Kenaz's naughty and nice list

This my list of the people and businesses that I've personally had the pleasure or displeasure of dealing with in 2006. I've included a letter grade and all the documentation that led me to create this list. I've deleted from the emails certain information that I do not wished to be published for obvious reasons.

Kelly Temporary Services

11/07/2006

Back on June 7, 2006 I filed a claim with the Ministry of Labour against your Hamilton, Ontario branch of Kelly Services because of their illegal refusal to pay overtime.

I currently work at Cadbury Adams and have since April 24. The pay structure is as follows: one week 57.5 hours, the second 22 hours.

I have always filled out my time card in accordance to Kelly Service guidelines, which states that for week one I would be entitled to 44 hours paid at the regular rate and then 13.5 hours overtime. Up until the May 28 pay week I was paid properly.

Since then Kelly wrongfully has decided that I was only entitled to 57.5 hours straight time, no overtime. When I confronted the branch manager here in Hamilton, I was told that there pay structure falls under the category "averaging of weeks". In which then I would be paid no overtime.

On further contact I was told that I had been filling out my time card wrong and trying to be paid for hours I didn't deserve. This is totally a lie. The Cadbury Manager looks over and signs my card and when I asked if it was correct I always receive a yes. I wouldn't assume a company wouldn't willingly send a temp service more money then they had to?

Talking to the ministry I have been totally assured that Kelly is in the wrong for assuming that they would be allowed to average work weeks without any agreement from the employee(me) and the ministry. On that point I asked the branch manager to fax me the agreement that she said I signed that said that they could average. They haven't (because it doesn't exist, and if it did I have the right to veto it).

As I mentioned above at one point I was being paid correctly, last weeks pay showed a deduction (unauthorized) classified as an overpayment for this earlier sum. I again confronted Kelly on this point, at this time I was told if I went ahead with my claim against them and won (which at this time is set at $238.80 for the $47.76 underpayment in overtime x 5 pays and growing) Kelly Hamilton would be forced to cancel my contract and anyone else who has filed at Cadbury and replace them (I'm assuming with people who will agree to there illegal terms of employment).

Kelly Services Canada has a great reputation and provides many people the opportunity to work, so I assuming this Draconian approach to employer and employee relations is a local problem. Thus, I assume this can be handled in an appropriate manor by either setting this branch manager and her employees straight or removing them.

I would love to see this matter end with the appropriate resolution of Kelly reimbursing me the money owed and correctly paying me for overtime on all pays in the future. I have had no problem with my current work placement and wish to continue working for Kelly once this contract ends. But as is, because of a couple rouge managers, that possibility looks tough.

08/08/2008
To:The Regional Manager for Kelly Services

Hi,
I am currently a temp working for your Hamilton office and have a couple of concerns about your managers at this branch.

Back on June 7, 2006 I filed a claim with the Ministry of Labour against your Hamilton, Ontario branch of Kelly Services because of their illegal refusal to pay overtime.

I currently work at Cadbury Adams and have since April 24. The pay structure is as follows: one week 57.5 hours, the second 22 hours.

I have always filled out my time card in accordance to Kelly Service guidelines, which states that for week one I would be entitled to 44 hours paid at the regular rate and then 13.5 hours overtime. Up until the May 28 pay week I was paid properly.

Since then Kelly wrongfully has decided that I was only entitled to 57.5 hours straight time, no overtime. When I confronted the branch manager here in Hamilton, I was told that there pay structure falls under the category "averaging of weeks". In which then I would be paid no overtime.

On further contact I was told that I had been filling out my time card wrong and trying to be paid for hours I didn't deserve. This is totally a lie. The Cadbury Manager looks over and signs my card and when I asked if it was correct I always receive a yes. I wouldn't assume a company wouldn't willingly send a temp service more money then they had to?

Talking to the ministry I have been totally assured that Kelly is in the wrong for assuming that they would be allowed to average work weeks without any agreement from the employee(me) and the ministry. On that point I asked the branch manager to fax me the agreement that she said I signed that said that they could average. They haven't (because it doesn't exist, and if it did I have the right to veto it).

As I mentioned above at one point I was being paid correctly, last weeks pay showed a deduction (unauthorized) classified as an overpayment for this earlier sum. I again confronted Kelly on this point, at this time I was told if I went ahead with my claim against them and won (which at this time is set at $238.80 for the $47.76 underpayment in overtime x 5 pays and growing) Kelly Hamilton would be forced to cancel my contract and anyone else who has filed at Cadbury and replace them (I'm assuming with people who will agree to there illegal terms of employment).

