Carl Reinhold Tappert was born in Germany and grew up as its 19th Century imperialism swelled. He trained at the Kropp Seminary in Schleswig-Holstein, and at 22, he immigrated to the United States where he was ordained. Early in 1913, the 46-year-old reverend moved his wife and eight children from Meriden, Connecticut, to Berlin, Ontario. They were […] Read more…
Prioritising and Hydro Radials The radials project chugged along, and Berlin, Ontario hosted an important meeting to discuss the nitty-gritty of the project. Sir Adam Beck tried to temper the gathering’s expectations and placed the project into the grander context of government priorities: “It is our duty to strain every effort to clothe and equip and […] Read more…
11 February: “Should we not consult the people?” Citizens who wanted to discuss changing Berlin, Ontario’s name jammed Council Chambers. Organized by the Board of Trade and some city councillors, the room was heavily lopsided—some hinted seeded—for change. A draft resolution was conveniently on hand. In amongst the requisite whereases and a therefore, its supporters […] Read more…
In the days before Britain’s Military Service Act received royal assent, our political leaders assured American counterparts the new Act had no bearing in Canada. We ran our own show and still believed patriotic young men would willingly step forward for King and Country. Unrelated to this, Militia Minister Sir Sam Hughes informed Canadians of […] Read more…
“Take him, Captain. He is my last and is all I have left to give.” The mothers and sweethearts campaign pled to allow Berlin’s Johnny Canucks to be real men and do the right thing by signing up with the 118th Battalion. Captain Kreitzer’s recollection of a mother handing over her youngest son last autumn, […] Read more…
Parliament re-opens Freed of most of the usual frills and fanfare, the new Canadian Parliament’s session opening was also freed of Prime Minister Borden, who was too ill to attend. When he addressed the MPs, Canada’s war contributions front-and-centre, from the bumper crop of wheat to the steady stream of munitions. He also echoed Militia Minister […] Read more…