Antigonish Heritage Museum

With the outbreak of World War 1, the No. 9 St. F.X. Hospital Unit was established to provide medical support overseas. A call for recruits was met with great enthusiasm from the students and the community at large. More than enough applications were received so that the recruitment committee had ample submissions from which to make their selections. Several members of the unit were talented musicians. Although it was quite unusual for such a small Unit to have its own band, the arrangement was made possible through a donation of instruments by J.A. MacDonald, Antigonish. The Unit band provided recreation and entertainment for patients and staff while in England.

In April of 1916 we see the public bidding farewell to members of the No. 9 St F X Hospital Unit and band. They mill about the Antigonish Railway Station as the Unit prepares to depart for further training in Halifax.

Date: 1916

Reference:  Antigonish Heritage Museum 99.61.118

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