All ranks felt the responsibility of being a unit representing Newfoundland, and realized that in their hands rested the opportunity of doing their duty for King and Country in a manner that would bring honour and fame to their native land. Distance and the trials of the camp and field, the common hardships and privations, knit one and all in close comradeship, and national prejudices that in peace time loomed formidable, melted forever in the warmth of the Brotherhood of Service. So it came to pass that Newfoundlanders were united as never before of since. The petty interests of section, class and creed, were submerged in a noble flood of abnegation's, individual ambitions were made subservient to national aspirations, and the fair name of Newfoundland as symbolized by its Regiment, became something worth while. The touch thus kindled still burns, but its light is scarce seen to-day amid the miasmatic mists that appear to have gathered with the dawn of peace in our native land.

Seen in group or battalion on the march, the soldiers of Terra Nova gave a general impression of a sturdy, hardy, rugged type of virile manhood, of an average stature, inclining nearest to medium. Their mentality, generally speaking robust and vigorous, and as might be expected from men largely descended from the venturesome broods of Wessex and Erin, and reared amid the bracing climatic conditions of the North, they bore an atmosphere of hardihood tinged with insouciance.

It was but natural that men of this stamp, who, moreover, were accustomed to a large measure of personal freedom in a country in which class distinction if virtually unknown, should find the bonds and restrictions of military discipline irksome and trying. Yet there seemed to be such an innate recognition of the need for and the benefit of such rules and regulations as the Army had laid down in this respect, coupled with the deep-rooted regard of the average Newfoundlander for law and order, that a satisfactory standard of discipline was maintained consistently with a healthy undercurrent of good humour.

After "parade hours" there undoubtedly was a more general relaxation, and a greater carelessness in the observance of the castes of Army Life, (and the family spirit which was inevitably present had its effects here) than in the case of home line battalions. Naturally such displays astounded our Imperial brethren, as witness the conversation overheard between two old soldiers at Aldershot.