Now I feel that we may, without any false
pride, think a little of what the Division has
done during the past few days.
 I would first of all tell you that I have never
been so proud of anything in my life as I am
of my armlet with "Canada" on it. I thank
you, and congratulate you from the bottom of
my heart, for the part each one of you has
taken in giving me this feeling of pride.
   I think it is possible that all of you do not
quite realise that, if we had retired on the
evening of April 22nd-when our Allies fell
back before the gas and left our left flank
quite open-the whole of the 27th and 28th
Divisions would probably have been cut off.
Certainly they would not have got away a gun
or a vehicle of any sort, and probably not more
than half the Infantry would have escaped.
  This is what our Commander-in-Chief meant
when he telegraphed, as he did, that "the
Canadians saved the situation." My lads, if
ever men had a right to be proud in this world,
you have.
  I know my military history pretty well, and
I cannot think of an instance, especially when
the cleverness and determination of the enemy
is taken into account, in which troops were
placed in such a difficult position; nor can I
think of an instance in which so much depended
on the standing fast of one Division.
   You will remember that the last time I spoke
to you just before you went into the trenches
at Sailly now over two months ago, I told you
about my old Regiment-the Royal West
         

         
of the Division, and especially to the Brigadiers
and the Divisional and Brigade Staffs, for the
loyal and efficient help they have given me
during the eleven months that I have com-
manded the Division. It is this help that, in
spite of the difficulties of organisation, or the
trying climatic and other unpleasant conditions
of Salisbury Plain, has made my period of
command so pleasant.
  I have already expressed personally, to all
ranks, my appreciation of the conduct of the
Division in action at all times, and especially
during the trying twelve days-April 22nd to
May 4th-at Ypres. I will not, therefore, say
any more about this conduct, except that I
shall never forget it.
  I am consoled in my great regret at leaving
the Division by the thought that, as Corps
Commander, I shall still be in close touch
with it.
   In handing over to General Currie I feel,
as I have told him, that I hand over an efficient
fighting unit, which, I am sure, will, under him,
add to the reputation it has made, and also
give him the same loyal support that it has
always given to me.
  I feel that I cannot conclude better than by
asking all ranks of the 1st Division always to
remember the words which I am adopting as
the motto of the Canadian Army Corps:-