72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

IN THE HINDENBURG LINE.finest instances of the esprit de corps which has alwaysbeen a mark of the Battalion. Rather than have their deadcollected and buried in the usual way by the divisionalburial parties, and in consequence in rather scattered localities, the men, tired out as they were, proceeded to thesad task of collecting the mortal remains of those comrades who had fallen in the fight. Bringing these back totheir positions with fraternal care, they interred them sideby side, in a plot by themselves. A most impressive serviceover the 60 dead was held, this being the only time whenin such a tribute.the whole Battalion was able to joinThe 72nd had suffered heavy casualties in the Scarpeoperation, and it was a small Battalion that now assembledto hear the news which brought a feeling of regret to allthat Lieut.-Col. J. A. Clark was to leave the Battalionof which he had so long been the moving spirit. If thenumber of the men was small, that of the remaining officerswas proportionately smaller, for one said of this occasionthat they were all able to sit round one shell hole whileLieut.-Col. Clark made his short but impressive farewellspeech. But pride mingled with disappointment from thefact that deserved promotion had come to their beloved0. C. The Battalion now learned that he had been appointed Brigadier-General, and was leaving to act as G. 0. C. 7thCanadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division. In connection with this news it was further known that Major G.H. Kirkpatrick was to take command of the Battalion. Itwas a memorable occasion, as those present mentallyreviewed the past three years in which Brig.-Gen. Clarkhad always been a prominent figure. They had come toregard him as almost indispensable to the welfare of theBattalion, and the hearty cheers accorded to the generalat the conclusion of his spech, only masked the deeper feelings that pervaded all ranks.On September 8 the Battalion moved back through thedevastated area which lies to the east of Arras, and came133