Kelly Services Canada has a great reputation and provides many people the opportunity to work, so I assuming this Draconian approach to employer and employee relations is a local problem. Thus, I assume this can be handled in an appropriate manor by either setting this branch manager and her employees straight or removing them.

I would love to see this matter end with the appropriate resolution of Kelly reimbursing me the money owed and correctly paying me for overtime on all pays in the future. I have had no problem with my current work placement and wish to continue working for Kelly once this contract ends. But as is, because of a couple rouge managers, that possibility looks tough.

Your speedy reply would be most valued,

10/08/2006

I'm sorry Eilyne I haven't been able to return your calls. Kelly has placed me down at the other Cadbury plant and I am currently working afternoons this week.

I would like to thank you for anything you have done for me in getting the overtime that the Hamilton Kelly reps where not paying me.

Of the original $389.84 ($64.94 x 6 pays) that they owed I received $254.92(4 pays) today. I hope the remaining will come in the next day.

This will go along way in keeping my relationship with Kelly Services perfectly happy.

Thanks again,

26/08/2006

Christina,

I will try to make this brief, but let me say I am extremely disappointed with both Cadbury and Kelly.

The manager of Cadbury, Green Rd. Showed total lack of professionalism by terminating my employment.

I hope I can clear up the sketchy details Christine eluded to in her cell phone message. I had an altercation with one Cadbury's 2nd tier machine operators, not supervisors as indicated. I'm not sure this strictly a wording problem, but I take "supervisor" to mean Geg? This was not the case.

The problem started on Tuesday when I placed on the Aqua 1-4 machine. This brought me contact with a particular machine operator, and three other Cadbury employees.

While working there doing what was required, plus more. More meaning questioning the work ethic of the people working there. In question was the sharing of the cleaning duties. When candy that is coated in sugar is being packaged as was on Tuesday, the bi-production is an accumulation of sugar in bins under the machines as well as in vacuums occurs. I cleaned this any time it was my turn to do so. All other persons did not or did an inadequate job of doing so. A point that is easily substantiated by looking at the waste report. I.E myself-30kg all other persons combined less than 20kg.

When I brought this to the attention of the machine operator, I was told this was my job and the others didn't have to. I let this slide.

For the other two days, I worked under the conditions that included many rude and hurtful comments that included being referred to as stupid, a couple of times in a foreign tongue (stupid in most languages is the same). Other times my mental state was questioned, without reason and leaving me with no recourse.

This continued until Friday morning around 3:30am when in an attempt to wrap a skid, I first had to motion too this machine operator to remove her arm from the packaging wrap. At this time I was told to go back to my machine, rather rudely.

At this point I became angry, I asked firstly in a stern matter if this person could be quiet and do something. A culmination of three days of verbal abuse from someone who I saw do little work.

At this point her and one of the other Cadbury employees stormed off taunting(laughing) that they would have me fired. I met in a civil manor with Greg and explained each point. At the conclusion I went back to my job (at another machine). I was assured not to worry about my job.

Later, while dropping off my time card, I witnessed this machine operator sitting next to Greg in his office. Her(machine operator) demeanor in a matter of seconds changed from laughter to a scared look.

It was implied by Greg this was because I had threatened her. I was shocked and again hurt by such a lie.

I feel a need to know why Greg has decided to treat me this way, when he knows my work ethic is never an issue. This can be verified by Frank and the other supervisors at the Ewen Rd sight.

The right thing for Kelly to do would have phoned me at home on Friday, not my cell phone. Which I in fact have told you was my number of contact ONLY during work hours. I didn't check my phone until Saturday.

Having said that, the problem now is I am out of a job because of a lie, I request Kelly to immediately find me another long term position with another company or talk some sense into Cadbury.

Of note I will be contacting both Cadbury Canada head office and/or the labour board if I feel my rights do not get respected. I feel justified in saying I was terminated without cause. Voicing a complaint is not justifiable for termination. I would be interested if you could fill me in on these "sketchy" details that you have agreed with and decided to grant Cadbury's termination request.

This termination will cause me hardship and I hope you have a conscience and decide to do what is right and stand up for your employees.

29/08/2006

Hi,
I wish to update my claim by saying that Kelly Services has in fact re-paid me all of the money they owed in overtime and I no longer need to have a claim against them. Thank you for the attention.

