Summerside's out-sized role in First World War remembered

The city of Summerside is commemorating the role it had in training hundreds of soldiers for the First World War a century ago.

There were trenches dug outside of what was the armoury building.Fred Horne

From January to June of 1916 close to 500 soldiers trained in Summerside, which was at the time a town of only 3,000 people.

"The town had to accommodate this huge number of people," said Fred Horne, archivist at the MacNaught History Centre.

"There were changes made in things like the town hall, or market hall as it was known. It became a barracks. There were trenches dug outside of what was the armoury building at that point, where they would practice trench warfare. Also there were residences prepared for these people while they stayed there."

Seeking information on soldiers

As part of the initiative, a flyer was mailed to Prince County residents, asking for volunteers to help gather information about the men of C Company of the 105th Battalion.

Soldiers' names are printed inside the glossy flyer. Horne said they are getting many calls from people with information.

There are two public events coming up to commemorate 1916: The Year the Great War Came to Summerside.

• A re-creation of the Grand Patriotic Concert at Summerside Presbyterian Church this Sunday.
• A program featuring the P.E.I. Regimental Band and vignettes at Trinity United Church June 12.

There will be a display of artifacts at the June 12 event.

Fifteen interpretive panels will be on display on Water Street this summer and through the fall.