3rd Contingent 2nd Detachment

TWENTY-SEVEN MEN TO BATTLE FOR FREEDOM – Three Thousand Citizens See Men Off For Victoria – Cranbrook Supplied 200 Men.

                                    Dear son of mine, the baby days are over,

                                    I can no longer shield you from the earth;

                                    Yet in my heart always I must remember

                                    How thru the dark I fought to give you birth.

                                    Dear son of mine, by all the lives behind you.

                                    By all our fathers fought fore in the past;

                                    In this great war to which your birth has brought you,

                                    Acquit you well, hold your honor fast!

                                    God guard you, son of mine, wher’er you wander;

                                    God lead the banners under which you fight;

                                    You are my all, I give you to the nation,

                                    God shall uphold you that you fight aright.

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            Accompanied by the city band and with the streets lined with hundreds of people the second detachment of men for the third contingent left Cranbrook last Sunday for Victoria.  This contingent is to form part of a regiment of mounted infantry, which is to be sent from British Columbia.  There were twenty-seven young men in the contingent, which comprised much younger men than most of the other contingents and a larger proportion of boys whose parents lived in the district and who have really grown to manhood here.

            With the departing of this contingent Cranbrook has now supplied one hundred and sixty-eight men for the contingents, besides a number who enlisted at other points or went to the old country to report for service.  This together with the number of French and British reserve men who were in the district at the outbreak of war and who have reported will total more than two hundred.  Cranbrook certainly has done its part in furnishing men and a great personal interest is felt already in the daily reports from the men at the front.

            Some three thousand residents of the city and district were at the train to say good-bye and wish the men God-speed.

            There was no cheering as the train pulled out.  The casualty list lately is showing a large percentage of Canadians and we are facing today the stern realities of war.  It is little wonder the multitude was in no mood to throw their hats in the air and shout, as on previous occasions.  We are realizing war is hell.

            The following is a list of the men:

            G. Anderson

            W.W. Austin

            J.H. Brown

            N. Barnhardt

            R.C. Brown

            D. Brault

            W. Benbow

            F.J. Cryderman

            H.T. Cadwallader

            C. Gallamore

            B.D. Heard

            J.A. Hope

            T. Hardy

            H.J. Handley

            M.H. John

            S. Moore

            R. McKay

            Fred McDonald

            Frank G. McDonald

            M.C. McNabb

            E.J. Nolan

            W. O’Neill

            A.T. Smoke

            D.S. Taylor

            A. Williamson

            G. Woodery

            S.G. Watson

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