Jules J. Hamelin was born in 1883 to Olivier and Eleanore (Martin) at St. Polycarpe, Que., which was located 40 miles southwest of Montreal. He and his four brothers and three sisters grew up on a 100-acre farm. Jules began his education at an early age, taking lessons from his mother, a former teacher. He was very bright. At age five, he could read and write. At age 11, he enrolled in a Montreal college to study classical languages. Sadly, his mother died at this time, and the family experienced hard times. But despite these difficulties, Jules decided he wanted to be a medical doctor. With the money he saved from hard physical work on neighbouring farms, and with some help from his family, he was able to enter the College of Medicine at Laval University. After four years of academic studies, Jules interned for three years at the Hotel-Dieu Hospital, the oldest hospital in Montreal. After receiving his M.D. degree, he headed the internship program at his alma mater from 1907-08.
In 1908, Dr. Hamelin moved to Montmartre, Sask., where he was the only doctor for two years. He treated people from as far away as Brandon and Regina. He was a travelling doctor and made his rounds with a buggy in the summer, often in sweltering heat, and he braved the bitter cold of winter in a cutter. Nigger, Dr. Hamelin's horse and faithful companion, endured the heat and the cold, and made it through every storm and blizzard with his master.
In 1910, Dr. Hamelin visited North Battleford where he received a wonderful welcome. He was extremely impressed, and he admired the entrepreneurial spirit and optimism of the town's citizens. As a result, Dr. Hamelin opened an office on the second floor of the post office on Main (101st) Street. North Battleford was awash in a wave of prosperity during the frenetic years before the First World War. So, of course, the burgeoning population required a doctor. Dr. Hamelin provided excellent medical care. He was also responsible in persuading the Sisters of Providence to establish a hospital. With assistance from the local parish priest, Father Paille, he helped the Sisters set up a 20-bed hospital in the old rectory. Within a few days, the hospital beds were filled and the staff had difficulty in keeping up with the surgical cases.
In 1912, Dr. Hamelin and Mayor Foley were able to convince the town council to set aside land for a 70-bed hospital. Dr. Hamelin was a driving force in ensuring the new hospital was built. Moreover, not only did he provide excellent medical care, Dr. Hamelin possessed remarkable political and negotiating skills. This was evidenced by his influence regarding the construction of a much larger building to house 100 hospital beds. Because of Dr. Hamelin's work, the young and fast-growing town of North Battleford, and surrounding communities, now had a fully equipped and staffed 170-bed hospital.
Dr. Hamelin was an excellent medical practitioner. But he also had a distinguished military career. He began as a stretcher-bearer with the 65th Montreal Rifles. He remained with the militia until he joined the Royal Canadian Medical Corps in 1915, serving in France with the 13th Field Hospital. In 1916, he was a surgeon at Gallipoli. After returning to France, he cared for the wounded at Vimy Ridge and Thiepval Wood. For his years of service during the First World War, and after the war, he was promoted to the rank of major, and he was awarded the Efficiency Decoration.
After the war, Dr. Hamelin returned to North Battleford. In 1918, a worldwide influenza brought terrible fear and death to the Battlefords. Dr. Hamelin, along with nurses and medical staff, worked tirelessly - virtually day and night - caring for the sick. The terrible ravages of this epidemic lasted well into the spring of 1919. Despite their valiant efforts, as many as five deaths a day were recorded.
The Great Depression rolled over the Battlefords in 1929. Life became a matter of survival for many. No rain and stifling heat. The sun beat down relentlessly, scorching the land and creating huge, mile-high dust storms. Farmers lost their land and everything they owned. Businessmen who depended on the agricultural sector went broke. Life was hard. But doctors provided essential services, so Dr. Hamelin was fully employed during the depression. Despite that, his fees were often paid with garden produce.
Dr. Hamelin was honoured for his years of exemplary service to his profession. He received a Senior Membership Award from the Saskatchewan Medical Association in 1945. In addition, he was awarded the Certificate in General Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons in 1947. Dr. Hamelin was also president of the Saskatchewan College of Surgeons and Physicians in 1949.
Dr. Hamelin was a man of faith and a strong and devoted supporter of the Notre Dame Parish. He was one of the church's first trustees, and he served as choir director for many years. In 1920, Dr. Hamelin presided over the formation of the North Battleford Knights of Columbus No. 2094. He was also a charter navigator of the Knights of Columbus Dr. Ulrich Degree Assembly in 1955. In addition, the Council No. 5878 of Delmas and North Battleford, formed in 1966, was named Hamelin Council in his honour.
Dr. Hamelin also served terms on city council from 1924 to 1934. During the difficult years of the Depression, he was highly respected for his commonsense and prudent decisions.
Dr. Hamelin lived at his residence for more than 40 years. After his death, the house was donated to the Francophone Cultural Association, who restored and moved it to the Western Development Museum where it was designated "the French House."
Dr. Hamelin demonstrated his loyalty to the City of North Battleford when he refused invitations to relocate his medical practice to larger centres.
In 1908, Dr. Hamelin married Stella Danis of Beauharnois, Que. They had one daughter, Marguerite. Sadly, Mrs. Hamelin died in 1937. After retirement, Dr. Hamelin married again. He retired in 1954. Two years into his retirement, he became very ill. He died in Vancouver on Feb. 24, 1956.
On the occasion of North Battleford's centennial, we remember a man who helped shape the character of our great city. He was a man of extraordinary talent, energy, conviction and selfless service. It would be difficult to list his remarkable accomplishments as a doctor and physician, in the military, as a lay member of his church and in public life. Many decades after Dr. Hamelin's passing, we continue to enjoy the fruits of his labour.
