Chapter XXXI: Militia Units on Home Service

The following memorandum was prepared to bring to the attention of the Minister of Militia and Militia Council some facts and figures respecting the services of the Militia of Canada _in Canada_, and particularly the Fortress of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the Atlantic Seaboard, who although they repeatedly volunteered for Overseas were not allowed to go because their duties were held to be supremely important by those in authority.

1st—Halifax has always been a Military and Naval Station of the Empire, and confidential instructions have always been in existence and a comprehensive scheme of defence in the hands of officers commanding Units, to be put in force immediately on declaration of war. Therefore, the following Halifax Fortress Order was issued by the G.O.C. M.D. No. 6, August 5, 1914:

No. 681. “War having broken out with Germany the Halifax defence scheme comes into effect forthwith.”

In accordance with this order all Halifax Units were immediately mobilized and remained on duty in defence of Halifax practically for the duration of the War. The 94th Regiment was also mobilized for the defence of the Canso cable station, Cape Breton wireless station, etc., and other detachments were placed on active service at various points in the district.

2nd—The importance of Halifax as a Military and Naval Station in British North America in the eyes of the Imperial and Canadian authorities is borne out by the following facts:

(_a_) The immense amount of money spent in fortifications.

(_b_) The inauguration of an examination service, whereby all
vessels were examined before being allowed to enter the harbor.

(_c_) Halifax was the examination port for North America, and at
times there were upwards of 200 large ocean-going vessels lying at
anchor in the harbor.

(_d_) The manning of the Port War Signal Station, by which all
British and Allied warships were passed in under secret signals and
codes.

(_e_) All guns in the various forts were kept loaded, and the crews
were kept standing by day and night, ready for instant action.

(_f_) The infantry continually patrolled the coast, guarding the
approaches to the city, and protecting cable landings and wireless
stations.

(_g_) When orders were issued to reduce the strength of the defences
in September, 1914, the British Admiral on the Station informed
Headquarters that if this order were carried out he would withdraw
his fleet and mine the harbor, which would mean closing the harbor
to all shipping.

(_h_) A Hydroplane Station was established, and patrolled the coast
daily during the latter part of the War.

(_i_) Owing to the protection afforded by the defences of Halifax,
the authorities were enabled to dispatch from this port in the
vicinity of 300,000 Canadian troops, in addition to many thousand
Colonial and Allied troops, including Australians, New Zealanders,
Bermudians, Fiji Islanders, Americans, and some 50,000 Chinese labor
troops.

(_j_) By means of its defence Halifax afforded shelter for a large
number of merchant vessels that were driven in by German raiders
early in the War.

It should also be noted that submarines were frequently in the vicinity of the harbor, and on one notable occasion a large oil tanker was sunk two hours after she left her pier, and several fishing vessels were sunk off the coast, and other large transports and cargo vessels were driven ashore at the entrance of the harbor. The transport _City of Vienna_ became a total wreck. Preparations were made and orders issued to provide against possible landing parties from German raiders. Stringent orders were issued providing for the screening of all lights in the city and prosecutions were issued for neglecting to carry out this order.

The foregoing is enumerated with the object of showing the importance of Halifax Harbor as a War Station and the necessity of having it properly defended by maintaining the Garrison at full strength.