CANADA’S PART

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20992, 20 December 1939, Page 8

CANADA’S PART

TROOPS IN BRITAIN MESSAGE FROM KING A SECRET WELL KEPT 'United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 19 The Canadian Active Service Force, commanded by Major-General A. G. L. McNaughton. has landed on British soil and already is encamped somewhere in England for final training. It includes a large number of Red Indians, who are fine soldiers. No secret throughout the war had been better kept than the embarkation of this large and magnificently equipped force from every province of Canada. Residents at the port of disembarkation were amazed to see a procession of transports and a strong naval escort entering the harbour on Sunday morning through the mists of a winter day. So well had the secret been kept that they were even more deeply mystified as the ships slowly approached the shore and they heard bands playing and a vast chorus singing “O Canada.” In the course of a brief ceremony at the quayside, which was thronged by cheering crowds, the general officer commanding the area read a telegram of welcome from the King. It concluded:—

“The British Army will be proud to have as comrades in arms the successors of those men from Canada in the last w r ar who fought with heroism never to be forgotten.”

The Secretary for the Dominions, Mr Anthony Eden, welcomed the contingent on behalf of the Government. A flight of aeroplanes from the land dipped in salute overhead. Celebrations in Canada There were celebrations throughout Canada when it was learned that the contingent had arrived in England, says a message from Ottawa. With the lifting of the veil of secrecy, Canadian newspapers were filled with accounts of the assembly and departure, both of which were triumphs of organisation. Trains carrying 400 to 600 troops operated over a period of three days. All were timed to arrive at Halifax, Nova Scotia, at two-hour intervals. The sailing was kept the closest secret. There were no leavetakings at the waterside. Indeed, the people of Halifax saw nothing of the men. The Prime Minister, Mr Mackenzie King, and members of the Cabinet stood on the dock alone on a chill, grey Sunday morning as the long line of ships slipped to sea. Never before had troops travelled in such elegant surroundings. Several of the transports were famous luxury liners well known in Australia. Mr John Buchan, son of the GovernorGeneral, Lord Tweedsmuir, is a member of the contingent. Sense of Humour Correspondents who accompanied the troops testify that the Royal Navy has a sense of humour, apropos the only incident en route. When some transports which had strayed in a heavy fog were reassembled, a scouting destroyer made the following signal:—“Read Luke, chapter 15, verse six.” The passage referred to reads: “And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.” Rousing Cheers Given The news of the arrival of the Canadian Forces in the United Kingdom is enthusiastically greeted in the press, as fresh encouragement to the Allied cause and as convincing proof of the solidarity between the Dominions and Britain. The troops were in high spirits on arrival and responded with rousing cheers to the welcome accorded them. They were greeted by the Secretary of State for the Dominions, Mr Anthony Eden, and the Canadian Hign Commissioner and high naval and military officers. A Tough Struggle In a brief speech Mr Eden said: “It may be that the struggle in which we are engaged will be long. It certainly will be tough—we aLI know that. But in the assurance of the unity of the peoples of the British Commonwealth is the certainty of final victory. We thank you for your journey, and we wish you all good luck and God-speed.”