A beautiful Manitoba morning and a large gathering of citizens greeted the Governor General when he arrived by train at 10 o’clock on Tuesday, October 22, 1925.
The Governor General, Julian Byng, was accompanied by the Hon. John Bracken, Premier of Manitoba, and his A.D.C. Captain Chaplain.
They were greeted by mayor Palmer, judge Bonnycastle, magistrate Hawkins, members of the town and rural municipality, as well as other local dignitaries. An honour guard of World War I veterans formed a line from the railway station to the town hall.
The official party proceeded to the town hall where “school children were assembled to full capacity.” After the singing of O Canada, mayor Palmer read an address to His Excellency and extended a loyal and heartfelt welcome from the town and municipality. He assured His Excellency of “our deepest gratitude for so kindly and graciously honouring us with the visit.” (October 25, 1925, Dauphin Herald)
As commander of the Canadian Army Corps from May 1916 to June 1917, Byng helped to transform the troops into a well-trained and effective force on the Western Front and gained his greatest glory with the Canadian victory on Vimy Ridge in April 1917. Mayor Palmer noted of the Governor General’s World War I gallant conduct on the battlefield and the close association he had with “our brave troops many of whom laid down their lives.”
Mayor Palmer added that the Governor General’s service to Canada as His Majesty’s representative “still further won our respect, our esteem and our admiration.” The mayor also noted the Governor General’s gracious visit showed a personal fondness for the Canadian citizens in the process of home and empire building.
A copy of the mayor’s address was engraved on a scroll designed by Harold Atkin of the post office staff and was presented to His Excellency at the conclusion of the reading.
The Governor General then spoke and expressed his appreciation of the welcome extended to him and addressed the “young folks in the town hall by talking in a quiet and plain language. This brought closely to them a true realization of the dignity of the King he represented.” At the end of his talk he noted that he had requested the mayor to arrange a holiday from school for the next Friday and called for three cheers for His Majesty.
The Governor General was then driven to the Great War Veterans Association headquarters where he was received by World War I veterans. On behalf of the veterans Rev. Cousins welcomed the esteemed guest stating of the great satisfaction that the ex-servicemen had in a person who himself had known the stress and strain of World War I. Throughout his travels across Canada the Governor General was always enthusiastically greeted by the men that he once led.
He started his address with, “My old comrades, ladies and gentlemen it is quite unnecessary to tell you how much I have wished to see you here at Dauphin at a time like this. As a representative of His Majesty it gives me the greatest pleasure to come and recognize your very loyal sentiments so ably expressed. I also wanted to see what you look like now after these years we have been separated.” He also spoke of a united Canada especially after the victory at Vimy Ridge. At the conclusion of the speech Governor General Byng shook hands and chatted with the war veterans, “endearing himself to them by his wonderful memory of incidents and names which were recalled when he was informed of the battalion in which each man had served.”
Before boarding the special train, a thank you was given to mayor Palmer for his initiative and arrangements that made possible the official visit.
Several weeks later a large photograph of Lord and Lady Byng was received by mayor Palmer as a memento of the visit to Dauphin. The signed photograph was earmarked to hang in the council chamber.
Julian Hedworth George Byng served as Governor General of Canada from 1921-26. He died in 1935 and was mourned by Canadians including those that he led successfully in battle.
