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Episode 4 is part of Listening Through the Archives, Stories from the CDCC.

By Meredith Boerchers

“Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a moment of silence to honour and remember the men and women who have served, and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace. We remember the more than 2,300,000 Canadians who have served throughout our nation’s history and the more than 118,000 who made the ultimate sacrifice” (from Veterans Affairs Canada).

As throughout the world, World War I and World War II dramatically reshaped the lives of the men and women of Dominion and Chalmers churches. Today, the six plaques in CDCC’s Memorial Corner memorialize those church members who served with the Canadian Forces during those two significant battles. To continue our duty to remember those who served both on the front and in their communities, the following three vignettes highlight stories of devotion and courage at home and on the battle field.

Caring for the Country: Lieutenant Alexis Helmer

Of the many brave soldiers from Dominion and Chalmers who served in World War I and World War II, one of the most widely recognized names is that of Lieutenant Alexis Helmer. In life and death, Lt Helmer service to the country continues to inspire remembrance and gratitude around the world.

Alexis Helmer was born on June 29, 1892 to parents Elizabeth Helmer and Brigadier General Richard Alexis Helmer. Growing up both in Hull, Quebec and on Gilmour Street in Ottawa, Helmer’s life seems to have gone much the same as any other boy his age prior to enlistment: he attended school at Hadley Junior High School and later Lisgar Collegiate, and his family were active members of Dominion Methodist Church. “Lex” later attended the Royal Military College of Canada and McGill University to study railway engineering—in these years, Helmer met Lawrence Cosgrave and became engaged to his sweetheart Muriel Stuart Robertson.

In 1914, Lex enlisted to serve in the Canadian Expeditionary Force where he became a lieutenant in the second battery of the 1st Canadian Field Artillery Brigade—the same unit as his friend Captain Cosgrave. Even in battle Helmer formed strong friendships with his fellow officers. His companions nicknamed him “Prince,” and he became a close friend of the brigade doctor John McCrae. The commanding officer also held Helmer in high regard—during the Second Battle of Ypres, which commenced on April 22, 1915 and lasted for six weeks, the officer submitted Helmer’s name for his gallantry under fire and his conduct as Forward Observing Officer during a gas attack. The officer wrote to Helmer’s parents that “[Lt Helmer] was driven back by the poisonous fumes of the Germans, but still stuck to his post until I ordered him in. He was badly poisoned by the fumes but begged and begged not to be sent to hospital, and after a period of twenty-four hours was once more in full charge of his section. He was full of pluck and fought his guns time and again to a finish, at times when we all thought we were cut off and would never get through. His men adored him.”

Sadly, the battle at Ypres ultimately led to the young lieutenant’s death. On May 2^nd, the day after his officer had commended his gallantry, a “Jack Johnson” canon shell exploded next to Lt Helmer, killing him instantly. In death as in life, Helmer was surrounded by friends—Captain Cosgrave was near at hand and took charge of the following chaos, and Dr. John McCrae conducted a burial service for his friend later that night. McCrae’s diary reveals the cheerful spirit Helmer was remembered for: “Heavy gunfire again this morning. Lieut. Helmer was killed… His diary’s last words were—’It has quieted a little and I shall try to get a good sleep!’ His girl’s picture had a hole right through it and we buried it with him. I said the Committal service over him, as well as I could from memory. A soldier’s death!”

Though McCrae had already seen much of the devastation of war, it seems that Helmer’s death deeply struck the doctor. According to Captain Cosgrave’s recollections, McCrae sat at the back of an ambulance during his break between surgeries, staring out at Helmer’s grave and the poppies that grew in the devastated landscape. There, McCrae penned the famous poem In Flanders Fields.

Helmer’s life and death have thus remained a prominent part of collective memories. A memorial plaque commemorating Helmer’s service can be found in the CDCC’s memorial corner, as well as in Lisgar Collegiate and Hadley Junior High School. The catalyst for the poem In Flanders Fields, Helmer continues to inspire remembrance and gratitude for those fight to defend the nation.

