Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The Canadian Patriotic Fund was incorporated on August 28, 1914 by federal legislation. It was a non-profit agency whose mandate was to provide financial support to the dependents of those men who served in Canadas armed forces during World War One. A provincial chapter was established in British Columbia on September 8, 1914. However, initially the City of New Westminster went its own way. On September 3, 1914, a public meeting in the Council Chamber was held. This meeting led the establishment of the New Westminster War Relief Fund. However, since the demands on the Fund were difficult for the City to meet by its own unaided efforts, eventually a motion was made to merge the War Relief Fund with the Canadian Patriotic Fund. On December 16, 1915 this motion was carried and the merger took place on February 1, 1916. The balance remaining in the War Relief Fund was transferred into the Canadian Patriotic Fund. The first officers of the New Westminster branch were: A.W. Gray, President; George D. Brymer, Vice-President; R.J. Flowers, Secretary, and D.J. McQuarrie, Hon. Treasurer. The New Westminster branch mounted subscription drives and authorized individuals to collect donations from businesses and individuals. A number of committees were established and reported to the Fund Committee. These committees dealt with collections, claims, visits to servicemen, returned soldiers, prisoners of war, and produce and clothing. The Chairman of the Claims Committee was Reverend A.E. Vert. The donations collected were turned over to the provincial chapter and in return the New Westminster chapter received disbursements from the provincial fund based on a schedule of payments to dependents of servicemen. In 1916, New Westminster raised over $38,000, in 1917 and 1918 over $40,000 was raised. However, the collections did not cover the aid required. For instance, in 1917 The New Westminster chapter received $70,400.00 from the provincial office. Some dependents of New Westminster servicemen received payments up to August 1919.