Brave Battalion (51 page)

Although his shyness led to a seemingly aloof manner, Robert Leckie's experience leading Canadian troops in the Boer War helped him to bind the Canadian Scottish into a cohesive battalion ready for its first experience of combat. This photo was taken after Leckie's promotion to Brigadier.

King George V (next to officer waving arm and carrying cane) reviews the 16
^th
Battalion on November 5, 1914.

The Canadian Scottish raise their headgear in a salute to the King as he departs Salisbury Plain by car.

Canadian Scottish move toward the front lines in Flanders. Note the use of handcarts to move supplies.

Canadian Scottish having lunch on a section of front line where the digging of trenches was impossible, so sandbagged emplacements were created instead.

Canadian Scottish examine a crater created by a 17-inch shell fired in the Ypres Salient.

16
^th
Battalion retake the guns in the orchard during the Second Battle of Ypres.

In July 1916, John Leckie was promoted to the command of the Canadian Scottish. More gregarious than his brother, he proved a popular commander.

Ploegstreet Church in the Ypres Salient during the summer of 1915.

Emplacements captured by Canadian Scottish in Sanctuary Wood.

Canadian Scottish soldier examines No Man's Land from an observation post.

Even when the front was stalemated during the early months of 1916, units were still sent over the top on raids and limited attacks that yielded only more casualties.