72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADAing that this was immediately accomplished, and the advent of this number from the original home city of theBattalion was productive of much pleasure. The lengthening days of May had come; the trees around the oldChateau were in full fresh leaf; the weather was all thatcould be wished, and a very pleasant rest period was spentin training and sports. On June 4th a Brigade paradewas held at which decorations were presented by the Divisional Commander. The parade was followed by Brigadesports, which, from the number of men present and on account of the contrast it presented to recent stern and arduous weeks, were highly entertaining and enjoyable. The72nd easily won the championship; the total number ofpoints gained by the Battalion being twice the number ofthose made by the nearest competitor. Among the interesting and unusual items of the sports was a mule race. Thiswas won by Lieut. E. A. Edwards, but the same eventproved unfortunate for Major F. J. S. Murray, as he metwith a mishap which very shortly afterwards caused hisevacuation. In the lengthening shadows of the early summer evening the grounds looked more charming than ever,callingup memories of what they must have been beforethe days of war. Then when twilight had fallen wordcame that the 72nd were to move forward to BerthonvalWood and go under canvas. The Battalion had scarcelygot comfortably settled when the unmistakable whirr ofenemy planes was heard overhead, and immediately afterwards several bombs were dropped in the immediate vicinity. It was the first time the Battalion was subjected toenemy bombing from the sky, and unfortunately it led tothe death of 129683 Pte. R. Davidson, who was killed whileacting as Brigade runner. On the following day, June 5th,as a precautionary measure after the previous night sbombing, the Battalion moved further into cover inBerthonval Wood, where a most comfortable camp wasquickly made and given the appropriate appellation ofSeaforth Camp.5 8