The Battalion arrived at Gailes on 23rd September, 1914, and this
event might be called the beginning of the Great Adventure. The war
seemed miles nearer as the light-hearted and high-spirited lads
stepped out of the train and viewed the rows of glistening white
tents. The large array of kit bags was in many instances supplemented
by suit cases, filled with surplus personal effects thought necessary
for creature comforts. The novelty of the surroundings, and twelve men
in a tent, including numerous belongings, did not conduce to sleep;
and the next morning reveille found all but the old soldier already
astir. The weeks at Gailes were spent in organising, and the efforts
of all ranks to become efficient were worthy of that spirit which
lasted throughout the existence of the Battalion.
The issue of something in the nature of a uniform and a few Drill
Pattern rifles raised hopes that the training was being hurried on. On
the 13th October, a move was made to Troon, where the good citizens
afforded luxurious billets to the Battalion.
In spite of the vigorous training that was enforced during the next
few months, and which stood the men in such good stead later on, the
social side was not neglected and helped to cement a great feeling of
good fellowship and understanding between the officers and men. It was
with mutual regret that the Seventeenth took its departure from Troon
on 13th May, 1915, and the memory of the stay in the Ayrshire town
will always remain as one of the most pleasant memories in the history
of the Battalion.
There is something very remarkable about the record of the 17th H.L.I.
when billeted in Troon. For though brain-weary subalterns spent hours
trying to balance their billeting monies to the satisfaction of
exasperated and exacting Company Commanders, there was very little
trouble in the Orderly Room, that pulse of trouble.