Vimy Dinner

Nine years ago, when Canadian troops stormed up the slopes of Vimy Ridge, the world noted well their able commander, General Julian Hedgeworth George Byng. It noted him again when he went out to Canada (1921) as Governor General Baron Byng of Vimy. Last week it learned with pleasure that 200 of his former officers were feting him at the fourth annual Vimy Dinner, given at Government House, Ottawa.

Since Baron Byng's term as Governor General expires next September, the occasion celebrated last week was considered an informal farewell to his officers. They opined that Pipe Major John Gillies of the Canadian Seaforth Highlanders well expressed their feelings when he presented a Gaelic sentiment on parchment to Lord and Lady Byng, saying "Nach bu mhaiseach an ni na'n robh thu tighinn thugain an aite bhi ga'r fargail."/-

General Arthur Currie, now President of McGill University, Montreal, arose and presented to Lady Byng, on behalf of the Canadian Corps, a portrait of Baron Byng by the Canadian artist, Major Forberry. Turning to his old commander, whom he succeeded in 1917, General Currie continued: "And will you, sir, in memory of other days, and as a small mark of our deep affection, please accept a motor car?"*

Lord Byng responded to the many speeches in his honor: "I can only use very ordinary words, but I thank you sincerely. I thank you from the bottom of my heart in behalf of my wife and myself.

"We are assembled here for the fourth Vimy dinner at Government House. Vimy was an action successful in its conception, successful because it was brought to fruition by a generous discipline. It was a discipline that was understood, brought to a climax by a united Canadian corps, a corps whose merits and qualities I am at a loss to express in words. It is expressed best in the words of Pope's 'Essay on Man,' when he said:

"'All are but parts of one stupendous whole Whose body Nature is, and God the soul.'"

/-Would it not be a beautiful thing if you were only coming instead of going?

*Canadian papers described it somewhat cryptically as the finest automobile ever made in Canada," "a 75-horse-power limousine," "made at Oshawa, Ontario," "with a silver Canadian beaver on the radiator cap," "especially constructed so that it can be used in England, when Lord Byng returns there." Though the make was not mentioned, knowing U.S. motorists suspected the car of being a 75-horse-power "McLaughlin Buick" turned out at the Canadian Buick works, Oshawa, Ontario, and with the steering wheel fitted on the right-hand side of the body.