72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

FOREWORD
of the Battalion in the field, will be an inspiration to
future generations of Canadians. I consider that I was
most fortunate in having in my Brigade a battalion ani
mated by such a splendid spirit of devotion to duty as that
-displayed by the Seventy-Second. I shall always be very
proud of my association with the gallant men who com
posed this unit, so many of whom laid down their lives
fighting for those principles which we British hold dear.
To Brig.-Gen. J. A. Clark, C.M.G., D.S.O., must be given
the credit of creating and training this fine fighting ma
chine. His natural aptitude for war, devotion to the duty
of looking after his unit in every possible way and his
gallantry upon all occasions, coupled with the fact that
he had as fine material as existed in the Empire to work
with, resulted in the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
becoming one of the finest battalions in the British Army.
It is hoped that the reading of this history of heroic
deeds and supreme sacrifices will create in the minds and
hearts of readers an unshakable determination to insist
upon Canada having an efficient citizen army. Such a
force is our best guarantee against a repetition of the
Armageddon through which we have just passed.
The greatest crime a nation can commit, is to send its
sons to war unprepared. Our best insurance against the
calamity of war is for each nation in this British Com
monwealth of ours to undertake its just share in the de
fence of the Empire. Thus will the development of Canada
be ensured on its present lines within the Empire and our
sacrifices in the late war be not in vain.
"Be welded each and all into one Imperial whole,
with Britain heart and soul,
"One
"One life, one flag, one throne;
"Britons hold your own!"
Ottawa,
May 27th, ij>20. Major-General.
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