THIS DAY IN RMR HISTORY, 23 September 1914 – The Globe’s Valcartier correspondent reported the previous evening “Every precaution is being taken to insure a safe passage across the Atlantic for the Canadian troops, and it is hoped that the splendid record of the British in landing the first expeditionary force on the continent without the loss of a single man will be duplicated.
The Minister told your correspondent tonight that not one troopship would be allowed to leave Canada until a strong convoy of British battleships was available, while as a further precautionary measure heavy guns would be mounted on the decks of every boat carrying Canadian soldiers. Colonel Hughes added that some 25 vessels would be engaged in the work of transporting the First Canadian Contingent consisting of 31, 250 to England.” [2]
[1] “Every Precaution For Canadian Troops: Strong Convoy of British Battleships Required,” Special Despatch to The Globe, The Globe (1844-1936), Toronto, Ontario; Sep 23, 1914; pg. 3, col. 1.
[2] Ibid.