The Norwood IODE — Part 1

In 1913, Col. Richard E. Birdsall happened to make a suggestion to his wife that it would be a good idea to have a local IODE chapter as it would assist in the recruiting for the 40th Northumberland Regiment.

The idea apparently was deemed to have merit and, on the evening of May 10, 1913, a number of Norwood women met in the department of agriculture office for the purpose of organizing the Norwood chapter of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire or, simply, IODE. (The agriculture office was located in the Roxburgh building on Highway 7 where Donna’s Pizza is today.)

The “charter members” included women from many of Norwood’s early founding families such as Cuffe, Birdsall, Roxburgh, Pearce, Tucker, Squire, Ford, Sutton and Brethen. Talks progressed from this initial meeting and, on June 11, 1913, a representative by the name of Mrs. Bruce from the IODE’s national office came to Norwood to “give the ladies an explanation of the aims, ideals and work of the order.”

The name 40th Northumberland Regiment Chapter was chosen in honour of the similarly named military regiment. The regiment’s motto, “Excelsior,” was also adopted as the Norwood IODE’s motto (loosely translated from the Latin as “ever onward and upward”). Mrs. Bruce affirmed the membership of the chapter officially creating the Norwood IODE. Mrs. E.P. Cuffe was appointed as the orders first regent, while Mrs. R.E. Birdsall accepted the position of vice-regent.

Support for the mission and the ideals of the new Norwood IODE chapter were very strong and initial membership totalled 90 ladies from the village. Their first project was to organize a concert to raise funds to purchase cadet uniforms.

Help for local families in need was also high on their agenda and monies were raised for these early projects through more concerts, teas, garden parties and an open air singsong at Christmas on the steps of the Methodist Church (site of the present day United Church).

The chapter’s first official duty was assisting in the opening of the Norwood Armouries in February 1914. It was built in response to a plea from the fair board and was used for military purposes such as training troops, organizing and gathering equipment for deployment. The building was also used to hold the IODE’s meetings for many years. (It now houses the Norwood fair office and part of the curling club.)

The newly formed order had just over a year to establish itself before the onset of the First World War in July 1914. Its work included sending care packets overseas. It also supported the work of the Red Cross and raised funds to help our soldier’s families here at home. They were a busy and dedicated group, knitting more than 700 pairs of socks, sewing eight sheets, 14 pairs of pyjamas, 18 nightshirts and a quilt — all in less than six months. Mrs. P.M. Grover contributed 68 pairs of socks on her own.

One unique fundraising pageant produced by the chapter was “The Courtship of Miss Canada” held in February 1915 at the Norwood Town Hall. Directed by IODE member Mrs. C.W. Waters with the help of a total of “87 Norwood people,” the play told the story of “the countries of the world being wafted across the seas by the four winds to seek the hand of Miss Canada, who was protected by her ladies in waiting, a.k.a. the provinces.”

Admission was 25 cents for students and youngsters and 35 cents for adults. Their fundraising efforts were obviously effective; by 1917, more than $2,600 had been raised and spent in support of the soldiers, their families and civilians (equivalent to $60,000 today).

In 1919, the year after the war ended, the IODE started a fund to construct a memorial in honour of “those that would not be coming home,” at the same time they continued to help support military hospitals and provide bursaries and scholarships for soldiers’ children.

The Norwood cenotaph was completed and dedicated on July 6, 1924 by Mrs. Kempt, a Norwood IODE member and a “nursing sister” in the war.

Into the 1930s, the IODE started an award program that recognized the top students in the local schools. The IODE also sponsored and organized the inoculation of all the local schoolchildren against diphtheria. During the depression years, the IODE focused most of its efforts on assisting struggling families throughout the area.

When the Second World War began in 1939, the order answered the call of service with the same high level of enthusiasm and commitment as before, contributing “bales” of sewing, knitting, preserves and chocolates to be sent overseas to “all our local boys.”

After the war was over, members continued to ship care packages overseas, a mission that continued until 1958. Paper was in short supply during the war and the IODE organized paper drives to collect “paper of all kinds.” Rationing was also in effect during the war years on many items such as meat, butter, sugar and gasoline and IODE members assisted in the distribution of the ration books.

Other wartime projects included raising $3,000 to help fund the outfitting of a British hospital ship and they also adopted a Canadian ship, the HMCS Ironbound. The IODE organized a penny drive that even the local schoolchildren contributed to. The money funded several packages of supplies and gifts that were sent to “the boys” on the ship.

After the world conflict had ended, efforts moved to the support and assistance of veterans and their families. Into the 1950s and early 1960s, the order took on a new project: adopting a “Korean boy” and becoming responsible for his education and well-being.

The order celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1963, first in May with an afternoon tea in the Norwood legion and then in September with a gala dinner and dance in the Norwood Town Hall with the provincial president as guest speaker.

The Norwood IODE’s story will conclude next week with a look at its next half a century plus of service and the organization’s eventual disbandment after 106 years.

In 1919, the year after the war ended, the IODE started a fund to construct a memorial in honour of ‘those that would not be coming home’

Fundraisers

The Norwood Lions are preparing for the return of their annual Blue Whale Race down the Ouse River on the May long weekend. They will also be bringing back their traditional barbecue and yard sale for the May 21 event held at the Lions Park.

The Norwood Swans (formally known as the Lioness) will also return to host their traditional bake sale alongside the Lions and the Norwood Library will also be there with to host a book sale. Anyone wishing to donate items for the Lions yard sale can drop them off at the park between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. on May 21 or call Lion Bob Brickell at 905-715-5416.

St. Georges Anglican Church next door in Hastings, 38 Bridge St., is hosting a rummage sale on May 20 and 21 and a community yard sale on May 21, when anyone can rent at table for only $5 and set themselves up for the day. Both events are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information or to reserve a table, call 705-696-2451 or 705-696-1700.