This explosion occurred on December 6, 1917, and was the result of a French Munitions ship, Mont Blanc , and a Belgium Relief ship, Imo, colliding and blowing up in the harbour. The result was that Halifax resembled a war-torn area with 1900 Haligonians killed and 9000 injured, many permanently. The district Honour Roll of the First World War records the names of twenty-two men, and a Nursing Sister, Hannah G. Fyfe who answered the call to serve their country. Six of those indi¬ viduals paid the supreme sacrifice. {See War Years} The Second World War (1939-1945) has been described as the first Modern World War, due to the sophisticated weaponry used during this horrific conflict. This threat of European domination by the German dictator, Hitler, was very real. Canadians were again called upon to defend democracy by assisting England and her Allies in the war. For all Islanders the war years were especially stressful times, because so many of our young men and women answered the conscription call. An exodus of 40 men and 2 women from the community volunteered to keep our country free. {See War Years} The War Years account has detailed the numerous charities and organizations that received financial assistance from the Sterling Women 's Institute. Also recounted are the many innova¬ tive ways the Institute raised money for the war effort. The yearly receipts for the Women 's Institutes in 1939 was $46.92 and by 1945 had risen to $515.82. A commendable achievement on the part of approximately 22 members. Coupon rationing was another sacrifice for the "people at home". Products such as tea, coffee, sugar, molasses, meats and butter were doled out in minimum quantities. Surpluses were sent to the fighting fronts to enable the service personnel to have good meals. Recipes, which con¬ tained very little sugar, or other rationed products were exchanged among neighbours. Farm owners had their own meat, milk, cream and butter, while those with larger families had more "sweet" coupons than they needed. Exchanges - sometimes products - were made to help the less fortunate. For distribution, the ration books were taken to the schools by Government agents. Here the School Teachers were responsible. Older students volunteered to sign up resi¬ dents of the district as they reported to collect the family ration books. The last reported distrib¬ ution of coupon books for WWII was in October, 1944. I WtW »•• If I r_^rm '^~- f «llx nn4 ttrial Number .......................................Jmdiqum* T*f * main* da It *n. ftOOK-HOLDIftS' MSPONSIBIUTIIS The law require* thoti (a) a book-holder must detach from hit ration book and deifroy ot unwed coupon whrdt have EXPfftED for m by him. Farmers or other primary producers must not destroy UNUXD coupon* covering consumption of thoir own produce. These mutt be surrendered to the Local Ration Board with all coupon* collected from thoir tola* of rationed commodities. (b) ration book mtnt bt surrendered promptly to the Board if the book- holder diet, join* the armed force*, or ceaie* to reside in Canada . (c) when buying rationed commodities, coupon* must bo detached only in (he pretence of the supplier or hit representative. H is illegal to UM coupon* detached in any other manner. (d) rattan books may be used only by or for the person to whom issued. Keep separate record of serial number of your ration book. It it needed when applying for new book. , Sever* penaftiei are provided for mis-use of ration book or false statement m connection therewith. loeaf Jto*M* Boards. . . There is a Local Ration Board In your coremunlry. If you have a rationing problem, 'phone, write or visit your Board. A group of citizens serve voluntarily on this Board. Please give them your cooperation. {VYUtUU irer iavant Dtmttit M« ot la COUVfff' imfl nZilZ «" R LA UONt AVANT DC PCTACHEH LCT COUPONS ---------rr mi . ...» ii-rnit nFTtrwIMfi mtJrfJNS FOLD ALONG THIS LINK ■CFORC DETACHING COUPONS 168