Canadian Expeditionary Force, history, Canada, Ca, Can, Canadian, World War 1, WWI, WW1, First World War, 1916-1918
Canada in Flanders Logo
CANADA IN FLANDERS
By SIR MAX AITKEN, M.P.

THE OFFICIAL STORY OF THE
CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
VOLUME I.

APPENDIX I

THE KING'S MESSAGE TO THE
CANADIANS.

To the First Division.


   ON February 4th, 1915, His Majesty the King
inspected the 1st Canadian Division on Salisbury
Plain, and afterwards wrote a message to the troops,
which was read to all units on board ship after their
embarkation for France.  The full text of the
message is as follows
         
   Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and   
   Men:                                      
      At the beginning of November I had the
   pleasure of welcoming to the Mother Country
   this fine contingent from the Dominion of
   Canada, and now, after three months' training,
   I bid you Godspeed on your way to assist my
   Army in the field.
      I am well aware of the discomforts that you
   have experienced from the inclement weather
   and abnormal rain, and I admire the cheerful
   spirit displayed by all ranks in facing and over-
   coming all difficulties.
193
CANADA IN FLANDERS

Index

I
Mobilisation

II
Warfare

III
Neuve Chapelle

IV
Ypres

V
A Wave of Battle

VI
Festubert

VII
Givenchy

VIII
Princess Patricia's Light Infantry

IX
The Prime Minister

X
The Canadian Corps

Appendix I
The King's Message to the Canadians

Appendix II
Canadians in Despatches

Appendix III
The Prime Minister and the War

Appendix IV
Lieut.-General E.A.H. Alderson, C.B., Commanding the Canadian Corps

Appendix V
Honours and Awards Granted

Appendix VI
Statement of Casualties





194...............CANADA IN FLANDERS
      From all I have heard, and from what I have
   been able to see at to-day's inspection aNd
   march-past, I am satisfied that you have made
   good use of the time spent on Salisbury Plain.
     By your willing and prompt rally to our
   common flag you have already earned the grati-
   tude of the Motherland.
     By your deeds and achievements on the field
   of battle I am confident that you will emulate
   the example of your fellow-countrymen in the
   South African War, and thus help to secure the
   triumph of our arms.
     I shall follow with pride and interest all your
   movements. I pray that God may bless you
   and watch over you.
	
To the Second Division
   On September 2nd, 1915, the King, accompanied
by Lord Kitchener, inspected the 2nd Division in
Beachborough Park, Shorncliffe.  Before leaving
His Majesty directed General Turner to inform all
Commanding Officers that he considered the Divi-
sion one of the finest he had inspected since the
beginning of the war. Subsequently the following
message from the King was published in Orders:-
         
      Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and
   Men of the 2nd Canadian Division-six months
   ago I inspected the 1st Canadian Division
   before their departure for the front.  The
   heroism they have since shown upon the field
   of battle has won for them undying fame.  you
   are now leaving to join them, and I am glad to






APPENDIX I...............195
have an opportunity of seeing you to-day, for it
has convinced me that the same spirit that
animated them inspires you also.  The past
weeks at Shorncliffe have been for you a period
of severe and rigorous training; and your ap-
pearance at this inspection testifies to the
thoroughness and devotion to duty with which
to meet hardships and dangers, but the steadi-
ness and discipline which have marked your
bearing on parade to-day will carry you through
all difficulties.  History will never forget the
loyalty and readiness with which you rallied
to the aid of your Mother Country in the hour
of danger. My thoughts will always be with
you.  May God bless you and bring you
victory.


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Copyright Dates:
Second Publication:
First Published: March 1, 2001