BX May 3, 1916

Another Appeal by an Armenian – Harabid Matosian Former Resident of Turkey, Wants To Get Revenge

I am glad that today I have found my chance to go and fight against Turkey and get my revenge. I am proud that I can help my Canadian brothers. I reckon that a man who has lived for four years in Canada and enjoyed the free laws here should help them now.  

This is the reason another Armenian, Harabid Matosian, gives for having enlisted with the 215th Battalion.

For some time Matosian lived in Turkey under what he terms their uncivilized government, but when they wanted him to go and fight against his own brothers he got out of the country.

Numerous Armenians have lately enlisted with the 215th Battalion, and once they are signed up they become good recruiting forces. He is appealing to both Canadian and Armenian boys and says, “Come and enlist in the 215th Battalion and let your names be written on the honor roll and take training from our commanders, so that we can go to the battlefield and fight and conquer the enemy and then return home happy to see the British flag floating over the seas.”

Matosian is 26 years of age and after his enlistment he says his conscience forced him to make this appeal:

Young men, wake up. The time is at hand. If we want to win this war we should fight the foe till he is beaten. I reckon some boys are still asleep, whereas they should be awake. Let the enemy, and especially the German, know that the Canadian boys know how to fight their battles and stand up for the British Empire.