72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA
up strong resistance, and fighting of a vigorous character
took place, so fierce being the conflict that Cpl. Brown and
most of the remainder of his patrol became casualties.
This was unfortunate enough, but in addition, the left
patrol was discovered and fired upon with such effect
that
they were unable, despite the most determined efforts, to
enter the enemy s line and thus carry out their part of
the arrangement. No shadow lies upon the men who took
part in this raid. They fought well and did their duty.
But the fact was that the instructions for the raid were
received so late in the day that here was not sufficient
time to properly arrange the details of the accompanying
barrage. As a result, this, which the circumstances demand
ed should be ample, was deficient in concentration and
volume. But for this regrettable contretemps, the raid
would have been a conspicuous success. Lieut. Rose was
afterwards reported as a prisoner of war. Corp. Brown
was awarded the D. C. M.
An item of the record of the Battalion at this end of
August, 1917, shows that working parties which had not
previously been in great request, were now again called
for in considerable strength. All available men had to take
their share of this arduous work, even to the commanding
officer s batman! On the 27th the Battalion relieved the
38th Battalion in the front line. On the night of the 29th
a hostile stealth raid attempted to enter our lines on the
Avion sector at 10:30 p.m. No. 466433 Cpl. S. Findlater
was in charge of a post at the point of intended entry.
He and his comrades threw bombs at the enemy, killing
one of the patrol. A hand-to-hand conflict then ensued, in
which Cpl. Findlater bayonetted and killed the German
N. C. 0. in charge of the patrol; the remainder of the
enemy immediately fled. For this action Cpl. Findlater
was awarded the D. C. M.
So the work of strafing the Hun" continued. Never
was he given a moment s respite. Even in daylight, in his
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