*My tenure with Kelly was full of mistrust, lies and deceit. I do give them credit for doing their part in giving me the long term employment but treating me in this fashion was completly in excusable. I've happily moved on to another temp agency (Trebor Personnel) and another long term placement with Tomco Steel. I've been with Tomco for three months now, and enjoying it and hope to be hired soon.

definitely on my naughty list: Overall Grade C-

Hamilton Street Railway

22/07/06

Today was the first time I used your brand new "trip finder". According to your schedules I should have gotten on the 5C Deleware at Ewen Rd tonight at 7:15pm. In fact it arrived at 7:25pm. That was fine it's Saturday, it only took 10 minutes to arrive at McNab. Here is where the problem starts. I should have been able to catch the 7:45pm Barton. No 7:45pm, no 8:00pm. In fact your driver never showed up until 8:15pm. A gentlemen boarding in front of me beat me to the question "How often do the Barton buses run on Saturday? Your driver answered what I already knew, "15 minutes". This man had been waiting since 7:30! The kicker came when your arrogant driver answered the mans lengthy wait concern with an "Oh really"

Even better when an obviously intoxicated man smelling of booze got on your driver had the time to great his buddy with a handshake. It makes me wonder where your driver was.

I don't expect much to be done as the HSR seems to take a rather arrogant approach to their "customers" and main source of revenue as evident by many of your drivers, especially on these routes.

24/27/2006

Reply:Hi Kendall,

There were two buses that should have arrived at Main/MacNab at the times you specified. There should have been a 7:45pm bus as you indicated and unfortunately I am unable to see any tracking for that bus so I will file a complaint with our operations team on your behalf listing a "No Show" so they can investigate that bus' whereabouts.

The 8:00 pm bus was running 13 minutes late as per our tracking and didn't arrive at Main/MacNab until 8:13 pm. The tracking reading on this bus was accurate which means the bus passed the bus stop pole node at that time and the system registered the late arrival at that location. Not sure what caused this delay so I will ask operations to investigate that as well.

The 8:15 pm bus arrived there at 8:17 pm and was running two minutes late. This is also an accurate reading as per our tracking. Buses are permitted to run one minute early or 3 minutes late and still be considered on time.

The process at HSR dictates that our operations team investigate and respond to a complaint within 10 business days at which I will let you know the outcome.

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

27/07/06
Good Morning:

Our operations team has now completed this investigation. They report that appropriate action was taken at the time they interviewed the operator.

7/12/2006

Hi,
To say the least today was not a good day for bus travel for me. I have only made one complaint to the HSR this year and that was because a Barton 2 bus heading east did not show up at all. This was confirmed by the HSR after they checked the route information from the transponder and a satisfactory reply by email was received.

I rely on the bus every day to go back and forth from work and up to this month have not had many problems. Unfortunately this month I have had to make three phone calls regarding the 55A bus from Bell Manor heading East at 3:24pm not showing up at all or leaving earlier than scheduled, and before the 5 minutes allotted. I had to wait until the 3:53pm bus that doesn't get me to Arvin Ave until 4:03pm. Both times causing me to be late for work as I start at 4:00pm, I have an understanding boss, but it is my character to hate being late. Neither call was replied too.

That brings me today. I was late again, this time it was the 10 Beeline that didn't show up. Like clock work I arrived at Main and Sherman at 2:45pm to catch the 2:54pm Beeline to Levi Loop. Between that time two Beelines passed heading to King and Jones. I asked the second driver who arrived just before 2:54 which usually happens, if that 10 went to Levi Loop as it wasn't marked either on a card in the front window or on the side sign, she shook her head and stepped off. No other 10 Beeline arrived until 3:27pm which again arrived at my destination at 4:05.

That brings me to the bus problems I encountered coming home. I caught the 55 to Bell Manor at 12:39am like usual, on time. It arrived at Bell Manor by my watch perhaps just after 12:44 by seconds. The Barton 2 usually waits for this bus and then departs. I believe the Barton bus either left early or didn't show up at all. Oh, the 1:12am didn't show up until 1:17am as can be confirmed by my call to the HSR overnight dispatch who wasn't any help at all. First, one dispatch transferred me to another operator who said I was wrong and that both Barton where on time.

As a suggestion, when you phone the bus check information line, the last option is to press zero to get an operator to discuss problems with bus check, this is not the same as customer service apparently as you then are transferred to another answering machine that tells you that no one is in at customer service? To elevate the problem I suggest including a link to a bus route customer service who is in.

