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.
"The men of Canada have responded nobly to the call to arms. We have sent about 31,800 provincial troops, every one a volunteer, and we have that many more already enlisted if they are needed. Our trouble is to equip them as fast as they enlist.