World War I - 228th (Northern Fusiliers) Battalion discharges Eddie Oatman

OATMAN SAYS 228TH USED HIM BADLY: Intended to Go Overseas, but was Discharged for "Special Circumstances" Money Owing Him? - Eddie Oatman, the hockey star, who was with the 228th Battalion, but who did not go overseas with the Battalion has made a public statement regarding the matter. Despatches from Montreal last week suggested that the 228th had simply hired Oatman as a hockey player for their team, and so when the Battalion was ordered overseas,he was lout of it. This story, of course, placed the hockey star in a bad position, for he had been wearing the 228th uniform and it is an offence against the law to wear the army uniform without being entitled to do so. In Toronto, however, Oatman gives a new version affairs than places matters in a different light. Oatman's story to one newspaper was as follows:- "I enlisted with the 228th for overseas service, was attested, and passed all medical examination, even the final examination before the battalion moved to an eastern point. I had a contract with the 228th Battalion N.H.A. team for $1,200 for the season, signed by Col. Earchman. This contract was made in the presence of the O.C., Capt. Geo. McNamara, Capt. Harold McNamara, and Capt. L.W. Reade, paymaster. Capt. Howard was the only one of the four whom I knew, and I accepted his assurance that the contract would be carried out. During the season I received $400, so that $800 was coming to me when the battalion moved east. I went along with the expectation of going overseas, but last Thursday morning my name appeared in orders, along with Meeking and Carroll, as having been discharged for 'special circumstances'. I tried to collect the $800 due me from the hockey team, and a meeting of the officers of the battalion was held, of which Capt. Reade was present, and a statement made of the finances of the club. It was said that Capt. Howard McNamara and Capt. Geo. McNamara had received $200 apiece, and other players had also been paid for their services. After the meeting Capt Howard McNamara said he intended to turn over his $200 to me, and that Capt. George would do the same. Howard gave me $25 case and a cheque for $175, on which payment was stopped the next morning, but I got nothing from George or anybody else. I did not receive transportation back to my place of enlistment, as required by the military regulations, and paid may own way to Toronto. I have placed my case at the hands of a lawyer, who has attached $175 in Capt. Howard McNamara's bank in Toronto to satisfy the cheque I hold from him. In the meantime I have reported my case to the military authorities for their consideration."