olympic_
brought 1,000. All were sent on their homeward journey rested,
refreshed, and cheered; and the kindly welcome they received has made
the name of the Atlantic Gateway dear to the hearts of thousands of
people the Dominion over. Countless letters bear testimony to unfeigned
appreciation and gratitude. One newspaper extract may be permitted.
The _Ottawa Journal_ of December 28, 1918, says: “While this work, and,
to a large extent, its financial obligations have been borne almost
entirely by the citizens of Halifax, as the benefits accrue to the
country as a whole the gratitude of the people of Canada is due to the
small band of workers who for the past eighteen months have generously
and patriotically assumed the burden for the whole Dominion.”
Those were busy days at Pier 2; and although much sacrifice was demanded
of the Halifax Creche Committee, it is not too much to say that it was
willingly and joyfully given by those who wished to have some small
share in the work of the Great War.
[Illustration:
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT—MRS. J. G. M‘DOUGALL, MRS. HECTOR M‘INNES, MRS. W.
A. HENRY, MRS. M‘CALLUM GRANT.]