Chapter LVI

_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.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT—MRS. J. G. M‘DOUGALL, MRS. HECTOR M‘INNES, MRS. W.
A. HENRY, MRS. M‘CALLUM GRANT.]