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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
Hello Cal, you have embarked on a great project to document your family's stories from 1917 and I wish you much satisfaction in the work. Glad to see you have given credit to MacMechan who despite being asked to be the official historian saw his report gather dust until published in Metson's 1978 book, "The Halifax Explosion"... well worth a read if you can get it. My own efforts have been chiefly aimed at telling the true story of the collision and aftermath as it affected Pilot Francis Mackey and his family. The book is called "Aftershock". I hope you might look at the online story map included in my website (www.pilotmackey.ca) so you might believe it was not a game of chicken. Not a big problem or complaint, but the truth from Mackey's perspective never got much attention. I keep trying to honour my promise to his daughter, who was 95 when she finally decided to tell her story. Said I would do my best to clear his name, and I will keep on keeping on as you are doing with your family's information. Good work and may the force be with you!
ReplyDeletejanet.a.maybee@gmail.com
Thank you so much for your encouragement and support.
DeleteI’m down with a cold at the moment but will be in touch by email in the a few days.