72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADAdium for excellent acting and particularly good singing.The applause was tremendous and the encores frequent.Some of the tuneful measures were heard in the trenchesfor weeks afterwards.The last night of the year 1917 was drawing to a close.The string band that had accompanied the pantomime haddone excellent work. But when midnight approached itwas succeeded by the pipers of the Battalion. They playedthe Old Year out and the New Year in. Far away in Canada there were family groups who joined hands and sang"Auld"Lang Syne." They were remembered, as here inFrance the wild music of Old Scotland fell upon the earsof the hushed crowd. Was there something of the dirgein it? There well may have been. But when the first minute of 1918 came, the pipers broke out with a triumphantskirl that spoke of undying faith, and courage, and coming victory. Well had the 72nd Seaforths of Canada livedup to their name and record. They were still to show theirfealty to their high ideals.The New Year was signalized by a Church Parade inthe 4th Canadian Divisional Y. M. C. A. theatre, Chateaude la Haie, after which Brig.-Gen. J. H. MacBrien, C.M.G.,D.S.O., presented decorations to a number of members ofthe Battalion. During the presentation the proceedingswere somewhat interfered with by an anti-aircraft Lewisgun which commenced vigorous firing. A careful searchof the heavens for the offending enemy plane was finallyrewarded by the sight of a mere speck several miles high.Many remarks were passed as to the futility of this efforton the part of the over-zealous gunner, and the Lewis gunofficer came in for a bad time when it was discovered thatthe offender was one of the Battalion guns.In the eveningthe officers of the Battalion held a dinner at the officersclub, Chateau de la Haie, at which Brig.-Gen. MacBrien,the Commanding Officers of the other Battalions of theBrigade, and many guests were present.88After a very cold