I'm sorry if this e-mail is long but I had a lot to say. I'm not for complaining but when you rely daily on public service and the weather is turning cold, these type of occurrences without reason are more than annoying.

*No reply was ever offered

*My feelings about the HSR are a mixed bag. As for their drivers 99% of them are friendly, on time and careful to detail, the other ones like these ones should look for other employment. The same could be said for their operators who man the 24 information service. Most are courtious and even humerous, considering the amount of wackos who must phone to complain about stupid things. One nice women made my day when she told me about a guy who phoned to ask if the King St bus heading downtown was still being detoured because of the Santa Claus parade. He was kindly told that all buses where back on their original routes because it was Sunday and the parade has been over for a day.

The biggest problem for the HSR is one of not enough buses to handle the increasing ridership numbers, especially during peak hours thus causing severe delays. Dedicated bus lanes and more "Beeline" routes (ie Barton St, in which during the rush hours these buses would only stop at key intersections). This would speed up travel times significantly.

Some grinches may work for the HSR but the everyday elves do a pretty good job keeping the shop flowing. Overall rating: B

Muskoka Herritage Place

25/07/06

Through some correspondence with and digging around at Library and Archives Canada I landed on your site that pertained to my Grandpas WW1 Battalion the 122 which became the Canadian Forestry Corps. I would love to attend the exhibit but unfortunately work obligations prevent me from traveling up from Hamilton.

So I was wondering if at any point their will be pictures from the exhibit posted? Or if you know of a site where I could find such? I am trying to put together an online diary of my Grandpa Gilbert Bells war participation and any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

From the original correspondence with the library.

"Muskoka had an important role to play with its own Battalion, the 122nd,"
Said Bev Easton, curator of a new exhibit at Huntsville's Muskoka Heritage
Place. "Before this battalion formed, a number of Muskoka men did go and
Fight overseas under many different regiments and battalions."

Thank you,

15/08/2006
Reply:Dear Mr. Oliphant:

It is wonderful to hear that you are researching into your family’s past and sharing your discoveries on the world wide web. At this time our temporary exhibit plan does not have an online web component. Many of the items on display are on loan from private owners and as such we do not have any legal right to share these images. Your inquiry has opened a discussion on the feasibility of obtaining permission for such a project in the future so perhaps at some time Muskoka Heritage Place will be able to post images of its exhibits online.

If there is any other way I may be of help, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sara White
Museum Assistant
Muskoka Heritage Place

website: www.muskokaheritageplace.org

*Wonderful organization that was truly helpful and informative
Rating: A+ and a big happy face sticker

YH Acting

27/09/2006

I phoned YH two days ago and have not received any reply so I will try again in this form.

I would like to have the matter of apparent charges that you say I owe cleared up. You sent to collections a bill for some $180.00 for unpaid yearly fees and other charges that date as far back as 2004.

First of all, not once have I received any type of communication from YH detailing these charges. If I did you would have been reminded that I expressed to you many times that I no longer wished to be represented by YH.

On a couple of occasions YH continued to book me for work and every time I reminded you of the fact that I was not resigning with you. Every time it was communicated that I only had to pay the 15% royalties fee, which each time I did.

My account should read a zero outstanding balance and considered closed permanently. I wish you to communicate to CRS (the collections company) this error in order to save my credit rating and bring this all to an end.

Thank you,

10/10/2006

I am still waiting for you to reply to my numerous queries as stated below. I have been patient. I have not received anything from you in a way of a bill outlining these charges and as I stated you where told I no longer wished to be part of YH, so these charges are errors. I have contacted Dan Mackenzie of ACTRA and if you haven't already heard from him I'm assured that you will.

I wish for you to reply in a timely matter.

5/10/2006
Only form of reply:GOOD DAY
YVONNE HAS BEEN AWAY AND WILL BE BACK TO ANSWER YOUR CALLS MONDAY. SORRY FOR THE DELAY.
LUCY

*This company can be likened to fruit cake. It tasted great at the time, but it will eventually bite you in the ass. "Caveat emptor" Rating:D-

ACTRA

12/10/2006

Good Day Dan,

We had a conversation earlier in the week concerning YH Acting and them sending an account to a collections agency for money that I don't owe. I was wondering if you had a chance to talk to Yvonne. The collections agency has sent we a written notice dated Sept 29 looking to collect or threatening court action. I hope with your help YH will realize their error and call of the "dogs". Hope to hear from you soon.

