COLONIAL SOLDIERS AT HOME

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2690, 9 February 1916, Page 3

COLONIAL SOLDIERS AT HOME

HOW . THEY SPENT CHRISTMAS IN ' LONDON. .(By H. N; Holmes.) Nothing could exceed tho generoUß hospitality shown,by Londoners to lonely colonial soldiers during the recent Christmas period. Never before, perhaps, in tho history of Imperial Britain - have so many young mon from all corners of tho far-flung Empire been in 'the Motherland. The Canadian contingents have practically all passed through England, where they havo finished their training. There are now thousands of Australians and New Zealanders in tlio hospitals and convalescent camps, who' have been invalided from the Dardanelles. ' The South African Contingent is also hero for final training before departure. ' ( Besides these official reprel- - have come home at their own expense to join Kitohener's Army. Many of them have friends and relatives, but there are hundreds whoso relatives are all in a distant Dominion. A. suggestion came first through the "Daily Telegraph" • urging that every colonial soldier without any other engagement should be mado the guest of a London home on Christmas Day. Many other London newspapers voiced the same feeling. The editor of the "Daily Telegraph" asked the Y.M.C.A., whose work for soldiers has. been so greatly appreciated, to undertake" theorganisation 'necessary to relate guest to host. A committee was accordingly appointed," and tho movement gained rapidly in popular favour as Christmas approached. . The response on the part of London homes was overwhelming. Every mail brought literally-hundreds of invitations for colonial soldiers to spend Christmas Day or longer-in the fellowship of an English home. The letters that' came in were full of intonse. and pathetic interest. Many, a person wrote saying:' "My two boys are. in France, and we would like a lonely or wounded colonial soldier to fill the place in tho family circle," or "During the year we have lost our son,-and -we should he glad if. we could make happy another mother's son in the vacant chair," and "Our home had not intended having any Christmas, festivities this year, but if.we could help to cheer a wounded colonial we would gladly prepare to give him a good t-iihei" Another letter would say. "Send anyone at any time, night or day, and we will gladly receive him." Nearly 10JQ of these invitations had to be declined, as their number by far exceeded the number of soldiers who needed to take advantage of them. On Christmas morning men were taken by motor-car, bus, tube, and tramcar to their destinations, and the universal testimony is that they had a royal time.! It was an exhibition <Jf the grateful feelings that people of Britain feel towards the boys from overseas for their gallant conduct 'and self-sacrifice. There were, other receptions on a larger "fecale ■ awaiting- many of the colonials.' Under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A., a. wealthy 'lady from Montreal entertained 120 Canadians, South Africans, Australians, and New Zealanders at. an hotel, giving them a : lavish dinner !and providing a-splendid entertainment. .... The High Commissioner for New Zealand entertained a group of Maori!and at-another centre.. The colonial gathering, however, which at- ' tracted the largest'ayhount of attention, and which was really one of the notable ov.ents of Christmas Day in London, is one' which took • place at the Hotel Cecil, where,the High t Hon. Sir George Reid, High Commissioner for the Commonwealth, entertained 800 Australians. What an inspiring sight it was to see those bronzed, men'of splendid stature and physique-gathered together! Everyman had been at Anzac and had passed through the - horrors of the Gallipoli campaign. Each. Australian wore a sprig of wattle blossom, and at the head of each of the -side tables a distinguished Australian presided. The most vivid and unforgettable impression was that produced,-when the chairman proposed the health "of General Birdwood— called 'by Sir lan Hamilton ''"the Soul of Anzac"—-the 6ceue is almost- indescribable in its; wild enthusiasm. At the mention of General Birdwood' s name the Australians sprang to their feet ondi jumped on their chairs, waving glasses and menu cards and cheering themselves hoarse. The reception given to'. Lady; Birdwood, who sat on Sir George Reid's right hand, was another tribute to . the --manner in which this general had- captured the imagination of these strong ..young men from under the Southern .Cross. ■ .There were many other places wher© colonials wore' entertained, hut the above is quite sufficient to. indicate th? kindliness, shown to the boys from the Dominions' and colonies who spent their Christmas' Day in London.