World War Wednesdays: Historical Randomness and Updates

"A Bridge in Tyrconnell," unidentified children, ca. 1900 courtesy of Elgin County Archives

     Hopefully you don't mind the break from tradition too much, but I was thinking it's been a long time since I've done a good old update and and general mismatched post! There just hasn't been as much time lately for me to write a good long one thanks to exams and wrapping up my third year at uOttawa, but I'm happy to say that it's all behind me now and I've returned to the Backus-Page House for the summer. I look forward to meeting as many readers as possible and hope to see you at all the exciting events we have coming up this season! Without further ado, I've compiled a random assortment of things I've been meaning to tell you for ages now and finally have enough of to compile:

Battle of the Atlantic Sunday

Veterans awaiting the arrival of dignitaries at the Battle of the Atlantic memorial ceremony in Ottawa

     This past Sunday, May 1 was observed as the occasion commemorating the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War, which is always done during the first weekend in May. As has been mentioned in previous posts which can be found to the right, the Battle of the Atlantic was the longest engagement of WWII and lasted the war's entire duration from 1939 to 1945. The Naval Association of Canada describes the Battle as the Royal Canadian Navy's "defining moment," making it "the lifeline for democracy and the key to ultimate victory." This was due to the Navy's essential role in escorting large Merchant Navy convoys which carried vital supplies between Canada and the United Kingdom. In addition to recognizing the incredible service of the men and women involved in the Battle of the Atlantic, I would also like to highlight the experience of Atlantic Canadians and Newfoundlanders who found themselves on the edge of such a dramatic and lengthy theater of war.

Local WWI Tune that's Worth a Listen

     You're not going to want to miss out on this one, especially not if you're from the local southwestern Ontario region. If you've ignored every other YouTube link I've ever posted up until now, this number is one to change your tune! The song is called "Stammering Song" or "K-K-K-Katy," and was composed by Chatham native Geoffrey O'Hara in 1917 and published in 1918. The sheet music advertised it as "The Sensational New Stammering Song," and "The Sensational Stammering Song Success Sung by the Soldiers and Sailors." It was first played at a garden party fundraiser for the Red Cross in Collins Bay on Lake Ontario. The inspiration for the "Katy" character in the song was Katherine Craig Richardson of Kingston, Ontario (who did not stutter), a friend of O'Hara's sister whose parents recall his writing the song in their living room.
     From May 1918 to January 1919, the song was a top 20 hit, and number one from July to September. It was recorded by Billy Murray on March 8, 1918 and released on Victor 18455. The song also made a comeback during the Second World War, when WWI songs became popular at training camps and were often preferred over more modern tunes. It was one of many brought to the front by officers who had heard it while on leave in England.
     Listen for yourself here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BukkBfrVOHQ

Photo of Geoffrey O'Hara from the George Grantham Baine collection, Library of Congress

     Geoffrey O'Hara was born in Chatham, Ontario on February 2, 1882. Initially planning for a military career, he attended the prestigious Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario at age 18 and trained with the 1st Hussars. After his father's death, he abandoned that career path and moved to the United States in 1904, where he began performing in Vaudeville. In 1905, he began recording for Edison Records, later conducting the recording of traditional Indian songs for the American government. During the First World War, he was a singing instructor of patriotic songs for the American troops. "K-K-K-Katy" was his most popular work by far and one of the most notable from the war in general, and O'Hara was later commissioned by the Woodrow Wilson administration to compose the modern-day version of the Star Spangled Banner.
   
91st Battalion Anniversary Weekend
     If you've been following my posts or the Backus-Page House blog in general, you've likely seen the calls for relatives of those who fought with our local 91st Battalion during the First World War to share some information in regard to the upcoming commemorative event this summer. The official schedule for the event was released today, so I thought I'd share it so that it can be fit into the busy summer schedule:
Friday, Saturday and Sunday June 24, 25 and 26, 2016
On June 25, 1916, the 91st Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, numbering over 900 men, mostly from Elgin County and St. Thomas, marched to the MCR station on Talbot Street and departed for Halifax to fight overseas. Now exactly 100 years later the citizens of St. Thomas, the County of Elgin and the descendants of the original Battalion will again celebrate this proud moment in our history. 
Follow the 91st Battalion as we retrace their final weekend in St. Thomas!
Friday, June 24th, 2016
7-9 pm - come visit the historic encampment of the 91st Battalion set up on the grounds of the Armoury, 40 Wilson Avenue, St. Thomas. Meet with re-enactors; visit the tented camp, complete with a medical facility as it would have been in 1916. 
At sunset, 9:00 pm, plan to be at the Armoury as the re-enactors and serving members of 31 CER (The Elgins) lower the flags for the day and prepare for the evening routine. Once dark the names and stories of all 901 members of the original Battalion will be displayed on the outer wall of the Armoury – a roll call of the men who answered the call to duty 100 years ago. 
Saturday, June 25th, 2016
At 11:00, Saturday morning, the Battalion will march past City Hall on its way to the MCR station (now known as the CASO station). Be on Talbot Street to watch as the parade re-traces part of the historic march. 
Beginning at 11:30 a memorial plaque will be unveiled by descendants of the original 91st Battalion at the CASO station. Members of the community, friends and family are all welcome to attend this special event. At the conclusion of the dedication the troops will board trains, the band will play and the train will depart the station!
Join the 91st and their friends and family at a picnic at Pinafore Park. At 1:30 pm be at the band shell in the park for a 1916 picnic and music concert. Period music from the Henry Meredith Plumbing Factory Band, vintage vehicles, patriotic speeches and more! Bring a lunch and a lawn chair, no food or beverage will be provided. 
7-9 pm - come visit the historic encampment of the 91st Battalion set up on the grounds of the Armoury, 40 Wilson Avenue, St. Thomas. Meet with re-enactors; visit the tented camp, complete with a medical facility as it would have been in 1916. 
7-9 pm - Registered families and friends of the 91st Battalion will be welcomed into the recreated “Soldiers Canteen” to share stores, photographs and hear the stories of Battalion members. The Canteen, located at the Armouries is open only to registered participants. 
At sunset, 9:00 pm plan to be at the Armoury as the re-enactors and serving members of 31 CER (The Elgins) lower the flags for the day and prepare for the evening routine. Once dark the names and stories of all 901 members of the original Battalion will be displayed on the outer wall of the Armoury – a roll call of the hundreds of men who answered the call to duty 100 years ago. 
Sunday, June 26th, 2016
Trinity Anglican Church, 55 Southwick St., will again open its doors to members of the 91st Battalion as they host a memorial Church Parade and Remembrance Service starting at 10:00 am. The colours of the 91st were laid up at Trinity Anglican Church in 1935 within a chapel dedicated to the battalion and to the 173 men they lost. Everyone is welcome to the service and for a reception that will follow. 

    Well, that seems to be all I have in the mix for this week! Thanks so much for your continued interest in the Dutton letters and I'll be sure to continue with the rest of the collection in the weeks to come. 
     Thanks for reading, 
Delany (@DLeitchHistory on Twitter)