From the News

Dated:

ROYAL GRENADIERS GET TWO CROSSES

Description of Work of Overseas Unit Up

Close to Firing Line.

UNIT COMPLIMENTED

Lieut.-Col. Kingsmill, O.C., Writes to Lieut.-Col. J. C. Mason, D.S.O.

Descriptions of the marvelous work being accomplished by the Canadian troops on the western front and a story of what the 123rd Royal Grenadiers Battalion is doing in France are contained in a letter just received in Toronto from Lieut.-Col. W. B. Kingsmill, the commander of the 123rd, by Lieut.-Col. J. Cooper Mason, D.S.O., commander of the 10th Royal Grenadiers Regiment. The 123rd Battalion was an overseas unit of the 10th Regiment, recruited entirely in Toronto in 22 days.

Col. Kingsmill declares it is impossible for those at home to realize the difficulties encountered by the men at the front and what actually happens. Sometimes the Canadian soldiers, he states, in attacking the enemy lines, have "to charge over ground pitted with shell-holes which are filled with water and large enough to drown men, and some have succumbed that way."

The 123rd Battalion, writes Col. Kingsmill, has been engaged in construction work since being in France, and has served in many of the sectors on the western front. The work of the battalion principally consists "in building duck-walks and reconstructing the only route leading to the position occupied by the troops."

One fine piece of work accomplished close to the firing line by the members of the 123rd Battalion was carrying wounded men of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry off the field of battle. For this the 123rd was specially complimented by the commander of the Princess Patricias.

Two Military Crosses

A report of recent casualties suffered by officers and men of the 123rd Battalion, and of decorations won by the unit's members is given by Col. Kingsmill, as follows:

Lieut. J. S. Galbraith awarded the Military Cross for gallantry on the field while under fire.

Lieut. T. P. Mackenzie awarded the Military Cross.

Pte. Saunders awarded Military Medal for gallant work in attending to wounded on the field.

Lieut. G. C. Brown, wounded.

Lieut. C. M. Pasmore, wounded.

Capt. A. H. Macdonald is now in England.

Lieut. Stott, wounded.

Corporal McKinstry (for many years a Grenadier), killed in action.¹

Sgt.-Major Donald McHugh, formerly battalion sergeant-major of the 10th Royal Grenadiers, now in England on the sick list.

Sergt.-Major Hawes, formerly drum-major of the Grenadiers, is now regimental sergeant-major of the 123rd Battalion, taking the place of Sergt. Major McHugh.