St. Paul's Memorials in Glass

Interior of the re-built St. Paul’s United Church, November 20, 1933.

One of the most eye catching aspects of St Paul’s United Church is the abundance of stained glass windows encompassing the historic building. Among the twenty-four stained glass memorial windows, the church has panels that were salvaged from the original building from 1855, from the rebuilding of the church in 1933, and others more recent. Among the various memorials is a three paneled scene which commemorates fallen soldiers who lost their lives in various battles of the First World War, otherwise known as the First World War Memorial Window.

The memorial window, which occupies the first high window on the south side of the building, includes Christ Knocking at the Door, The Scene at Emmaus, and Sowing the Seed. However, the original window, which was completed in 1919, only includes the first and the second panels. The first two panels were saved from the fire in 1931 that destroyed most of the old church.

The original stained glass window had a much different appearance than that which we see today. Completed just a year after the end of the First World War, it included the inscription “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” Revelation 2:10. The names included on the panel include Aimers Bertram, James Knowles Bertram, Goldwin McCausland Pirie, and Robert Sterling.

Among the striking differences between the original stained glass panels and the newer panel is the position of the “In grateful memory of those who fell on the field of honor in the Great War 1914-1919 in defense of righteousness, justice, and liberty”. We can see the differences between the positioning of the inscription “Be thou faithful…” and between the throne portions on the top of each of the stained glass panels. If you look closely you can see differences in styles between the two original panels and the newer panel.

After the end of World War One, many churches in both North America and Europe commissioned stained glass memorial windows, and it comes as no surprise that Dundas followed suit. Some followed the style of traditional Gothic revival designs, whereas others went for a newer approaches. Some churches would commission actual war images to appear in their memorial windows, such as soldiers fighting, airplanes, and other common warfare images.

To learn more about the fire in 1931, the First World War Memorial stained glass windows, or to check out the panels for yourself, visit the Dundas Museum and Archives and St. Paul’s United Church!

References:

St. Paul’s United Church, St. Paul’s Sanctuary – Images & Reflections, 2003.

This post was written by Claudia Palermo, our Curatorial Assistant, a position made possible by a grant from Young Canada Works in 2014.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada (Youth Employment Strategy) through the Department of Canadian Heritage for the Young Canada Works Program. Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada (Stratégie emploi jeunesse) par l’entremise du ministère du Patrimoine canadien pour le programme Jeunesse Canada au travail.

Remembering Private Goldwin McCausland Pirie

Goldie Pirie (right) with friends (left to right) Len Bertram, Leo Sullivan, and Arthur Turner.

Private Goldwin McCausland Pirie was born April 12th, 1894, to Hester Emma McCausland (1858-1901) and Alexander Fraser Pirie (1849-1903). Unfortunately, Goldwin Pirie would lose both his parents as a child. He and his siblings were raised by his paternal aunt, Ada Pirie. “Goldie” as he was known, would enlist in August of 1914 and enter the war alongside the 77th Wentworth Regiment of Dundas, the local milita unit.

When the members of the first contingent of the 77th left Dundas, the people of their home town could not let them leave without a proper send off. On Thursday August 20th, 1914, community members braved the steady downpour of rain to watch the contingent leave for the first stage of their journey, which would take them to Valcartier, Quebec. The Dundas Town Council had voted to spend $500 on the troops, and provided each man with a combination knife, fork, and spoon, and a collapsible drinking cup. There were 3000 sandwiches prepared alongside the cheese, biscuits, tobacco, and more, to be used by the men while en route. The Dundas Star reported that private citizens also presented tobacco pouches, cigars, and cigarettes. The Honourary Lt.-Col. of the Regiment, J.J. Grafton, was said to have presented the men with a set of underwear and a silk handkerchief! The town of Dundas was adamant in their decision not to let these men begin their travels empty handed. The community clearly demonstrated how proud they were of their loyal sons who were eager to answer the call of duty.

Once at camp, Goldwin Pirie set off to write letters to his family in Dundas. These letters were published in the Dundas Star, and can still be found today. He wrote of his time with the 77th spent training, and the “Gimme Club”. The Gimme Club members included: Leonard Halliday Bertram, Charles Campbell Gwyn, Leo Ignatus Sullivan, John Woodville Cowper, John Howard Knill, Arthur Edmond Robert Turner, William Henry Gains, Francis John Lavender, and George William Graham. These men would write about their lives and letters often included humorous anecdotes. One is as follows.

Stray Shots

Bill Graham may be away, but what is he? A Wafer?
Milk is plentiful, and as Cowper loses, Willie Gains.
If Sullivan frequents the canteen, why can’t Campbell Gwyn (go in?).
Some fellows would like to have talcum powder in their shoes for hard marching, but we should worry, as we have Lavender.
If a woman drove a Be(e)rtram into camp, what chance would Arthur have to Turner out before Pirie said “Gimme a drink?”Knill.

THE GIMME CLUB (gimme this, gimme that.)
Gim Pirie, Pres.

On September 13th 1914, the young men at the Valcartier Camp were reviewed, and on September 22nd the soldiers were on their way and about to start the second stage in their journey. However, the Canadian men were to have extra protection in the shape of a combined entrenching tool and head shield. The 77th Wentworth Regiment became the 1st Battalion Western Ontario Regiment, and these men were therefore stationed at Bustard Camp. Because of his athleticism, Goldie Pirie was chosen to be trained in the art of bomb throwing.

