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Mi mid Mr». Ben Lyon of Carnegie, dan., received a letter fronj their son. Win. IS. Lyon, Transport Starr, 79th battalion. C.K.P., on Friday night of Iasi week, telling of his safe arrival at Liverpool, and also an account of his trip cverseus on the s.s. latp land. His letter, in part we publish as follows:Well we are about eight or nine:iindred miles from Halifax on what is called the briny ocean, and it is some ocean, too. nothing hut water on both sides, and the boat continually rolling back want s. forwards and sideways, although the sea. lias been wry smooth so far.To start at the beginning, we reach-«d Halifax about noon on Monday. \pril 24th. stayed on the train till umr p.m., then we marahed right up i.. the boat and dumped our kits on • mi beds and took a look around so we could find our wuy around in future We went to supper about six o'clock. They have a line larfee dining room for second class eats, two waiters to each table, and they bring everything to you, one course at u lime It is always good food, fur bet-ter than the barracks by a lot.We heard while on the train that we were going on the Olympic as it wak in port. But we went on the Lapland, as also did the 70th But talioii from l^ndon, Ont., and a lotof Ked Cross men and also fifty blue Jackets returning to England from Bermuda, where they have been for the past year and a half. They are u hale and hearty lot. and as healthy as farmers.We retire about eight or nine o’clock as there is nothing to do, and we can sure sleep since we took to the water.The hrst, or 1 should say the second lt;\yv we were aboard we did a little physical drill, for an hour or so, and the rest of the time we were walking around or lying on deck.The hands play two or three times a day to cheer the hoys up u bit. as there are all kinds of them seasick, as well as home sick. As for myself I consider I am very lucky, as I have not been seasick so far, and it is now the fifth day at sea. We are now over half way. but this is getting ahead of time with my letter.I will try and give you some idea of our trip. The two days we were In the harbor the three ships were busy taking on coal, but as soon as I be last coaling barge pulled out we all got up steam and sailed out. The first cruiser or battleship sailed out about u day ahead of us, and then on* Wednesday. April 26th, exactly on the dot of four o’clock, we were ail on deck. First the second cruiser swung around up tlie harbor and pulled out. witli the hand playing “O Panada” and a few more patriotic pieces. The Metagama was the second to go. The two hands on it were playing patriotic airs also. The next to sail was our boat the Lapland, withiiir band also playing. The Empress1if Britain also followed us. it having J our battalions aboard. It sure was' tine sight to see all four boats in a 1 ine and to hear the music from each.! 'here were eight battalions all told.nd other drafts ami units besides. The talk is that the Olympic is go ng to catch us up later on. but it had tot started to load when we left. They an accommodate six or seven thous | nd men on it. as it is a far larger »oat. and being fitted up for troops he cabins are ail takeu out and lammocks slung up for beds. The Cinpress of Britain is fitted the same.* 'he Lapland is used for passengers nd mail on its return trip to Nework. They keep all the stewardsnd waiters so we are well looked!fter.When we sailed out into the bar-or it was rough and a bit of a storm lew for a few hours. It was not real f ad. but rough enough to put a bunch J f fellows off their feed and make ( P in feed the fish. Some of the boys ( ave been sick ever since the first ay. Douglas Harding being one of nem. Bob Bowman was a little sick :r a day or so but is O.K. now. There j 4 just getting to be some life on j oard now. such as boxing, etc. jThe last trip this boat made over,: carried the 45th liattalion. it.being Brandon regiment, and the 3Srd attalion from London. Ont. This ime it is the 79th from Brandon and he 7oth from l^ndon. There are ^onie boys from Blyth. Ont., with the ^ Oth. hut I have not had a chance to, ee them yet. hut hope to before the oyage is over.Another peculiar thing 1 saw ves-erday was Captain Snider wearing he same life belt that Captain Milton I kmaldson of the 45th Battalion wore vhen he canie over, both of them aving their names on it. jOne day’s happenings are the same s the other on the boat. We vear our life belts all the time, ex-i in bed. at meal times and at
Newspaper Details
Brandon Weekly Sun
Brandon, Manitoba, CA
Thu, Jun 01, 1916
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Darrell P.
CA 19 Sep 2016
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