BX October 30, 1914

An Armenian Rifle Club

The formation of an Armenian Rifle Club is under way in this city.  Some thirty or forty members of the colony got together with their missionary Armen Amirkhanian and decided that they would form into a club exclusively for Armenians.  Permission has been obtained for the use of the collegiate rifles and gymnasium and the members of the club will be instructed by their missionary in the use of the rifles.  He has had former experience and is in a position to put his flock through the preliminary steps.  Every Tuesday night they will practice at the school.  It is proposed to get competent instructors to give lectures which will be interpreted.  Mr. Amirkhanian has already secured promise of aid from several military experts and he says the Rifle Club will soon be in a flourishing condition.  The object of the Armenians is that should they ever be called upon to defend the Dominion they will be well able to do so, and trust to qualify in marksmanship as a result of their effort.

BX November 4, 1914

Armenians Drilled

The Armenian Home Guards Corps, about 40 strong paraded at the Brantford Collegiate Institute last evening and were drilled under Lieut.-Col. E.C. Ashton.  While the corps will not volunteer as a whole for active service abroad, the leader, Armen Amirkhanian, expects that there will be a number of trained men ready and willing to go with the third contingent of the Dufferin Rifles from this city.

BX November 7, 1914

To Form a Regiment

Armen Amirkhanian, local missionary to the Armenians, stated this morning that the reason only one Armenian has gone with the Second Contingent is that he has written to the government proposing that an Armenian regiment be formed. About 50 local Armenians are now training and those would be available for such a regiment.

BX November 12, 1914

Not Wanted At Present – But Armenians May Get a Chance to Serve the Empire at Later Date

Armen Amirkhanian, local leader of the Armenians, some time ago wrote to the militia department, offering the services of a company of Armenians for the war, and suggesting that a regiment of Armenians be organized in Canada.

This morning he received a reply from E.T. Jarvis, deputy minister of militia, stating that at the present time the second division had but two battalions to provide, and as these had been mobilized, the offer could not now be accepted.  “The war may last for a long time, however, and every man who wishes to serve his King and Country will sooner or later get his chance to do so,”  added the communication.

It was suggested that Mr. Amirkhanian write to the D.O.C. at Toronto divisional headquarters, and it might be possible that he could utilize their services and that in the meantime it would be wise for the Armenians to keep up their training.

BX November 12, 1914

Arresting Armenians

Armen Amirkhanian, the local Armenian leader and missionary, left this morning for Guelph.  There the authorities are taking action against the Armenian residents, and he is going to explain that the Armenians are loyal British subjects.

BX November 17, 1914

To the Editor

Are Armenians Turks?

Sir,

It is rather amusing to ask an Armenian to prove that an Armenian is not a Turk.  Anybody with a little knowledge of history can easily answer the question in the negative.  For at least two years we have been writing in Canadian newspapers and speakers in many meetings have tried to arouse the public opinion of Canadians on behalf of the Armenians against the torturing Turk.  But still there are those who want us to prove that we do not love the Turk.

After cries of many centuries to the Christian nations to deliver us from the chains of Turkish slavery; after many appeals to these nations with tears of blood almost dropping down from our eyes; after many massacres, including those of 1894-5-6, which shocked the senses of the civilized world, after the more recent massacres at Adana in 1908, when many unimaginable outrages were committed by the Turks, I say after all these when we are asked to prove why we do not love the Turk we feel that there is something wrong somewhere with the civilized world.  The other fellow’s sorrows are soon forgotten.  It is disheartening. The history of the sufferings of long, suffering Armenians at the hands of the Turks are proofs.  And if you want some more read a little more carefully your own newspapers about the war and you will see that Armenians are rising against the Turk to a man.  And they will fight for their freedom to the last man.  This war has given us our last opportunity and we are up against the Turk with the motto “Liberty or Death!”  We hope the authorities will understand that to arrest an Armenian is to help the enemies of Britain.

Armen Amirkhanian

BX May 17, 1915

Free Armenia Magazine Published in Brantford, Ontario

The first edition of a monthly magazine, “Free Armenia,” published in Brantford under the editorship of Armen Amirkhanian, has been issued and a copy received at this office.  The publication deals very interestingly with matters of interest to Armenians.

BX June 18, 1915

Second Edition of "Free Armenia" Magazine

"Free Armenia," the magazine issued locally, with Armen Amirkhanian as editor and publisher, has been issued in its second number.  The contents include a blank poem “Armenia’s Hope,” by Principal A.W. Burt, of the Collegiate Institute, a letter from W.F. Cockshutt, in which he endorses the movement to free Armenia from the Turkish rule, suggesting that a memorial be sent to Hon. R.L. Borden, with the request that he give the matter his most serious consideration, Rt. Hon. James Bryce’s views on Armenian nationality and an expression of opinion on the Armenian question by Joseph H. Ham, M.P.P., who believe that Armenia should be set free.

BC September 12, 1916

Armen Amirkhanian Wants to Do Bit – Local Armenian Missionary Wants to Join Army Medical Corps

Armen Amirkhanian, formerly editor of “Free Armenia,” a magazine published in this city, in the interests of Armenians, is here for a few days renewing acquaintances.  Lately he has engaged on a lecture tour in the United States, travelling from Rhode Island to Missouri.  While in the latter state he visited the home of the late Jess James, notorious Western bandit and Civil War hero.

Armen is anxious to do his bit and is at Toronto today endeavoring to sign up with the Army Medical Corps.  He has, under consideration, two offers of positions, one as editor of a large Chicago paper, similar to “Free Armenia,” and another to spend the winter lecturing through California, both of which he is willing to sacrifice to the cause of liberty.

BX April 15, 1918

For Overseas

Armen Amirkhanian, well known revolutionary Armenian leader who was for a long time a resident in this city, and who joined the 215th Battalion from which he was released by the government on appeal by the “Free Armenia” organization in the United States, has joined the First Quebec Regiment, and will leave shortly for overseas.  He was very active among the Armenians locally, doing missionary work, and he published and edited a paper “Free Armenia,” in this city in aid of the movement to throw off the Turkish rule.