Daily British Whig (1850), 13 Jun 1916, p. 9

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How CONINGSBY DAWSON, AUTHOR, WAS MADE ONE Under Crpt. Ringwood, Head of the Royal School of Artillery at Tete- de Pont Barracks, Kingston. The New York Times contains a page and a half illustrated article about a p king author who became an athletic-looking soldier under Captain Ringwood at King- ston, The article, abbreviated, is dere given: Once upon a time there was a . wmovelist named Coningsby Dawson. He wrote "The Garden Without Walls" and "The Raft," and many in short stories. People who praised him said that he was delicate and discerning énd sympa- thetic. His curly hair was worn rather long, and his face obviously was that of a poet. : I do not know what has become 'of this Coningsby Dawson. But the other day I saw 4 big bronzed fel- dow, with close-cropped hair and a Ted moustache, who said he was Lieut. Coningsby Dawson of the 14th A . 'He was in New York for a few days on his way to England, where he expected to join his regi- ment and sail for France. I asked him to tell me what had brought about his extraordinary transforma- tion, and what the novelist Conings- by Dawson, thought about war, and thought about literatufe. He bit off the end of a very fat, black cigar and Mt it. He used to smoke specially made cigarettes in an amber mouthpiece. "Well," he said, "you see, I've been up to Kingston at Tete de Pont in the Royal School of Artillery, I suppose it has changed me--it's changed' my attitude toward books and my attitude toward life. It's glven me a lot of things I needed. "When the war brgke out I'd been staying in the Rocky Mountains and 1 crossed the continent to Quebec and went to England. "On shipboard I got an idea of war--of the spiritual significance war, I fonud myself analyzing the soldiers on board, studying . their 8ay indifference, and wondering if 1 'could possibly go toward probable death same attitude. I "found" ng at them from the novelist's viewpbint--and for some reason I-was ashamed to find myself regarding them and the war ie in this way. "And when we got to Liverpool I saw that without the shadow of a doubt their attitude was a genuine expression cf their feelings--it was by no means a military pose, The Kingston Course "We were held up for some hours Just outside of the harbor, and a great crowd of artificers got on board and set to work pulling down the electric lights and generally striping the ship. The civilian passengers Were much worried; they ran around and ¢ ined and asked questions. But the soldiers sat in the smoking Toom and played poker. Civilians and soldiers I saw didn't look at life in the same way, And I liked the |, soldiers' way of looking at life better. "I went to Oxford, my old univer sity, and tried to &et a commission. | But the Governm | sent for me and asked me to go back | to the United States and 'help in the work of supplying information to the | American papers. Then I went to | Kingston and tackled the artillery | officers' course under Captain Ring- | wood. . f "Captain Ringwood belonged to | the Royal Military College of Can-} ada. He is keen to get to the front, | but his work as head of the Royal| School of Artillery is so amazingly | efficient that they won't let him go. | So he says, 'Well, if I can't get to | the front, I'l see that you fellows are fit. to ge before I get through | with you!' In eight weeks he turns these raw recruits in to artillery of- 1 rain- ing which ordinarily takes a year. "I took my lionors degree at Ox- ford, but I never really knew what hard work meant til 1 went to the school. You see, artillery officers must know all about gunnery, the laying of guns, obtaining the lines of fire, and all that sort of thing. They must know how to hit things that they can't @ee--so gufinery is trigonometry straight through. Then there is a great deal of mech to learn. 1 had never heard of range gears and jamming plates, but I had to learn all about them and to know how to take a gun apart and put it together again. I had to know all about ammunition, , de- tonators, the weights and the effects of different charges--and all this is chemistry. And there was a great deal of practical surveying--we had to learn how to use the director, which is like a surveyor's transit, but much more delicate--used in sending down angles from the observation pA ~ The story goes that Terry McGov- ern, one of the best known of light- weight champions, is responsible for the system of physical training now in use at Barriefield. Terry for a long time found training very irk- some and bothersome to him, to such an extent in fact that for days at a time he would simply have to give up keeping in trim. Conditions became 80 bad that he was in a quandary as to what to do about it. John Me- Graw, of the New York Giants, heard of it, and sent him a note to practise with the Giants. Sensing the prob- able change that it would be, and the possibility