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THE ADVANCE, BURFORD, ONT., WED., DECEMBER 7th., 1977 Page9 Burford's Royal occasions „,____„„, by Mel Robertson The appearance of a militia battalion sponsored by the Grand Trunk Railway, a private company, may seem strange but in the mid-1800's many civilain companies supported militia units. For example, the Grand Trunk boasted an entire brigade consisting of thirteen companies of riflemen and six artillery batteries of field guns. Three of these units were stationed in Brantford while others were located at Brockville, Kingston, Bellville, Sarnia, Port Hope, Stratford and St. Mary's. Many other civilian companies supported militia units including the Welland Canal Co., the Brockville and Ottawa Railway Co., the Ottawa and St. Lawrence Railway Co., etc. (Canadian Militia List-1870). The Burf ord cavalry unit mentioned in the above report was composed of a number of enthusiastic horsemen who had been formed into a volunteer troop in 1860 by Captain Munger of Bishopsgate. They were entirely self-supporting until September 1866; purchasing their own uniforms, weapons and saddlery without government assistance. Two years after the Brantford Review, the Burford garrison celebrated Queen Victoria's 50th. Birthday by entertaining a vast concourse of people who attended a giant picnic at the residence of Elisha Stuart, one mile north of Burford. The cavalry unit paraded in full force under Captain Bingham but Captain Yeigh's infantry company was prevented from coming by the failure of authorities to provide blank ammunition for the ceremonial "feu-de-joie". For those who are not familiar with the term "feu de Joie" it is a ceremonia action whereby soldiers in line raise their firearms above their heads and fire them in succession so that the firing ripples along the lines. This is seldom used now although in 1940 I took part in a "feu-de-joie" where we created blank ammunition by removing the lead from cartridges and substituting wads of toilet paper. The witnessing crowd never knew that the material that descended on their heads was not manna from heaven but bits of what the British describe as "bumf". The lack of a "feu de joie" at Stuart's picnic was a great disappointment to the attending multitude but the authorities made up for the deficiency by decorating and lighting the new drill hall (site of Manley Beam's residence on King St., east of Burford) for the first time. To be continued next week Bethel News Report The Sacrament of Holy Communion was observed at the Sunday morning worship at Bethel Stone United Church. The topic of the sermon by Rev. Stan Cox was, "Inn-side from the Outside". The choir sang, "I give my life for Thee", and a ladies quartet, Grace Gurney, Janet McAllister, Anne Peart and Mary Thomson sang, "Come and Dine" accompanied by organist Mrs. Robert Milburn. Driving down the Bethel Road, one notices a beautifully erected stone Cairn, in front of the Bethel Community Centre. This has been completed this past year and is a last resting place for the old Perley School Bell, which hung for so many years in the school belfry. The bell is mounted on top of the Cairn. An inscription, on the side, reads -Perley School Bell, S.S. No. 1, Brantford Township. Established 1844, relocated 1875. Closed as a school 1966. Hospital patients this past week were, Mrs. John Edgar, Paris Willett Hospital; Mrs. Lula Whiting and Mrs. Eva Brooks, both in St. Joseph's Hospital in Brantford, and Mr. Shirley Davis at the Brantford General Hospital. The prayers of the community are with each one. Mr. and Mrs. Mackie Robertson and family, Bainsville spent a few days last week at the home of Susan's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lome Cain. They also visited Mr. and Mrs. John Brittain and family, Dundas. Ma Mackie attended the Ontario Federation of Agriculture Convention in Hamilton, where he was a delegate representing Glengarry County. Congratulations to Randy Cain, who was awarded the Brant County Agricultural Bursary of $100.00. Randy is a first year student at the University of Guelph. Congratulations to three folk in Bethel who have birthdays this week - Mrs. Eleanor Gurney, Mr. Gordon Whiting, and Mr. Dan Whiting. Mr. Cliff Leach, president of Brant County Federation of Agriculture attended the Ontario Federation of Agriculture Convention in Hamilton, last week. The sympathy of the Church and community goes out to the family of the late Mrs. Pearl Green, who passed away Nov. 27th., 1977, at the Broadway Manor Nursing Home, Paris. Funeral services were held from the Hill and Robinson Funeral Home, Brantford, Wednesday, November 30th., 1977. Mrs. Margaret Leach, a long time resident of Bethel, has moved into a new home in Brantford. Meagan Robertson is staying for a few weeks holidays at the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Lome Cain. Mr. and Mrs. Roger Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller, and Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Pottruff have returned from a 9-day vacation. They enjoyed a Caribbean cruise, sailing from Miami, Florida; visiting Haiti, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, on the Virgin Islands and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The sympathy of the church and community goes out to the family and relatives of the late Mrs. Mervin McCoy, Sault Ste. Marie, who passed away at the General Hospital, Monday, Nov. 28th., 1977, in her 53rd. year. Mrs. McCoy was the former Norma Pottruff of Bethel. This Christmas show your loved ones how much you care. Show them a Bulovaand you'll show them the best time they've ever had. ( A. Her 5-function L.E.D. One button for hours/minutes/seconds/day/ date. Gold-tone. $135.00 B. Accutron automatic. Day/date. Gold-tone. $200.00 C. Smartly styled. Gold-tone case. $89.95 CHARMS D. See our wide assortment of charms and bracelets in sterling silver, 10K and 14K gold. 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