72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Electric Scotland

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SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA
its first experience of continental box-cars with their wellknown
label "huit chevaux on quarante hommes" (eight
horses or forty men) the general impression during the 30-
hour run to Hopoutre (near Poperinghe, Belgium) being
that "huit
chevaux" would not be so tight a fit as forty sol
diers. Notwithstanding its inconveniences, this first railway
journey had >a charm of novelty. The men listened
for the sound of guns and felt that they were getting nearer
to the actual scene of operations. They had entrained on
the evening of August 14th, and after travelling that night
and most of the next day, arrived at Hopoutre at about
4 p.m.
Waiting at the railway station was Sir Julian Byng, the
Corps Commander, who inspected the Battalion as it
marched off to its billets at Erie Camp. That he was pleased
with the soldierly demeanour of the men was evident, and
this was confirmed some days later when the Battalion was
visited by a former officer of the 72nd Regiment, Vancouver.
He said that at dinner on the evening following this inspec
tion, Sir Julian referred to the Battalion in complimentary
terms, saying: have at last seen a battalion which, on
"I
receiving the command Eyes Right! actually complied
with the order."
Erie Camp at this period certainly did not present a very
attractive appearance. It seemed a collection of dilapidated
huts which in some cases had outlived their usefulness. Soon
after occupying these quarters, orders were received to
into the line near Ypres for instruction, and on the evening
of the 18th "C" and "D"
Companies marched up to the
historic place, the intervening five miles being full of inter
est to the newly-arrived, as flares seemed to be illuminating
the landscape on three sides. A countermand brought "C"
and "D"
Companies back again on the evening of the 19th
August.
While at Erie Camp the Battalion was put through a gas
test. On the 21st August the Battalion moved to Patricia
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