This article is one of a series provided to the Post by The Burlington Historical Society.

The following are excerpts from the Society’s books and archival files.

During the First World War, 300 men volunteered from Burlington, and many of them drilled in a shed at Locust Street and Water Street — now Lakeshore Road. Recruiting took place at the Village Inn on the opposite corner. It is recorded that the number of people living in Burlington at this time was 2,600.

The Burlington Gazette recorded that on Monday, Aug. 17, 1914: “The town witnessed one of the most stirring scenes in the history of the place, when twenty eight young men, who enrolled with the 20th Lorne Rifles Battalion, left to join other volunteers from Halton County who were being mobilized at Georgetown. Headed by the Burlington Band and two pipers, the men marched to the Grand Trunk station, followed by a procession of automobiles, rigs and citizens on foot. The route was gaily decorated with British and French flags, bunting, etc. and the streets were crowded with people who cheered the boys as they passed along. It is estimated that over 500 people were at the station to see the boys off and as many fond farewells took place, many tears were noticeable in the eyes of the spectators. As the train departed, cheer after cheer was given and the boys waved farewell through the open windows.”

Another story to come out of the early war years concerned some troops quartered at Niagara, who began a march to the Canadian National Exhibition grounds. It took the regiment two weeks to complete the march. A battalion a day came through Burlington.

The first battalion to reach town broke ranks on Ontario Street between Burlington Avenue and Locust Street. Camp cooks set up their equipment and the men sat along the curbs to eat lunch.

They were supposed to fall in again at 2 p.m., but the hotels on Brant Street looked too inviting to the thirsty men. The commanding officer had such difficulty getting them back into line that the next day and every day thereafter the battalions were marched through Burlington without a halt being made.

The troops, however, were welcomed at the Pettit farm halfway between Freeman and Guelph Line. The ladies of Burlington sent out pies and coffee. During the two weeks 1,200 pies were carried to the lunch stop by boys from the local high school.

During the war, Burlington women helped with Red Cross work. The Women’s Institute assisted the Queen’s Canadian Hospital Committee. This was a group of Burlington girls who met in the library to knit for the soldiers and roll bandages.

In 1915, a Home Guard unit was formed and the men improved their marksmanship on an indoor range.