for a splendid training, the offer was taken advantage of. In- stead of making hig life miserable with a monotonous round of training, he went through all of his childhood games with the Giants. In a week he realized what had happened. He was getting into the best of trim and enjoying life at the same time. This same principle has been adopt- ed at Barriefield. The soldiers are taking physical training, but it is a Joy to watch them do it. The drill thought is entirely eliminated and the men look forward to the period every day. -- TURN OFF THE TAP To the Weather Man Say, Mister, we've had our bath; We're tired of walking a muddy path; Want some dust as an aftermath." Turn off the Tap. Rain for breakfast, rain for tea; Rain cloudburst all over me; Say, we want dry libertee. Turn off the Tap. McEBRAYNE 156th Bagralion Barriefield Camp station to the battery, to lay the guns on unseen targets, Ringwood's Discipline "Then thers ate Hiding, elementary veterinary surgery, and ail the things that are understood by the term horse management. There were foot drill, riding drill, and, of course, battery drill--for some of these men 80 out from the school to become Then Mister, how 'bout the seed? What'll happen to our feed? You know the country's need, Turn off the Tap. By Jinks, as I write, another cloud Appears outside, and I shout aloud, "Oh, save the land from a watery _ shroud, Turn off the Tap. Rain's all right in moderation, And sometimes is our salvation, But say, don't flood all creation, Turn off the Tap. battery commanders, the leaders of 150 men, "At the Royal School of Artillery the men are taken out for 14-mile rides, For the first few miles their legs ache, then they smart, then they feel as if they had cramps. They come back with the blood running down the inside of their logs and into their shoes. A man will all off his horse and lie on his back in the road, looking up at the horse's belly and hoping he won't get a hoof in his face. Capt. Ringwood will call out to him as he gallops by, "Who the devil told you to dismont?" And the Now Mister, do please take heed Of our watery land and the bushels of seed, Which can't be sown for the coun- try's need. g Turn off the Tap. Elmhurst Grounds The grounds at Elmhurst Conval- escent Home are very pretty now With the foliage all in bloom and the gardens are doing particularly well. The patients as well as ithe staff greatly, miss Sergt.-Major Bleasley, man will have to clamber back on his horse and ride on. "There were some Boer War veter- | ans in the class," said Lieut. Daw- son, "and some veterans of the In- dian sérvice. of architects--one of them, a man of 40, whose work had brought him | fame and fortune. The oldest man in| the class was Major Lewis, M.P., of | Guelph. He enlisted as 58 years old, | but he was really 61. four batteries and then shaming young Canada. at 5 every morning, never 4 parade, never shirked. He had never | seen military life before." { enlisted; thus | He got up| Capt. Wilson, Napanee, a graduate | of Toronto University, reported for | duty to the 93rd Battalion on Mon- d#% as medical officer. Capt Hicks of the A.D.M.S. staff has been doing | the work and this will allow him to | return to the headquarters, | who is on duty for overseas with the Field Ambulance Corps at the camp, who took a great interest in due. Gift to a Chaplain The congregation of St. Andrew's | Friday | evening to bid farewell to their pas-| He recruited | tor, Rev, T. Dodds, who has reported | 4 s chaplain | An address | missed (of appreciation of the work of Mr. and | which a church, Sonya, met last for 'duty at Barriefield a of the 155th Battalion, Mrs. Dodds was read after presentation of a gold wrist watch | to the pastor and a cut glass water set to Mrs. Dodds. The congregation has granted Mr. Dodds leave of ab- sence until after the war. The dispensary at the Field Hos- | pital is being put into shape by the carpenters, a OO TO RORS! HE'S MARRIED I Barrieficld Soldier in Wrong With His Friend Lucy. There is evidently one soldier at Barriefield camp who is "in wrong" with" his friend Lucy, who is a resi- dent of that well-known home of the Minister of Militia-- Lindsay. The story came out through a letter that was picked up on Barriefield com- mons. The letter reads something] like this: "Dear W. N: You have al- ways led me to believe that you were a single man. I find that you are married. Do write me again. Tell your wife about it and in future do not get that you are married." Bes B. 8 MATON'A. NX CLARK 156th Battalion at Barriebeld Caan p. WOULD STRIKE NAMES OF ALL OFFICERS WHO HAVE NOT VOLUNTEERED For Overseas Service on the Militia this ¢ work and to whom much credit is) 4 The soldiers have vegetables 4 There were a number | 8roWn on the ground for their meals.] 