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72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

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CHAPTER XVIII.<br />

HOME.<br />

Arrival at Bramshott Camp A march past in Edinburgh Em<br />

barking for home in the &quot;Olympic&quot; Incidents <strong>of</strong> the voyage<br />

Welcomed at Halifax Arrival at Vancouver and final scenes.<br />

LATE IN THE AFTERNOON <strong>of</strong> May 5th, 1919, the<br />

<strong>72nd</strong> <strong>Seaforth</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>Canada</strong> arrived at Bramshott camp,<br />

three years to a day after their coming to the same camp<br />

in 1916. The time which was to elapse before they sailed<br />

for home was filled by all ranks with leave, concerts,<br />

games, the filling out <strong>of</strong> countless mysterious forms, and<br />

at length by passing<br />

their final Medical Board.<br />

On May 24th a detachment sent by the <strong>72nd</strong> <strong>of</strong> 100 <strong>of</strong>ficers<br />

and other ranks, commanded by Capt. J. R. S. Lough.<br />

LXS.O., M.C., took part in a march past in Edinburgh. This<br />

first appearance <strong>of</strong> the Battalion in <strong>Scotland</strong> was an event<br />

<strong>of</strong> deep interest, and it was gratifying to learn from the<br />

Scottish press <strong>of</strong> the highly favourable impression made<br />

by our men on this historic occasion. The many friends <strong>of</strong><br />

the <strong>72nd</strong> in Vancouver heard with deep satisfaction <strong>of</strong><br />

their reception in the time-honoured city.<br />

At length orders were received to the effect that the<br />

Battalion was to embark at Southampton on H. M. Trans<br />

port<br />

&quot;<br />

Olympic&quot; on June 6th. As the day approached, the<br />

spirits <strong>of</strong> all steadily rose, for all ranks were thrilled by<br />

the thought that they would soon be homeward bound.<br />

These feelings culminated on the eve <strong>of</strong> leaving in an in<br />

formal war dance through the huts <strong>of</strong> the camp. Noon on<br />

June 6th found the <strong>72nd</strong> on board, voiciferously proclaim<br />

ing their presence and that it was therefore quite unne<br />

cessary to detain the ship any longer. A moving-picture<br />

188

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