Text on cover added by Transcriber and placed in the Public Domain. The original cover appears as an image within some versions of this eBook. Courtney , LL. John Adcock. Bailey , with Introduction by W. By Dr. By the middle of the third week of the war, the British Expeditionary Force—three army corps and a cavalry division—had been mobilised and sent across the Channel to France. Its mobilisation, concentration, and transport across the narrow seas had been carried out with silent efficiency.
England waited confidently and patiently for the tidings of its entry into the battle line. On August 9 the King had issued to his 10 troops on their departure for the front the following message:—. Buckingham Palace , Aug.
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Belgium, whose country we are pledged to defend, has been attacked, and France is about to be invaded by the same powerful foe. I have implicit confidence in you, my soldiers. Duty is your watchword, and I know your duty will be nobly done.
I shall follow your every movement with deepest interest, and mark with eager satisfaction your daily progress; indeed, your welfare will never be absent from my thoughts. Lord Kitchener also addressed to the forces these instructions, to be kept in the Active Service Pay-book of every soldier in the Expeditionary army:. You are ordered abroad as a soldier of the King to help our French comrades against the invasion of a common enemy.
You have to perform a task which will need your courage, your energy, your patience. Remember that the honour of the British Army 11 depends on your individual conduct. It will be your duty not only to set an example of discipline and perfect steadiness under fire, but also to maintain the most friendly relations with those whom you are helping in this struggle.
