MAJOR J. F. TAYLOR.
To take charge of the administration and discipline of these men, in the various Hospitals and Homes throughout the country, the Military Hospitals Commission Command was created in June, 1916, “B” Unit being the Unit charged with the administration of the Hospitals and Homes throughout the Maritime Provinces. The Officer Commanding this Unit during the whole period of its existence—two years—was Major J. F. Taylor, of Halifax, an officer who had done excellent service in the Pay Branch, and who was selected to command the Maritime Province Unit on account of his tact and business knowledge. Major Taylor organized and administered the affairs of “B” Unit in a highly efficient manner at all times, showing great sympathy to the men under his command. Owing to his great tact and business ability, the Unit was second to none in Canada.
The duties performed by “B” Unit were manifold. Military discipline was adopted to a certain extent in all M.H.C.C. Institutions, but had to be administered with regard to circumstances. The officers saw only the aftermath of the terrible cataclysm enacted “over there,” and their hearts were absorbed in the work of repairing broken humanity.
The personnel of the Staff of “B” Unit on March 1, 1917, was as follows:
| Major J. F. Taylor | Officer Commanding. |
| Capt. C. M. Mosher | Adjutant. |
| Capt. F. A. R. Gow | Medical Officer. |
| Captain Clarke | Quartermaster. |
| Capt. A. A. Peachy | Paymaster. |
On November 1, 1917, Capt. C. M. Mosher resigned as Adjutant and Capt. Walter Whitford was appointed to that office and carried on until “B” Unit was dissolved. In November, 1917, Capt. H. C. Sircom, a returned officer, was appointed Paymaster to succeed Capt. Peachy, who had been transferred to the Discharge Depot Command.
The Hospitals and Convalescent Homes that were turned over to “B” Unit by the Military Hospital Commission consisted of the following:—
| The Parks Convalescent Hospital | St. John, N.B. |
| Ross Convalescent Hospital | Sydney, N.S. |
| Clayton Convalescent Home | Halifax, N.S. |
| Dalton Sanitarium | North Wiltshire, P.E.I. |
Ross Military Convalescent Home was presented to the M.H.C.C. by Commander and Mrs. J. K. L. Ross, of Sydney, C.B., on June 1, 1915.
