Friday, November 27, 1914
Camp Salisbury Plain, West Down South
The Battalion War Diarist wrote for this day: “Divisional Drill under Lt.-Gen. Alderson in morning. Lecture on communications in the field by Lt.-Col. Gordon-Hall.” [1]
THIS DAY IN RMR HISTORY: “Salisbury, Nov. 27 – Twenty-two thousand Canadians were engaged all day in manoeuvres, all branches of the service participating. The movements were the same as in battle, the idea being to show each unit where it belonged. It was a magnificent sight. General Pitcairn Campbell congratulated the Canadian officers and said the movements were admirably conducted. The men want Canadian plug tobacco for Christmas.
London, Nov. 27 – (Canadian Associated Cable) – Intimation made by the Canadian Associated Press ten days ago that forty-six members of the Canadian contingent had been sent back to Canada is now public property. These men, as already stated, are mostly of alien extraction, and will be interned in Canada. A few others are being returned to Canada for quite other reasons.
For the first time the whole Canadian division is to-day out on manoeuvres, which will prove a most welcome change to the keen spitrits who, for some time, have been eager to get busy at a real kind of drill which is necessary before they are fit for the front. The only combined movements so far have been route marches and brigade drills.
Considerable amount of leave is still being granted. The work of erecting wooden huts goes on well, Canadian engineers helping the civil contractors in this work.” [3]
[1] War Diary, 14th Canadian Battalion, The Royal Montreal Regiment, Nov 27, 1914. Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e044/e001089676.jpg
[2] William Marchington, Staff Correspondent, “Entire Contingent Out In Manoeuvres,” The Globe (1844-1936), Toronto, Ontario, pg. 2, col. 5.
[3] Ibid.