Stretcher Bearers at the Double - ElectricCanadian.com

50 ENGLAND
with Imperial outfits. We were sorry to lose them for all were
general favorites. Jim McGillivray, too, went to the 28th Bat
talion, trading places with Pete Howard.
On August 4th we were once again marched to Beachboro
Park and inspected by General Sam Hughes and Bonar Law, ex-
Canadian and at that time head of the Colonial Office. The
weather man must have disapproved of such inspections for
again it poured rain and the men arrived back in camp drenched
to their skins.
The King s Inspection*
Outstanding among our experiences was the King s review
which also took place at Beachboro, on September 2nd, when
His Majesty, Kitchener, Bonar Law, Sam Hughes and other
celebrities gave us a final inspection. Preceding this event we
were trained in "Battalion-Right- Wheel" and other intricate
movements which were not in the ordinary medical officer s drill
routine. For this reason the handling of the unit became some
what involved on these occasions and, although there was much
perusing of "Infantry Training Regulations" by our officers, our
attempts to follow the confusing orders were rather amusing.
The King s inspection itself was marred by a misunderstanding
that, unimportant as it seems now, after a lapse of so many
years, at the time was the cause of considerable grousing
- - and
well nigh a mutiny.
Following the inspection we were given permission to "stand
easy"
and eat our lunches. Packs were thereupon undone and
haversacks opened. Fellows from the same tent got together, for
each had brought his share of the common lunch. Little groups
formed here and there and the serious business of eating was
tackled with great gusto. No attempt was made to keep any
semblance of line. Men from A. Section were mingling with men
from B. and C. The officers were chatting together in front of
the foremost Section (A.), when General Sam Hughes appeared,
apparently from nowhere! The colonel thereupon leaped onto
his horse and, in a voice that was heard by only the few men
nearest to him, shouted "Attention!" The men who heard the
command jumped to their feet and hurriedly stood to attention.
Those who had not heard the order - - at least seventy-five per