top of page
dimension
Length, in
Length, ft
Length, cm
Height, in
Height, cm
Height, ft
Weight, g
Weight, oz
Weight, lb
Detail Info
Object ID
2015.047.005
Access Number
2015.047
Subjects
Object Name
Photograph, Black & White
Other Name
Status
Material
Provenance
Location
Origin
Caption
Date
Status Date
Note
Dimension Notes
Condition Notes
FEATURE INFO
Artifact Type
Image
Image
Category
Collection
72nd BATTALION CEF, SH of C
72e BATAILLON CEF, SH de C
72nd Battalion CEF marching past Gen Currie, Ohain, Belgium. 1 April 1919
72nd Battalion CEF marching past Gen Currie, Ohain, Belgium. 1 April 1919
Captain F.F. Forrest leading D Company of the 72nd Battalion CEF in marching past General Sir Arthur Currie, Ohain, Belgium. 1 April 1919.
Captain Fraser Forrest arrived in France on 27 April 1917. He was wounded on 2 September 1918 and returned to the 72nd Battalion on 27 December 1918. He had originally enlisted in the 231st Battalion CEF in Vancouver.
From the Regimental History, pages 182, 183:
"At about the end of March it was 'arranged that the Battalion should have their colours presented to them by the Corps Commander Sir Arthur Currie. This was the most important event of the period following the armistice, and much preparation was made for it. April 1st, the
date set for it, dawned beautifully, and at ,about 11 a.m. the Battalion was formed up, drums piled in front, in review order on the parade ground.
As the Corps Commander walked on to the parade, the long line of bayonets flashed into the "Present" and the always impressive ceremony of consecration, conducted on this occasion by Capt. (Rev.) Wilkin, began, the Battalion having formed into hollow square about the piled drums. Although for obvious reasons the colours do not take the place in modern warfare that they did in the wars of former centuries, they still retain much of their ancient significance and there was not a man present who did not feel that they focussed the romance of the Battalion's history and the memories of the Battalion's dead.
With appropriate words the Corps Commander placed the colours in the hands of the officers selected to bear them, and to the impressive strains of "God Save the King," played in slow march time, the King's and the regimental colours moved into their position in the centre of the phalanx.
The Battalion then marched past the Corps Commander, its new colors blowing out bravely in the fresh breeze. An interesting fact in connection with the presentation was the presence of Brig.-General N. A. Thompson, C.M.G., D.S.O., now commanding the 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, and Lieut.-Col. A. W. Turnbull, M. C., commanding officer of the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders."

bottom of page

