The number of men of military age in Canada at the outbreak of the War was approximately 1,720,000, and of this Nova Scotia’s quota was 53,500. As the War progressed it was decided that Canada’s contribution would be 500,000 and Nova Scotia’s proportion 30,000, which was attained. At first no particular effort was made by the public to raise the various Units, the matter being left entirely in the hands of the Military. The 1st Field Ambulance and the 17th Field Battery proceeded to Valcartier as Units, and thence Overseas with the First Division. The 17th, Nova Scotia’s first Battalion, to our lasting disgrace, was left to paddle its own canoe to the rocks in Salisbury Plains, where it eventually became the 17th Reserve Battalion, supplying reinforcements to the Nova Scotia Units in the Field. The 25th was the first Battalion in which the public evinced any interest. This was mainly recruited from Militia Units, a large proportion coming from the Island of Cape Breton and from Halifax. The 40th Battalion and the 6th Canadian Mounted Rifles, authorized in February, 1915, were recruited with comparative ease, the 40th entirely from Nova Scotia and the 6th C.M.R. from the three Maritime Provinces. At this time the 25th had not proceeded Overseas, and it was not until May that this Battalion, which in France earned for itself the title of the “Fighting 25th,” sailed from Halifax, taking as its final complement part of the 40th Battalion. The 40th was then sent to Aldershot, N.S., for training, and was almost immediately called upon to supply a draft of 5 officers and 250 men. About this time recruiting slackened. The strength of the 40th dwindled, due to casualties from sickness and other causes, and it seemed that unless a special effort were made by the public this Unit would share the fate of the 17th, or worse. Mr. G. S. Campbell, whose son was among the officers of this Unit, brought back from Valcartier the news that unless the Battalion was quickly brought up to strength it would be absorbed into a Battalion of another Province, and Nova Scotia would lose it. A strong Committee of prominent citizens was immediately formed. Money for advertising was subscribed, and a campaign launched, the effect of which never ceased during the period of the War. The 40th was brought up to full strength, and in October proceeded Overseas.