"A" Major W.J. Paul.
"B" Major J.R. Young.
"C" Major W. Auld, V.D.
"D" Major E. Hutchison.
The Regimental Staff included Captain D.R. Kilpatrick, R.A.M.C., as
Surgeon attached; Lieut. and Quarter-Master Slade; Regimental
Sergt.-Major Kelly; Regimental Quarter-Master Sergt. T. Keith; and
Orderly Room Quarter-Master-Sergt. J. Copland.
Up to this point the drill and training were being well pushed on. It
will be remembered that the extraordinary demands made on khaki cloth,
by the sudden institution of a national army, made it practically
unobtainable in these early months. A navy blue serge cloth was
substituted for making tunics, trousers and greatcoats, and these made
a neat and serviceable uniform. This uniform was issued at Gailes and
was exchanged for khaki in the following summer at Troon. The
Battalion was now ready to set out for its war training station, and
on 23rd September assembled in the Examination Hall of the Royal
Technical College, and had a good send-off by the Directors and
Members of the Chamber of Commerce, Colonel Stanley Paterson, and
other friends. At this meeting, Colours for the Regiment were promised
by Mr. Montagu M.W. Baird, the President of the Chamber; Bugles, by
Dr. and Mrs. Beilby, of the Technical College; and Pipes and Drums as
a joint gift by the Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and
Merchants' House. After the Meeting, the Battalion entrained for the
Camp at Gailes.
[Illustration: MAJOR W.J. PAUL.]
[Illustration: MAJOR JOHN R. YOUNG.]
[Illustration: MAJOR W. AULD, V.D.]
[Illustration: MAJOR E. HUTCHISON.
_To face page 16._]
[Illustration: THE FAREWELL MEETING IN THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE.
_To face page 17._]
A member of the Battalion, giving a general impression of these
memorable "first days," writes:--
"We all assembled in our various drill halls. We watched and
whispered. Some asked, who is that man with the loud voice shouting at
us, giving us papers and getting us into what he called Companies. We
knew soon. Then they selected N.C.O.'s (acting) from amongst those who
had some previous training. After that we went away. The N.C.O.'s
stayed and took the bundles of papers, our pledged word to our king,
and wearily for hours sorted them and listed the names.
"Days followed when we marched and when we got to know our officers by
sight and to call ourselves by our Company name. Then came the day we
drew our kit and carried off strange bundles to our homes. We got the
magic words 'To camp at Gailes.' Then we were soldiers now. We paraded
by Companies and assembled in the Square and marched to the train. A
motley crowd carrying on our shoulders all manner of weird shaped
bundles. The crowd laughed and cheered us. Thus we left the City that
held us very peculiarly her own, her citizens and sons for the last
time. Henceforth her soldiers."
The Chamber of Commerce Battalion was now an accomplished fact, and
the following authoritative acceptance by the Government and the War
Office, linked it as an integral part of the Service Regiments of the
British Army.
"WAR OFFICE,
"LONDON, S.W., _2nd November, 1914._
"TO THE PRESIDENT,
"CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
"7 WEST GEORGE STREET,
"GLASGOW.
"Sir,
"I am commanded by the Army Council to offer you, and those
associated with you, their sincere thanks for having raised the
17th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (3rd Glasgow)
of which the administration has now been taken over by the
Military Authorities.
"The Council much appreciated the spirit which prompted your
offer of assistance, and they are gratified at the successful
results of the time and labour devoted to this object, which has
added to the armed forces of the Crown the services of a fine
body of men.
"The Council will watch the future career of the Battalion with
interest, and they feel assured that when sent to the front it
will maintain the high reputation of the distinguished Regiment
of which it forms part.
"I am to add that its success on active service will largely
depend on the result of your efforts to keep the depot Companies
constantly up to establishment with men in every way fit for
service in the field.
"I am, Sir,
"Your obedient Servant,
"(Signed) B.B. CUBITT."
On 7th November, the Battalion paid a return visit to the City of
Glasgow. The Battalion arrived and formed up on the station platform.
A word of command and away they marched into the streets, crowded to
the uttermost by friends and relatives. Hardly a cheer was heard. The
men marched between banks of faces, in a deep silence. What a strange
reception, surely the most impressive men ever had, proving what was
in the hearts of those that watched the men and how they felt for
them. Only when they entered the Square did cheers and the buzzing of
an awaking crowd break out. "We felt," says an officer, "rather
disappointed; but we knew what it meant." The unit was then inspected
in front of the Municipal Buildings by representatives of the Chamber
of Commerce.
[Illustration: EARLY DAYS.]
[Illustration: A REST BY THE WAY.
_To face page 18._]
[Illustration: H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT,
Colonel-in-Chief of the H.L.I.]
[Illustration: Colonel J. STANLEY PATERSON.
_To face page 19._]