4 + List--A Very Popular Move Afoot at Ottawa, 3 There is a move: on foot at Ot-| tawa to have the names of all officers who have not offered their services for overseas struck off the Militia List ho It"is considered by the Govern- ment that every person should do his bit. Qualified officers should get into the game, in some capacity or be struck off the strength, { The practical reason given for the! | move is the fact that officers who de-| turn has been taking up Army Ser- serve better chances are being held { up for their promotions in the mili- | tia and can only be advanced in the | Expeditionary Force, These advance- | ments do not hold good after war and it is thought that a man who held a high rank through this war {should be allowed to keep it for the rest of his life. with great favor here, SPEER ER EP RR EPI R PPR db dpe | Will report ge * +> + A BIG PROGRAMME OF SPORTS SATURDAY. + ned for Kingston or Barriefield # will be held at the camp with 3% 10,000 troops engaged. No % passes are being issued for Sat- + urday afternoon, and the sol- #+ diers will all be in the camp for + the big event. Baseball, foot- % ball, track events and all field + sports will be on the pro- % gramme. + + + * * * +> * CREP RPPPEEIP BEBE PR PRP NP bbe Lieut.-Col. J. J. H. Fee and Capt. R. B. MacConnell left on Tuesday for | Toronto to purchase some mess tents { for the 109th Battalion. The new water pump is working very satisfactory, and there abso- lutely no fear of a water shortage | at any time for the camp. ~ It Looks as Tho y--- ugh Jeff Might Have to Come up for Air PEN a $_ON YouRsE (LE ---- JERE 1 Jusr NGGNTED THIS | {von MET TO PROTECT Sadie RS You CAN OF Pais pay Pum ping | You. the | Jom, Tyg Avy Doty ARGU. HURT Ag LONG AS T Keeb Pumeng To ke&P You ou CANT GET ERESH AIR ts GOT THE NARDELT G0Y YO keep HANDLED NO LESS THAN 400 CASES LAST WEEK. Completed 205 of This Number-- Systematic Inspection of the Camp Teeth Is Being Made. The Canadian Army Dental Corps at Barriefield camp handled 400 cases last week, and completed the work on 295 of this number. The remain- der will return for further treatment. The dentists are making a system- atic inspection of all teeth in camp. The 93rd Battalion, being the small- est number, is receiving first consid- eration. Beginning with No. lspla- toon, every man is having his teeth inspected and repaired where heces- sary. This system will continue un- til every man at the camp has been in the dentist's clinic. The officers engaged in the work are Capts. 8. H, Simpson and E. H. 'Wilson and Lieuts. H. A, Stewart, H. S. Allen and F. J. Lehmann. Camp Notes. A Peterboro paper says that the 93rd Battalion will shortiy 5 moved from Barriefield camp, either to the new Borden camp near Barrie, or to Valcartier, is now practically certain. The odds favor the Borden camp, | which will be ready in a short time. Sergeant Ian L. McKinnon, Ren- frew, has been made quartermaster- sergeant of the 130th Battalion; thus will be very close to his fellow-towns- man, Capt, Henry J. Airth, who is Quartermaster. It/\was an office which first had sought Deputy Reeve Macdonald as one skilled in account- ing. The holes are being dug now for the | l | pr: ; . ie i # day morning for its first day in the| We 8rumble and grouse, and though On Saturday next the biggest + Musketry course. The remainder of programme of sports ever plan- | the poles that will carry the electric light current through the camp. In some places the rock is very close to the surface and blasting is necessary. Retreat for the ensuing week will {ve sounded at 8 p.m. It is published for the information that "Dead Man's Bay" is placed out of bounds for bathing. Men will be allowed to bath at Pump Station, | Lake Shore. | * Lieut, Marsh, who was overseas with the artillery, and since his re- | vice Corps work, has been made ad- | jutant to Major J. Hamilton, A.D., of S. and T. { Lieut, Johnston, 207 Battalion, Ot- | tawa, has er. Capt. H. C. Wotherspoon, oceeded tp the rifle ranges on Mon the companies will be taken in turn and the most extensive use possible will be made of the ranges from now on. The School of Cookery is working under great difficulties, The weather has prohibited much outdoor work and for that reason the school has been practically at a standstill. M. Paquette has been taken on the strength of the 154th Battalion, Major Low and Lieut. Stegman, 136th Battalion, who has been at- tending the School of Musketry at Ottawa will return on. Wednesday Lieut. W, 1, Floody will go to Rock- cliffe for the next course. | Lieut. McGee, 155th Battalion, i CAMP TOOTH PULLERS] in charge of the School of Machine Gunnery, which opened on Tuesday morning. It is planned to have every officer at the camp attend some course at this school. Lieut. Adams, 207th Battalion, has arrived at Barriefield with nine sig- nallers for the Sohool of Signalling. The men are attached to the 136th Battalion temporarily, The invalided soldiers of the 38th Battalion who arrived from Bermuda on Saturday left on Monday for Ot- tawa for further treatment in the Sir Sanford Fleming Convalescent Home, Lieut.