72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA
intimated their willingness to take commissions, is Lieut.
Guy H. Kirkpatrick, son of Sir George Kirkpatrick, who
served in the Strathcona Horse and 2nd Canadian Mounted
Rifles in South Africa.
"The list of officers is being quickly filled up ....
For the remaining commissions Major Leckie will be glad
to receive and consider applications from those desiring
to serve."
The Committee continued their
correspondence with the
Militia Department at Ottawa, and authorization was finally
obtained on November 24th, 1910. The movement to have
the regiment affiliated with the Seaforth Highlanders was
also carried on with the result that the 1st and 2nd Bat
talions of the Imperial Seaforths gave their consent to the
Vancouver regiment using their name in a letter written
from India, and dated April 5th, 1911, which reads in part
as follows :
"The officers of this Battalion have been informed that
those interested in raising the 72nd Highlanders of Can
ada were in favour of the name Seaforth being used in
connection with the title, and desired that the regiment be
affiliated with the Seaforth Highlanders.
They are entirely
in agreement with the scheme, and are honoured by the
proposals made therein."
Among the items of interest at this time was a report
presented to the Committee by the C. 0. of the regiment,
Capt. R. G. Edwards Leckie. Some passages of this docu
ment, which is dated April llth, 1911, are as follows :
"At the last meeting of the representatives of the Scot
tish Societies of Vancouver, a Finance Committee to raise
the necessary funds for the Highland regiment was formed,
with Mr. Macdonell as Chairman. The idea was that this
committee, with the co-operation of the Scottish Societies,
would endeavour to raise the sum of $25,000 for the pur
pose of equipping the new regiment with Highland uni
forms, etc. Mr. Macdonell has practically taken all this
work upon his shoulders, and has been successful to date
in securing half the desired amount. We are very grateful
to him for his untiring endeavours in this work.
"I had been requested, previous to this meeting, by the
District Officer Commanding, to go ahead and select the
officers for the regiment .... In selecting the officers,
my first consideration was efficiency, as it is my de
sire to make this regiment one of the best in the Do
minion; and without efficient officers, such a thing is im
possible. Nationality came next in consideration; and as