ENCOUNTER WITH CANUCKS

Evening Star, Issue 23683, 17 September 1940, Page 11

ENCOUNTER WITH CANUCKS

A STURDY DIVISION [Fumi Ouu London ConiuispoNDENT.] August 8. A week-end ramble through some of the most beautiful country in South England led by pure chance through the camouflaged hell tents of a Canadian division’s encampment. Wo saw enough of these sturdy, unassuming warriors, and of their preparations, to be almost sorry for any invading Germans who have the bad luck to bump into them. The tan-colour tents amidst English -woods were irresistibly reminiscent of a Red Indian wigwam colony. The Canucks gave an impression of being exceptionally intelligent and earnest soldiers. Their methods differ somewhat from those of the British Regulars, whom Canadians and Australians always call “ Imperial troops.” When you run into a British sentry, even iii the woodland wilds, ho is on sentry-go very much as though he were a Guardsman outside Buckingham Palace, Consequently he is a conspicuous object for a considerable distance. When we stumbled across Canadian sentries they were comfortably but quite alertly reclining full-length on the grass, rifles handy, attention rivetted. You did not know they were there till they challenged. SOAVITER IN MOD 3. Their challenge, too, was less formal and more friendly than our troops’. Yet they gave an impression of being at least as keenly on the qui vive, and showed a most intelligent understanding. When a British sentry pulls up a footpath rambler, the latter feels that he is a Fifth Column suspect. The Canadian soldier, in a pleasant, easy voice, probably with a strong transatlantic timbre, observes tactfully: “ I wouldn’t go that way, sir.” He sizes up the party, and then suggests how, by a slight detour, it will be possible to circumvent the camp and “ the works ” without ruining the week-end ramble. Unlike his British comrade, ho at once appreciates that footpath strollers do not want to march along tarmac highroads. Those 1940 wearers of the Maple Leaf are keen to talk to veterans who knew their fathers or elder brothers of the “ last time out.” They rejoice modestly when tribute is paid to the heroes of Vimy. But they take nothing on hearsay. The commentator has to give positive proof that he did actually fight shoulder to shoulder with their predecessors. They like England, but were getting a little tired of St. Swithin.