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HALIFAX DISASTER RECORD OFFICE
CHRONICLE BUILDING
Halifax, N.S.
December 26, 1917

JOURNAL

WORK OF ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE
Lady Divisional Superintendent Expresses Admiration For Members and Thanks Volunteer Helpers

To the Editor of the Chronicle:
Sir: - Through your columns, I desire to thank the many willing volunteers who came in hundreds during the first few days of suffering following the catastrophe of December 6th. Organized on Friday morning at the City Hall, these volunteers, men and women, promptly and completely covered the northern half of the city, reaching the homeless, giving information and relief and bringing back reports of missing, the helpless and injured. The work went on through the blizzard. Nothing was too difficult. When transportation was not available, which was often the case because of the tremendous demands, it made no difference. Their work was invaluable and made possible the emergency relief work which followed, and the issue with some intelligence of food, clothing, fuel, medical relief and other necessities by committees in charge of such. Although all these volunteers were asked to register their names, hundreds did not, owing to the crowded situation of the City Hall. I know of fifty school teachers who came in a body, and there were many others. They took their orders willingly and eagerly from myself, placed in charge by the citizen's committee and made excellent and informing reports to me. These reports were tabulated and classified and passed to the various emergency committees for action. The task of the impromptu office staff was gigantic and special thanks are due to them. Miss Wisdom and Miss Freeman, of the Social Service Bureau, Mr. Mitchell, of Dalhousie, Miss Hunter of the City Works Department, Mrs. Hensley, Miss Brown and others, did splendid work. The Salvation Army, amongst them many leading Canadian Officers, on Saturday morning, offered their services, which were gladly accepted and they assumed part of the burden. Their organization made it possible for them to do very efficient work and rendered their services invaluable. Special mention should be made of Captain Elizabeth Lane of St. John, Brigadier Bettridge, of Toronto, Major Barr, of St. John, Major Crichton and Captain Byers of Halifax, and Ensign Hamm, of Moncton.

Through all this period and up to this day the Halifax Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade (V.A.D's) carried on with simply superb