72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADAAt about the end of January, the educational classeswhich had been commenced at Mesvin got properly towork and regular classrooms and classes were organized.The winter of 1918-19 was for a time, severe,and everyfall of the thermometer brought home to all what mighthave been their hardships if the war had still been goingon. Even if the stove in one s billet dispenses nothingbut columns of pungent smoke, sitting beside it is preferable to standing gazing at a snow-scape through aperiscope with the water freezing around one s knees.During the early winter the officers had some goodshooting. The country swarmed with partridge and hares.The sport was excellent, and thanks to the indefatigableBattalion runners who volunteered as beaters, some goodbags were made.In order togive the men of the Battalion a comfortablespot in which they could read, write letters, and play anygames they wished, the White Chalet Club was organized.An empty house was secured, which validated to someextent the name adopted, and by dint of hard work onthe part of the Battalion Pioneers, furniture was made,and lighting and heating arranged for. With the aidof the Y.M.C.A. a good sized library was installed whichproved a great attraction.As March opened, attention began to focus itself uponsports. From this time until leaving France, these wereto form the chief occupation of those inclined to athletics.Mention might well be made here of the splendid \vork ofthe Y.M.C.A. That they had earned a fine record duringthe war goes without saying, and after the armistice theycertainly upheld the reputation they had acquired. Thecall went out for sporting goods of every kind and theY.M.C.A. responded with the greatest energy in procuringthe needed supplies. Scarcely a day passed without somepackage arriving. Boxing was one of the 72nd s chiefiso