72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADAchanged their money into the familiar dollars and cents,and piled into the long train which was to carry them onthe last lap of their journey. There was the train "mansized"as one of the men put it comparing it, no doubt,with the smaller trains of Europe. There, too, was theinevitable coloured porter. The 72nd felt among thesefamiliar things that they were indeed back in their owncountry.A short wait followed while the baggage was loaded.Then the signal dropped, and the train jolted into motion.The Battalion was off on the final stretch of their 7000-mile journey.During most of the way the weather was oppressivelyhot. A short distance east of Winnipeg a spread rail,caused by the heat, occasioned a short delay, but fortunately it occurred not far off a small lake, into which themen went en masse, and, repairs being made, continuedtheir way in a much refreshed condition. The impromptureceptions accorded the Battalion at the various towns atwhich the train stopped were hearty and enthusiastic."When do we get to Vancouver?" was now the question on the lips of all. On the morning of June 19th theBattalion awoke to find itself speeding through JasperNational Park on the line of the Canadian Northern, andthe majestic grandeur of the Rockies told that BritishColumbia would soon be entered. It was officially statedthat Vancouver would be reached at 10 a.m. on the 20th.With the first streaks of daylight, the men were at thewindows, straining their eyes to catch some familiar nameon the stations that whizzed past. At 9 o clock the Fraserwas crossed and New Westminster passed through. Anhour s slow run, and the C. N. R. terminus swung intoview around the last curve, and the 72nd were home atlast!Pouring swiftly out of the train, the eager men swamped190