CANADA IN FLANDERS
BY SIR MAX AITKEN, M.P.
THE OFFICIAL STORY OF THE
CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
VOLUME I.
By Sir Max Aitken, M.P.
WITH A PREFACE BY
THE RT. HON. A. BONAR LAW,
M.P., LL.D.,
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
AND AN INTRODUCTION BY
THE RT. HON. SIR ROBERT BORDEN,
G.C.M.G., M.P., LL.D.,
PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA
WITH MAPS AND APPENDICES
HODDER AND STOUGHTON
LONDON TORONTO NEW YORK
MCMXVI
FIRST EDITION . . Printed January, 1916.
SECOND EDITION . . Printed January, 1916.
THIRD EDITION . . Printed January, 1916.
FOURTH EDITION . . Printed February, 1916.
FIFTH EDITION . . Printed February, 1916.
SIXTH EDITION . . Printed February, 1916.
SEVENTH EDITION . . Printed February, 1916.
EIGHTH EDITION . . Printed February, 1916.
NINTH EDITION . . Printed February, 1916.
TENTH EDITION . . Printed February, 1916.
TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN
NOW SERVING IN THE CANADIAN
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE IN FLANDERS
AND TO THE MEMORIES OF THOSE
WHO HAVE FALLEN, I DEDICATE
THIS LITTLE BOOK.
PREFACE
BY THE RT. HON. A. BONAR LAW, M.P.
The author of this book is an intimate personalfriend, and possibly for that reason I take toofavourable a view of his work; but I think he hasalready rendered a great service, and not to Canadaalone.
As Canadian Record Officer, he published aglowing account of the part played in the Battleof Ypres by the Canadian contingent. This accountwas circulated widely, and it contributed largely tomake the deeds of the Canadian soldiers ahousehold word, not only throughout the Dominion, butin the United Kingdom as well.
The present work seems to me a model of lucid,picturesque, and sympathetic narrative, and it willhave, I feel sure, a lasting value.
We have a right to feel very proud of the partwhich is being played in the terrible tragedy of thiswar by the great Dominions of the British Crown.We had no power to compel any one of them tocontribute a single penny, or to send a single man,but they have given of their best, not to help us,though I think they would have done that also, butto defend the Empire which is theirs as much asours.
Led by a General who a few years ago was inarms against us and who is the Prime Minister ofSouth Africa, the Union Government have wrestedfrom Germany a territory larger than the wholeGerman Empire; and a South African contingentis now in England ready to play their part on thebattlefields of Flanders.
The Australians and New Zealanders have shownin the Dardanelles that in courage, resourcefulness,and tenacity better troops have never existed in theworld. Whatever the final result of that operationmay be, the blood which has been shed there has notbeen shed in vain. Not to Australians and NewZealanders alone, but to men of every race throughoutthe British Empire, the Peninsula of Gallipoliwill for ever be sacred ground because of the bravemen who lie buried there.
"In glory will they sleep, and endless sanctity."
What Canada has done, and is doing, shines out inevery page of this book. Higher praise could notbe given than was contained in the despatch of theCommander-in-Chief after the