Author Topic: Halifax Hundred 1938-1946 (Read 71445 times)

Dave1212 · « **on:** November 14, 2007, 02:36:07 PM »

Sorry, took a wrong turn at Albuquerque – better late than never…

This story is still gathering momentum as family members of the lads continue to join us to share wonderful stories & items from their family archives.

The new forum looks great & though outside events took me away from the latter days of the previous site, I look forward to future posts. Hope all is well & will report more in the days to come…

Dave

Wendi · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2007, 03:12:47 PM »

Dave Welcome back

Thought it might have been the snow held you up! Glad to hear the research is coming along so well. Shame we lost so much with the fall of the previous provider, but glad you agree, we have rallied well

Wendi

Dave1212 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2007, 01:04:41 AM »

Thanks Wendi. It was a bit disappointing losing the old provider – we all spent so much time there but I agree, seeing the group land running certainly makes me look forward to our new home & future reading.

It’s been about a year since I initially contacted Chris about this story & its growth has been amazing. Thanks to the kind team of contributors here at my favorite website along with the families & friends of the lads that contacted me after Peter’s article came out back in May, well, it’s been an incredible learning experience for me.

Hearing the stories about them or seeing their faces for the first time via photographs kindly shared by their loving families, has been, as I wrote previously, like meeting old friends for the first time.

We’ve also recently received some new information about Lt. Col. Willis, the man responsible for this unique recruitment drive. New names have been added to the list & the more the merrier I say!

We have some more photos & clippings to share if you like. I have many, many questions for our experts & look forward to our next year. Thanks again…

tisgrannie · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2007, 07:04:35 AM »

Hi Its been a great experience to share, thanks for sharing it with us. I miss being able to look at the terrific factual story. Its was like a good book. Go back to the favourite bits or facts. Hopefully we can get a concise story so far, to start off your next year with us. Great having you around!
kind regards
tisgrannie

Wendi · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2007, 08:18:44 PM »

............and we LOVE photos and clippings

Dave1212 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2007, 02:42:37 AM »

It’s hard to believe as we near 2008; it marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of this story. The fact that thousands of Canadians joined the British Forces prior to & during the Second World War is already well documented. I find this particular recruitment drive – involving mostly Nova Scotians & the Manchester Regiment a special story & one that has largely been forgotten - except by the family members of the young men who took part (& our friends here of course). It’s too good a story not to share!

I’ve read newspaper clippings that claim anywhere between fifty five & one hundred sixty five men were involved from early 1938 right up to the commencement of hostilities in September 1939. At this stage of the research I’m thinking it’s somewhere in the middle. As we progress, I will share some of the interesting details of the lads but to start our story I think it’s important to talk a little of the man responsible for orchestrating this drive – Lt. Col. Robert Billopp Willis (1877-1953).

We’ve received some wonderful new information from the Willis Family & will share more once we get the okay. It sounds like he had an interesting career in the Canadian & British army but the key is the five years Willis served as a lieutenant with the Manchester Regiment from 1900-1905. Connections made during this time must have assisted the recruitment initiative based in Halifax, NS thirty three years later. Without Willis, this story would not have united these men with the Manchester Regiment.

I’m not sure if the process for posting clippings/photos has changed or not but I will send Chris a clipping from the Halifax Herald from1946 (no actual date yet) which provides a better background description of the story. I grew up reading this clipping over & over & over. I always wanted to know more about these men. Written by H.A. Mitchell, it’s where ‘The Halifax Hundred’ name originated. I was born in Halifax but being a military kid I grew up in Toronto & Ottawa, Ontario. This story made me so proud to be from Nova Scotia.

A couple of points regarding the article: I believe the 1937 references ought to read 1938. Not 100% certain but I’ll keep you posted.
The DSO reference to Willis, I can’t confirm. An earlier post @ the old provider (sorry but I can’t recall who shared the info) rules out his Manchester time & the RCR records do not have him listed either.

More to follow…

tisgrannie · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2007, 07:13:15 AM »

Thank you so much. I am especially keen as my mother was a Willis but from Belfast. Not connected I don't think, but adds a nice link. Its fabulous when people are interested in specific things. You become an authority on the subject. Its University Challenge stuff. "My specialist subject is the Halifax Hundred" Away you go and get all the answers correct.
Not sure if you know about that programme.
I look forward to the next chapter in this tale of dedicated men from Nova Scotia.
best wishes
tisgrannie

harribobs · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2007, 11:02:48 AM »

dave has sent me the newspaper clipping, i think we had it on the old forum but not on the main site, i'll post it here this evening

tisgrannie · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2007, 09:12:03 PM »

That would be great harribob.
Thanks
tisgrannie

harribobs · « **Reply #9 on:** November 27, 2007, 10:18:43 PM »

Dave1212 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 27, 2007, 11:38:47 PM »

Thanks Chris...

tisgrannie · « **Reply #11 on:** November 28, 2007, 05:24:31 PM »

Thanks so much for that, really appreciate it.
tisgrannie

harribobs · « **Reply #12 on:** December 01, 2007, 12:44:30 AM »

photo links!

http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php?topic=301.0

now if you want to link a photo into this thread, go to the halifax 100 photos, right click on the one you want and copy the image location, click the picture icon above this box and you get (with the spaces i've added)

[ img ] [ /img ]

paste the location between the two sets of brackets and bobs yer uncle

Dave1212 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2007, 08:19:02 PM »

The men had to pass a physical screening process before acceptance overseas. Syd Goodman’s family shared how an earlier attempt to join the Canadian Army had been thwarted by failing the eye exam. Syd’s solution was ensuring that for his next test he memorized the entire eye chart!
Syd’s signing bonus was a sack of potatoes. His transport from Halifax was aboard a cattle boat. Ray Goodhew’s family also shared this similar transport story so I hope we’re able to soon confirm both men came over together.
Syd, Ray & Clary Hook were three of the lads who remained with the regiment throughout the war serving, after Dunkirk, in Burma & India. I knew a handful stayed with the Manchester’s but to have three confirmed so early in our search has been a nice surprise.

liverpool annie · « **Reply #14 on:** December 04, 2007, 09:03:06 PM »

I came across this soldier .... would he be one of yours or is this Manchester something entirely different ?? $:-\$

Last Name - O'HARA
First Name - Walter E.
Date Deceased - April 5, 1996
Age - 78
Rank - Warrant Officer
Service Number - SF39076
Units - 1 Manchester Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery
Period of Service - World War 2

Legion Branch - Fredericton Branch
Location - Fredericton, New Brunswick

http://www.legionmagazine.com/lastpost/details.asp?alpha=O&offset=500&LastPostData_ID=35981

Annie

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