72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

THE SUMMER OF 17.front line just north of Avion at a point about 800yards in advance of the front line of the 72nd, in searchof intelligence. After walking about 50 yards along thetrench, the patrol encountered a German sentry asleep athis post. On being awakened his instant surrender wasdemanded. But, stupified by terror, he began to screamfor help and otherwise proving unreasonable he met hisfate. The patrol, as may be imagined, having roused ahornet s nest, withdrew.On the night of August 17th 129878 Sergt. M. K. McLennan distinguished himself while in charge of a working party which had become detached from the main body.Without any warning one of the enemy jumped out ofa shell-hole and, pointing his rifle at Sergt. McLennan,ordered him, in English, to surrender. The immediate replywas a clubbed rifle on the head. Fire was immediatelyopened by the working party and responded to by thehostile patrol to which the German belonged, and whichwas forced to withdraw in disorder, leaving their deadcomrade behind them, who afforded a valuable identification.On the 19th expected Brigade orders were received toraid the enemy defences in front of Avion. For this purpose two patrols were detailed, one under Lieut. J. B. Rose,and the other under 129078 Sergt. N. M. Campbell. Anentry in each case was to be made through the gaps in thewire recently blown by ammonal. The right patrol, underLieut. Rose, succeeded in making an entry in spite ofstrong opposition, several of the enemy being killed beforethe trench was entered. Lieut. Rose being wounded andhis leg broken, 116199 Cpl. R. C. Brown took charge of theparty, which, having carried out its instructions with agallantry that cannot be too highly praised, fighting itsway against strenuous resistance through 200 yards of enemy trench, returned towards our lines. On their way theyencountered an enemy outpost, the members of which put71