Civil Aid Force during the Nanaimo Coal Miners' Strike, 1913 including officers of the 72nd Regiment, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. Group portrait showing: Standing left to right: Lieutenant Ross Napier, Lieutenant W.J. McManus, Captain Milner, Lieutenant J.A. Clark (72nd Regt), Captain Byng-Hall, Lieutenant Jessop (88th Victoria Fusiliers), Lieutenant Cotton (72nd Regt), Captain James Skitt Matthews (6th DCOR); Seated left to right: Captain P.M. Ferris, Lieutenant-Colonel J.A. Hall (88th Victoria Fusiliers), unidentified, Lieutenant Picton Ward (72nd Regt). The 72nd Seaforths first saw active service in the summer of 1912 when rallies by striking coal miners in the area around Nanaimo led to rioting. The miners were striking because of workplace safety concerns, such as lethal gas explosions that had already killed hundreds. A company from the 72nd Seaforths was sent to garrison the area and maintain the peace. Though not a shot was ever fired, peace was restored and maintained until the unit was called back to mobilize for war in August 1914. VANCOUVER ARCHIVES ITEM DETAILS PAGES ATTACHED