February 7: Port Arthur:
The Patriotic Fund had been established in Port Arthur in September 1914, early in the war years, to encourage citizens to contribute to the war effort, and to provide support to the families of those fighting. Here, the Patriotic Fund requests an additional grant of $500 from City Council (nearly $9,000 in today’s money). The decision is referred to the Finance Committee.
February 14: Port Arthur:
One of the most pressing issues at the Lakehead at this time was the poverty faced by many people, including the family of men who were interned as alien enemies. Here, the federal government, in communication with Colonel William Dillon Otter, commander of internment operations in Canada, announces that they will not provide relief to families of interned aliens.
All responsibility for providing for those families, who would have no source of income, is placed on the community and the municipal government. Port Arthur considered this an unfair burden.
See also January 1915, November 1915, and “Enemy Aliens”
February 14: Port Arthur:
Port Arthur City Council congratulates resident George Clarke for earning the Distinguished Conduct Medal while fighting overseas. Clarke served with the 8th Battalion, and was recognized for recovering to safety a wounded man and a machine gun, while under fire. Clarke would also be decorated with the Croix de guerre by the French Government for these same actions.
February 14: Port Arthur:
Port Arthur City Council reacts to the death of Captain Lloyd Wolsey Bingay, former editor of the Port Arthur Chronicle. Capt. Bingay was wounded in France in January, and died several days later. The Port Arthur community was heavily affected by his death, as he had been so well known and well liked. [MORE INFO: January 1916 Timeline]
February 21: Port Arthur:
More correspondence regarding the funding of relief to interned Aliens and their families. See above.
February 21: Port Arthur:
Several matters have been referred to the Finance Committee of Port Arthur’s Council, and here the Committee reports back on their actions. They have endorsed Colonel Machin’s request for a $500 grant for the band for the 94th Battalion (see December 1915, January 1916). The request for the Patriotic Fund is filed, and will be responded to later.
February 22: Fort William:
Fort William had already approved a grant of $500 for the band; here, Col Machin thanks Council for providing the funds.
February 22: Fort William:
Fort William City Council gives the regular military grant to an employee of the Public Utilities Department, F. Kelly, who had enlisted for overseas service. To meet the requirement put in place in December 1915 the request was accompanied by a statement that Mr. Kelly had worked for the City for close to three years.
February 22: Fort William:
Major Hamilton, of the 94th Battalion, invites Fort William City Council and the heads of City departments to visit the new barracks, constructed in buildings owned by the Steel Company of Canada in Westfort.
See also the Timeline & Local Obituaries: October 1915 and December 1915.
February 28: Port Arthur:
More correspondence regarding the funding of relief to interned Aliens and their families. See above.
February 28: Port Arthur:
In 1916, there was no road connecting Port Arthur and Nipigon. At around this time, there was talk and effort towards building highways in the Province of Ontario, which would make movement between communities significantly easier.
Port Arthur City Council asks Ottawa to help with the construction of a highway between Port Arthur and Nepigon (Nipigon) by assigning Austrian internees as labourers. This was not an unusual request, as internees across the country were forced to work in labour camps. Next month, March 1916, the Government would turn down the project, citing cost issues.
It’s clear that helping farmers bring produce to market in Port Arthur is a motivator for this particular construction project. The highway would be constructed and open in 1924.
World War One Thunder Bay Centennial Project 