.
      S.S. Chrobry
      .
      "...the fourth and largest contingent of 963 men, under the command of Edgar Baird, was comprised of men from almost all areas of the Island.
      They arrived in St. John's by various modes of transportation and boarded the 11,000 ton Polish-American liner S.S.Chrobry, which had anchored
      in the harbour. On the 23d of January, the men sailed for Halifax, Nova Scotia, where the ship joined a large convoy of vessels ferrying Canadian
      troops and supplies. Under escort of several of the largest units of the British navy they crossed the Atlantic to the Firth of Clyde, Scotland,
      arriving on the 8th of February, 1940."
      (from the book "They Also Served"  by Tom Curran)
      .


      Glasgow, the 8th of February 1940

      Captain Jack Turner O.B.E.  M.C.
      Officer in Charge
      Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit

      Dear Sir,
                      It is with great pleasure to me to tell you I have been very happy in bringing over nearly a thousand members of your unit in my ship.
      Their good conduct and cooperation during difficult war time conditions has made the voyage a pleasure to myself and Officers and crew, and I must say I have a great admiration for them.
                      Before closing I would like to mention especially the sincere cooperation of Mr. Edgar Baird whose hard work and knowledge of handling his men had a great deal to do with the success of the voyage.

      Yours faithfully,
      F.H. Daichokovski
      MASTER



      Captain Jack Turner O.B.E.  M.C.
      Officer in Charge
      Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit

      Dear Sir,
                      I have had the honour of being Liaison Officer to Mr. Edgar Baird of the Newfoundland Forestry Unit on a voyage from St. John's N.F.
      to U.K.
                      Mr. Baird was in charge of nearly a thousand Newfoundland Foresters and their conduct and behaviour was so exemplary that I feel it a duty to bring this to your notice.

      Yours sincerely,
      John Arrowsmith
      Liet. Commander, R.N.
      Liaison Officer



       ..
      letters and picture provided by Edgar Baird, Gander
      .
      return to INFORMATION page