Royal Welcome for Oxford Soldiers

By Liz Dommasch, Archivist

On June 29th, 1916, the 168th Battalion began their march back to Oxford County from Camp Francis in London, Ontario. The following day the battalion was welcomed and served supper by the citizens of Beachville and surrounding rural residents before continuing their march into Woodstock. The battalion’s three bands took part in the proceedings, including the Pipe Band, which had earned an enviable reputation at the London camp as an excellent musical organization. Once in Woodstock, they were met with a city bursting with patriotic pride; with Dundas and residential streets decorated with flags, pennants, bunting, and banners and a large crowd waiting for their arrival. A special train even arrived from Tillsonburg, bringing family, friends, and other onlookers to the city to greet the soldiers. The battalion was paraded to Wellington Street, then to the armories, and from there to Victoria Park, where Lieut. Colonel McMullen bade them goodnight. Next, they were paraded to the Imperial Bank and handed their pay cheques. The bank was admirably kept open till midnight so that all the men had an opportunity to cash their cheques. Afterward, those who lived in Woodstock were free to go to their homes for the evening while the others were quartered at the Armouries in preparation for the big celebration planned the following day. Following the evening’s events, Leola Giles, of Woodstock, recorded in her diary her thoughts of seeing the men arrive that night and heartbreakingly noted “It seemed almost sad to see them – so strong and well now and to think what they may have to face!”

On July 1st a large ceremony was held at the Woodstock Fairgrounds in connection with the presentation of colours to the 168th Battalion, “Oxford’s Own”. The "Woodstock Sentinel-Review" noted that it was “probably the largest crowd any function has ever drawn to Woodstock with practically everyone in the city there.” Likewise, a tremendous crowd came in by trolley car, train, auto, and rig from Ingersoll, Tillsonburg, and other communities across the county. In total, the newspaper cited easily twelve thousand people on the field and felt it could have been larger if the farmers hadn’t decided to take advantage of the fine weather to get their hay in. 

A sum of $1,209 was taken at the gates for admission, and during the day’s proceedings, some 10,000 badges and buttons were sold, raising another $3,000. These funds went towards purchasing moss tents and kitchen and tent floors, made of wood, for the battalion.

Along with the presentation of the King’s Colours and the regimental colour by Lady Hughes, who expressed the conviction that the men of the battalion would always guard it and live up to the ideals for which it stood, the battalion also received gifts from the community. Little Miss Marion Holden presented the battalion with an immense horseshoe composed of roses for good luck. John A. Bain, of the Bain Wagon Company, presented the men with a new transport wagon made specially for the battalion. The employees of the Toronto branch of the Boehmer-Orr Company presented the battalion with a big black Newfoundland dog, named Kitchener, to do duty as a mascot. Finally, Mayor Denton of Tillsonburg presented an autograph quilt, which bore the names of hundreds of people who had contributed towards the funds for the battalion. This quilt was raffled off, with sales of the tickets also going to the battalion. Following the presentations the battalion entered the parade ring in formation, marching past the grandstand with Lieut. Col. McMullen leading the procession. Later they were treated to a feast which included “pies, cake, sandwiches and other good things.”

Following a couple of days of rest, visiting with friends and family, the battalion assembled in Victoria Park on July 3rd to begin their march back to London, with a stop planned in Ingersoll that evening. The newspaper reported that Dundas Street was lined with spectators who gave them a fitting send-off. Some appeared to have been a bit overly enthusiastic with their goodbyes, as the paper reported the following day that two drunks appeared in police court after the police gathered them up “celebrating” soon after the soldiers started for Ingersoll. One was a local man, who was allowed to go on condition that he report to his factory ready to work that day, while the other, a West Oxford resident, received a ten-dollar fine.