72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA
At about the end of January, the educational classes
which had been commenced at Mesvin got properly to
work and regular classrooms and classes were organized.
The winter of 1918-19 was for a time, severe,
and every
fall of the thermometer brought home to all what might
have been their hardships if the war had still been going
on. Even if the stove in one s billet dispenses nothing
but columns of pungent smoke, sitting beside it is pre
ferable to standing gazing at a snow-scape through a
periscope with the water freezing around one s knees.
During the early winter the officers had some good
shooting. The country swarmed with partridge and hares.
The sport was excellent, and thanks to the indefatigable
Battalion runners who volunteered as beaters, some good
bags were made.
In order to
give the men of the Battalion a comfortable
spot in which they could read, write letters, and play any
games they wished, the White Chalet Club was organized.
An empty house was secured, which validated to some
extent the name adopted, and by dint of hard work on
the part of the Battalion Pioneers, furniture was made,
and lighting and heating arranged for. With the aid
of the Y.M.C.A. a good sized library was installed which
proved a great attraction.
As March opened, attention began to focus itself upon
sports. From this time until leaving France, these were
to form the chief occupation of those inclined to athletics.
Mention might well be made here of the splendid \vork of
the Y.M.C.A. That they had earned a fine record during
the war goes without saying, and after the armistice they
certainly upheld the reputation they had acquired. The
call went out for sporting goods of every kind and the
Y.M.C.A. responded with the greatest energy in procuring
the needed supplies. Scarcely a day passed without some
package arriving. Boxing was one of the 72nd s chief
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