Research project on the Knowlton Overseas Club
This past Sunday, cities and towns all across Canada joined in celebrating Remembrance Day. This year’s festivities were particularly important given the centennial of the First World War Armistice. While all soldiers past and present deserve remembrance, so do the communities that have and continue to suffer through hardship in time of war.
In the archival holdings of the Brome County Historical Society are over one hundred letters written by soldiers from Brome County during the First World War. These letters either mention or are directly addressed to ‘the Knowlton Overseas Club’. Little historical record remains of the Club’s activities or membership, but the soldiers’ letters mention receiving cheques, home-baked desserts, fresh socks, and other assorted parcels from the Club. For instance, in a letter dated August 5, 1918, Harold Dryburgh of Knowlton asked the Club to “please accept my sincere thanks for the Bank Money Order you kindly sent me”. Similarly, in a letter dated October 9, 1918, Karl Mizener thanks the Club for having sent a parcel and “know[ing] what we need over here.” It would therefore appear that the Knowlton Overseas Club was a group of citizens from the Knowlton area who came together to materially and financially support the soldiers from the region who enlisted for overseas service.
Beyond revealing the fascinating history of the Knowlton Overseas Club, these letters testify to the bonds that prevailed in times of war between the members of a community and its sons and daughters who enlisted to protect that community.
The Brome County Historical Society’s exhibit “The Path to Peace: Canada’s Hundred Days” features five letters written home by soldiers during the last 100 days of The Great War. They refer more to home than they do of the horrors of war.
While tales of military gallantry or courage under fire all too frequently eclipse stories such as those of the Knowlton Overseas Club, it is worth reminding ourselves that communities also face hardship in times of war and showed more than their fair share of gallantry and courage providing assistance to those risking their lives overseas. We are fortunate at the BCHS to possess and study these letters every day, lest we forget the community spirit they invoke.
The staff of the BCHS is working on a research project on the Knowlton Overseas Club, if you have any information you would like to share with us concerning the Club, please do not hesitate to contact us or visit the museum in person.
You are welcome to drop off warm clothes at the back door of the church during normal business hours.
Monday-thursday from 7:30-3:30.
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