There were two army divisions in the force that sailed, each comprising three brigades of infantry (12,000 men), 27 guns, 500 cavalry, and 2, staff, signallers, medical corps and supermimaries.

THE FINAL REVIEW AT VALCARTIER

Before they sailed away the Canadian army marched past the reviewing stand at the Valcartier Camp, Quebec, under the eyes of 10, civilians.  There were 32,000 soldiers equipped for active service and everyone was impressed with the serious scene.

The Duke and Duchess of Connaught, the Princess Patricia, Col.  Sam Hughes, the Canadian minister of militia, and Col.  V. H. C. Williams, commandant of the camp, looked on with pride as the great parade, almost a full army corps, passed the royal standard.  They marched in column of half battalions, and took a full hour to go by.  Officers commanding the four infantry brigades:  Lieut.-Col.  R.E.W.  Turner, V.C., D.S.O., of Quebec, a veteran of the South African war, mentioned in dispatches for especially gallant service; Lieut.-Col.  S.M.  Mercer, Toronto, Commanding Officer of the Queen’s Own Rifles; Lieut.-Col.  A.W.  Currie of Victoria, Commanding Officer of the 50th Fusiliers; Lieut.-Col.  J.E.  Cohoe of St. Catharines, Commanding Officer of the 5th Militia Infantry Brigade.

The officer appointed to command the artillery brigade was Lieut.-Col.  H.E.  Burstall of Quebec, of the Artillery Headquarters Staff.

Officer in command of the Strathcona Horse, Lieut.-Col.  A.C.  Macdonnell, D.S.O., of Winnipeg, a South African veteran.

Officer in command of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lieut-Col.  C.M.  Nelles of Toronto, Inspector of Cavalry for Militia Headquarters.

The commanding officer of the whole army division was an English general selected by the British War Office.

It was understood that the Canadian troops would land in the south of England and march through London to training quarters at Aldershot and Salisbury Plains, the infantry going to Aldershot and the artillery to Salisbury Plains, for several weeks’ training under active service conditions before going to the firing line.

CANADA FIGHTS AGAINST AUTOCRACY

“Canada will spend its last dollar and shed its last drop of blood fighting for the principle of democracy, against that of autocracy, as exemplified in the present European conflict.”

This was the emphatic statement made by Sir Douglas Cameron, lieutenant-governor—­chief executive—­of the province of Manitoba, passing through Chicago on September 28.

“Great Britain is not fighting for empire,” he said.  “It is not fighting for greater commercial gains.  We are fighting for the annihilation of autocracy and it is the sentiment of the people of Canada that they will fight against Germany’s domination to the bitter end.

“England does not want more commerce, except as it can be gained through the paths of peace.  We would not draw the sword to increase it, but we will fight to the last drop of blood to protect it.