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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1996-10-02, Page 3I THE NF.W. Times -Advocate, October 2, 1996 Page 3 To commemorate - to remember - to give thanks By Yvonne Reynolds EXETER - On October 6, people from across Huron County will gather in Exeter to recall a proud chapter in Huron's history. A parade, a church service and a dinner will commemorate the mobilization of the 161st Battalion of Huron in 1916. Eighty years ago a major war involving most of Europe had been going on for two years. Britain declared war on Germany on August 5, 1914. As part of the British Empire, Canada was automatically at war too. The call for recruits went out across the Dominion. Two-thirds of the more than 30,000 who enlisted immediately were British -born. A second recruiting drive garnered thousands more, to be gassed or wounded or killed on the battlefields of France and Belgium. By 1916, dubbed the year of slaughter by historians, yet more men were needed. In early 1916, Prime Minister Robert Borden pledged half a million soldiers out of a population of 8,000,000. Across the country, recruiting went into high gear. Many counties raised their own battalions. Lt. Col. H. B. Combe, a prominent Clinton industrialist and an officer with the pre-war 33rd Huron Militia, headed Huron County's campaign. Recruitment offices were set up across the county. Combe's call to arms, published in a Goderich paper dated May 5, 1916, appealed to pride, patriotism and duty to forefathers who "laid the foundation for the unexampled prosperity of Huron". He declared enlistment was "a direct command of your King", and "the last call for men to come forward, of their own free will, to save the County from the stigma of reproach that 'she did not do her duty'." The men of Huron County responded. They came from farms and shops, businesses and offices, classrooms and industries, to sign up. By mid-May, the 161st Battalion numbered 35 officers and 790 NCOs and enlisted men. The recruits trained first at Clinton, moved to London, and then on to Camp Borden. A group of young ladies from the Soldiers Aid Society in Exeter raised the money to purchase the 161st Battalion Regimental Colours, and travelled to Borden in August for a formal presentation. The Colours were placed in the County Courthouse before the Battalion left for overseas. November 1, 1916, 28 officers and 749 NCOs and enlisted men left Halifax on the S.S. Lapland for England, arriving 12 days later. Some soldiers were promptly transferred and sent across the Channel to France. The 161st remained intact for little more than a year before those not already drafted were posted to other units. Soldiers from the 161st took part in the bloodiest battles of World War 1, and acquitted themselves admirably. Twenty-eight received medals for bravery. Cpl. Harry Miner, Clinton, was awarded both the Victoria Cross and the Croix de Guerre. Posthumously. Six officers and 111 enlisted men were killed in action. Fifteen died of wounds later in France and England. Many of the survivors carried their physical and psychological scars for the rest of their lives. The 161st was disbanded in 1920. In May of that year, the Battalion Colours were taken from Goderich, and placed in Trivitt Memorial Anglican Church in Exeter. Fifty years later the original Colours, by now in a fragile state, were sewn to a backing, framed, and hung on the wall of the church. Replicas were provided by the Exeter Legion, veterans the 161st, and interested persons. A special service was held in Trivitt June 28, 1970 to dedicate and place the original and replica Colours. While attending a service in Trivitt one Sunday morning this year, Bill Rowcliffe, Hensall, realized that 1996 was the eightieth anniversary of the Battalion's mobilization. He felt something should be done, in partnership with the local branches of the Royal Canadian Legion, to acknowledge the bravery and patriotism of the gallant men of the 161st. Choosing a date came next. November 11 was out, as that is the day all Legions hold Remembrance Day Services. Sunday, October 6 was selected. June Pyette, Deputy Zone Commander of District C, Zone Cl, (which takes in the 10 Huron branches) agreed to head an organizing committee to plan the event. The appropriateness of the chosen date was confirmed later. An old clipping from the Exeter Advocate of October 5, 1916 came to Private Ear! Johns was killed at Cambrai less than a year after enlisting with the 161st Battalion of Huron. Comfort for winter arena visitors EXETER - Senior citizens or others bothered by cold temperatures will find lots of comfort in the new "warm room" officially opened Thursday night at the South Huron Rec Centre. "It's a dream come true," said Rec Centre board chairman Mike Soldan of the space behind the south end of the ice surface that has been enclosed with a heating system and 30 very comfortable chairs with standing room for more. Soldan continued, " The idea of a warm room start- ed about six years ago. At that time suggestions were to build an addition or fill in some areas up above. High school students drew up some plans and con- sultants estimated costs in excess of $90,000. The rec board didn't have that kind of money, so the idea was set aside and for a number of years sat on the back bumer.'' Thanks to pledges from the Tom McCann and Far- quhar families, the warm room idea was back in busi- ness. Soldan went on to say, "Suddenly we realized there was money available and plans quickly fell into place. The idea snowballed and with the good will of the community and a $12,000 donation