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That “leave” never came. How little we dreamed at the time of the mobilisation that we were so near to the “real thing”! But I must not anticipate.
•••••••
On the 25th July, three days after the events just recorded, the examinations began.
The diplomatic struggle in Europe resulting from Austria’s note to Serbia formed the chief topic of discussion in the College, but no particular excitement prevailed until Tuesday the 28th of July, when we learned that Austria had declared war on Serbia, and Russia had ordered a partial mobilisation of her army.
That afternoon when we were all fallen in at “quarters,” and after the terms had been reported by their officers to the Commander, and were awaiting the customary dismissal, the Captain came on to the quarter-deck, and, going up to the Commander, said a few words to him in an undertone. The Commander saluted, and, turning to the ranks, gave the order, “Cadets, ’shun!”
Every one sprang to “attention,” all eyes fixed upon the Captain. He said: “I have just received this telegram from the Admiralty.” Then in a clear, ringing voice he read the dispatch, which, to the best of my recollection, ran as follows—
“In the event of war, prepare to mobilise at a moment’s notice.”
After a short pause during which a universal murmur of excitement rippled through the ranks, he continued:
“If I receive the order to mobilise the College, all cadets will be recalled immediately whatever they may be doing. You will proceed at once to your dormitories, where you will pack your chests, and move them out of the dormitories to the nearest pathway, and stand by to load them on the carts and wagons which will convey them down to the pier. You will then fall in in terms on the quarter-deck to draw your pay. I will have lists of the ships to which cadets are appointed posted up in the gun-rooms as soon as they are made out. The Hawke and Drake terms will go to Portsmouth; the Grenville and Blakes to Chatham, and the Exmouth and St. Vincents with the ships’ company to Devonport. The Chatham batch will leave the College first, followed by the Portsmouth batch. Those going to Devonport will leave last. A year ago I promised the Admiralty to clear the College of all cadets and active service ratings in eight hours. I trust to you to make this promise good.”