The Kent Regiment Chapter, Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE)
“Will Unveil War Tablet: Mrs. Mann Is to Officiate for I.O.D.E. In Armouries.” A newspaper clipping and photographs of the unveiling of a memorial tablet. The tablet was dedicated to the Essex Scottish who fell overseas. Mrs. Mann was the regent of the Municipal Chapter of Daughters of the Empire.
The Imperial Daughters of the Empire (IODE) is a women’s charitable organization based in Canada. The organization was founded in 1900 with a mandate to improve Canadian society. The IODE annually provides charitable contributions such as scholarships, bursaries, and philanthropic, and education projects. The organization was especially prominent during the First World War.
In 1913, the 24th Kent Regiment Chapter Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire was formed at the request of Colonel H.D. Smith, the 24th Kent Regiment’s Commanding Officer. Smith wanted the assistance of the IODE to help the regiment and their families, along with the women and children of the community. Upon creation of the Kent Regiment’s IODE, ninety-five members enrolled with the charity. Mrs. A.C. Woodward was named the first regent (today the President) of The Kent Regiment’s IODE. Garna Argenti, the 2022 Chapter President, told the Windsor Star that “the founding members made sure that every soldier that left here was sent with a full equipment kit.” The kits included items such as coats, cholera belts, socks, handkerchiefs, chewing gum, chewing/smoking tobacco, foot care kits, and an emergency kit. Argenti continued, saying that “the IODE members also knitted more than 12,000 pairs of socks, 1,390 trench caps, and 2,899 comfort boxes during WWI to send to troops.”
One of the most notable projects the IODE worked on recently was the World War I and World War II Remembrance Books. The project originated during WWI, as members of the IODE canvassed the community to obtain information on servicemen and women. The project was continued after the events of WWII. After the Wars, the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire created thirteen Books of Remembrance. The Books are currently housed at the Chatham-Kent Museum and are available for public viewing.
The Kent Regiment Chapter, Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire is considered Chatham-Kent’s oldest Chapter. The group has been active in the local communities of Chatham-Kent for approximately 109 years.
Story By Taylor Blackmere, Canada Summer Jobs 2022 Participant
with The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment Association.
Sources
- The IODE Ontario: Citizenship website
- Garna Argenti and Norma West. Gathering Out Heroes: Chatham-Kent WWI & WWII Enlistments. IODE 100th Anniversary
- Kent Regiment Chapter IODE Celebrating 100 Years by Ellwood Shreve in The Chatham Daily News. April 05, 2013