INSPECTION BY GENERAL ALDERSON
THIS DAY IN RMR HISTORY, 21 October 1914 – From the 14th BATTALION (RMR) WAR DIARY:
Wednesday, October 21, 1914
Camp Salisbury Plain, West Down South
“3rd Bde. Inspected by Lt.-Gen. Alderson, Comdg. 1st Canadian Division.” [1]
INSPECTION BY GENERAL ALDERSON
“London, Oct. 21. General Alderson held an informal inspection of a large portion of the Canadian contingent today, the parade including the Princess Patricia’s Infantry. Most of the Brigades are still one or two battalions short. A greater part of the artillery did the journey from Plymouth today. By tomorrow the contingent will be pretty fully established on the Plain. Some heavy marches already have been undertaken by the earlier arrivals. Three days leave passes have been fairly generously granted. No rain has fallen since the camp was established. The health and spirits of the entire contingent continue at the highest pitch.” [3]
After the parade and inspection the Globe’s correspondent wrote:- “General Alderson, the Imperial officer who is to command the Canadian division, has taken charge, and has already won the regard and confidence of the men from Canada. In a short, soldierly, address to the troops yesterday the General told them he was going to treat them as men. He said he would put then upon their honour to behave as men, and he was sure the confidence he had in them would not be misplaced.” [4]
[1] War Diary, 14th Canadian Battalion, The Royal Montreal Regiment, Oct. 21, 1914. Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e044/e001089670.jpg
[2] “Gen. Alderson Inspects Canadians: Parade Included Princess Pats--Three Days' Leave Passes Granted”, Canadian Associated Cable, The Globe (1844-1936),Toronto, Ontario, October 22, 1914, pg. 7, col. 4
[3] Ibid.
[4] William Marchington, “Settling To Work On Salisbury Plain; Canadians Alongside 200,000 British Soldiers, General Alderson Popular,” The Globe (1844-1936), Toronto Ontario, November 4, 1924, pg. 3