72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

AFTER THE ARMISTICE.
at Anzin, was continued. At Mesvin, also, a beginning was
made at organizing sports between the battalions of the
4th
Division.
Leave was freely granted to men wishing to visit
Mons, and the famous town proved a great attraction.
hospitality was unsurpassed, and all ranks enjoyed their
tours of this historic place and neighborhood.
On December 3rd, the 72nd, as a part of the 12th Bri
gade, had the honour of marching past the Divisional
Commander, Sir David Watson, K.C.B., in the town of
Mons, a proceeding not only interesting, but redolent of
historic
associations.
About a week after the Battalion s arrival at Mesvin,
detachments of men were requisitioned to guard the huge
dumps of enemy war material along the various Belgian
"B"
railways. Company was given this duty, and there
after the kilt was visible at various points along the Mons-
Charleroi railway. Some of the guards said afterwards
that these dumps contained "everything from tar-pager to
traction engines."
On December 12th, the Division,
Its
and therefore the 72nd,
quitted the genial hospitality of Mesvin and trekked east
about nine miles, spending that night in Houdeng-Groegnies.
The next day saw them ten miles further east, where they
were billeted for the night in the village of Gouy-lez-
Pieton. These sudden moves gave rise to many billeting
parties being detailed. If an officer or a private was.
even suspected of being able to speak French he was im
mediately "nailed" as a billet seeker. Many humorous
incidents arose through the attempts of these linguists ( )
to interview householders as to the number of men they
could find room for.
After one night at Grouy-lez-Pieton, the Battalion moved
on December 14th to Fleurus, a moderately large railway
junction, northeast of Charleroi. It was here that the 72nd
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