Destrubé family - Letter to Paul Destrubé from his brother, Georges, October 21, 1914, Edmonton


Creator:
Destrubé family
Description:
Item is a letter written by Georges Destrubé to his brother Paul on October 21, 1914 from Edmonton, Alberta, in which, Georges discusses a delay in mobilization, which prevents him from joining Paul in England as soon as possible.
Subjects:
World War, 1914-1918; Destrubé, Georges; Destrubé, Paul
Date:
1914-10-21
Collection:
Destrubé family fonds
Location(s):
Alberta--Edmonton
Transcript:
[Upper right annotation:] Edmonton 21/10/14 g 11 Dear old Paul, Has this not been a farce from beginning to end. When we got to Vegreville on our way to Edmonton to fix up Guy' s [oil?] business it was our intention to go straight on to London to join you. That is why I sent the cable. When we got Edmonton we were told by the highest officer that they have just recieved instructions that the second contingent would mobilise instantly. And here we are still, not yet mobilized. Of course it is absolutely certain that they will do so sooner or later but we did not reckon on this delay, so we are determined to wait no longer than Monday 27th October. Of course we would save much money by < del> w< /del> waiting as I have explained before but we are getting so disgusted and fret so fiercely at the delay that we will go in spite of all unless something happens before Monday. We could kick those blasted officers who told us this, and still more those down East who are responsible for not giving out the mobilization order. No one can understand why the orders don' t come. Sam. Hughes, Canadian War Minister, has seen' Kitchener and has had time to have long since cabled the orders here. The situation now is -- official report that 10,000 infantry will be mobilized right away and shipped over in December to England. That was a week ago, and the officers have been expecting the order hourly. There are dozens in th same situation as we are, but much worse off because they have been waiting here without work and no home here, waiting in most cases since the 1st. Contingent went away - two months ago. -- and at their own expense, of course. Be we can' t wait any longer Paul, so keep the berths open awhile yet. We have done quite a bit of drill. Give our love to all the dear ones and best love to yourself In great haste, Georges