From the News

Ogden Military Convalescent Hospital (Calgary) Veterans entertained at Banff.

Crag & Canyon [Banff, Alberta]

The Ogden Military Convalescent Hospital was located at 7012 Ogden Road S.E. in Calgary (Alberta) in the former 64 bedroom Ogden Hotel. The hotel was owned by the Calgary Brewing and Malting Company. During the first World War the hotel was donated by the company to the Alberta Red Cross, later becoming Alberta's first military convalescent hospital. There are currently plans to preserve this building as a "municipal historical resource". The case for its preservation as a community landmark will be presented in July 2010. For info about the preservation efforts see Swerve (magazine), Calgary Herald, 21 May 2010, page 38. Link to article.

Dated: June 21, 1919

INVALID SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED HERE

Some ninety odd inmates of the invalid soldiers home at Ogden arrived in Banff [Alberta] on the early morning train Wednesday morning and spent two days of unalloyed delight in sightseeing in and around the village.

The boys were billeted at the hotels, boarding houses and private homes and enjoyed every moment of their stay in the garden of the gods. Motor rides, boating and other forms of amusement were arranged for their entertainment, and the citizens generally vied with one another in the effort to give the invalids the time of their life.

Wednesday night they were the guests of the local branch of the G.W.V.A. at the weekly whist drive and dance, and Thursday afternoon they motored to Lake Minnewanka and enjoyed a sail on the "spirit waters."

Col. Donaldson¹ was in charge of the party. The colonel served throughout the entire length of the great war, going overseas with the 3rd Canadian Field Ambulance in 1914. Previous to that he saw service in the Soudan, South Africa and elsewhere and is an old campaigner, although still young in years.

¹Lieut.-Col. Anson Scott Donaldson, D.S.O., Physician & Surgeon, volunteered to serve in No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance in September 1914 with the first Canadian Contingent. Prior to the first World War, Donaldson served in the South African (Boer) War with the Strathcona Horse Canadian Field Hospital. He was born in Brockville Ontario in 1876.

Additional Images & Information

Images of the Ogden Station and Hotel

A classroom of Soldiers at Ogden MCH, Nov. 1917

Biography of Marion E. Moodie, Nursing Sister & Matron at Ogden MCH

CGWP entry for Marion E. Moodie

Jack Bell in front of Ogden MCH, ca. 1915-18

Pte. William Lomax, 31st Battalion, died of influenza at the Ogden Home on 01 January 1919.

Transcribed by: M. I. Pirie