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Return of Troops
The conduct of Canadian troops in Europe after the war was, for the most part,
exemplary. But as time passed, and supplies were short and often late, the soldiers
grew impatient. Initially, Ottawa had decided that the soldiers would be brought
home in priority order, with those serving longest coming home first. But General
Currie, whom no one had consulted on the matter, had far different ideas. He
firmly believed that to maintain order and discipline, the men had to be “demobbed” in
formed units, returning in groups to their home cities and towns. Letters were
exchanged, much debate ensued, and in the end, a compromise was reached. The
Canadian Corps under Currie’s command would be demobilized in organized
units; the other troops, including workers in France and England, would be returned
on a “first over, first back” scheme.
Ships were in short supply, and transport of the Canadians directly from France
to home was impossible. Currie had to settle for |
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shipping the soldiers to England and then home. Once in England the men faced
delays, coal shortages, bureaucratic paper work bottlenecks, food shortages,
boredom and frustration. A dock workers' strike caused more delays and cancellations.
Conditions in the camps in which the men were stationed were less than ideal.
Feelings of impatience |
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The last march
Soldiers gather at the Dispersal Station, Exhibition
Camp, 1919. |
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