72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

IN THE HINDENBURG LINE.
finest instances of the esprit de corps which has always
been a mark of the Battalion. Rather than have their dead
collected and buried in the usual way by the divisional
burial parties, and in consequence in rather scattered lo
calities, the men, tired out as they were, proceeded to the
sad task of collecting the mortal remains of those com
rades who had fallen in the fight. Bringing these back to
their positions with fraternal care, they interred them side
by side, in a plot by themselves. A most impressive service
over the 60 dead was held, this being the only time when
in such a tribute.
the whole Battalion was able to join
The 72nd had suffered heavy casualties in the Scarpe
operation, and it was a small Battalion that now assembled
to hear the news which brought a feeling of regret to all
that Lieut.-Col. J. A. Clark was to leave the Battalion
of which he had so long been the moving spirit. If the
number of the men was small, that of the remaining officers
was proportionately smaller, for one said of this occasion
that they were all able to sit round one shell hole while
Lieut.-Col. Clark made his short but impressive farewell
speech. But pride mingled with disappointment from the
fact that deserved promotion had come to their beloved
0. C. The Battalion now learned that he had been appoint
ed Brigadier-General, and was leaving to act as G. 0. C. 7th
Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division. In con
nection with this news it was further known that Major G.
H. Kirkpatrick was to take command of the Battalion. It
was a memorable occasion, as those present mentally
reviewed the past three years in which Brig.-Gen. Clark
had always been a prominent figure. They had come to
regard him as almost indispensable to the welfare of the
Battalion, and the hearty cheers accorded to the general
at the conclusion of his spech, only masked the deeper feel
ings that pervaded all ranks.
On September 8 the Battalion moved back through the
devastated area which lies to the east of Arras, and came
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