72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

THE LAST FIGHT.
Headquarters sat at breakfast about 8:30 a.m. on No
vember llth, 1918, (the telephone buzzed insistently, and
over the wires came the news of Germany s collapse, the
Armistice and Victory! At 10:25 a.m. the official confirm
ation was received. It ran as follows:
"Canadian Corps 06.45 a a a Hostilities will cease at
1] :00 hours on November llth a a a Troops will stand
fast on the line reached at that time which will be re
ported to Corps Headquarters a a a Strictest precau
tions will be maintained a a a There will be no inter
course of any description with the enemy a a a Further
instructions follow a a a Fourth Canadian Division."
Meanwhile the bulk of the Battalion, quite unconscious
of the fact that the war was over, were assiduously carry
ing on training in a large field adjoining the town. At
11 o clock, therefore, the Comnuanding Officer, Lieut.-Col.
G. H. Kirkpatrick, D.S.O., rode on to the parade ground
and over to the formed-up Battalion. Taking over the pa
rade, he faced the 72nd.
"Seaforths," he commanded, Ease!
"Stand >at
Stand-
Easy!" Glancing at his wrist- watch, he continued, "The
Armistice has been signed. Hostilities with Germany
ceased five minutes ago!"
For perhaps three seconds no one moved. Then the
storm broke! At length the C. 0. managed to make him
self heard sufficiently to announce that a special rum-ration
would be served, upon the men reaching their billets. The
noise redoubled itself, while officers and men moved off
parade and into that long interval of tiresome waiting
which lay between them and Home.
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