Drum-Major's Mace - 231st Battalion, CEF Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, 1916, found in downtown Vancouver, in an old house being demolished (as per Colin Stevens). At the base of the Mace head is the inscription: "Presented to the 231st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders by D.M. Eberts K.C. Victoria, BC". On the front of the mace's head is the date "Aug 1916" and a Seaforth crest but with a King's Crown and not the usual Duke of Albany's cornet. The Drum Major was F. R. Williams. David McEwen Eberts (April 22, 1850 – May 20, 1924) was a lawyer and political figure in British Columbia. He represented Victoria from 1890 to 1894, South Victoria from 1894 to 1903 and Saanich from 1907 to 1916 in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as a Conservative. Eberts was born in Ontario and studied law. He came to British Columbia in 1878 and was called to the British Columbia bar in 1882. In 1892, he was named Queen's Counsel. He served in the Executive Council as Attorney General from 1895 to 1898 and from 1900 to 1903. Eberts was speaker for the assembly from 1907 to 1916. He was defeated when he ran for election to the assembly in 1903 and 1916. Eberts died in Victoria at the age of 74. The 231st Battalion, CEF was authorized on 15 July 1916 as the '231st "Overseas" Battalion, CEF'. Based in Vancouver, the unit began recruiting in early 1916. After sailing to England on 11 April 1917, the battalion was absorbed into the 24th Reserve Battalion on April 22, 1917 to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion was disbanded on 11 April 1918.