Caring for the Broken-Hearted: The Very Reverend Dr. John W. Woodside

(adapted from Dr Garth Bray’s Vignette #8)

We also remember those civilians who nurtured the spirit of the community at home in times of war. In 1918, Rev. John William Woodside joined Chalmers Presbyterian Church as Senior Minister. Still only in his 30s, Woodside quickly became known for his strong leadership skills and compassion for outsiders. During the church union movement in the 1920s, Woodside vigorously worked on behalf of “the minorities”—those who had left their previous Presbyterian congregations to join “Unionist” churches, and now faced transitioning into a new church home among unfamiliar faces. Using these gifts of kindness and goodwill, Woodside became a source of comfort for individuals and families during the devastation of World War II. During his appointment as Senior Minister, Woodside established a “Maple Leaf” lounge in Chalmers: a sanctuary of repose for service men and women to quietly read, write letters, and reflect. As congregants mourned the loss of loved ones, the loss of security, and the loss of hope, Woodside faithfully comforted those grieving. Stories of his compassion continue to be passed on by members of Dominion-Chalmers United Church today, and in 1956 the main auditorium attached to the Sanctuary was named “Woodside Hall.”

Caring for the Community: Mrs. H. W. Avison and The Brides’ Club

(adapted from Audrey Hilborn’s Have You Ever Heard of the Brides’ Club)

While war is always a time of tragedy and loss, many people commit themselves to sustaining hope and community bonds. Mrs. H. W. Avison is one of these figures. During the years of World War II, thousands of young people moved to Ottawa to work in Civil Service and support wartime activities. As the city’s population swelled, so too did the congregation at Dominion United Church, and Mrs. H.W. Avison soon saw the need to develop special events and programmes at Dominion to help the newcomers meet and mingle, and to feel at home in the strange new city.

Avison had a particular heart for the young women who came to Ottawa as war brides. With their husbands out on active duty, these women often had no friends, yet felt a strong desire to become part of the community. In 1941, Mrs. Avison decided to create the “Brides’ Club”—a weekly social gathering for these women to get to know each other and the congregation. The 40 members quickly formed strong friendships among one another, and Avison built even further bridges for the brides by requesting members of the church to host their meetings.

After the end of the war, many of the ladies became mothers, and the young parents and their families left Dominion to seek churches closer to their new homes in the suburbs. However, the Brides’ Club persisted, and its remaining members and activities became integral to Dominion’s social and spiritual life. In the autumn of 1941, the club arranged what would become an annual fashion show of historic and contemporary wedding dresses—a “Pageant of the Brides”—to raise money for social service work. One of the original members, Aubrey Hilborn, worked in the Church’s archives to collect and care for important records, and often told stories of the community’s past in the quarterly publication Kainotes. She also became a devoted member of the United Church Women’s club—an organization that has long supported community relief work. Lil Swan also collected church mementos for the archives through the decades and was a prominent member of the choir.

Brought together by their shared struggles but bonded together through friendship and love, the Brides’ Club met for many, many years. In the 1990s, 15 of the original members continued to gather every two weeks to share each other’s joys and sorrows: they had each become grandmothers and all worked as volunteers at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. When Mrs. Hilborn wrote a reflective essay about the Brides’ Club in Dominion-Chalmers’ 40^th anniversary publication, the club had been meeting on a continual basis for over 60 years. Though it was never officially a church organization, the Brides’ Club stands as a vital part of Dominion-Chalmers’ history, and illustrates how one woman’s concern for her community in a time of war led to social flourishment.

Further Information/Sources

Research Resources

• Collected stories accessed from “Lives of the First World War.” Imperial War Museum.
• Veterans Affairs Canada. 2019. “In memory of: Lieutenant Alexis Hannum Helmer.”
• Deachman, Brue. 2015. “.” Ottawa Citizen.
• Marsh, James H. 2011. “In Flanders Fields”. . Historica Canada.
• Woodbury, Richard. No date. “”. CBC News.
• Granfield, Linda. 2017. “”. Guelph Historical Society. 

Photo Gallery

Photo Credit: and Meredith Boerchers