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Date: January 1st 1915
To
Cobourg World
From
Jack Burnet
Letter

Dear Sir:
I have no doubt that some of your readers will be glad to hear about the doings of the Cobourg boys at Halifax. Needless to say all are well and paying strict attention to business. At present time we have 194 on the roll, including the officers. There are so many applications for transfers from other companies that Major Odell can pick out the very best men and he hag to turn down applications every day.

The Battery has got a splendid reputation here, and I think it is the pet regiment of the 2nd Contingent. On Friday last, Sir R.L. Borden and Major-General Sam Hughes inspected all the expeditionary forces in the city, and the Battery made the best showing of the lot. On Sunday last the entire Battery turned out to church parade, the Protestants to St. Paul's, and the Roman Catholics to St. Mary's. All marched down from the Bar- racks to the main street and here the Roman Catholics who were in the rear, swung off to the right while the remainder turned to the left. On the return, the two detachments approached the corner appointed as meeting place almost simultaneously, and the maneuver of forming battery was carried out without a mistake. All the men have been equipped with spurs and bandoleers, and they made a very fine showing as they marched along the main street. The marching was splendid, and I think without any exaggeration that Major Odell will have the finest body of men leaving Canada with the second contingent. The Major was complimented by several military men on the fine showing the Battery made and bear in mind that this was in a garrison city where they are used to seeing permanent troops.

Cobourg may justly be proud of Major Odell. There can be only one Major of his ability, and he comes from Cobourg and his name is Odell. Without respect there can be no discipline and it takes a man of many qualities to command the respect of over 200 officers and men. The Major more than deserves the distinction of being chosen from all the heavy artillery officers in Canada. His duties really mean being a second father to the whole battery. He has to advise, admonish, punish and command, and besides the personal element, he has great responsibilities on his shoulders, entailed by the routine of mobilization. (The letter continues about other matters)
Jack Burnet.