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[Page 65]
9th.
Arrived at St. John's about 9 AM and we looked more like a ship from the north Pole than coming from the Tropics. Temperature 4 deg. above zero. Left Ship about 2 PM. and were boarded at the Grand Union Hotel. The food and accommodation on board the SS. "Chaleur" R.M.S.P. was of a rotten condition, being unable to get water to wash or to get to drink and the berths were like ice chests and were only intended for niggers, the bed covering being only 1 Sheet, 1 Blanket and 1 counterpain, the bed being of straw and very thin.
10th.
The people of St. John's, N.B. [New Brunswick, Canada] gave us a good reception and we were entertained by the Daughters of the Empire to Tea and dance, also by the Mayor and Ladies of the City to a smoker which I must say was a great success. The programe which was of a gigantic scale could not be half finished owing to so many encores. And the leading Lady of the St. David's Church Choir sang (Do your bit) with such spirit that any person there who was fit to do his bit and was unconscious to the Ladies spirit and meaning must have had a body and Soul of the lowest mongrel spiece [species] and I think it would be far better for him to take the quickest way across the great divide, than live to face the scorn of after years when the question is asked what part did you take in the Great Struggle for your Empire's Liberty. In visiting the various factories in St. John's great pleasure was shown by our Boys at the promptness with which their request was granted. And I must say that the Ladies and Gentlemen and Citizens of St. John's have the proud honour of being the first Citizens to make us feel at home so far away from our own homes, exiled on the Empire's out post duty and we shall have a life long memory of their Kindness and their Splendid Spirits during our short stay in St. John's N.B.
11th.
Visited the Convalesent Home for returned wounded Soldiers and had a good talk to Pte. Wilson a returned Soldier who had received 21 wounds, stayed to tea and had a sing song in the night.