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[Page 42]
To make along story short, the whole of the Infantry portion of the Contingent was, with a few exceptions, ready to go on board ship on the afternoon of Friday, 14th August - only four days after I had been first sent for by the District Commandant, and as a matter of fact the Force was actually on board ship by 12 noon on Tuesday 18th August.
Fourteen years ago when I assisted you to organise the first Contingent for South Africa, we though we did remarkably well in getting that Company organized and away the 25th October and 3rd November, but it should be borne in mind that the Contingent consisted of only one Company of Infantry, whereas in the present case there were eight Companies, two Machine Gun Sections, Signalling Section, and a Detachment of the Army Medical Corps. Moreover, in 1899 the men were all drawn from existing units and consisted of members who were then on the active list, and who were nearly all provided with uniform, arms, and most of their equipment, whereas in the present case the majority of the men were not then serving, had no uniform or Military belongings, had to be sworn in, organised, clothed, armed and equipped, which was all done inside one week - an accomplishment of which I think I may be justly proud, and could not have been achieved had I not received the greatest possible assistance from Colonel Wallack, District Commandant, and the members of his staff, and also the assistance of Major Heritage and the other members of the Brigade and Regimental Staffs who are with me today.
In the matter of Adjutant, it was my intention to take with me Major MacNaughtan, an Area Officer and late of the Scottish Rifles, but after he had done about 24 hours duty in that position he left me at the request of Lt. Col. McLaurin, in order to take up some position in the Brigade under that Officer's command in the larger Expeditionary Force proposed to be despatched. Naturally I felt a little hurt at this treatment, particularly in view of the fact that Col. McLaurin did not first approach me in the matter. However, I had the matter out personally with Col. McLaurin, and beyond merely mentioning the fact, I do not wish any further notice to be taken of it.
In McNaughten's place I appointed another Officer named Lane, who joined the Force in the old First Infantry when I commanded that Battalion, and I am pleased to say he is doing well in the position.
Another somewhat similar incident occurred at the Agricultural Ground, when Lieut. King came to the Ground and endeavoured to secure the services of Lane, but I should say that when he was informed that Lane was already doing duty with me, he very properly pursued the matter no further.
I was fortunate in securing as Principal Medical Officer Major N.R. Howse, V.C., whom I recommended for the rank of Lt. Colonel, and I am glad to say this was approved. Up to the present Col. Howse and the three other Doctors, particularly Captain Maguire, have amply justified their selection.
Captain Goodsell of the old 2nd. Infantry Regiment, I appointed as Quarter-master. He is a business man and is doing splendidly. I was also fortunate in securing the services of S.S.M. Wilkinson and S.S.M. Inglis as Brigade and Regimental Sgts. Major respectively. Both these Non-commissioned officers are doing splendidly.