72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA
Portsmouth road, its soil very sandy, and the surrounding
country wild moorland and gorse. There were comfortable
headquarters, and good bathing and fumigating arrange
ments. The Battalion now settled down to three months
and one week of steady training, including very thorough
instruction in musketry by its own officers and N. C. 0. s.
A few days after arrival at Bramshott, the Battalion was
inspected by Divisional Commander Major-General Sir David
Watson, K.C.B., C.M.G.
During an inspection of the Battalion s horses on May
17, by the Brigadier the Lord Brooke, an amusing episode
occurred. Transport-Sergeant Foster recognized in Lord
Brooke s staff captain, Capt. Sparks, an old friend of the
South African war. Lord Brooke, noticing Sergt. Foster s
South African ribbon, remarked: So you were in South
Africa, Sergeant" "Yes, sir," replied the sergeant,
"I
was there with the Strathcona Horse." Turning to his
staff captain, Lord Brooke asked, "Weren t you with the
Strathcona Horse in South Africa, Sparks" Sergt. Foster
looked up quickly, and recognizing his old friend, astonish
ment overcame discipline. "My God!" he exclaimed,
"it s
Geordie Sparks." Laughingly, Lord Brooke turned to his
staff captain, "You seem to be well known here Sparks."
"Yes, sir," interposed Sergt. Foster, now quite at ease
and rising to the occasion, "well and favourably known,
They had been friends in the Canadian Cavalry unit.
sir."
On May 24 the Battalion was inspected at Bramshott
Camp by Field Marshal Viscount French. During the in
spection, the Field Marshal more than once remarked to
the commanding officer, "A magnificent lot of men,"
and
in closing the inspection, while congratulating Col. Clark
upon the physique and discipline of his men, he remarked
"What strikes one about this battalion is that they LOOK
like soldiers."
On July 1 the Battalion took part in the inspection of
the 4th Canadian Division, by His Majesty the King, on