It is worthy of mention that throughout the War thousands of contracts for supplies were made and carried out by the Army Service Corps in the Maritime Provinces, involving the expenditure of millions of dollars, the accounting for which was also one of the many duties of the Army Service Corps, yet not in a single instance was there the breath of scandal discernible, a single transaction questioned, or a suggestion of deviation from the ethical pathway of rectitude. Truly a glorious record and heritage for the Canadian Army Service Corps in the Maritime Provinces, with headquarters in the Metropolis of Nova Scotia.
The statement has been made that at the outbreak of the Great World War there were stationed at Halifax eight officers of the Army Service Corps. Most of these were soon cleared out and proceeded Overseas. Major Marks, Lieutenants Lawson and MacDougall were summoned to Valcartier and accompanied the First Contingent. Lieut.-Colonel Dean was called to take command of the First Divisional Train, but as his services at Halifax could not then be spared, he was not permitted to go. Later on he was given the command of the Second Divisional Train, but again he was held back, Major A. L. Massie of St. John being given the command. Col. W. A. Simson, a Nova Scotian, was placed in command of the First Divisional Train, which proved to be the “first” Train in more senses than one, inasmuch as it was conceded to be the best Train in France, barring none.
On the establishment of an Army Service Corps Training School at Toronto, Capt. H. R. Hendy, of Halifax, was appointed Adjutant. On proceeding Overseas, he was replaced by Capt. Cecil R. Sircom. Both of these officers received their training at Halifax, as did also upwards of one hundred officers, all of whom “made good” in Flanders Fields, bringing credit to themselves, the Army Service Corps and the Metropolis of Nova Scotia, where they were trained.
Among Nova Scotia officers of the Army Service Corps who were trained at Halifax and saw service at the Front were: Capt. G. A. Redford, of New Glasgow; Lieut. D. A. Starr, of Halifax; Capt. “Ted” Foster, of Bedford; Capt. G. W. Underwood, of New Glasgow; Capt. Walter Taylor, of Halifax, who transferred his affections to the Army Medical Corps; Lieut. Frank S. Brennan, of Halifax, later transferred to the Flying Corps; Lieut. A. B. Dewberry, of Halifax. In addition Lieut. L. Pierce, of No. 8 Company, saw service in France, while Lieuts. J. A. Rose, G. H. Applegate, W. J. V. Tweedie, H. S. Crowe and F. D. Doyle, also of No. 8 Company, all Nova Scotians, performed meritorious service in Canada. Lieut. J. G. Ryan, of Kentville, received his training at Halifax and filled many important appointments at Sydney, Amherst, Aldershot, Ottawa and elsewhere. Physical unfitness rendered him unable to partake in the campaign Overseas.
The Headquarters Company of the Fourth Divisional Train was organized at Halifax, the 200 members being recruited almost entirely from Nova Scotia. The Train was mobilized and trained at Halifax. It was commanded by Lieut.-Col. E. C. Dean, who took it Overseas. Of this Unit a Canadian officer in high position in England said it was one of the best trained bodies of men that Canada had contributed to the Great War.
On the departure Overseas of Lieut.-Colonel Dean, the duties of A.D. of S. & T. were taken over by Major A. P. Lomas, of No. 6 Company of the Army Service Corps. This officer very efficiently administered the Army Service Corps affairs in the Maritime Provinces for nearly three years, and rendered the British Empire invaluable service. He was ably seconded by Major E. E. Wood, who commanded the local C.P.A.S.C., now developed into a Company of upwards of 200 men, having about fifty horses and forty motor vehicles.
The Permanent Detachment of the Army Service Corps at Halifax contributed very materially in personnel to the various Army Service Corps Units proceeding Overseas, the Detachment being made up largely of Nova Scotians. The training and disciplining these men received at Halifax had the effect of leavening the Overseas Units with which they became associated.
When the casualties began to return from France, they came in ship loads, about ninety per cent. returning through the Port of Halifax. Sometimes as many as three vessels a week arrived. Most of the well-known big ships were engaged in bringing home these war-scarred veterans, among the number being the Olympic, Aquitania and Mauretania. In this work the Army Service Corps played an important part, as they made all train, berthing and feeding arrangements, as well as issuing all ranks with the necessary tickets for transportation. The Army Service Corps worked out each train “consist,” gave the completed train schedules to the railroad officials, who made up the trains in accordance therewith.
Lieut.-Col. E. C. Dean, who had just returned from France, was appointed Chief Transport Officer. Other Army Service Corps officers employed on this important work were: Major F. W. Wickwire (who later succeeded Colonel Dean as Chief Transport Officer), Capt. S. A. Doane, Lieut. Ken. Love, Capt. L. Prickler, and Lieut. George H. Edgar. Also assisting were eighty train conducting officers, one of whom was placed in charge of each troop train to look after the comforts of the men, see that they were properly fed, and that the train was run through to its destination without undue delay.
Troops were disembarked at the rate of 1,000 under one hour: the Olympic and Aquitania, each carrying 5,500, were cleared in five hours. About twelve to fourteen trains on an average were required to despatch this number of men homeward, and the fact that over a quarter of a million men were thus entrained, ticketed, berthed and fed en route without a single mishap or complaint serves to illustrate the almost perfect system that prevailed. Troops were entrained at the rate of 1,000 an hour, which meant that a troop train departed every half hour, which may be considered quick work even from a railroad standpoint.