During the Battle of Ypres, Goldie was wounded in the counterattack of the 1st and 4th Battalions at Mauser Ridge. An article from the Dundas Star reported that he was left for dead on the field for a total of four days. He subsequently suffered from frozen feet in the early spring of 1915, and, in the battle at Langemarck, he was the unlucky recipient of three bullets through the arm, and one in the leg. An article from the “Hamilton Daily Times” (May 20, 1915) claims that Pirie believed he had nothing to worry about and hoped to quickly get back into action. However, Goldwin Pirie would never recover. The injuries he sustained led to his evacuation to the Netley Hospital in England. Two months after he was admitted, Goldwin Pirie died as a result of infected wounds which led to recurring internal hemorrhaging. Although he had been in the hospital for an extended period of time, the news of his death on July 1st, 1915, came as a shock to both his family and the Dundas community.

When a decision was made in the 1980s to name new streets after men listed on the local war memorial, it comes as no surprise that one was named after Private Goldwin McCausland Pirie.

Sources:

Research conducted and assembled by Marika Pirie found here: http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/searches/soldierDetail.asp?ID=18859

Dundas Star. Articles from August 1914 – October 1915.

This post was written by Claudia Palermo, our Curatorial Assistant, a position made possible by a grant from Young Canada Works in 2014.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada (Youth Employment Strategy) through the Department of Canadian Heritage for the Young Canada Works Program. Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada (Stratégie emploi jeunesse) par l’entremise du ministère du Patrimoine canadien pour le programme Jeunesse Canada au travail.

Celebrating National Volunteer Week

The Dundas Museum and Archives is very fortunate to have many volunteers.

They range in age from teenagers to seniors. They greet our visitors. They stock the shelves of the Gift Shop. They answer the phones. They transcribe documents written in cryptic cursive hands. They happily try and identify long since departed Dundasians staring out from blurry photographs. They tirelessly — and cheerfully — inventory artifacts on the shelves. They create detailed inventories to collections of archival materials. They scan photographs. They catalogue books. They assist in countless ways with the installation of exhibitions. They help with seniors programs, school programs, and pre-school programs. They help with events large and small. They manage other volunteers. The list of what they do and the value they bring to the Museum is long.

A heartfelt thank you to all our wonderful volunteers for all they do!

A small token of our appreciation!

Today is Vimy Ridge Day

The following is from our exhibition “A War Without End” and details Len Bertram and Charles Mitson’s involvement in the battle of Vimy Ridge.

In early April 1917 the 20th Battalion, part of the 2nd Division, was training in the Thelus sector located between Vimy and Arras. The arterial barrage that preceded the offensive had begun and Len – recently promoted to Captain — reported that until the 9th “there was only the usual trench routine except that our guns were very busy smashing up the Hun”.

Len was at HQ for most of the engagement, but Charlie worked with the Signal Section, manning the Brigade Report Centre overnight on April 8. After that they were held in reserve, except for three unnamed signallers who were assigned to the Scout Section. Perhaps Charlie was one of these three.

The cold and wet weather created miserable conditions for the men of the 20th who, through the night of April 9, remained outside consolidating the gains they had made during the day. April 10 saw them continue their advance.

By April 11 the 20th were in the Main Resistance Line in support of the 18th and 21st Battalions. They worked improving trenches, connecting rifle pits, and digging funk holes.

By nightfall on April 12, the Canadian Corps had control of Vimy Ridge. The cost: 3,598 killed and 7,004 wounded. The dead included Len’s friend and Gimme Club pal, Campbell Gwyn.

Charles Mitson in front of his home on Market Street before going off to war.

Lennard Bertram (left) and his life-long friend Arthur Turner in 1917.

Happy Archives Awareness Week!

It’s Archives Awareness Week in Ontario and we are celebrating!

A small pop-up exhibit called “Documenting Dissent” highlights some of the records from the Lesslie Family fonds. If you are familiar with the Dundas Museum, you know that some of the most intriguing documents we have were created or maintained by the Lesslie Family, who, while distinguished in their own right, are not as well known as their friend William Lyon Mackenzie.

The documents on display all relate to John Lesslie. They include a draft petition William Lyon Mackenzie sent to John in 1831; John Lesslie’s diary; and selections from his political scrapbook. The scrapbook contains a wealth of information about meetings and debates and the political attitude of the time. Posters, clippings, and articles are packed into this book, making their display difficult, but not impossible for a short term exhibit.

This exhibit will complement a talk given on Thursday, April 9 by Archivist Sandra Kiemele called “Using the Durham Banner to tell the Stories of Dundas Families”. John Lesslie’s diary provides evidence of meetings in Dundas to discuss Lord Durham’s report and the names of those participating are included. The stories of some of those named in the diary will be told. The talk is part of the Dundas Valley Historical Society Speaker Series and begins at 7:30pm at the Museum. There is a small admission fee for this talk which benefits the DVHS.

Given the fragile nature of the documents on display, “Documenting Dissent” will conclude on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

This poster issued by Dr. James Hamilton was kept in John Lesslie’s scrapbook. It was issued on July 22, 1839, days before the meeting in Dundas was scheduled. Did the Reformers defy Dr. Hamilton and bring the banner to the meeting anyway?