72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA
ous time. To him, and those officers, N. C. O. s and other
ranks who by their efforts brought the War Diary up to
its final state of completion, the grateful thanks of the
present writers are unreservedly tendered.
For the purpose of obtaining a pictorial record of the
scenes amid which the 72nd lived and fought during the
war, a party consisting of two officers was selected to pro
ceed under Divisional arrangement to photograph battle
fields and other points of interest. This party travelled 400
miles by motor lorry in six days and obtained about 200
A num
negatives, covering scenes from the sea to Amiens.
ber of these pictures have been used in illustrating this
volume.
Meanwhile the Battalion had enjoyed various diversions.
Travelling concert parties visited Ohain, and played to
crowded houses. Various impromptu dances were held in
any place with a floor big enough to accommodate even
a few couples. The usual training, plentifully interspersed
with football and other games, was carried out during the
mornings, while the afternoons were given over to leisure
in various forms. The Quartermaster s branch of the Bat
talion, inspired by its Quartermaster, Capt. A. P. Foster
and Sergt. Pearce, contrived to vary the monotony of ra
tions by the introduction of home-made sausages and hotcross
buns into the menu, which strange as they may look
in juxtaposition, were much appreciated.
As April progressed, one question was in the minds of
all. "When do we leave France"
Waiting had become
wearisome. About the middle of the month, rumours began
to circulate as to the time of leaving, the route, the dura
tion of the voyage, and conversation on these aspects of
the forthcoming departure afforded a modicum of com
fort. At last the looked-for orders were received. The 72nd
was to entrain at Wavre for Le Havre on April 30th. The
months of waiting were over; the Battalion was going
home! It is only the colonial soldier who can appreciate
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