20/10/2006

Reply:Kendall,

Yvonne has assured me that she has, for the time being, called off the collection agency. I understand that she has mailed you a detailed account and reasoning for her billing. I would suggest that you review it and see if you can come to a mutually acceptable agreement.

Sincerely,

Dan Mackenzie
Manager of Communications, Organizing & Membership
ACTRA Toronto Performers

*A nice guy with a tough job Rating A

*It boggles my mind that the Ontario government has no intention of ever regulating the acting industry. Thus allowing these type of companies to continue thumbing their noses at the most basic of rules that govern fees and other charges a company is entitled to charge.

*My seven years in the background performing business was full of laughs but it ultimately ended in misery. I was riding high at the beginning of the year, looking forward to getting my few last hours in and finally obtaining my ACTRA apprenticeship. I did a commercial late in 2005 and thought I was in control of my destiny. Was I ever wrong. The commercial was canned by the client and as far as I know was never produced. The check for the shoot ended up taking four months to arrive. That agent never gave me an further work and never gave me any feed back. Another agent LCA closed up shop and moved to PEI, without any kind of notice, some people had paid their yearly fees already and where never repaid.

Once I got my required 2000 hours and sat on the cusp of ACTRA membership I watched my bookings dwindle to to a trickle. Even in the lean winter months I usually did pretty good, but something had changed dramatically. Directors where looking for younger extras so thirty something males where becoming endangered. This caused a change in the attitudes of Casting Directors and Agents who where forced to trim their rosters of their older clients and frantically try to replace them with younger untrained clients. In the end sets where full of "kids" who couldn't understand the simplest of directions or where their for a quick buck. Basically I was tired of the drama and the attitude. Sets where ramped with gang members, unskilled Assistant Directors (usually promoted third A.D's) who turned a blind eye, causing an unpleasant work environment.

The worst example of an AD gone mad was the one on Cinderella Man. Mr. Brown is a failed actor with complete contempt for extras, even though he moonlights as a bit part actor (a step above a good extra). Any shoot he was part of, you where assured that someone would be belittled, treated like a child; forced to almost beg to leave to use the restroom or get water. Even for medical reasons. Worst yet forced to endure conditions of extreme cold or heat for extended periods without relief. In one incident a shoot required all extras to reenact an event that took place in winter. Heavy period coats, scarves, the works. Mr. Brown frowned upon asking the director to relieve the extras, in consequence after three hours in this condition one elderly man passed out. I believe a strip of Mr. B's hyde is still under the finger nails of one of the EMT's. The man was fine after getting some fluids.

By April it was apparent that my time was over. The number of shoots where picking up but my work and many others where not. It was fun while it lasted, I'm just sorry it ended the way it did.

Overall Rating:Experience gained A

Ministry of Employment Standards

28/08/2006

Hi Kendall, further to your email inquiry of June 28, 2006, re: status of claim filed June 7, 2006. Claimes are investigated in the order in which they are received. We are currently working on files filed on May 15th and you will be contacted once the file is assigned to an employment standards officer.

While I understand the time it takes for a process like this must be frustrating, please be assured that although the Ministry receives a high volume of claims annually, the Ministry is committed to protecting the rights and entitlements of employees in Ontario by strictly enforcing the Employment Standards Act, 2000.

My apologies for the delay in responding, as your inquiry got lost in numerous emails.
Thanks for your patience.

*As stated above in an email to Kelly Services I did in fact receive all the money I was owed, within days of receiving notification that my claim had been processed and was ready to proceed.

Overall Rating: A

Tomco Steel
Looking ahead to 2007

Later,
Kenaz

Granpa Gilbert Bells cabinet

In yesterdays post I stated that my Grandpa Gilbert Bell was a carpenter by trade. These are a couple of pictures of a cabinet that he hand crafted. It was handed down first to my mother and then to my sister after she passed away. Its quite a beautiful piece, very traditional yet goes with any modern furniture.Thanks to my sister for sending me these pictures. Click on the thumbnails for a better view.







Later,
Kenaz

Grandpa Gilbert Bell's WW1 Papers

Tonight I did a search for my Grandpa Gib Bell's World War 1 service record at Collection Canada's online library. I already knew he was part of the Canadian Over Seas Expeditionary Force but I didn't know what regamend he served with. This I found to be the 122 Over Seas Battalion.

