Canadian Patriotic Fund, Montreal Branch, 1899-1937

In 1899 the Canadian Patriotic Fund was established in Montréal to aid Boer War veterans and their dependents. The first national president was the Governor General, Lord Minto. The national fund was incorporated in 1914 to aid the needy wives, children and dependent relatives of Canadian soldiers fighting in the First World War. By 1916 it was providing assistance to 54,000 families across Canada with money gleaned through voluntary subscriptions. The Montréal branch held three fund raising campaigns during the war and was responsible for local relief activities. Sir Herbert Ames, the president of the Montréal branch, was also the honorary secretary of the national fund. The national fund raised and distributed almost fifty million dollars before being terminated in 1937.