72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADAIt goes without s aying that in the dugouts set aside forthem, the victorious raiders reviewed with considerable excitement the ordeal they had gone through, whilst,overhead, a solitary 5.9 battery pounded their frontline as if in sorrowful protest. Lieut. T. B. Barrie andLieut. W. C. Ross were each awarded the Military Crossfor their work on this occasion, while several of their gallant men also received decorations.On February 18th, 1917, the Battalion was relieved bythe 38th and moved to Verdrel where it remained till February 25th. A raid by the 4th Division had been planned,and during this rest it was practised, the 72nd being joinedat this time by a draft of N. C. O. s from the llth C. M.R. and 172nd Battalions. On the 24th, Lieuts. G. Reid, J.Acheson, A. G. Mackie, A. H. Finlay and M. M. Townleyreported for duty, having obtained commissions from theranks.Relieving the 38th in the front line on the 25th it wasexpected that the Divisional raid would come off on the27th of February, but owing to unfavourable weather itwas postponed until March 1st. This raid was carried outin conjunction with extensive gas operations, preparationfor which had been made during a previous tour. Fromright to left the raid was carried out by the followingBattalions :54th, 75th, 72nd and 73rd.Gas cylinders, enclosed in wooden boxes, had beenplaced in the holes prepared for them in every bay inthe front line trench. The raiding party were under thecommand of Major R. K. Johnston, with Captain A. V.Wood as second in command, and they had carefully rehearsed the attack under the supervision of Major A. D.Wilson. The general plan was for "A"Company to goover first and hold the enemy front line, the other companies following, "C" Company on the right,"B" Company in the centre, "D" Company on the left. Companieswere formed in patrols and patrols in sections. Patrols38