Sunday, December 27, 1914
In Camp, Lark Hill, Salisbury Plains
The Battalion War Diarist wrote for this day: “Church Parade.” [1]
THIS DAY IN RMR HISTORY: “London, December 27. – Two members of the Canadian Veterinary Corps, incarcerated in the Tower of London for disorderly conduct, broke their window bars, escaped when the guard was being changed, and returned to camp. These are the first escapes from the Tower of London recorded for a full century.
ALDERSON’S MESSAGE – GENERAL THANKS CANADIANS FOR SOLDIERLY CONDUCT
London, December 27. – General Alderson has issued a message to the Canadian soldiers, expressing appreciation of their soldier-like conduct, despite the discomforts of living under canvas in an English winter, and says that he would like to thank each man personally.
MENINGITIS OUTBREAK – FIFTEEN CASES SINCE CANADIANS REACHED SALISBURY
London, December 27. – Chaplain Lester Ingles, son of Rev. Archdeacon Ingles, of Toronto, has been stricken with spinal meningitis, and is in Bulford Hospital. His recovery is expected. There have been fifteen cases of meningitis since the arrival of the Canadian contingent at Salisbury. Col. Jones, Director of Medical Services is taking precautionary measures against a widespread epidemic of the disease.” [3]
[1] War Diary, 14th Canadian Battalion, The Royal Montreal Regiment, Dec 27, 1914. Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e044/e001089681.jpg
[2] “Stone Walls Do Not A Prison Make,” The Gazette, Montreal, Quebec, December 28, 1914, pg. 7, col. 1.
[3] Ibid