A letter home from
Salisbury - Lance Corporal H. Fitzgerald
of the First Field Troops, Canadian Engineers:
“The weather has been
very unpleasant, with rain for the past ten days, but the boys are in the best
of spirits and working hard.
“The Hamilton men in
my company are the best of fellows to soldier with, and always share any little
luxury they get.
“I have been up to
London, and the people there stop the Canadians in the street, and thank them
for coming over to help the mother country. They cannot do too much for the troops.
“Two Canadians were
dining in a restaurant. A Londoner
looked at their shoulders, saw Canada on their straps, and walked up to
the table, insisting on paying for their meal, and then took them out and
treated them. By the time it got through, it cost him $5. That is the spirit of
the English, Irish and Scotchman in this little island.
“His Majesty the King
inspected the Canadian troops yesterday, Nov. 4. He was accompanied by Queen
Mary, Queen Alexandra, Lord Kitchener, Lord Roberts and several generals. H. M.
the King did not mind walking down the ranks in the muddy grass, nor Queen Mary
and Queen Alexandra
“After inspecting our
troops, he drove away to see our camp. The troops formed up in quarter column
facing the road, took off their caps, put them on their rifles, hoisted them in
the air and gave the King a mighty cheer.
“We then formed up on
the same road, two deep on both sides, and stretched out for two miles. We
fixed bayonets, hoisted them in the air and cheered until we were hoarse.
“Their majesties had
to motor through an avenue of cheering Canadians two miles long.”
-
Quoted in the Spectator of November `23, 1914
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