72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA
to Wailly. The cheerless landscape through which they
inarched testified in a grim manner to the effect of the
war on a once smiling country. Mile after mile of villages,
battered beyond recognition, met the eye. The rusted
tangle of barbed wire was everywhere, otherwise nothing
broke the deadly monotony of the aftermath of modern
war.
On arrival, the men were quartered in huts at Wailly.
Training was at once resumed, and preparations were made
for taking over line-holding duty. Orders were received
that the Brigade would move forward into close support
preparatory to going into the trenches. On the 16th, orders
were received for the move to the support area east of
Cherissy, but these were suddenly cancelled the evening
before they were to take effect. A few days later the
Brigade was paraded, and the Corps Commander inspected
them, giving a short review of the work of the Canadian
Corps during the past month, and thanking the men for
the gallant part they had played. Sir Arthur stated that
he had been promised that the Corps would be given a
rest after they had done one more "show," but that prep
arations must now be made to undertake another attack
in the near future. No longer was the enemy to be allowed
a moment s rest. At this point of his speech, General Currie
turned to the Battalion and said: "Take that 72nd Bat
talion, they can t fail, because too many good men would
turn in their graves if they did!"
Orders were now received that the Canadian Corps was
to take part in an attack on the Canal du Nord and the
defences of Cambrai. In accordance with these orders,
reconnaissances were made, and special training carried
out, adapted to the part which the Battalion was to play
in the forthcoming attack. It was during one of these prac
tices that considerable amusement and instruction were
derived from the fact that the energetic C. 0. of one of
the combatant companies clandestinely procured the serv-