-Col. R. J. Gardiner, A.D.M. 8., left on Monday for Cobourg to in- spect the Cobourg Heavy Battery and will be in Ottawa on Tuesday to in- They Even Tackle Pass the Slipper-- Another Game Too OM to be Named is Also Much in Use, The old soldiers who have been giving the Instructional at the' Montreal and London schools of Bay- onet Fighting and Physical Training unload all kinds of games on the men who attend. These men come back to Barriefield and have their heads full enough of games to bring delight to any group of men or ehild- rem, for it is really children's games. One squad of the 109th Battalion Was noticed playing the old time game of "pass the slipper." Another squad down in the 146th was en- gaged in another game that is wo old that the name is forgotten. A beit is passed to some one and he starts after another chasing him around the circle of men and landing the strap on the man's back at every opportunity. Needless to say the sporting spirit overcomes any per- sonal feeling and thére'is the broad- '| est of smiles on the faces of the mex, . as they watch sheir miore unfortunate comrade "getting his." In all of the dozen of games used | | { | | | { | | | of | LIEUT. GILBER" | 3 ' aca. | 8 + Corps a Bagiie nd Engine- | Army rt ar spect the 77th Battalion a ers Training Depot. | p might be { Truly Barriefield eam proud of its two young entertainers. Master Alexander Finlayson of the 130th Battalion and Master Tom La Plante the boy singer of the 154th | Battalion, | Apres La Guperre ! You're stony broke; its a cold wet | day. | You could do with a drink to drive care away, { You go to the Paymaster; what does | reported to the infantry | | school of instruction at the camp to | learn and afterwards take over the | The move will meet | duties as adjutant and quartermast- | the | | present adjutant and quartermaster, for duty at the Royal | | Military College in August. f One company of the 93rd Battalion | | | | What a time we will have when we've still | he say? Apres La Guerre, You've had no mail; you're feeling glum, You speak to the mail but he keeps mum, You ask, "Where's my parcel," he says, "It'll come" Apres La Guerre. You're weary and worn; your heart doth grieve, And you sigh for a glimpse of your sweet Genevieve, But they say when-you ask for a few day's leave, Apres La Guerre. we've some fun, We'll all be glad ings done, when the strafe- walloped the Hun, Apres La Guerre. ELBE IRIE Bayonet Instructors Lieut. Newlands and twenty serge ants of the 146th Battalion who have been attending the School of Bayonet Fighting and Physical Training at London returned to camp on Monday and wil carry on the work co-opera- ting with those who attended the school in Montreal. At Barriefield Time 11 p.m. > Sentry:---"Halt! Who goes there?" Pte. X:--"Shist! Don't make such a noise. D"yer want to get me into 8! trouble?" + | ¢ OFFICE Lo the scientific value is worked out un- consciously with beneficial effect on those who are engaged. SIGNALLERS BUSY There Are 100 Juniors and 150 in Advanced Class The School of Signalling is work- ing every day on the mound in front headquarters Administration building and presents a very pleasing sight with its flags all moving in un- ison at the word of command of the instructor, There are 100 in the jun- ior class and 150 in the advanced class which meets every aftermoon. | The seniors are with the battalions during the morning. The work is progressing favorably and in the near future every signaller at the camp will have a certificate for both courses and there will also:-be a re- serve in the ranks. The School of Signalling is now engaged in the second week's wor The preliminary' Work fs so very {m- portant and has such a on the whole course that great atten- tion is paid to the men getting a good foundation before going on with the advanced work. Lectures and field work comprise the syllabus, Recruits Plentiful The Lanark Era whieh is located in the centre of the district that Major E. O. Watt will scour for re- cruits states that "material for re- cruits is still plentiful and we ex- pect to see the new battalion under the energetic campaign, we are sure Major Watt will launch, called into being in a remarkably short time." i i i | PELE P2202 200000 RS SHOULD GET MAPS FROM WHIG. It is expected that as soon as the troops at Barriefield are sufficiently well trained, the brigades will be engaged in ex- tensive field operations, In anticipation of this the Whig on May 27th and June 3rd published full page maps of this district and city as part of the regular - issue. Both are exceptionally clear and well # drawn for military purposes. # There are a few of these left, % which can be purchased If ap- + %, plied for at the Whig office + " immediately. +* LJ + EFPRPPPEREEP PEP IRM IR MERE The few hours of warmth on Mon- day certainly improved the conditions of the parade grounds and roads. LVR By Bud Fisher . 3 MORE HAY Key AY cise

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