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From the Archives: The Gazette at war

The Dalhousie Gazette has covered every Canadian war from the Boer War (1899) to our more modern operations in the Middle East. Over this time, we have often been in the peculiar position of both publishing inspirational, pro-war propaganda and reporting on the tragic war-related deaths that deprived our student community of some of its brightest, boldest members. The following selections highlight the often-significant differences between the rhetoric and reality of war as experienced by Dalhousie students during the first two world wars.

Volume 48, Issue 3 – December 4, 1915

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Volume 48, Issue 8 – March 10, 1916

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Editorial – Volume 48, Issue 8 – March 10, 1916

It is the duty of every man who is physically fit, between the ages of 18 and 45, to enlist. That is the proposition which faces every man today. There is one exception, and one only, that of men who are employed in industries which are necessary to the carrying on of the war. All others must face their duty or be enrolled among the shirkers and slackers. Not in every decade comes to men the opportunity of defending British rights and British freedom. Not to every man has come the responsibility of choosing between the pen and the sword. All these, however, have come to the man of today, “the heir of all the ages”.

We read and dream of the great heroes of British history, men who were willing to sacrifice their lives if need be for a great principle. We revel in the deeds of knightly days, when chivalry reigned supreme and men took hard knocks as a matter of course. To imitate these men were aspirations of our boyhood, aspirations which were never realized. We need dream no longer, the day of war and chivalry has come again. Ours is the golden opportunity to fight for our country and to die for it. Those motives which inspired the men of old to go forth and do battle for their all in all should now move us, for the time has come when we must turn “a nation of shopkeepers” into a nation of soldiers. It is our bounden duty to throw down all selfish chance of advancement and take up the sword of Justice. The student must leave his books, the professional man his profession, the merchant his business and so on, in order that the danger which threatens the very existence of our Empire may be forever averted.

The call has now come to Dalhousians, more than ever before. The students and graduates of our college have not been backward in this great war as the roll of honor will show but more of this manly breed is wanted. Their country is calling them. Their brothers in France are awaiting them; it is their duty, their plain obligation to throw their studies to the four winds of Heaven and be up and at the foe.

A Dalhousie Platoon has been proposed in order that a little bit of Dalhousie may be transferred to the Nova Scotia Highlanders who are at present being recruited in Halifax. It would be part of the 219th Battalion, a Battalion which has already called to its ranks men like Capt. (Rev. Principal) Clarence Mackinnon and Capt. H.A. Kent. Under these men Dalhousians would serve without fear and without reproach. The formation of a Dalhousie Platoon would make life a lot easier for the 8 or 10 students who have already enlisted, because they too would be among their old classmates, sleeping, eating, and working with them. Dalhousians it is clearly your duty to see that our college as well as Acadia has a platoon in the 219th. Shall Halifax, Nova Scotia say that our college failed where others have succeeded?

 

“Killed In Action: P.O. Rand Lugar” – Volume 74, Issue 1 – October 3, 1941
“Killed in air operations while on active service overseas, on September 20.”

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This is the message that bore to Dalhousie the sad news of the death of Pilot Officer Rand Lugar, R.C.A.F., only 21. “Randy” left Dal. in the middle of his third year of Engineering, and received his “wings” last February at Rivers, Man., along with his commission of Pilot Officer. Only a few months later he navigated a Bomber to England for the Ferry command.

Previous to entering Dal, Pilot Officer Lugar attended Bloomfield High School where he soon earned the regard and respect of teachers and students alike. Always a brilliant student, he soon became a leading figure on Studley Campus. Socially popular too, he was also an ardent yachtsman, and all-round sportsman.

On February 21, just after receiving his commission “Randy” married Audrey Kathleen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Hopgood of Halifax, who had been a student at Dal, only the year before.

Rand will be remembered to all who enjoyed the privilege of his friendship, in the words of the highest compliment one student can pay to another- “An all-round fine chap.” His affability and ever-present good humour; his scholastic ability and his sportsmanship; these and others combined to set him above the crowd. He gave free and ungrudgingly of all that was his to give, even unto death itself. His place may not soon be filled; herein was found his strength.

 

“That Man’s Here Again” – Volume 74, Issue 1 – October 3, 1941

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Warning that an even more intensive military training program than usual awaits returning Dalhousians, Major Hogan bluntly declared, “I don’t mind telling you that everyone will have to toe the line this year. Everyone must realize that he has a job which he must do as efficiently and as thoroughly as he can.” In a sweeping statement of plans the Major disclosed that he has managed to obtain uniforms for the A.T.C. this year.

Training will begin on Monday, October 6. Because the contingent has lost many of its officers and senior N.C.O’s to the active services as well as through graduation, there will be a number of openings for those who have hitherto qualified. Experienced and competent cadet. will be advanced in rank. It is expected, however, that the unit will contain approximately the same number of cadets as last year.
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The C.O.T.C. itself will become more specialized this year with the experienced and capable men being given advanced instruction while basic training will be given the junior members of the O.T.C. and those in the A.T.C. The syllabus contains plans for 120 hours of training, an advance of ten hours over last year. This will be divided into three two-hour periods each week and will consist of both drill and lectures.Of interest to the O.T.C. is the fact that twenty minutes of P.T. will be given each period.

 

Volume 74, Issue 17 – February 20, 1942

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“Dal Graduate is Killed” – Volume 75, Issue13 – January 29, 1943

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Glory To Dalhousie:

Someone has said that it is the depth of one’s life that counted, and not the breadth. Certainly the too short twenty-three years of S./L. Rose Goodman could not be a criterion of her worth, or a measure of the rich destiny which awaits her.
Dalhousie students have gone forth to the battle of their country, and Miss Rose Goodman, New Glasgow, was no exception. Life Vice President of the Class of 41’, shortly after graduation, she entered her duties with the Air Force and gained rapid promotion.

The glory that was this young girl, her good nature, intelligence, beauty, athletic sense have been stilled. It was a heroic death. This college will carry with it her memory; the gay student who was so friendly with her classmates. The girl who gave Dalhousie the richness of youth in sincere scholarship.

Obituary:

Section officer R.J. Goodman was killed Tuesday night near Claresholm [when the] plane in which she was flying crashed. Her death is believed the first for the R.C.A.F.W.D., in a plane accident. A former Dalhousie graduate, Miss Goodman received her Bachelor of Arts in 1941.

A popular co-ed in her years at Dalhousie, the late Miss Goodman had entered the R.C.A.F. shortly after graduation. Among her accomplishments were musical ability (violin), a deep interest in the Brownie-Guide and Ranger Girl movements, and she was of outstanding abilities in women’s sports.

Her promotion in the Air Force was rapid. After a few weeks she became Sergeant Instructor, and was Section Officer at the time of her death.

The sympathy of the student body will go out to the family, and especially her sister, Miss Anita, a freshette at the University, and a member of the Gazette staff.

John Hillman
John Hillman
John Hillman is the Gazette's Opinions Editor. John is a second-year law student, but he has been at Dalhousie for much longer than that. Recently discovered cave paintings indicate he was first observed lurching around campus by Halifax’s original human settlers some time during the late Pleistocene epoch. He started writing for the Gazette back when you were in elementary school, but he unexpectedly went off the grid a half-decade ago to concentrate on helping found Punditry.ca, a DSU-focused political blog. Where exactly was he hiding between the years 2009-2013? Certain individuals would prefer he not comment. Why has he returned? Not because of a top-secret Illuminati indoctrination project known only as the Omega Initiative, that’s for sure. You can email John at opinions@dalgazette.com.
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