Item 04: Memoirs of a Colonial Boy by Robert Joseph Stewart, ca. 1971 - Page 263
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[Page 263]
130
Dover and went straight up to London on the first train. I booked in at the old Alexandra Hotel (since demolished) near Hyde Park Corner, and next morning reported to a Colonel Donnan at the Tower of London. There I met the other selected officers, had my name and other relevant particulars recorded by the Adjutant, and was told to report again the next morning.
Many army units of every Dominion of the British Empire were represented in the Party. There were, I think, ten Canadians, nine New Zealanders, six South Africans, fifteen Australian and about a dozen English officers amongst whom were some very accomplished linguists and a few War Office specialist. Though arrangements had been made for us to live in the Tower, which was garrisoned by the Honorable Artillery Company, a famous old volunteer London regiment, we were told that we could continue to live "out" at our own expense, provided we reported to Colonel Donnan's office every morning at 10.30 a.m.
The next day we were told that we were going as urgently as possible to the Middle East on a very secret military mission which for the time being would be referred to as the Baghdad Party: outsiders who tried, unsuccessfully to break our secrecy called us the "Hush-hush party". During the afternoon each of us was very thoroughly medically examined. For five more mornings we presented ourselves, to be lectured on travel and administrative matters, or issued with a full tropical and Winter camp kit and given an allowance of fifty pounds to buy uniforms and personal arms and equipment or to just stroll about and get acquainted with each other. On the afternoon of the fifth day we attended a special parade, in the Tower, on which each of us was introduced to the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Sir William Robertson, who concluded his inspection by giving us a short address and wishing us success and good luck. He was the first man to go through every rank in the Army to Full General, and the highest appointment, from private.
After all this we were granted a week's leave and some of the Party went off to visit distant friends or relatives, while others remained in and around the big city to amuse themselves