The long, tedious trip was broken by such entertainment as could be organised by the troops. The Battalion Band was the obvious core around which such entertainment could be formed. Other lads were recruited to sing, recite poetry or perform a bit of comedy, all under the watchful eye of the Colonel.

For most of the prairie boys on the Northland, this was their first ocean voyage and a great adventure with their chums. The concert was a high point of the trip for many of them.