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| Archibald MacMechan |
This week I made a wonderful find that documented the Halifax Explosion which led me to the realization that heroes come in all shapes and sizes. From a young boy pulling his mother to safety to newspapers
helping families find each other, the work of the official Halifax Explosion
historian, Archibald MacMechan, has these detailed stories and more. Finding this
collection of works online, courtesy of the Nova Scotia Archives, is a reminder
that there are a lot of caring and generous people in this world. Though some of the notes and pieces are
rough, many demonstrate the acts of kindness and generosity we’re all capable
of. Acts of kindness like:
Norman Roberts, an eight-year-old, rescued his mother and
sister before their house burned down.
Dr. Grace Rice, a woman doctor, helped many who were
injured.
The December 10, 1917 issue of The Morning Chronicle, helped family and friends by listing the wounded and where they were
located, as well as, those who were identified as dead. My grandfather Joseph Landry and his brother
Dan’s tenants, Mrs. Gibson and 2 children, having lived at 38 Union Street,
were listed at Camp Hill hospital on page 6 under “Partial Alphabetical
List”. Uncle Dan Landry’s 23-year-old
wife, Annie Landry and 18-month-old son Clarence Landry were listed in article
“List of Dead Recovered Among the Ruins.” This means he identified them some
time between Thursday, December 6, 1917 and Saturday night, December 9, 1917. (Remembrance Book)
In the New Year, may we remember to do acts of kindness.
Note: Link to his complete work: https://novascotia.ca/archives/macmechan/results.asp?Search=&Start=1
