72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

AFTER THE ARMISTICE.
between that village and Incourt, about a mile and a half
away. And the billets were as poor as the villagers. Both
hamlets were the centres of small farming communities
composed for the most part
of little
abodes that clustered
along the narrow, cobble-stoned streets. The sudden in
vasion of this peaceful neighborhood by the sweeping ad
vance -of British troops, and in kilts at that, was at first
disconcerting, but when the surprise of the inhabitants had
worn off they became very hospitable, and did what they
could to make the cramped quarters more eligible.
The third Christmas in France and Belgium for the
original members of the Battalion was approaching, and
everybody was wondering how a Yuletide celebration could
be held at Opprebais. Elaborate preparations in the way
of getting turkeys had been made, and all the other ad
juncts of the feast had received attention; the difficulty
was the finding of a place where a dinner for the whole
Battalion could be held. But everything turned out well.
The turkeys, it is true, arrived a day late, so that the
feast was postponed till the 26th, but the lack of a large
dining room mattered not a whit. The scattered platoons
and companies enjoyed themselves to the full. The officers
held what was probably the most remarkable Christmas
dinner on record. Not one of those who sat down to it
in the H. Q. mess at Opprebais, is likely to forget that
festive opportunity.
Christmas over, it soon became apparent that the officers
of the 4th Canadian Division were not going to allow
the victorious year 1918 to depart, nor the peaceful period
of 1919 to arrive, without fit and proper celebration.
This took the form of a grand ball in the magnificent Hotel
de Ville at Brussels. The brilliant assembly which
crowded those spacious halls on December 31st was
strangely reminiscent of the ball given by the Duchess of
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