72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA
retreating army.
In what was presumably the mine man
ager s house, in which the Battalion H. Q. were established,
this was evidenced in the most ruthless fashion. In every
room disorder reigned. The contents of drawers had been
spilled everywhere, pictures and mirrors had been broken,
bed-linen piled in heaps. The Hun in retreat w.as certainly
running true to type.
On the following day the Battalion once more took the
road, moving on this occasion to Abscon. This was to
prove one of the most interesting moves in the history of
the 72nd as it passed from the desolation of a battle
ground from which the civilian population had been swept,
into a country where the capture of a town meant the lib
eration of a population frenzied with delight at their de
liverance. It was while passing through the village of
Auberchicourt that the first few civilians were seen, al
most too dazed by their rapid change of fortune to realize
their good luck. As the Battalion approached Abscon a
splendid sight met the eye. From almost every house in
the village flew the tri-colour of France, proclaiming that
the bitter oppression of four years was over.
At the outskirts of the village the Battalion halted, re
formed, and headed by their pipe band, led by that splen
did soldier, Pipe-Major J. Gillies, entered Abscon.
The village had been taken early that morning by our
advanced troops, .and by the time the Battalion entered it
in the afternoon, its occupants, with true French elasticity,
had completely recovered themselves and gave the kilted
ranks a wonderful reception. Crowds of laughing, crying
and cheering villagers lined the way, too wildly enthusi
astic as yet to display the usual curiosity over the garb
of old Gaul. The 72nd dismissed in the centre of the vil
lage, and the men separated to their respective billets,
there to be plied with every hospitality the poor people
could offer. The officers mess of Battalion H. Q., was
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