In these circumstances, and in view of the further fact that the exigencies of affairs frequently called the Minister of Militia away from Ottawa for the purpose of visiting recruiting centres and military camps in Canada, as well as Canadian Headquarters in England, the Government decided that it was necessary to have a Parliamentary Secretary of the Department of Militia and Defence; and, accordingly, on July 16, 1916, by an Order-in-Council the office was created endowing the holder with general authority in regard to administration of the Department, and directing that during the absence from Ottawa of the Minister, the Parliamentary Secretary should also preside at all meetings of the Militia Council and report to the Privy Council through the Prime Minister.
Fortunately, the services of a man of wide experience in business affairs, of well-known executive ability and withal energetic in discharge of duty, in the person of Mr. F. B. McCurdy, M.P., was available, and the Prime Minister wisely asked him to take up this very important work.
Mr. McCurdy willingly agreed; but with one stipulation. The salary affixed to the office was $5,000. Mr. McCurdy was past military age, but he believed that every man should, as far as was in his power, contribute to national duty. He, therefore, stipulated that his services as Parliamentary Secretary of the Militia Department would be a free contribution to the country, and he so served.
Immediately after Mr. McCurdy’s appointment, Sir Sam Hughes, Minister of Militia and Defence, went Overseas; and from that time, which, it will be remembered, was a very active and critical period of the War, until the creation of the Ministry of Overseas Military Forces of Canada, Mr. McCurdy played a very important part in the vital work of building up and strengthening Canada’s great army.
Naturally Mr. McCurdy while discharging his weighty duties with due and patriotic regard to the national interests of the whole country, had a sympathetic ear for his fellow Nova Scotians; and it is well known that his good judgment and influential voice prevailed in regard to irritating questions as to the representation of Battalions at the Front, with results that afforded great satisfaction to the people of his native Province. It is sufficient to say that Mr. McCurdy’s eminent record as Parliamentary Secretary proved the unerring judgment of the Prime Minister in selecting the right men for responsible positions.
At the election of December, 1917, Mr. McCurdy was returned by acclamation for Colchester, his native county.
MAJOR-GENERAL G. L. FOSTER, M.D., F.R.C.S., LL.D., C.B.
Son of George and Elmira Foster. Born at North Kingston, Kings County, Nova Scotia, May, 1874. Graduated M.D. 1896, University of New York, U.S.A. First appointment, Canadian Militia, August 4, 1897, Lieutenant and Assistant Surgeon, 68th Regiment, Kings County, Nova Scotia. Served with Yukon Field Forces as P.M.O., March, 1898, to July, 1900. April, 1913, appointed Assistant Director of Medical Services, Military District No. 2, with headquarters at Toronto, Ontario. September, 1914, sailed from Quebec with First Canadian Contingent and appointed A.D.M.S. 1st Division Canadians, with the rank of Colonel. Served in France from February, 1915, to September, 1915, as A.D.M.S. 1st Division Canadians. September, 1915, appointed Deputy Director of Medical Services, Canadian Corps, on its formation and served with Canadian Corps in France until February, 1917, when appointed Director-General of Medical Services, Overseas Military Forces of Canada with the rank of Major-General, headquarters in London, England. March, 1920, appointed Acting Director-General of Medical Services, Canadian Militia, with headquarters at Ottawa.