From the News

Dated: May 6, 1915

It is a scant phrase at present with the newspapers and speakers, that the best blood of Canada was shed in the terrible fighting around Ypres. That is not true. Of the blood shed probably not much over a third was that of Canadians. As the Battalion roles prove, the first contingent was mostly composed of natives of Ireland, Scotland, and England. Let the truth be told and honor bestowed where it has a right to be. It was the men were shamefully designated as Blokes who fought and died. The connection of nearly all with Canada was brief, and the enlistment of many was due to unemployment. A certain degree of modesty and the moderating of boasting would be induced if Canadians recognized facts when they would feel the duty of giving credit where credit is due. The immigrants from the Old Land set an example that redounds to their honor, and no Canadian with any sense of justice would desire to filch it from them. They came to our shores in the hope of improving their condition. While still strangers among us, the call of the King came and they answered it and proved their patriotism by the highest sacrifice possible to humanity.