When the disembarkation was complete, and not before, Lord
Kitchener published his famous communique
The Expeditionary Force as detailed for foreign service has
been safely landed on French soil. The embarkation, trans- portation, and disembarkation of men and stores were alike carried through with the greatest precision and without a single casualty.
Each man, before he left England, received a twofold message. The first came from King George, and was read by commanding officers to their battalions before they embarked. It ran as follows
You are leaving home to fight for the safety and honour of my Empire. Belgium, which country we are pledged to defend, has been attacked, and France is about tb be invaded by the same powerful foe. I have implicit confidence in you, my soldiers. Duty is your watchword, and I know your duty willbenoblydone. Ishallfollow^yoiireverymovementwith the deepest interest, and mark with eager satisfaction your daily progress. Indeed, your welfare will never be absent from my thoughts.
I pray God to bless you and guard you, and bring you back
victoriouRS.
August 9, 1914.
GEORGE R. AND I.
They also received and were bidden to carry with them in their pay-books the following instructions from Lord Kitchener
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 theBritishEmpiredependsonyourindividualconduct. 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. The operations in which you are engaged will, for the most part, take place in a friendly country, and you can- do your country no better service than by showing yourselves in France and Belgium in the true character of a British soldier. Be invariably courteous, considerate, and kind. Never do anything likely to injure or destroy property, and always look upon looting as a disgraceful act. You are sure to meet with a welcome, and to be trusted. Your conduct mu.st justify that welcome and that trust. Your duty cannot be done unless your health is sound, so be constantly on your guardagainstanyexcesses. InthisnewexperienceyouInay findtemptations,bothinwineandwomen. Youmustentirely resist both temptations, and, while treating all women with
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A MESSAGE FROM THE KING