Aylmer Express Newspaper
Entire Force at Valcartier will Form First Contingent.
VALCARTIER CAMP, Sept. 22.- Canada will send nearly ten thousand more men on the first contingent than was asked by the British War Office. This announcement was made by Col. Sam Hughes last night, and the decision was the result of a conference between Sir Robert Borden, the Minister of Militia, and Sir George Foster and Hon. Robert Rogers. It means that 31,000 officers and men and 7,500 horses will be transported to England, instead of a division of 22,500 men, which was the original plan, following the request of the Imperial authorities. It also means that every officer in training here will be taken aboard, which has caused great rejoicing among those who expected to be rejected. Every man in camp who is fit for active service will comprise the first contingent.
Asked whether any soldiers would remain in training at Valcartier and if there would be a second continent immediately mobilized, Col. Hughes stated:
Asked whether any soldiers would remain in training at Valcartier and if there would be a second continent immediately mobilized, Col. Hughes stated:
“We have decided that every man will be taken from this camp. The firing line from Canada will consist of an army division of 22,500 men, but at the same time we have deemed it advisable to send the rest of the them to act as a reserve, instead of leaving them here and not being able to use them at a time when they are greatly needed because of possible delay in transporting them. As to whether a second contingent will be mobilized, I cannot say. The services of 100,000 can be obtained just as easily as were the services of those at present encamped here. A second contingent will be quickly mobilized if necessary.”
The first contingent will consist of nineteen battalions of infantry, including the Princess Patricia Regiment, which is now in training at Levis. This latter regiment will go as part of the first contingent. The original intention was to send only 12 battalions. There will also be three squadrons of Strathcona Horse, three squadrons of the Royal Canadian Dragoons and the artillery of about 4,000 men and many twelve, eighteen and sixty-pound guns.
Sir Robert Borden shook hands with every officer in camp yesterday morning. He addressed the officers of each brigade, telling them that it had been decided to send every officer and man to England.
This indeed was a splendid surprise to the officers many of whom thought that they would not go owing to the surplus. It is quite possible that many will be unattached and may be used by English territorial regiments. Canada will also contribute about 300 machine guns.
The Duke of Connaught inspected the two cavalry regiments, the Strathcona Horse and Royal Canadian Dragoons yesterday morning. The royal party and Cabinet Ministers returned to Ottawa last night.
SECOND CONTINGENT REQUIRED
OTTAWA, Sept. 22.- It has been decided to raise forthwith a second contingent of Canadians, 19,000 strong, making 50,000 in all, with the 31,000 going in the present contingent, says a well defined report here yesterday. The second contingent is to be ready to sail for the scene of conflict by Nov. 1.
The first contingent will consist of nineteen battalions of infantry, including the Princess Patricia Regiment, which is now in training at Levis. This latter regiment will go as part of the first contingent. The original intention was to send only 12 battalions. There will also be three squadrons of Strathcona Horse, three squadrons of the Royal Canadian Dragoons and the artillery of about 4,000 men and many twelve, eighteen and sixty-pound guns.
Sir Robert Borden shook hands with every officer in camp yesterday morning. He addressed the officers of each brigade, telling them that it had been decided to send every officer and man to England.
This indeed was a splendid surprise to the officers many of whom thought that they would not go owing to the surplus. It is quite possible that many will be unattached and may be used by English territorial regiments. Canada will also contribute about 300 machine guns.
The Duke of Connaught inspected the two cavalry regiments, the Strathcona Horse and Royal Canadian Dragoons yesterday morning. The royal party and Cabinet Ministers returned to Ottawa last night.
SECOND CONTINGENT REQUIRED
OTTAWA, Sept. 22.- It has been decided to raise forthwith a second contingent of Canadians, 19,000 strong, making 50,000 in all, with the 31,000 going in the present contingent, says a well defined report here yesterday. The second contingent is to be ready to sail for the scene of conflict by Nov. 1.
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