-133- THE WAK YEARS

The outbreak of war in 1914 was the beginning of a new pattern of life in Prince Edward Island. Since the ending of the Boer War in 1902, there - had been only passing interest in things military. In that conflict, our involvement had been limited to sending a few volunteers, anxious for a -taste of adventure, to join the contingent that represented the Dominion in several major engagements. Two Islanders, Alfred Riggs. and Ronald Taylor, who were killed in action, are commemorated on the South African War Monument on Queen's Square. |

During the interval of peace, the Fourth Canadian Artillery, a militia unit, was based at the drill shed in Victoria Park where regular drill periods were conducted. This unit routinely went to summer camp in Petawawa, wnere it achieved an outstanding rating in competition with . batteries from other points Of the Dominion. I remember particularly its excellent band and the.concerts presented in the Park on summer evenings. This band always led the parade of the various fraternal orders. Therw was also the old 82nd Regiment that went under canvas at the Exhibition Grounds for two weeks training every Summer. They wore the old-fashioned red tunics, and were greeted by the town unchins with derisive cries of "lobster backs" when they marched through tho streets of Charlotterown. The great majority of the 82nd were farm boys whose interest was directed more toward having a fling in the city than to becoming educated in the arts of war. There was also a troop of cavalry that took part in those Summer maneuvers -- 4 detachment of the Canada Light Horse, or the C.LeH. Naturally, the ubiquitous Island punsters promptly tagged vit: "Canada's Last Hope."

With the declaration of war on Germany on August 4th, Charlottetown

quickly became a maelstrom of martial activity. Many of tne active