Community
Christmas Eve in Bethlehem a Century Ago- Joseph Welsh
About a decade ago, the house at 5313 47th Avenue was demolished. What’s now all but forgotten is that for many years, this modest little residence was the home of one of the giants of Red Deer’s educational community, Joseph Welsh.
Joseph Welsh was born in 1889 in Gloucestershire, England, near the city of Bristol. He went to Thornby Grammar School and then taught at a boys’ school in Hereford.
In 1914, when the First World War broke out, Mr. Welsh tried to enlist in the Grenadier Guards. He was turned down because he was 5 foot, 11 ? inches tall, instead of the required 5 foot, 11 ½ inches.
He then enlisted in the First Battalion of the Herefordshire Regiment. In 1915, he was sent to the Mediterranean Front and was wounded by a Turkish sniper during the Battle of Gallipoli.
After a long convalescence in Malta, Mr. Welsh rejoined his regiment in August 1916 during the battle for the Suez Canal. For the next sixteen months, he was part of the great advance of the British Army across the Sinai Desert into Palestine.
In December 1917, he was given the assignment of escorting a draft of reinforcements to Beersheba and Hebron. On December 24th, his party started their way down the road to Bethlehem.
It had been raining almost incessantly for a week, but as Mr. Welsh and his comrades approached the town, the sky suddenly cleared. They could then see the white walls of Bethlehem, gleaming on a distant hill.
Given the fact that it was nearly Christmas Eve, the group broke in a chorus of Christmas carols and hymns. They pressed ahead rapidly, and reached the outskirts of Bethlehem at dusk.
To their great disappointment, they were informed by a senior officer that there was no place for them in the town. Instead, they were ordered to find whatever shelter they could in the surrounding hills.
To add to the misery, the heavy rains returned. It was so wet that the group was unable to find enough dry wood to start a fire and prepare a meal.
Consequently, the cold, wet and hungry men huddled under a few stunted olive trees for the night. Mr. Welsh later wrote “it was hard to realize that the hill-side on which we huddled together for warmth might well have been the one above which, on the first Christmas Eve, the Heavenly Host had sung the immortal words: “Glory to God on the highest, and on earth Peace, Goodwill to Men”.
“…the hill-side on which we huddled together … might well have been the one above which, on the first Christmas Eve, the Heavenly Host had sung the immortal words: “Glory to God on the highest, and on earth Peace, Goodwill to Men”.
Christmas Day, however, brought “tidings of great joy” as the men received news that warm, dry quarters had been arranged for them in Jerusalem. They quickly marched down the road to Jerusalem, singing the old hymn “O Come All Ye Faithful”. Their speed was made even more rapid by the fact that there was a “spattering on the nearby rocks and stones of bullets fired by enemy snipers lurking in the nearby hills.”
They reached Jerusalem with a setting sun glowing red on the horizon. They got wonderful new billets, were provided a Christmas feast and were awarded two days leave from duty. In the words of Mr. Welsh, “Happy Christmas! Never have I experienced one half as happy or as memorable”.
“Happy Christmas! Never have I experienced one half as happy or as memorable”.
Mr. Welsh was later wounded a second time on the Western Front in France. He recuperated in a hospital run by Canadians. He was so impressed by the treatment he got that, after the War, he decided to immigrate to Canada.
He worked at odd jobs, but then decided to become a teacher again. After teaching at Berrydale near Olds and then at Hill End near Penhold, he started with the Red Deer Public School District in September 1923. He became principal of Central School and continued with the Public School District for 31 years. He was noted for his exceptional teaching abilities, firm discipline and impeccable grammar.
Mr. Welsh retired in 1954 and Joseph Welsh Elementary School was later named in his honour. He passed away on January 7th, 1969. He was predeceased by his wife Violet Hunt, who died in 1924. He had one son Bill.
Read about Christmas in 1887 or Christmas in 1957 – or both!
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L to R: Cindy Jefferies, Susan Knopp, Lane Tomalty, Bre Fitzpatrick
Photo credit: The SnapHappy Photographer
After a decade of leadership under Cindy Jefferies and Susan Knopp, 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer (100+ WWCRD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting local charities and the announcement of Bre Fitzpatrick and Lane Tomalty as its new co-leaders. This marks an exciting new chapter for the group, which has made a significant impact on not-for-profit organizations in Central Alberta.
Cindy and Susan have led 100+ WWCRD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to empowering women to lead and inspire change. Under their stewardship, the organization has raised over $630,000 for local charities by hosting 4 annual 1-hour meetings. Since 2015, more than 36 local charities have received funding through the group.
Reflecting on their tenure, Cindy and Susan stated:
“Leading 100 Women has been an honour and a privilege. When we began this journey, we didn’t know where it would go – we simply loved the simple, elegant, and fun ‘100 Who Care’ concept and thought it was a great fit for our community. We are grateful to the many women who have stood with us. They are the magic of the organization! We are confident Bre and Lane will steward this leadership role well and we look forward to supporting it – just not from behind the microphone!”
Bre and Lane bring a dynamic energy and fresh perspective to the organization. Both have been involved with the group and have been mentored by Susan and Cindy over the past year. They are eager to continue the collaboration, connection, and local support this team of women have established in Red Deer.
In their joint statement, Bre and Lane shared:
“We are humbled to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation Cindy and Susan have laid. Many needs are at the doorstep of our community and in the hearts and minds of our members. We know a powerful, caring, and united group of individuals can play a huge role in driving change and breaking barriers.
To celebrate this milestone and leadership transition, the 100+ WWCRD hosted the final meeting of 2024 on November 25th at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. The evening featured reflections from Cindy and Susan, the selection of the Salvation Army as the charity of choice, an opportunity for members to connect with Bre and Lane as they outline their vision for the organization’s next chapter, and a toast to 10 years.
For more information, please visit www.100womenreddeer.ca
About 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer
100+ Women Who Care Red Deer is a network of compassionate, empowered, and dedicated women who make a direct, immediate, and positive impact in Red Deer and area. We support local non-profit and charitable organizations that work every day to make our community a better place to live. 100% of funds donated go to the selected charities – there are no
administration fees, and all costs are covered by the generosity of sponsors. Collectively, we make a difference.
The group meets 4 times annually for 1 hour. Non-profit and charitable organizations are nominated by members. After hearing 3 randomly drawn pitches, the members vote to select their top choice. The group with the highest number of votes receives the members’ donations. Each member or team commits to donating $100 at each meeting. Since 2015, the average raised has been more than $15,000 per meeting.
Membership is open to all women In Red Deer and area. We invite you to join us! The first meeting of 2025 will be on Monday, February 3, 2025.
Founded in February 2015, the organization currently has about 150 members. We are committed to uniting this powerful group of 100+ women who care and lifting the amazing non-profits and charitable groups they support.
Festival of Trees tickets are on sale now! Get ’em while they’re hot!
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