Attestation Paper



Medical History Sheet



Discharge Papers


This a copy of my Grandpa Gib Bells World War I military record as part of the Canadian Expenditionary Force from 1916-1919. 

I have written for more information on the 122 I will update if I receive anything in the mean time I found this painting depicting the men of this unit leaving for duty in Gravenhurst.

Gravenhurst Company 122 Battalion Departing-by Andrew Miles

*Update July 19,2006

I received some information from the reference liabrary that was of great help to understanding the movements of my Grand Fathers Battalion. Here is what I have learned.

From "A guide to sources relating to units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force" compiled by Barbara Wilson provides an outline and sources of archival information about this battalion.

Organized in October 1915 under the command of Lt-Col. D.M. Grant
Authorization published in G.O. 151 of 22 December 1915
Mobilized at Huntsville, moved to Galt on 13 October 1916
Recruited in the Muskoka District beginning 1 December 1915
Left Halifax 2 June 1917 aboard the "Olympic"
Arrived in England 9 June 1917. Strength: 20 Officers, 686 O.R.'s (Other
Ranks)
Absorbed by Canadian Forestry Corps, Sunningdale, Berks., in June 1917
Disbanded by P.C 2342 of 1 September 1917
Band
Colours presented by ladies of Muskoka District at North Toronto Station on
26 April 1917. Deposited in Court House, Bracebridge in May 1921
Perpetuated by the Northern Pioneers which, in 1936, was absorbed by the
Algonquin Regiment.

As you can see, once the battalion arrived overseas, the 122nd battalion
became part of the Canadian Forestry Corps. From the start of the First
World War, Canadian Expeditionary Force units were required to maintain a
daily account of their 'Actions in the Field'. These logs were called War
Diaries and they are a historical record of a unit's administration,
operations and activities during the First World War.

From "The Official History of the Canadian Army in WW1"- COLONEL GWL NICHOLSON

The Canadian Forestry Corps

Canadian forestry units are said to have "helped to defeat the submarine ... more
surely than a fleet of ships". So enthusiastic a claim might be hard to substantiate, but the statement contains a considerable amount of truth.
British pre-war timber imported chiefly from Russia, Scandinavia and North America was valued at some forty million pounds sterling each year. The war brought an
increased demand for lumber, but, because of U-boat sinkings, there was a steadily
diminishing merchant fleet to carry it. The prior demands of munitions, food, forage and other essentials upon the depleted shipping made it impossible for Britain to continue to import Canadian timber on a sufficiently large scale to meet her war requirements. It was necessary therefore to begin felling English forests and converting them into lumber. A British inquiry, in January 1916, whether Canada could supply expert timbermen to produce lumber in the United Kingdom68 was followed a month later by an urgent request from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor General for 1500 skilled lumbermen. The War Office suggested that Canada might enlist in the C.E.F. a battalion of lumbermen, to be dispatched to the United Kingdom in small companies.

Note: My Grandfather was a carpenter by trade as stated on his Attestation Papers. More interestingly, after the war he continued in the trade making caskets.

The Muskoka Heritage Place in Huntsville, Ontario currently has an exhibit that runs until this fall called "Muskoka at War 1914-1918".

The curator of the exhibition said the following in an article entitled:
"Recalling the war to end all wars : Men, women, and even a horse from
Muskoka travelled overseas to do their part in the First World War":

"Muskoka had an important role to play with its own Battalion, the 122nd,"
said Bev Easton, curator of a new exhibit at Huntsville's Muskoka Heritage
Place. "Before this battalion formed, a number of Muskoka men did go and
fight overseas under many different regiments and battalions."

Later,
Kenaz

Bell family reunion from 1997. My family members are on the left. 

Victory Medal 

British War Medal 

Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).

In 1914 Canada had just over 3,000 regular soldiers. Based at harbour fortifications, the Canadian Army was backed up by a militia of local volunteers. Expecting a war in Europe, during the summer of 1914 the Canadian government asked for volunteers to join a Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).

Over 30,000 Canadian soldiers reached Britain for training at Salisbury Plain in October. Lieutenant-General William Anderson and the 1st Canadian Division arrived on the Western Front in February 1915 and immediately saw action at Ypres. Over the next two weeks the Canadians suffered 5,500 casualties.

