BX January 30, 1919

Armistice Hour as Viewed by a Brantford Y.M.C.A. Officer – Belated but Interesting Letter Received from Captain William Henry Wood, on Y.M.C.A. Duty with the Canadian Forces – Brantford Goods, Helped to Buck up Brantford Boys    

December 11, 1918
Belgium

Eleven o’clock Monday morning, November 11, 1918, was an hour – the very opposite of “zero” hour – never to be forgotten by those battling along the Belgian border for it marked the time of cessation of hostilities and acknowledgment of the defeat on the part of German; the triumph of right over might and victory for our Allied armies – the period when conflict and carnage gave way to calm.

There was a strangeness about it all – the sudden transition from war to peace – the change from the roar of guns and the rattle of rifle to quiet and safety – a silence such that the slightest sound seemed to accentuate.

Yet this was about the only noticeable difference to Canadian soldiers at the front for work continued. To those nearing or in centres of population they noted that while one hour guns voiced destruction and death the next hour bells voiced the joy of life. However, even this form of rejoicing was not universal for soldiers and civilians alike seemed somewhat stunned with the speed of events during the few weeks previous. To them it was an achievement, the supreme hour that comes to strong men when they know the height of ambition is attained, nothing to talk of, or boast about, but something to be eternally thankful for and immediately the set themselves to the task of following up this beaten Boche.

Wonderful strides had been made by the Canadians at Amiens, Arras, Cambrai and Valenciennes with the Cambrai “show” the pivotal achievement which spelled success all along the line and gave occasion for triumphal entries into various towns and cities. But nowhere along the front was the spirit of carnival in evidence. With the relaxation from the terrible tension of battle after battle there was an inexpressible appreciation that the world had been delivered from a great devastating horror. They saw, knew and felt the price of the victory which could not be denied as a result of their heroic operations, tireless energy and days of tremendous concentration which, coupled with courage and valour equal to that of their ancestors rendered them superior to their sufferings.

To all our brave defenders, the world in these immortal hours tenders its admiration.

Those alas, who sleep beneath the now quiet earth of foreign fields have wrought beyond all praise of gratitude. They have done earth a service and his world is much their debtor.

To those who continue they have left a portion of their spirit that the unfinished task for which their lives were spent may be completed. As the superb attractive figures of the torrent of youth pour over the country where the Boche has been, one feels the future is promising.

Would that Canada could see her sons brawny and tanned, who taught the Hun that they knew how to defend themselves, with eyes bright, cheeks of bronze, shoulders square, chests deep and muscles strong – the essence of manly strength and force – so all might fully appreciate their country’s manhood, bearing a people’s trust. Such strong men as the world is in need of. Splendid soldiers of stature and spirit and as fine in spirit as in stature.
    
Assist Refugees

Nowhere does this spirit show to better advantage than when, with the acme of gentleness, they assist returning refugees, or as with tenderness they take the tiny fevered hand of a child extended in complete confidence to those whom they know are friends. It gives assurance that the true and sincere chivalry, which is heroism, is today as strong as it has ever been.

These little acts of courtesy, the giving of shelter, provisions and lifts have helped break the double barrier of language and to forge a lasting link of understanding between peoples. These are not the least of the supreme things of human life which are today drawing men and nations together and welding them into brotherhood.

Only those who have witnessed the seemingly endless procession of refugees passing for weeks can have any conception of the picture they present. Every kind of vehicle requisitioned into use, being propelled, pulled or pushed by men, women, children, dogs, donkeys, mules, horses, oxen and cows, sometimes hitched singly, sometimes customary pairs harnessed together, oftentimes a queer mixture of horse, ox, cow and dog. Occasionally progress is made through the united powers of man, women, child, horse and dog or in as many was as is imaginable.

Very often groups co-operate, resulting in three or four carts of fair size tied together being hauled by as many as five teams of boy or men. One group of boys, ten in number teamed together swung jauntily along, keeping time to the tune of the Marseillaise which they were whistling most lustily. All loads, drivers and driven, displayed in many forms the tri-color of France.

Sad Sights Seen

Particularly sad were the sights of old men and women and children huddled together on their bundled belongings during nights of rain. All too frequent on a creaking cart drawn by some lame beast of burden there passed ill and crippled folk seated on the remains of their possessions, returning perhaps to heaps of ruins which they would fondly claim as home to begin anew the battle for a living. Yet all seemed to bear the misfortunes of their country with amazing fortitude. Many had been forced to flee, before the retiring enemy, over one hundred miles. This meant a second trek of at least another hundred. Think of thoughts that must have gripped their minds – the hatred toward the Hun instilled by the action of the Hun himself and so deepened that it would never be forgotten nor the Hun forgiven.

