On 106 years ago today, May 7th, marks a day in history when Port Elgin recognized the many local soldiers who fought in World War I, those who returned and those who did not.
The following is an excerpt from the local newspaper at the time describing the reception that was held.
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The Port Elgin Times
PORT ELGIN, ONTARIO, Wednesday, May 7, 1919
Reception to Soldiers
A Splendid Affair
The first reception to returned soldiers to be given by Port Elgin council on behalf of the corporation was a huge success.
The town hall was packed to the doors while many per sons stood in the stairways and waited in the lobby until the first part of the program was over, when the pressure of the crowd was relieved with the families of the returned soldiers and their families going to the banquet in the council chamber.
The organization of the reeve, and council, and the Board of Trade committee aimed particularly at giving the returned soldier and his family a good time, and from the many expressions heard at the banquet table and during the evening from the guests, the committee succeeded admirably.
At 8:15, Reeve Pattison took his place on the platform, followed by Councilors Cottrill, Brown, Sparrow, and Bowen, Messrs. W. F. Bald, H. H. Stephens, R. J. Reany, F. R. Barber, and E. R. Sayles. The gathering then rose and sang the National Anthem, after which the Reeve provided the official welcome on behalf of the Corporation of the Port Elgin, speaking as follows:
“As chairman, on behalf of the council and committee of the Board of Trade, I thank you the citizens of Port Elgin, for attending in such goodly numbers, and for thus aiding the council and committee in their attempt to some outward and fitting testimonial, and show their admiration of the special deeds and military achievements of our brave boys of the 160th Battalion and other divisions, who fought so valiantly in the great war that has been recently brought to a victorious ending.
We are proud to have with us tonight, the defenders of the world’s freedom, fresh from the field of battle, where they have won undying fame. We congratulate them on their courage and heroism and feel they have won, for Port Elgin, a conspicuous honour.
With parents, brothers, and sisters of those fallen in battle, the council condoles and hopes that the pride which is theirs to feel will compensate them in some measure for their irreparable loss.”
A program speech and song was then presented by the chairman, being taken part in by the following: Selections by Rayner’s Orchestra, address by W. F. Bald, solos by Miss Webb” R. E. O. Smith: Donald McArthur, Ed. Smith, Ed Fisher, Annie McArthur,: Address E. R. Sayles, reading Miss Eidt; instrumental, Miss Ebert and Miss Martin; Miss Raynor and Miss F. George; comic selection, Arthur Harrison and four young lads.
After the program, the chairman gave an invitation to returned soldiers and their families to go downstairs to the banquet room where tables were in readiness. Here the girls of the Soldiers Friend Club had excelled themselves in laying out, in a very attractive way, covers for 55 persons. It was soon filled up and many of the returned soldiers’ families were asked to wait for the second sitting which they graciously did. In the meantime, Raynor’s Orchestra was most liberal with their music, and everyone, young and old, enjoyed a social time. After the committee had seen that every man’s family had been at the banquet tables all were invited to join in a program of dancing. Of course, this was thought to be mainly for the young people but it was a while before the older ladies and gentlemen realized that they had been young once and went home.
At the banquet, a full-course meal was provided, it was splendidly served by the girls, and too much credit cannot be tendered to them for the willing and capable manner in which they carried out their part of the welcome to the boys.
While the Times is not able to give an accurate list of all the returned men and their families who were present at the banquet, the crowd was too great but those noticed were:
Pte. Atkinson (Listowel), Mr. & Mrs. G. Atkinson
Mr. & Mrs. A. Osbourne
Pte. W. Hendry, Corp. E, Hendry, Mrs. Hendry
Corp. James Johnstone, and Family.
Mr. & Mrs. Godfrey Lamont, and Family.
Pte. Arthur Miller and Mrs. John Miller.
Mrs. Moulton.
David Geddes, Esq., the Missus Geddes.
Signaler Overton, Mr. Overton and family.
Pte. Andy Shields.
Mrs. Zant.
Mrs. Sharp.
Pte. Don. Robertson, Mrs. Robertson, Pte. Wm. Robertson.
Pte. Wm. Goar, Wm. Goar Sr. and family.
Pte. Fred Vogt, Mrs. Vogt and family.
Mr. & Mrs. Benson.
Gunner Martin Welsh, the Missus Welsh.
Pte. James Barrett, and wife.
Master Saleman
Master Robinson, the Missus Robinson,
Pte. L. Bolender.
Pte. Gourlay Black.
Pte. Jim McCollough, Mr. & Mrs. Wm. McCollough and family.
Mrs. McCaw.
Pte. Harry Starling, wife and family.
Pte. Lloyd Darling, Mrs. Darling. Miss Darling.
Mrs. Shular.
Mrs. R. Munroe.
Mrs. Christian, Mr. & Mrs. Lance Christian.
Pte. Kelleher, and wife.
Robert Bustrey.
Miss Gray, Mrs. MacQuarrie, Mrs. McIntyre.
Pte. Floyd Wismer, Mr. & Mrs. J. M. Wismer.
Pte. Ewart Geddes, Mrs. Wm. Geddes.
Pte. George Weishuhm, the Missus Weishuhm.
Pte. Fred Dresch.
Pte. Dan Roppell
Quite a number of Port Elgin soldiers who returned some time ago, and have taken up positions in distant places, were unable to be present. Some acknowledged their invitations, and sent their regrets, that they would be unable to come back to the old hometown for the festive occasion. It is the intention of course, of the council, to welcome those who do return from now on, at some future occasion. The Reeve and his Councilors gave freely of their time, and the preparation for and replacing things after such a large affair was no light work. They have the satisfaction of knowing, however, that the reception was one of the best events that Port Elgin has had in many a long year.