Men in Canada were enthusiastic volunteers and by 1916 two more divisions had been sent to France. Commanded by the General Julian Byng, the Canadian Corps successfully took the strategically important Vimy Ridge in April 1917. Byng was replaced by the Canadian officer, General Arthur Currie in June 1917 and he led the Canadians through the Amiens Offensive, the Canal du Nord and the other victories on the Western Front during the later stages of the war.

Almost 600,000 Canadians joined the army during the First World War. Of these, 418,000 served overseas with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and sixty-three of these won the Victoria Cross, including William Bishop and John MacGregor. The CEF had 210,000 casualties, of whom, 56,500 were killed.

British War Medal

The British War Medal, instituted on 29 July 1919, was awarded to men who had provided service during and immediately after the First World War.

Initially intended to cover the period 1914-18 it was subsequently extended to those who had given additional service during 1919-20, typically in mine clearance and participation in operations in Russia, the Baltic, Siberia and the Black and Caspian Seas.

Royal Navy servicemen were required to have served for a period of at least 28 days before they were deemed eligible for the British War Medal (or to have lost their lives before then). Men who had enlisted with the O.M.F.C. but who had not seen action were not awarded the medal.

The 36mm medal was circular and made of silver. A bust of King George V featured on the obverse; St George on horseback was on the reverse of the medal, riding over the Prussian shield and skull and crossbones. The dates 1914 and 1918 also featured on the medal's reverse.

Although no additional Bar was made available, there were initial plans to permit such additional awards. Once it became clear however that both the army and navy intended to recommend sizeable numbers the idea was dropped.

In total some 5,670,170 BWMs were awarded, including 110,000 bronze medals awarded to Chinese, Indian and Maltese personnel who had served in labour battalions. Of the wider total approximately 600,000 BWMs were awarded to servicemen from Britain's colonies and dominions

Inter-Allied Victory Medal
Updated - Sunday, 9 March, 2003

The Inter-Allied Victory Medal (generally referred to simply as the Victory Medal or as the Allied War Medal) was instituted following an agreement by fourteen Allied powers in March 1919.

Intended as a means of providing for a single medal across each of the Allies (removing the need for an exchange of Allied medals, although individual nations issued medals with slight variations), the medal was made from yellow bronze and was 36mm in diameter. The ribbon was officially described as "two rainbows with red in the centre".

The obverse of the medal depicted the winged figure of Victory with her left arm extended while her right held a palm branch. The reverse of the medal contained the legend The Great / War For / Civilization / 1914-1919 across four lines, surrounded by a wreath.

The medal was awarded to all those who had served in the armed forces, as well as to civilians contracted to the armed services, and to those who served in military hospitals on the various battlefronts during wartime. Members of the British Naval Mission to Russia during 1919-20 and men involved in North Sea mine clearance operations were similarly eligible for the medal.

In Britain (and among her colonies and dominions) the Victory Medal was always awarded in concert with another medal, usually the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star or British War Medal.

No additional Bar was available to accompany the Victory Medal, although men Mentioned-in-Despatches wore an oak-leaf emblem along with the medal.

later,
Kenaz

Bell family picnic around 1935. Front row, friends of the family Norm, Hazon, Jim and Bob Meak. Second row, Blanche, Stella, my Aunt Lottie, Vera, Uncle Gib, Grandma Marie, Johnson's boy, Moms Aunt Millie, my Uncle Nelson, Catherine, unknown baby. Third row, another Johnson's boy, Alma, my Mom(baby being held), my Uncle Wallace, Allie,Mabel,Lina. Back row, Mom's Uncle George and Aunt Jamie West, Grandpa Gib, unknown baby, Johnson girl, Moms Aunt May, Moms Uncle Bob, Johnson girl, Moms Aunt Wisie, Annie, Moms Uncles John and Will. 

Moms Class photo around 1944 as well. Bernice Bell front row, third from the left. 

Grandpa Bell 

A great portrait of my Great Grandma Bell. I love the old sepia tones that photos had back then. Note the Bell family were Salvation Army (similar to Pennsylvanian Dutch or even Quaker) by religion hense the long Victorian dress and high collar. My sister has a picture of my Grandmother Bell later in her life wearing a similar dress with the bonnett. 

Four Generations of Bell Women (Mom's Side)

Four Generations of Bell Women (Mom's side)Aunt Lottie Bell(baby),Grandma Marie Carmel Bell(holding Lottie),Great Grandma Lottie(Hubbard)West(in white)and Great Great Grandma Amelia Hubbard