DR. CLEMENT C. LIGOURE:
Hero of the Halifax Explosion
On March 26, 1917, the Acadian Recorder newspaper included an announcement by Dr. Clement C. Ligoure, a native of Trinidad, that he had opened a medical office in Halifax.
Dr. Ligoure made significant contributions as a medical doctor and as the editor and publisher of the first Black news magazine published in the province called the Atlantic Advocate.
Dr. Ligoure obtained his MD and CM degrees from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he graduated in 1916.
No.2 Black Construction Battalion
It is believed that he came to Halifax to join and be the medical officer for the No.2 Black Construction Battalion created in Halifax on July 5, 1916.
The Battalion was formed in Nova Scotia in response to petitions from Black men who wanted to serve their country but were turned away from recruiting offices.
Amanda Hospital
Dr. Ligoure’s medical office was located at 166 North Street (now 5812 North Street). He immediately opened a hospital at the same location called the Amanda Hospital.
He and his hospital performed a very important service during the Halifax Explosion on December 6, 1917.
Dr. Ligoure is remembered as a hero of the explosion because he opened his Amanda Hospital to a large number of injured in North End Halifax. He worked tirelessly to treat and care for the injured on the day of the explosion and for many days and nights thereafter.
Dr. Ligoure worked tirelessly to treat and care for the injured on the day of the explosion and for many days and nights thereafter.
Departure from Halifax
Although Dr. Ligoure’s name and medical credentials are included in the Medical Register for 1921 published by the Provincial Medical Board, he decided to sell his office and hospital in Halifax sometime during 1921.
He travelled to Trinidad and received treatment for malignant malaria. The Port of Spain Gazette, on May 24, 1922, announced that he had died in the Colonial Hospital in Port of Spain on May 23.
Contributed by Dr. Allan Marble
Chair, Medical History Society of Nova Scotia
Author’s Note: I am indebted to my friend Joel Zemel, an award-winning Halifax historian, for sharing his research on Dr. Ligoure.