72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

PREFACE
concise account of what the Battalion did from, start to
finish. If they had had more space at their disposal they
would have enlarged on several matters, notably the great
assistance given to the Battalion by the various women s
societies whose -constant solicitude for its welfare was be
yond praise.
That such a military unit as the 72nd should have been
raised and trained in Vancouver must be reckoned as one
of the greatest honours that have befallen this city. That
it should have so distinguished itself in France as to at
tain an imperishable renown, should be an inspiration to
all who come after. Whenever the wail of a Lament floats
from the pipes upon the air, it surely must forever recall
the memory of those brave men of the 72nd who sleep
in graves beyond the sea ;
who laid down their lives for the
sake of freedom, home and country!
This work is submitted to the public in the hope that its
testimony to courage, efficiency, discipline and patriotism,
as exhibited in the fight for liberty, may be of use in a
day too much dominated by commercialism, timidity, and
submission to political exigency. In its compilation the
authors have had access to official documents and have
had the help of many who were actively concerned in the
events narrated. Their thanks are hereby tendered to all
who have assisted them in their task. Brig.-Gen. J. A.
Clark and Lieut.-Col. G. H. Kirkpatrick gave continuous en
couragement and assistance ; Major J. S. Tait supplied valu
able particulars of the early days of the 72nd Regiment.
Capt. G. Thornton Sharp, M. C., kindly superintended the
production of the maps.
The Table of Events and the other appendices
at the end
of the volume, will, they trust, be found useful, together
with the Nominal Roll, in making clear in detail the opera
tions and the importance of the Battalion, the history of
which it is their privilege to record.
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Vancouver, July, 1920. A. H. F.