Expert: Ron - 9/26/2005

Question
In WWI, Sir Sam Hughes was the Canadian Minister of Militia and Defence from 1911 to 1916. But in 1916,Hughes was forced to resign by Prime Minister Borden. What were Borden's reasons for demoting him besides Hughes' extreme criticism? Thanks so much in advance!

Answer
Hi Estellia:

Well from my perspective there would be a number of reasons.

1. The Ross rifle - worst rifle every deployed to a army.
2. The shabby equipment supplied to the Canadian army. eg. Webbing and uniforms that lasted weeks and then disendigrated in the mud of the Western front.
3. The outragous patronage of friends and relatives for Defense Depat contracts.

These would be some of my top choices. There are others.

Ron