Archives of Manitoba
- manitoba.ca
- > Sport, Culture and Heritage
- > Archives of Manitoba
- > Exhibits
- > Messages by Wire
Exhibits
Messages by Wire: Telegrams from the Time of the First World War
During the First World War, telegrams were the fastest way to send written communication. Telegrams were used by governments and war correspondents needing to communicate quickly and efficiently. They were often used to send notice of a soldier’s death, capture or wounding. Soldiers sent telegrams to let their families know of their travels or that they had survived a battle.
Telegrams, also known as wires or cables, were expensive to send which meant messages were brief, some words were shortened and ‘unnecessary’ words were left out. One hundred years later, telegrams provide an interesting comparison to current forms of fast, abbreviated communications.
The 20 telegrams featured here have been chosen from several collections of records at the Archives. Each was sent during the First World War. They include personal telegrams, often with news of Manitoba soldiers at the front; government telegrams from the files of Manitoba Premier T.C. Norris; and telegrams sent to the Canadian Press from war correspondent J.F.B. Livesay.
![Messages by Wire: Telegrams from the Time of the First World War](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide01.jpg)
![B F M Francis. Headingly Man. Safe. Charlie Francis.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide02.jpg)
Telegram from Charlie Francis to his family in Headingley weeks after the Battle of Vimy Ridge, 30 April 1917, P304/2.
enlarge image
![Winnipeg Man Apr 22 1917. Mrs Frank Simmons. 19 West Liberty St Savannah GA. George killed come home at once. Jack. 503 pm.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide03.jpg)
Telegram from Jack Battershill to his sister Mrs. Frank (Amelia) Simmons, 22 April 1917, P7472/2.
enlarge image
![Winnipeg Man Apl 23 1917. Mrs F Simmons. 19 West Liberty St Savannah GA. Mother sick come as soon as ready. Dad. 614 pm.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide04.jpg)
Telegram from John Battershill to his daughter Mrs. Frank (Amelia) Simmons, 23 April 1917, P7472/2.
enlarge image
![Winnipeg Man Apl 30th 17. Frank Simmons Westinghouse Church Kerr CO. 37 Wall St New York. Mamma holding up fairly well wants to see baby. Battershill. 250 p.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide05.jpg)
Telegram to Frank Simmons, 30 April 1917, P7472/2.
enlarge image
![Montreal Feb 27th. G F B Livesay, Western Associated Press Winnipeg, Man. Opportunity to send Canadian press correspondant to the front. What do you think. J. S. Lewis.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide06.jpg)
Telegram from J. S. Lewis to Livesay, 27 February 1915, P7595/7.
enlarge image
![Ottawa ONT Mar 2-15. E H Macklin. Western Assd Press. Winnipeg. War office desires nominations of one correspondent for entire dominion who will be permitted to go to the front from time to time. It is desired that all the press associations shall confer immediately and submit to the government the name of a suitable person. R L Borden.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide07.jpg)
Telegram from Prime Minister Borden to E. H. Macklin, general manager of the Winnipeg Free Press, 2 March 1915, P7595/7.
enlarge image
![J.B.T.Livesay, Western Associated Press, Winnipeg. Would miss you sorely if you went nevertheless hope you succeed in landing the job. E. H. Macklin.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide08.jpg)
Telegram from E. H. Macklin, general manager of the Winnipeg Free Press, to Livesay re the possibility of Livesay becoming a war correspondent, 3 March 1915, P7595/7.
enlarge image
![Winnipeg Man Oct 16-1915. Miss D. A. Russenholt, 385 Dufferin Ave., London Ont. Leaving tonight reach Toronto monday twelve thirty will wire there. Edgar. 7.46 pm.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide09.jpg)
Telegram from Ed Russenholt to his sister Drusilla regarding leaving Winnipeg to travel to the Western Front with the 44th Battalion, 16 October 1915, P2828/3.
enlarge image
![Ottawa Ont. June 1st/17. D. A. Russenholt, London, Ont. Replying to your telegram May 31st only information available Lieutenant Edgar Stanford Russenholt admitted no 5 British Red Cross Hospital Wimereux May 14th 1917 shell gas wound slight upon receipt of further information you will be advised. Officer I. C. Records. 2.46 pm.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide10.jpg)
Telegram to Ed Russenholt's sister Drusilla, 1 June 1917, P2828/5.
enlarge image
![(handwritten) Winnipeg July 6/17. Miss D. A. Russenholdt. Free Press gives Edgars name in list landed on Halifax yesterday. M. B. Scott.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide11.jpg)
Telegram to Drusilla Russenholt regarding her brother Edgar Russenholt's return to Canada after being wounded in the First World War, 6 July 1917, P2828/5.
enlarge image
![London Ont July 10 1917. Miss E Russenholt, Care Miss Scott, 303 Breadalbane Apts, Winnipeg. Arrive Winnipeg Thursday ten Pm. Edgar. 16 10 k.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide12.jpg)
Telegram from Ed Russenholt, 10 July 1917, P2828/5.
enlarge image
![The Pas Man June 1st-15. Premier Norris. Winnipeg Manitoba. Five thousand foreigners railway laborers demanding food work or transportation town unable to cope with situation immediate relief necessary. H Finger. Mayor.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide13.jpg)
Telegram from H. Finger, Mayor of The Pas to Premier T. C. Norris, 1 June 1915, G 528 file 5.
enlarge image
![Sewell Man June 24th. T C Norris, Premier of Manitoba, Winnipeg Man. No J P in camp to attest recruits Could you have captain Adams and self appointed and wire authority to act at once. J P Lyle, Member Legislative Assembly Saskatchewan. Lieut 9th C M R.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide14.jpg)
Telegram from Lieutenant J. P. Lyle to Premier T. C. Norris re military camp, Camp Sewell, 24 June 1915, G 528 file 5.
