September 1914
I George Ernest Wood, a
student attending Albert College as a Probationer for the Methodist Ministry leave off
studying and join the 15th regiment Argyle Light Infantry.
My reasons for doing so
are partly a rebellion against studying and more so a wish to have a somewhat adventurous
career in my young manhood.
I continue to eat and
sleep at the college as my board and in fact all my college fees are paid up to the end of
the term at Christmas. I, however, during the day give over studying and the regular
college routine and turn to drilling with the aforesaid Regiment at the Belleville
Armories.
In the Regiment I am
appointed to A. Company, which is commanded by Captain Allan. (Bertram
Kerr Allen. KIA Sept 15, 1916 with the rank
of Lieut). It may
be noted by the way the A. Co. are all Albert College men.
When volunteers were
called for to proceed overseas, three of us, Peter Pirie (59802), Joe Nicholson (59748) and myself volunteered from the College and after
being examined and attested were set to work drilling with a “bunch” of
Belleville men, making some forty odd volunteers from that place.
Our time while in
Belleville was devoted to platoon, squad and section drill and in target practice in the
basement of the Armories.
Before our stay was ended
here a shooting contest was held and I managed to take first prize ($1) making a score of
32 points out of a possible 35.
October
1914
Leaving Belleville
On October 3rd,
we were lined up at the Belleville Armories, had our pictures taken and were marched to
the station; the regimental band leading.
The streets were crowded
with people all wishing us God-speed on our way. All the students of the college were at
the station to see us off having been granted a half-holiday for the occasion.
Leave takings are not
pleasant, even on this occasion when we were only going to Kingston a matter of about
sixty miles away, to enter into our training for active service. The train pulled out to
the music of several bands and the cheering of people.
The troop train arrived
at Kingston that evening, having stopped at several places on the way there and picking up
more soldiers-to-be.
We de-trained on the
outskirts of the city and marched in double file
Through the streets, our
“bunch” going to what was once a canning factory, (this was
the Kingston Cereal Works located on Gore St) but which was rapidly being turned into barracks. Bunks were being rapidly put up and our particular
section had to wait till a late hour that night before we were enabled to turn in.
We were here drilling
about two weeks before uniforms or equipment in any way were issued and then we had
another medical inspection and I failed to pass this one, having a slight hernia on my
left side. On questioning the Doctor I found out that if I had an operation and the
results were successful that I would be taken on as a member of the battalion which was
going to be known as the twenty-first (21st)
I immediately tried to
have the operation under government supervision, as in that way, the expense would be on
the government, but it was no use.
Preparations were nearly
completed to have the operation done by a Kingston Dr. when at Fathers suggestion I gave
that up went home to Moulinette the following day to Cornwall general Hospital and the
next morning at about 9 o’clock was successfully operated on for the hernia as well
as having a varicose vein attended to. This operation took place on the (13th)
thirteenth of October.
In ten (10) days I
returned home after kind attention from old schoolmates and other friends and one week
before Christmas was back drilling again in Kingston.
It may be here noted that
I was operated on by Dr. Ross Arguire of Cornwall, his father assisting. They both refused
to take pay, making the excuse that I was having it done to enable one to serve my King
and Country. I therefore only had a few hospital fees to pay.
I was home again on New
Years Day and for the five following days.
During our stay in
Kingston we were gradually transformed from quiet and peacable civilians into fighting men
and troops of His Majesty the King.
While in Kingston
drilling etc. I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of the Ashley and Quail
families, who were old time friends of Father and Mother. Another old friend well worth
remembering was the Methodist Minister rev. Campbell, who is an old College chum of my
Uncle Will (Wood) I spent a good many pleasant hours with him and enjoyed the hospitality
of he and his charming wife. He, by the way, now is Captain Campbell; Chaplain of one of
the later Kingston battalions.
Note. – As part of
our training we had several long marches, one to Odessa over twelve (12) miles from the
city and another to Gananoque, a distance of twenty miles (20.) this latter march took two
days but as I was home on my second leave while in training in Kingston I did not take
part in the latter march. |