Despite the hardships sustained, however, thousands of beaming faces were to be seen Emancipation for Teutonic threats, methods and ideals means a new and vigorous lease of life. An indefinable air of freedom pervades the country and a new era of humanity has dawned for them.

As the tail of the Hun is followed across Belgium we find, that through having experienced the fellowship of trial and suffering, the Fleming and Walloon, in mutual confidence and complete cohesion united in remarkable devotion and loyalty to their many monarch. They suffered much and now they rejoice in triumph as witnessed in the triumphal entries made by King Albert into their numerous cities. They, too, express with overflowing hearts, their thankfulness to those nations who through the somber years of trial and anxiety provided their poor with necessities of life.

Appreciate Liberty

Never to be forgotten was the scene of the scholarly old Belgian gentleman as he related, with tears streaming down his face, that under the heel of the Hun they had learned to appreciate liberty, privilege and the blessings of peace. Thus are peoples and nations perfected after having tasted adversity.

Canadians have followed the Hun over country in varied conditions. First indescribably desolate though the trench and shell torn fertile soil hidden by the upturned chalk, covered with countless miles of barbed wire, rusted and tangled. Then into places where villages and towns had been completely destroyed. Through the cities of Cambrai, Douai and Valenciennes with their shell torn churches uprooted cemeteries, overturned crucifix, roofless chateau, destroyed manufacturing plants, stations, mines, etc., into towns which had strangely enough escaped without even a pane of glass being broken.

The initial and continuously increasing and almost insurmountable difficulties which they had to overcome such as roads badly in need of repair, railways completely demolished, mine craters at cross roads and shattered bridges, in spite of which they followed with disconcerting speed made the “follow up” a much more masterly feat than the retreat of the German with good railway transportation ahead of “him.”  He, however, handicapped himself seriously through this greediness in taking much loot of no value. Also by driving refugees before him and by stripping houses and churches of brass, copper and other metal fixates such as may be found on doors, windows, lamps, organs, etc.

It has been easy to follow “his” tracks through Belgium. Here the charred remains of one of is aeroplanes on a main highway, there ruins of ammunition trains exploded, everywhere horse, steam and motor propelled transportation discarded. Many also are the silent testimonies to the effective work of the navy in making it impossible for him to obtain war commodities.

In fact the evidences are that had they delayed the armistice for a week longer great German groups would have been captured wholesale and a complete route effected.

Most interesting along the way was the meeting with returning prisoners who appreciated to the full that “to a wayfarer in a strange land nothing is so sweet as to hear his name on the tongue of a friend.”  Also the digging by French and Belgian, who are masters in the art of “cache,” for treasure they had concealed.

Brantford Goods for the Boys

Probably some of the humourous episodes will continue to come to the surface and be remembered in days to come in preference to other occurrences. For instance, Brantfordites will be interested in the inspiration that came to the boy who after purchasing from a Y.M.C.A. canteen a liberal supply of Paterson’s biscuits and causing same to disappear, composed the following: “Brantford Baked Biscuits ‘Buck up’ the Boys.”  And since the A.J. Reach Manufacturing Company of Brantford supply athletic goods to the Y.M.C.A. for its overseas services and that the army has always looked upon games and athletics as being of the greatest importance in supplementing military training it is only fair to agree with another chap that “Brantford Built Baseball Bats helped Beat the Boche.”  Massey-Harris machines we meet over here are received as old friends and a link with Brantford. Occasionally one has the rare privilege of addressing the capable, young lady driver of the ambulance, “Presented to the Canadian Red Cross Society by the Citizens of Paris, Ontario.”  Needless to say these and similar incidents bring back home memories and the desire to live life among familiar sights, sounds and friends.

To the Y.M.C.A. the Army of Occupation is the Army of Opportunity. Because of the incessant and great needs for entertainment and recreation to divert dull moments and the monotony of vacant hours, many new activities are to be added to the customary all round program. One of the most important features will be the Canadian Citizenship Campaign promoted for the purpose of assisting soldiers soon to return to civil life, to arrive at proper values and balances and to continue the work of idealism upon which they are now engaged in establishing conditions of permanency. When the present duty to which they are call is happily done, they will have a new source of pride and inspiration in new accomplishments, purposes, greater missions and questions pertaining to reconstruction, expansion, peace and life. The nation will continue to benefit as a result of the levees of the men who have learned the big lessons of life and who are ready to venture on difficult problems at home and project their experience, power and personality into their communities.

And now, even while their minds are engaged with these new thoughts particularly as another Christmas season approaches hearts weary for the home where those thy love are waiting.

W.H. Wood
Captain