March 13: Port Arthur:
In a February meeting, Port Arthur City Council had raised the suggestion that internee labourers might be used to construct a highway between Port Arthur and Nepigon (Nipigon.) Here, they’ve received a response from Charles Doherty, Minister of Justice, which appears to be turning down that request. Council is passing the matter along to the Industrial Committee, asking them to make the request again, and seeing if the decision would change at all if the City were to make up some of the costs.
This issue does not appear in Council minutes again. The highway would eventually be constructed and opened in 1924.
March 13: Port Arthur:
The City of Port Arthur had been providing many services to the Recruiting Office and to the camp at Gresley Park, including telephone and electric light. It was rarely long between when the request was made and when it was granted. Here, electric light is provided and paid for in the Recruiting Office on Arthur Street (now Red River Road.)
March 13: Port Arthur:
Port Arthur’s policy for grants to soldiers had been to provide the difference in pay between the former employee’s regular salary and their military pay, up to $1000 per year, provided they had worked for the City for at least one year before enlisting. This policy had been in place since August 1915.
It’s not clear whether this was becoming too costly, too complicated, or both. Council decides that they will instead provide a standard amount of $50 for single men and $100 for married men. This is similar to Fort William’s policy of providing $50 to employees upon their enlistment.
The most recent few soldiers who have requested this pay will be contacted for their acceptance of the new rate.
March 13: Port Arthur:
The Patriotic Association’s aid to people and families isn’t often covered in detail in the Council minutes. Here, it seems that a more contentious issue has arisen. A man who has requested support is told by Council that he will not be eligible “as he has relatives in a position to help him.”
The limited amount of money available to help those impoverished by the war was to be spent only on those who had no other options. This was common policy before and after the war as well.
March 18: Port Arthur:
Telegram from a Major E. Thornton letting Council know that two men, Privates Mains and Yoell, were returning to Port Arthur. It’s not clear exactly who these two men were, but there were five men by the name of Yoell enlisted during the First World War, all of whom were from Port Arthur, at least some of whom were brothers.
March 20: Port Arthur:
Two firefighters, Reginald Thomas Daggitt and Alexander Stirling, recently enlisted in the 94th Battalion. They are each presented $100, the sum for a married employee who has enlisted, under the new policy.
March 20: Port Arthur:
More communication between Port Arthur and the Federal Government regarding the treatment of alien enemies.
March 27: Port Arthur:
Changing the policy for payment for enlisted former employees wouldn’t be entirely easy. A letter is received from A. Peckett, Plumbing Inspector for Port Arthur, who was one of the employees consulted about the policy change. He states he would agree to a cheque for $200 – more than the stated amount of $100, but seemingly less than he would have been eligible for under the previous policy. (As Plumbing Inspector, he would have been better paid than most employees, so the policy of issuing the difference between his regular salary and military pay would have netted him more than most.)
March 27: Port Arthur:
George Clarke was congratulated by Council in February 1916 for earning a Distinguished Conduct Medal, for while under fire recovering to safety both a wounded soldier and a machine gun.
March 27: Port Arthur:
The former Port Arthur employee F.C. Guy agrees to the terms of $100 lump sum as his grant for enlisting.
March 28: Fort William:
The Fort William Branch of the Soldiers Aid Commission sent a letter to Fort William Council informing them that the branch is being formed, and asking Council to appoint one or two representatives. Alderman Gaylen Rupert Duncan is appointed to serve on the Commission.
The letter also requests that water and light be provided to Corporal Seeley, a returned wounded soldier. This is carried out.
World War One Thunder Bay Centennial Project 