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MG 1 vol 2124 number 142

HALIFAX DISASTER RECORD OFFICE
ARCHIBALD MACMECHAN, F. R. S. C.
DIRECTOR
HALIFAX, N. S.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE.
Major J. P. Edwards.
Communicated personally to Director, H. D. R. O. December 22, 1917.

He was in his car turning into Victoria Road from Tower Road, when the explosion occurred. A girl about fifteen years of age ran out into the street and said "Do you think the Germans are bombarding us?" Went on in his car to South Park St. and turned North as far as Spring Garden Road. Did not pay much attention at first to damage done. Then noted the affect of the explosion everywhere. Windows and doors broken open, and people running out into the street. The house of Archdeacon Armitage, in Spring Garden Road, was particularly damaged. He took injured people to the hospital. One, Mrs. MacKenzie, a fine type of Scotch woman, lamented the loss of her church and the affect it would have on the congregation. His car was driven continuously by his son until it was stalled in a drift on Robie Street, midnight December 7th.

Was present at the first meeting of the Citizens, at 3 p. m. on the 6th, and was enthusiastic about the way the situation was handled. Special praise for Deputy Mayor Colwell and Controller Murphy. (J. H. Mitchell testified to the latters steadiness in the trying situation at City Hall during the first days).

Edwards noticed the big white smoke at the North End and thought a magazine had exploded.