72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

I
CONSIDER it
FOREWORD
a great honour to be entrusted with the
task of writing the Foreword of the History of
such a magnificent battalion as the 72nd Seaforth High
landers of Canada. To do justice to the subject requires
a more facile pen and a greater power of expression than
I possess. However, I gladly accept the invitation as it
affords me an opportunity of paying a tribute to the mem
bers of a military unit which was second to none in the
Canadian Army Corps.
My first impressions of the Seventy-Second were formed
in September, 1916, when I
assumed command of the 12th
Canadian Infantry Brigade. Soon after this date training
was commenced in preparation for the strenuous work
which was to come during the two months tour of duty
on the Somme. The keenness to learn, the high intelligence
of all ranks, the good physique and smartness on parade
were all favourable points noted, and gave me a confidence
in the Battalion which increased steadily as time went on,
and eventually became unbounded.
Whilst always steadfast in defence, the successes
achieved by this fine Battalion were chiefly noticeable in
offensive operations, when carefully thought-out plans and
orders had to be issued by the commanding officer, and
where all ranks always ensured the gaining of their ob
jectives by a dashing gallantry which the enemy was
never able to withstand. A notable example was the cap
ture of Crest Farm on the Passchendaele Ridge. This
strong point was the key of the German defences of Pass
chendaele. Its capture was a feat of arms of the highest
order and is favourably comparable with any ever per
formed by British troops in war.
This History of the 72nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders,
giving, as it does, an accurate account of the achievements
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