72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

CHAPTER IH.
THE WAR STARTS.
Proclamation of war Services of Regiment offered as a unit
Detachment goes to Valcartier Offer to furnish an Overseas
Battalion Offer accepted Name of Battalion decided Train
ing at Hastings Park, Vancouver Reviews of Battalion Mus
ketry training Battalion leaves for Overseas Is reviewed by
H. R. H. the Duke of Connaught Sails for England Bramshott
Camp Inspection by Field Marshal Viscount French
The King s review Inspection of Division by Rt. Hon. Lloyd
George Musketry achievements First draft for the front.
PROCLAMATION of war with Germany on August
4th, 1914, was to change the entire aspect of military
affairs in Canada. Nowhere was the significance of the
event more vividly realized than among the citizen-soldiers
of Vancouver. There was more than one German in Van
couver who from time to time had boasted that "The Day"
was coming. The men of the 72nd rose to the occasion and
determined that nothing should be wanting on their part
to make that boast of none effect.
Lieut.-Col. R. G. Edwards Leckie immediately telegraphed
to the Militia Department at Ottawa offering the services
of the regiment as a unit.
This offer was not accepted, but
a detachment consisting of 25 officers and 514 men proceeded
to the training camp at Valcartier, Quebec, and was in
corporated in the 16th Battalion under the command of
Lieut.-Col Leckie. These, after severe training in that camp,
proceeded overseas and rendered such valiant service in
a battalion which subsequently established a war record
second to none, and as a fighting unit covered itself with
glory.
12