my Brigade Commander, General
Turner, V.C.:

DEAR COLONEL,--Leave has been extended for four days
as requested.

The process of reorganizing is a heavy one.

Your battalion will have lost its identity as the 48th
Highlanders.

In forwarding recommendation for "Mention in Despatches" it
has given me great pleasure including your name for the
valuable services rendered at St. Julien.

According to medical officers and my own opinion you are
entitled to a good rest or suitable staff employment.

You have done more than called for as a regimental officer.

With best wishes, believe me,

Yours Sincerely,
R.E.W. TURNER.

The list of honors for the second battle of Ypres was out and my name
had been omitted. I had, however, received notice at the same time
that I had been advanced to the rank of full Colonel.

I was pleased, however, to see that Major Marshall, my second in
command whom I had recommended for "mention in despatches," had
received a D.S.O. He was a professional soldier and this meant much
more to him than it did to me. He was later to fall in the front line
trenches the victim of a German sniper. A great athlete, a splendid
soldier, a universal favorite, Canada and the Empire could ill spare
such a man. His solicitude for his men was such that I have known him
to give his clothing to some ailing private. He was one of the
bravest, truest and kindest of Canadians.

Only a few of the many deserving ones had received recognition, but
where there were so many brave men and brave deeds performed it was
very difficult to give honors and distinction to all. Officers did no
more than the privates, signallers and bombers in the battle. All did
their best.

I returned to Canada on board the S.S. Hesperian, which ship had the
misfortune to be torpedoed next trip.

In Canada I did my best to stimulate recruiting. The "Red Watch"
recruited two more fully-equipped battalions for the war--the 92nd and
the 134th.

The story of the brave deeds of the men of 15th Battalion, the Red
Watch, after I left Flanders will have to be reserved for a further
volume. They covered themselves again with glory at Givenchy,
Festubert, Hooge and Sanctuary Wood.

The reader may be inclined to ask the question if through all these
troublesome times, the Canadian soldier ever lost faith in ult