From the News

Dated: September 4, 1914

A Valcartier Letter

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 1914

The New Liskeard detachment would like to thank the the Ladies of the town for provisions, and the townspeople for handsome contribution of cash. There is a considerable balance of the latter still on hand.

The only thing of note about our departure was the number of seemingly good men which the regimental doctor refused to pass for weak hearts. Three South African Veterans were turned down the morning we left Sudbury and stowaways were put off the train at several stations. Some old soldiers got on as often as they were put off and three of these, one ex-life Guardsman have come through and their persistence has won recognition and they will be allowed to stay.

This is a lovely camp ground: a fine river running along one side of the infantry lines, with second growth timber back from the camp lines. Headquarters and Departmental corps on higher ground and the Laurentian Hills rising about 3 or 4 miles away on three sides of us. No burnt timber anywhere.

We had very good accommodation from the C.P.R. coming down. Men were in colonist sleepers and at meal times tables were placed for them and meals served from the dining car. Officials also very courteous and anxious to have things go smoothly. Some day the T.&N.O. will learn things.

The 97^th have brought in something like 170 men. This is more than any other rural regiment except the twelfth York Rangers who did most of their recruiting in Toronto. Perhaps one shouldn't be boastful but I doubt if there is any other corps here having men of as fine physique. Most of our staff officers came down also with the result that our provisional battalion has its staff largely from the 97^th.

We are now part of the 8^th Battallion, 2^nd infantry Brigade. With us in this battalion are the units raised by the following corps.

2^nd Dragoons (Niagara District)

15^th Light Infantry (Bellville)

16^th Regiment (Prince Edward County)

40^th Regiment (Northumberland County)

41^st Regiment (Brockville)

42^nd Regiment (Renfrew and Lanark)

49^th Regiment (Hastings County)

56^th Regiment (Grenville County)

77^th Regiment (Wentworth County)

91^st Highlanders (Wentworth County)

We furnish 2 companies, the 42^nd 1 company, the 91^st one company, and the others make up the other four companies.

The staff for the time being is:

Lt. Col. McKee 97^th commanding

Dr. Arthur " medical officer

Capt. Glover " adjutant

Lt. McKee 97^th signaling officer

Capt. Handley 97^th paymaster

Major Cressy " quartermaster

The two majors are from some other corps.

All ranks have has the same treatment. Everybody is sleeping on the ground and the officers have been eating from the mess tins the same rations as the men. I walked a mile yesterday and bought 8 eggs at a farmhouse and they certainly tasted good.

There is little talk of the war. The only difference between this and the ordinary camps is that we missed the preparations an advance guard would have made for us. We have been slow getting a regimental mess formed and the men are a great deal better physically and in other ways than those who usually attend camp and more eager to learn and there is less grouching. All supplies issued are of good quality the beef being specially good. Tan oiled boots were issued last night and khaki suits will be issued to-day. All are of the best.

With the exception of the artillery all troops from Eastern Canada are here. The western men started to arrive last night with the 103^rd Rifles from Calgary and a number of Cavalry units all to go as infantry. This morning the 106^th Winnipeg light infantry marched in with 900 men and the first brass band in camp. They were followed by the 79^th Highlanders (Winnipeg) 300 strong and pipers who were played down to their lines by the pipers of the Royal Seats of Montreal who arrived yesterday 1000 strong with a bull dog mascot. The 106^th have a cub bear for a mascot. The 90^th Winnipeg Rifles over 1000 strong are to arrive to-morrow and then there is the 100^th also from Winnipeg to arrive.

The men are all to be paid from the day they enlisted with 75c. per day added for meals until their arrival at Sudbury when they were fed by the government.

All men from Cobalt and North should be addressed as belonging to B Company, 8^th Provisional Battalion, 2^nd Infantry Brigade, Valcartier Camp, P.Q.

Hawley, a reservist of the 14^th King's Hussars left us at Quebec. He wrote me two days ago and says things are very bad with them. There are 6000 men there absolutely no discipline and the major in charge has no supplies.

Mr. Smith photographer of Haileybury is here and took a group of photos of the 97^th a couple of nights ago. He is going to take moving pictures. A moving picture of some of the 79^th Highlanders kicking a rugby football would certainly be some moving picture.