enlarge image
![Hon W. T. White, Minister of Finance, Ottawa. Reference your telegrams thirtieth ultimo and first instant in response thereto will ask the Legislature of the Province at the first Session hereafter to pass legislation exempting dominion war issue from all Provincial taxes of whatsoever kind of nature. Anxious to co-operate with your Government in any way possible to serve the interests of the Empire at this time. T. C. Norris, Premier.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide15.jpg)
Telegram from Premier T. C. Norris to Hon. W. T. White, Minister of Finance, Ottawa, 3 November 1915, G 528 file 7.
enlarge image
![Winnipeg, Man. Feb. 4, 1916. Rt. Hon. Sir R. L. Borden, G. C. M. G., K. C., Prime Minister, Ottawa, Ontario. The Legislature of the Province of Manitoba desire to express to you deepest regret and concern for the great calamity which has befallen Canada, in the burning of Parliament Buildings at Ottawa, and to convey our sincere sympathy for the families of those who have lost their lives and to those who themselves have been injured. T. C. Norris. Charge Executive Council. Manitoba Government.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide16.jpg)
Telegram from Premier T. C. Norris to Prime Minister Robert Borden, 4 February 1916, G 528 file 8.
enlarge image
![Ottawa Ont June 2nd-15. R D Waugh. 494 Stradbrook Ave Winnipeg Man. Sincerely regret inform you 14551 Private Richard D Waugh, Lord Strathcona Horse, formerly 6-th Battalion, officially reported wounded further particulars when received will be sent to you. Adjutant General.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide17.jpg)
Telegram to Winnipeg Mayor R. D. Waugh re his son, Private R. Douglas Waugh, wounded at the Battle of Festubert in 1915, P7973.
enlarge image
![14th July, 1915. Captain Forster, Yesrek, Liverpool. Both cables received. Does doctor confirm nurses opinion. How long does he think Waugh likely to live. Rush reply. Nanton. Rush cable to England. Chge. O.H. & N. Special Rush.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide18.jpg)
Telegram from Winnipeg to Captain Forster in England asking about Douglas Waugh, July 1915, P7973.
enlarge image
![Liverpool Sept 18.15, Nanton, Winnipeg. Surgeon reports Waugh out of danger confidently expect recovery stiff knee and shoulder congratulations parents. Forster.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide19.jpg)
Telegram from Captain Forster in England to Winnipeg reporting on Douglas Waugh's recovery, September 1915, P7973.
enlarge image
![r D Waugh, 494 Stradbrooke Ave, Winnipeg. 1580 deeply regret inform you Lieut Alexander Logan Waugh Cavalry officially reported killed in action Dec first nineteen seventeen. Dir of Records.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide20.jpg)
Telegram informing former Winnipeg Mayor R. D. Waugh of the death of his son, Lieutenant Alexander Waugh, December 1917, P7974.
enlarge image
![Ottawa Ont Dec 15 17. R D Waugh. 494 Stradbrooke Ave Winnipeg Man. My colleagues and I send our deepest sympathy in the great bereavement you have sustained in the death of your gallant son. R L Borden. 1240p.](../_images/ww1blog/slideshow/2017-11-14_telegrams/slide21.jpg)
Telegram from Prime Minister Borden to former Winnipeg Mayor R. D. Waugh sending “deepest sympathy”, December 1917, P7974.
enlarge image
- Archives Home
- About Us
- Search
- Keystone Archives Descriptive Database
- Manitoba Estate Files
- First World War Resources
- HBCA Resources
- Biographical Sheets
- Fur Trade Post Maps
- Name Indexes
- HBC Servants’ contracts
- Understanding the Index to HBC Servants’ Contracts
- HBC Northern Department servants’ engagement registers
- HBC Register books of wills and administrations of proprietors
- North West Company account books
- North West Company servants’ contracts
- Red River Settlement Extracts from registers of baptisms, marriages and burials
- Ships' Histories
- Common Research Topics
- Glossaries
- HBCA Library
- Visit Us
- Exhibits
- Your Archives: The Histories We Share
- Streaming from the Archives
- Exhibits 995 to 1000: Photographs entered as exhibits in the Winnipeg General Strike trials (PDF)
- At Home and Away, Remembering the First World War through records at the Archives of Manitoba
- The Manitoba Legislative Building: Photographing a Work in Progress
- Messages by Wire: Telegrams from the Time of the First World War
- Rearview Manitoba: Our Heritage is Closer than it Appears
- Sessional Journal of the Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia
- Spotlight: The HBCA in Words and Images
- Research From a Distance
- Copying Records
- Microfilm Program
- Donating Records
- Hudson's Bay Company Archives
- About HBCA
- UNESCO Designation
- The Names and Knowledge Initiative
- Spotlight
- Peter Fidler and the Selkirk Treaty
- Philip Turnor's Map
- The Selkirk Treaty and Map
- Seven Oaks & HBCA Records
- Knight’s Tale
- Point Blanket Sail
- John Rae: Legacy of an Arctic Explorer
- David Thompson and Sipiwesk Lake
- Remnants of the Past: Broadway Bridge
- An Englishwoman in Moose Factory, 1833
- Remnants of the Past
- Wedding present fit for a princess
- Not a Fur Trade Fairy Tale
- A new store for an old company
- Love and marriage in a map
- HBC and Lord & Taylor together again
- Francis Heron’s account of the Red River Flood of 1826
- HBCA Microfilm Digitization
- Government and Private Sector Archives
- Government Recordkeeping
- Contact Information