Christmas in World War I: A Strathroy perspective by Libby Dawson
For Canada, World War I began on August 4, 1914, when Britain declared war on Germany. The first volunteer unit of the Canadian Expeditionary Force started recruiting and training for action. About 150 of the Strathroy area's young men enlisted and were soon on ships headed for England and France. Expecting a quick victory, all were certain they would be home for Christmas. The Age barely mentioned the war until November, when a letter from Major Wil- liam Bethune Lindsay was published. He reported an urgent need for 1000 pairs of woollen mittens for the troops and hoped that Strathroy women would get out their knitting needles and supply at least 250 pairs; it was a hint that the war would last longer than predicted. The Strathroy contingent didn't get home for Christmas turkey, and work for “the war effort” by the people at home began in earnest. During 1915 the fighting became a slaughter. In April the great trench battles using gas and artillery bombardments began. The Age noted the death of Capt. Arthur Lodge Lindsay, brother of Ma - jor Lindsay mentioned above, and the first Strathroy soldier killed in battle. A new local Expeditionary unit, the 135th Infantry Battalion, headquartered in Strathroy, began signing up volunteers. In De- cember recruiters canvassed Middlesex County: almost 1000 men enlisted. The war had truly hit home; Christmas dinner debates pit- ted the call of duty against the instinct to keep the family safe. 1916 began with companies of the 135th encamped in their com- munities near their families. Training was mostly drills and long route marches. In the spring, the 135th began serious training at Carling Heights in London, then at Camp Borden, embarking for England in August. School friends, neighbours, and brothers had enlisted together, trained together and hoped to look out for each other. Sadly, shortly after arrival the 135th was broken up and the men were soon assigned to various units in France, as reinforce- ments replacing casualties. Their first Christmas day in the trench - es was far from merry. Cold biscuits and bully beef were provided at the front, a hot meal to those in reserve behind the lines. At home, families and women's organizations packed Christmas gifts, warm clothing, canned food, baked treats and Christmas pudding to mail to the boys. Many in Canada wrote frequent letters which arrived intermittently and were one of the few comforts in the sol- diers' lives. In 1917 battles at Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele were won at great cost by Canadians, feats which allied troops had tried but failed to accomplish. Soldiers in the trenches and citizens at home felt a surge of pride. Strathroy was especially proud as the victo- ries were led by a hometown hero, General Arthur Currie. But the
war was not yet won. The weather during Christmas was cold and snowy followed by a thaw, leaving the trenches from ankle to knee deep in icy water and mud. People at home kept knitting, canning, wrapping bandages, filling barrels with apples and shipping them in time for Christmas, trying to make life bearable in the winter trench- es. The IODE ladies packed 125 parcels for local boys overseas, and the Geddes department store added a khaki handkerchief for each parcel. 1918 saw the crowning achievement by Canadian troops who, in the last 100 days of the war, broke through the German lines. In a series of battles commanded by General Currie, they led the pur- suit of the retreating German army into Belgium until the war ended on November 11th. But most Canadian units were still in Belgium when Christmas arrived six weeks later. Casualty lists from the final battles had not yet reached Canada, so there was uncertainty and worry at home, amidst relief that the guns were finally silent. Seven Strathroy soldiers from the first overseas contingent arrived home on January 23, 1919, greeted by the local Meekison’s Band. They came on the luxurious RMS Olympic, the sister ship to the Ti- tanic. Many other passenger ships were diverted to take American troops home, so most Strathroy soldiers returned in late spring to warm welcomes and the hope for happier Christmases to come. The Strathroy & District Historical Society’s new book, Tales of Our Town: Even more Strathroy and Area Stories will be available early in December. Watch for notices about the book launch. It will also be for sale ($25) at Strathroy Library. Photo courtesy of Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/ MIKAN 3383464 Canadian Christmas mail arrives in forward lines. December, 1917.
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