Panorama postcards of Aldershot Camp, Nova Scotia
I saw a (#16) postcard on eBay with the following message written on back - Set these side by side and paste or fasten on a paste board and you will have the whole camp - shows all tents and buildings in a line as they stand.
In his history of Camp Aldershot published in 1983, Brent Fox writes that when it was moved from Aylesford Plain to its current site, “there was little in what became the new training ground.” There was the old Kentville racetrack near the gate, a carding mill on the north-east edge, a sawmill and adds Fox, “several farms were evident (on the grounds) at the turn of the century.” Fox writes that between 1903 and 1907, the federal government purchased land for what was to become the new Camp Aldershot, the boundaries eventually becoming what they are today by the latter year. However, Steam Mill resident Harlan Adams tells me he was born in 1922 on his father’s farm on what is now the military camp ground; and it appears that from what he remembers, the current camp originally was much smaller than it is now.
(4 August 1916) - At Aldershot Camp Men Are In Fine Condition and Splendid Spirits. Exhibition of Bayonet Fighting and Physical Training. ALDERSHOT CAMP. Every day is a busy day here, but every day is different, and that is what makes an account of what is going on interesting to the outside world as well as to those who are under canvas. This morning we had a brigade route march. We got up at 3.30 o'clock in order to take the march during the cool hours of the morning. Care of the men is ever in the minds of the superior officers. As usual not a man dropped out. In fact the men and officers set about playing games and attending to duties as readily upon their return as tho they had never been out. It is the way they always do.
This afternoon we were favored on the camp grounds by a rare exhibition and demonstration of bayonet fighting and physical training by the members of the assistant instructor's class in bayonet fighting and physical trains of the 6th District School, situated on the grounds.
The program was as follows:
Demonstration of physical training teaching. Demonstration of bayonet fighting teaching.
Swedish games.
Grand march and mess drill by class.
Boxing exhibition.
Charging the enemy's trenches.
"God Save the King", by the band.
The exhibition was under the direction of Lieutenant Ramsay Traquair, officer in charge of B. F. and P. T.
There was a general attendance of the officers and men of the brigade and a large number of civilians were also present. Between four and six in the afternoon tea was served at the camp mess to officers and their wives, a large number of whom at| tended. Music was furnished by the band of the 193rd Battalion. This evening each battalion is having a battalion route march and the boys are just starting off, singing as they go.
(9 September 1916) - LINK to a newspaper article - These are Busy Days at Camp Aldershot - www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-mail-these-are-bus...
one of the above postcards was sent by - Pte. H.E. Mullin / No. 3186686 / 1st Depot Batt. / C Coy N.S. Rgt / Aldershot Camp / Nova Scotia on - 30 May 1916
Name: HARTLEY EARLE MULLEN
Regimental Number: 3186686
Date of Birth: 12 September 1897 or 1898
Place of Birth: Hectanooga, Clare, Digby County, Nova Scotia, Canada
Enlistment Date: May 28, 1918 12:00AM
Place of Enlistment: Aldershot, Nova Scotia Canada
Unit: 1st Depot Battalion, NS Regiment LINK to his WWI records - www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-wo...
LINK to his timeline - livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/5682771
His occupation in 1918 was - farmer
His occupation in 1945 was - clergyman (in 1951 - Reformed Baptist Church, Fredericton, N.B. with Rev. Hartley E. Mullen)
Date for death - 18 September 1971 in Port Maitland, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada
It was addressed to: Miss Mina Nicholls (Wilhelmina Nichols) / 290 Central Ave / Needham, Mass - redirected to the Needham Glover Hospital
The Glover Home and Hospital was named after Frederick Pope Glover, who bequeathed his estate to the town for the purpose of founding a hospital in his name. Glover was not a doctor, as is often supposed. He had been, at various points in his life, a shoemaker, a shopkeeper, a gold prospector during the Gold Rush, a railroad surveyor, a mule-driver, a trail guide, real estate speculator, and again a shopkeeper. He settled in Needham later in his life, and served the town in several capacities, including a term or two as Selectman. Glover’s executor, William Moseley, was also a mill owner, and he dragged his feet in turning over the funds to the Overseers in expectation that the hospital plan would eventually come through. It finally did in 1910, when Town Meeting reluctantly voted to accept the gift after all. The hospital opened on September 16, 1912. The first hospital was an 11-bed facility, with small operating and obstetrical rooms, a nursery, and two wards. LINK to the complete article - needhamlocal.org/2023/07/needham-history-a-comfort-always...