from the Ex- eter Lions, we were able to raise the necessary $25,000 in one month." Soldan concluded,"I'm very pleased that grandpar- ents and older folks can come to the arena and watch hockey, figure skating and ringette in comfort. The room is eye pleasing and functional. Without the community working together, we wouldn't have this room." Chairman of the warm room committee Dave Urlin told the many visitors at the opening ceremony, "The challenge we received from the Tom McCann family is what got it all started. We had a lot of meetings and lots of arguments, but this is the successful end result. Urlin ended his brief remarks with, " Gary MacL- ean and I tried out the seats and we fit into them quite well." A plaque now hanging on the south side of the room was unveiled by Soldan and Urlin. It lists the names of all of the people that made donations. Doug Geoffrey was the contractor. A plaque was unveiled Thursday night to officially open the "Warm Room" at the South Hu- ron Rec Centre. From the left are Rec Centre board chairman Mike Soldan, Tom McCann who started the fund raising donations, Lioness Louise Pincombe and Lion Mac MacDou- gall. light. One announcement stated "The citizens of Exeter will tender a concert to the members of the 161st Battalion recruited in Exeter on Friday evening, Oct. 6 at 8 o'clock in the Opera House. Let's all come and give the boys a memorable farewell evening. Admission 25R". The October 6 commemoration will begin at 10:15 a.m. with the church parade, led by the Clinton Pipe Band, from the Legion to the cenotaph. A service will follow in TYivitt at 11:00 o'clock. The Exeter Legion will host a reception after the service, and some of the children and grandchildren of members of the 161st Battalion will be among the•400 attending the Senior Veterans' Annual Dinner at the South Huron Recreation Centre at 1:30 p.m. The men of the 161st Battalion of Huron deserve to be remembered. An item from the Exeter Advocate of March 22, 1917, contains a fitting eulogy: "Captain, the Rev. K. Fairfull, who went to England last fall as chaplain of the 161st Battalion, returned home Saturday. Chaplains are not allowed to accompany their Battalions to France. He speaks in the highest terms of the Hurons. 'They're the cleanest, finest bunch of boys I've ever had anything to do with', he said, 'and many who left home unthinking, irresponsible boys have developed into splendid men. They are a credit to the county which produced them'." A 40 -page history booklet, Lest We Forget, recounts the Battalion's history against the backdrop of World War 1. The poignant story of Private Earl Johns, Elimville, who died at Cambrai, is told in three letters. Two widows of veterans of the Huron Battalion, among the last direct links with the 161st, also share their memories. The booklet will be available for $3 at the rec centre after the church service. A limited number of dinner tickets are available through the Exeter Legion. (Yvonne Reynolds is the writer and editor of the Lest We Forget booklet commemorating the 161st Battalion of Huron.) School program helps students stay smoke-free STRATFORD - As municipali- ties across Ontario adopt bylaws to restrict smoking in restaurants, bars and other public places, The Lung Association is also working to pre- vent young people from ever start- ing to smoke. Last year almost 4,000 students in Huron and Perth counties re- ceived a visit from the "Lung Lady" as part of the Lung Associa- tion's 'Lungs are for Life' School Program. Through the use of hands-on demonstrations, videos and discussion, students learn the value of healthy lungs and a Smoke-free lifestyle. Sometimes they're surprised to learn that the majority of Canadians do not Computer equipment stolen USBORNE TOWNSHIP - Over- night on September 27, culprits broke into the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority office in Usborne Township. A quantity of computer equip- ment was reported stolen. Police report entry was gained through a window. Thefts continue EXETER - Police report there were several bicycle thefts in the area this week. Exeter OPP advise if a bicycle has been stolen, check with the lo- cal detachment to see if it has been returned. smoke. This unique program gives students the tools and information they need to make informed deci- sions on whether or not they will take up smoking. "We know the best way to keep our young people healthy today and in the years to come is to help them avoid the temptation of lighting up that first cigarette," says Velma Hansford, volunteer president of The Lung Association, Huron -Perth Counties. "Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death and of lung disease. We're seeing smoking pushed out of public plac- es and have come to better undet- stand the devastating effects of smoking and second-hand smoke. Our 'Lungs are for Life' program shows students that they will be happier and healthier if they are smoke-free." The Lung Association is current- ly raising funds to support the 'Lungs are for Life' program in schools across Ontario. The pro- gram, with appropriate lesson plans and resource materials for all grades from kindergarten through secondary school, is available to schools at no charge. For more in- formation on the 'Lungs are for Life' school program or other Lung Association services, please call The Lung Association, Huron -Perth Counties at 519-271-7500. N n I t J P. n I (, f `, 11 I (, 11 1- 1 1- 1 (: I 1- 1vJ ( Y f u IZ rN A (: 1 S 1:e1)1n1(:( V0t1l• 01(1 1111'11i•1(,'C 110‘11 1111(1 Milk() 110 payments '111 Feb. 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