The First Five Hundred

The Patriotic Association of Newfoundland now faced the challenge of achieving its goal. On August 22, 1914, an Enlistment Proclamation ran in the papers. Men between nineteen and thirty-five were urged to enlist to "serve abroad for the duration of the war, but not exceeding one year." The rate of pay for a private was $1.00 per day plus free rations. 

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"Proclamation" 
The Daily News, August 22, 1914

The first night the recruitment centre was open in St. John's, 74 men enlisted. Within a week, this number had reached 275. By September 2, the number of volunteers had reached 743 (although not all of these would meet all the enlistment requirements). 

Initial Recruits

Most of the initial recruits were from St. John's. One of the key reasons was the existence of a number of church youth groups. The Church Lads' Brigade (CLB) of the Church of England was the first to be formed in the city in 1892. The Catholic Cadet Corps (CCC) followed in 1896, the Methodist Guards in 1900, and finally the Newfoundland Highlanders (Presbyterian) in 1907. Accompanied by their respective bands, these groups were instructed in drilling and became familiar with military-style discipline. Over time more men from other areas of Newfoundland and Labrador began to join up as recruitment efforts spread. Many young men lied about their age so that they could enlist. (This later included Thomas Ricketts from Middle Arm, White Bay, who was only 15 when he enlisted. Ricketts would become the youngest soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in the face of the enemy.) 

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Enlistment Requirements

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The Patriotic Association now began the task of equipping and training these men. By September 2, a training camp had been set up in Pleasantville in St. John's. Government, businesses, and private citizens donated tents. Other shelters for the men were made from sails taken from vessels in the harbour.

After a month of training, the First Five Hundred (actually 537 soldiers), also known as the Blue Puttees, were ready to head overseas. On October 3, 1914, they marched from their training camp to board the SS Florizel, a steamer and sealing vessel that had been converted into a troopship. They were cheered on by a large gathering of citizens. The next day, the troops began their journey overseas.

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