At Valcartier strenuous work by all ranks drew special mention of the 40th by Major-General Sir Sam Hughes at a General Review of the Camp a week before sailing. The Battalion was also inspected later at Valcartier by the Duke of Connaught and also by Sir Robert Borden. A week before sailing a third call was made for reinforcements, and again five officers and 250 N.C.O.’s and men, all picked, were despatched to England.
Notwithstanding this great drain, on October 18, 1915, the 40th sailed from Quebec on the S.S. Saxonia, with a strength of 1,143 all ranks, under the command of Lieut.-Col. A. G. Vincent and the following officers:
Major C. A. Andrews, Second in Command.
Major J. C. Ditmars.
Capt. J. S. Legge, Adjutant.
Lieut. H. Fisher, Q.M.
Lieut. G. M. Sylvester, Assistant Adjutant.
Lieut. A. W. Cunningham, Sig. Officer.
Lieut. H. St. C. Jones, M.G. Officer.
Major Geo. Wood, Chaplain.