World War, 1914-1918 -- Canada; World War, 1914-1918 -- Nova Scotia
Halifax was taxed to its utmost in supplying accommodation for troops.
All the old military barracks were full, the Armories were occupied by
infantry Battalions, the sheds on No. 2 Pier were also occupied, and
there was consequently some delay in finding accommodation for the
mobilization and training of this Hospital Unit. Dalhousie University
came to the rescue and gave the old Medical College building on the
corner of Robie and College Streets, and Principal Kaulbach, of the
Maritime Business College, gave the use of the dining room and kitchen
of the Business College restaurant as a mess room. By November 1st the
old Medical College had been converted into an adequate barracks and
orderly room.
The selection of the medical and nursing personnel and the recruiting of
other ranks then commenced in earnest and the response was wonderful.
For a Stationary Hospital only twelve medical officers and twenty-seven
nursing sisters were required: but thirty medical men and eighty nurses
applied. The material was all so excellent that it was a delicate and
difficult task to select. Preference was given, however, to Dalhousie
graduates and those connected with the University; and among the nurses
preference was given to graduates of the two outstanding Nova Scotia
nurses’ training hospitals, the Victoria General Hospital, Halifax, and
St. Joseph’s Hospital, Glace Bay, as these were the only general
hospitals in the Province with the necessary number of beds to meet the
requirements of the Military Service in the matter of training.
Just before orders were received to proceed Overseas in the latter part
of December, 1915, the Unit was inspected by General Benson, G.O.C. of
this Military District, Colonel A. H. Powell, D.A.A. & Q.M.G., and
Colonel Grant, A.D.M.S. These officers were very generous in their
praises of what the Unit had already accomplished in the way of training
and establishing a snappy military organization. Their sturdy Commanding
Officer, with his sixty-seven years of youth, had shown his magnificent
qualities of body as well as mind and character. When Colonel Stewart
set the pace on their route marches the youngest and most athletic had
to let himself out. Colonel Grant, the A.D.M.S., referred to the
splendid work already done in the service by members of the Staff, and
mentioned particularly the work done by Major E. V. Hogan as Chief of
Surgery at Cogswell Street Military Hospital and Major L. M. Murray as
Chief of Medicine; and also expressed his regret at losing his Deputy,
Capt. F. V. Woodbury, but congratulated the Unit on what it had gained
thereby.
The time set for leaving Halifax for Overseas was December 31, 1915, via
St. John, N.B. The departure at one time of so many professional men and
women, who stood high in the confidence of the people of Halifax and
Nova Scotia, was a poignant reminder of the serious proportions assumed
by the Great War.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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