72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADAline, relieving the 102nd Battalion. This was the firstchange of front on Viniy Ridge, the new front extendingfrom. Lasalle Avenue on the right to Tottenham Road onthe left. This front differed from the old front in that itwas held, not by a continuous front line, but by a seriesof posts, reached by long saps. The tour was quiet anduneventful, being the only one in the history of the Battalion in which no casualties were suffered, and on March15th the Battalion was relieved by the 73rd Battalion andmarched to Niagara Camp, Chateau de la JSaie, where therest period was spent in practising the forthcoming attack. On March 19th the Battalion relieved the 47th Battalion on a front extending from Ersatz Crater on the rightto Coburg communication trench on the left. During thistour the artilleries and aircraft of both sides were verybusy. The Battalion snipers and patrols were also active.In view of the forthcoming attack the artillery commencedto lay down practice barrages. On March 29th the Battalion was relieved by the 73rd Battalion and moved toBrigade Support in Arras Alley and Bajolle Support Line.As was always the ease when in Brigade support, the Battalion s chief duty was to furnish working parties.On March 30th the Battalion relieved the 73rd Battalionin the front line*trenches, the 47th Battalion being on theleft and the 78th Battalion on the right. During this tourpatrols were very active, as were both artilleries. Duringthis tour also the Battalion took over an additional 250yards of front from the 47th Battalion. On April 4th theBattalion was relieved by the 73id Battalion and movedback to Brigade Reserve at Chateau de la Haie after adifficult tour during which the enemy artillery was particularly active.On April 7th the Battalion held a Decoration parade,when decorations were presented by Major. -General SirDavid Watson. On April 8th, Easter Sunday, the forthcoming attack was finally rehearsed. Church parade was46