CANADIANS IN BRITAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 16, 19 January 1940, Page 10

CANADIANS IN BRITAIN

EXCITING ARRIVAL SCENES “THAT GUY, LuEN” RECOGNISED LONDON, Dec. 19. In the lading light of a dying English mid-winter day this week a ferry boat cut its way swiftly through the placid grey sea of an English port towards a small wharf. Her black and white hull gleamed sharply through the gathering twilight, and, as .she approached, those on shore could sec that her decks were packed with dark grey forms. As she came nearer a murmuring of cheers echoed softly over the sea, and rifles could be distinguished in the hands of the men on board. It was the first boatload of troops of the Canadian Active Service Force discmoAihii.g from their closcly-guardect convoy. When the ferry swung rapidly in towards the wharf it could be seen that every available foot of deck space was packed by men in full war kit. The first strains of Souza’s "Washington Post” march was struck up by a small life and kettledrum band in the bows. The cheering gave way to singing and swept back to cheering as those on shore began to wave and hooray. As the ship drew in close to the wharf and finally bumped against the landing stage, the cheering crashed out again and again, and echoed over the sea to the dark forms of the convoy and her escort. A Thrilling Moment. It was one of the most thrilling moments to live through—that brief space from the moment the ferry came into sight until the gangway thumped and rattled into position, and the first Canadian stepped on British soil. He was, incidentally, from Lancashire. Every soldier was either singing, waving his rifle, or shrilling out “Yipyippee” in a high, excited treble. The songs swept from ‘‘Oh Canada” and ‘‘The Gang’s All Here” to “Roll Out the Barrel,” and merged raggedly into cheering as a civic leader —no names may be mentioned since an indication of the port would be given—threw packet after packet of cigarettes to the troops. While the porters were fiddling the gangways into position, several frroad Canadian voices could be heard exclaiming: “Say, look, that guy there’s Anthony Eden. Yes, sir. It sure is.” It was. The Dominions Secretary, together with a high army official, was on the wharf to greet the troops, having already met Major-general A. G. L. McNaughton, the commanding officer of the Canadian Force, and the High Commissioner for Canada. Mr. Vincent Massey. A message from the King was read to the troops after they had lined up on the wharf, and there were short addresses by Mr. Eden and General McNaughton. A Grand Stand Seat. Earlier in the day Mr. Eden had watched the convoy slip silently into port. On board a warship he declared that he had a “grand stand seat.” One after another the great ships slid past and then formed two long lines as orderly as soldiers on a parade ground. A pall of black smoke hung above them, waiting slowly from the funnels. Morse lights twinkled messages from ship to ship, and aircraft roamed moodily overhead. “The lap of luxury” was how General MacNaughton described the crossing from Canada. He was comparing it with his experiences in the Invernia in 1914, when, as a major attached to the Montreal Field Battery, he was also in the first Canadian contingent to reach Britain. Then the voyage lasted 28 days. Horses were stabled in third-class accommodation, and some of them suffocated. Turkey for the Troops. “This time we had good Quarters and no horses. The trip took us only eight days. It was grand.” General MacNaughton said. “The boys” also agreed with him. They had a choice of food on the menu, which once included turkey. They had concerts every night, and plenty of deck space for exercise.

Above all, from their point of view, the sea was flat calm, and nobody was seasick. There were some cases of pneumonia and heavy influenza. There was a good deal of fog, but that was the worry of the Royal Navy, whose ships shepherded the convoy like so many thoughtful sheep dogs. The men have undergone considerable training in Canada, and are now in a brand new English camp to complete it. With the exception ol a nucleus, they are mostly volunteers, I

and they come from all over Canada. I There are men from all the provinces. j and from Iceland and Hudson Bay, There arc a few Americans, two Italians, some negroes. Rod Indians, and, of course, a considerable number,! of French Canadians. All divisional j orders are given out both in English and French. The Indians have a re- | putation to maintain as snipers. i An Australian Lieutenant. I There is also an Australian. He I comes from Ballarat, and he roamed | through New Zealand before going to j Canada nine years ago. He is an , engineer by profession, and he gave ’ up a first-class post to join up as al lieutenant. His nickname is “Aussie.” j Several of the mon served in the last war, and some have come back : this time accompanied by their sons. I There are a large number of sons of I the men who fought in 1911-1.8, and i one family has now been represented j in the same regiment for four genera- I tions. The famous "Mounties” are alsol with the force. They are supplying a provost company, as well as some officers of the divisiohal staff. A provost company acts as military police, and plays a most important [.art in traffic control, a considerable item in these days of mechanisation. The Canadian Force is supplying its own mechanical units from the Dominion. The Scotch Canadians are hoping that they will be allowed to wear the kilt, but as this type of dress has been given up for active service use in the British Army the Canadians also anticipate having to dispense with it. All the Canadians are wearing the British battle dress, which is very much like a ski-ing suit in appearance. A jacket replaces a coat: there I are no shiny buttons nor puttees. £3 Uniforms. Ail the uniforms were made »n Canada, and their average cost was about 12.23 dollars, roughly, about £3 each. The regulation “wedge” hat is I also worn, and the distinctive Canadian “floppy” cap has been given up. The only distinction the Canadians have from the British soldiers is a cream shoulder tab with a khaki “Canada” on it. Their average age is not high, and the many, if not the majority, are outside their own country for the first time. Within a short time of landing, the first ferry load of Canadians was quickly entrained. The men travelled under cover of darkness to their training centre. All blinds were drawn, ' but there was no “blue” lighting to aid the black-out. The blinds were sufficient. On arrival at their destination, they - were met by regimental bands and played to their barracks, which are built on the modern “spider” hut - system. The huts are centrally heated, and everything is under cover. There are hot and cold showers, 1 plenty of mirrors, lavatories and no I | outdoor latrines. Secrecy Maintained. One of the most interesting facts I associated with the arrival of the Canadian Active Service Force in Britain was the secrecy about its movement, which was maintained right up until the men had actually reached their training centre and the convoy had dispersed. Many of the men travelled over Canada for live days in a train. The only break they had was an hour’s daily exercise. Yet they were mustered, and embarked, convoyed across the Atlantic, and landed in Britain without any fuss or incident. It was as great a triumph of organisation as the transportation of the first batch of British troops to France a few months beforehand.