72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADAretreating army.In what was presumably the mine manager s house, in which the Battalion H. Q. were established,this was evidenced in the most ruthless fashion. In everyroom disorder reigned. The contents of drawers had beenspilled everywhere, pictures and mirrors had been broken,bed-linen piled in heaps. The Hun in retreat w.as certainlyrunning true to type.On the following day the Battalion once more took theroad, moving on this occasion to Abscon. This was toprove one of the most interesting moves in the history ofthe 72nd as it passed from the desolation of a battleground from which the civilian population had been swept,into a country where the capture of a town meant the liberation of a population frenzied with delight at their deliverance. It was while passing through the village ofAuberchicourt that the first few civilians were seen, almost too dazed by their rapid change of fortune to realizetheir good luck. As the Battalion approached Abscon asplendid sight met the eye. From almost every house inthe village flew the tri-colour of France, proclaiming thatthe bitter oppression of four years was over.At the outskirts of the village the Battalion halted, reformed, and headed by their pipe band, led by that splendid soldier, Pipe-Major J. Gillies, entered Abscon.The village had been taken early that morning by ouradvanced troops, .and by the time the Battalion entered itin the afternoon, its occupants, with true French elasticity,had completely recovered themselves and gave the kiltedranks a wonderful reception. Crowds of laughing, cryingand cheering villagers lined the way, too wildly enthusiastic as yet to display the usual curiosity over the garbof old Gaul. The 72nd dismissed in the centre of the village, and the men separated to their respective billets,there to be plied with every hospitality the poor peoplecould offer. The officers mess of Battalion H. Q., was156