Part 1

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+-----------------------------------------------------------+ | Transcriber's Note: | | | | Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document has | | been preserved. | | | | Obvious typographical errors have been corrected in this | | text. For a complete list, please see the end of this | | document. | | | +-----------------------------------------------------------+

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The

Seventeenth Highland Light Infantry.

17th H.L.I.

THE GIFT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GLASGOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The Seventeenth Highland Light Infantry (Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Battalion).

Record of War Service, 1914-1918.

GLASGOW: DAVID J. CLARK, 23 ROYAL EXCHANGE SQUARE AND 92 UNION STREET. 1920.

EDITORS' PREFACE.

In compiling and editing this history of the Chamber of Commerce Battalion, the aim of the editors has been to present such a narrative as will provide a detailed but not overburdened account of the Battalion's movements and operations throughout the years of its existence, and at the same time give a representative impression of the various outstanding events which have built up the character and the traditions of the unit.

In accordance with the wishes of the History Committee, the narrative dealing with Field service has been kept within the limits of the Battalion's share in the campaign, and accordingly no attempt has been made to give any picture of the relative positions of the various other units operating with the 17th, or of the general strategic import of the actions described.

The chapters dealing with the beginnings and home training, and those general items in Part III. are founded mainly upon matter supplied by officers of the unit and members of The Outpost staff. The Roll of original members in Part IV. has been gathered together by Lieut. and Quarter-Master Kelly. The material in the section dealing with the service of the Battalion overseas has been gathered from the following sources:--

For data--the Official War Diaries of the 17th Battalion H.L.I. preserved in the "Records" Office, Hamilton; supplementary notes supplied by Lieut.-Cols. Morton and Paul and Major Paterson, D.S.O., M.C.; Brigade and Battalion Operation Orders; Battalion Operation Reports.

For impressions, opinions, and descriptions--numerous and exceedingly helpful literary vignettes from members of The Outpost staff and others, and from interviews.

The Editors desire to record their appreciation of material contributed and help given by:--Lieut.-Col. Morton, Lieut.-Col. Paul, Lieut.-Col. Inglis, Major Paterson, the Rev. A. Herbert Gray, C.F., Capt. G.H.R. Laird, Capt. M. MacRobert, Capt. T.P. Locking, Mr. Cameron of the Chamber of Commerce, Lieut. and Quarter-Master Kelly, Mr. Meadows of Saltcoats (for allowing illustrations and excerpts to be taken from the diary of his son, the late Lieut. B. Meadows), the relatives of the late Lieut. D.W. Hourston (for a selection of photographs from his collection), and the following gentlemen identified with the publication of The Outpost:--Messrs. A.M. Cohen, W.S. Corbett, Mark Drummond, W.M. Dixon, A.G. Deans, W. Glennie, A.G. Houstoun, J.L. Hardie, C. MacCallum, J. M'Kechnie, N. M'Intyre, W.K. M'Taggart, D. Murray, J.L.L. Niven, F.K. Pickles, H.F. Scott, D.M. Thomson, R. Tilley.

JOHN W. ARTHUR. ION S. MUNRO.

GLASGOW, May, 1920.

CONTENTS.

EDITORS' PREFACE.

I.--FORMATION AND HOME TRAINING. PAGE

THE NATION'S CALL TO ARMS, 13 Declaration of War--Strain on the resources of the Regular and Territorial Forces--Kitchener's Call to Arms--Civic response--Glasgow Corporation Battalions--Meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and Resolution--Committee formed--The Technical College.

A BATTALION IN BEING, 15 Attestation and enrolment--"A" Company from Technical College--"B" Company from Schools--"C" and "D" from the City--C.O., Second in Command, Adjutant, Company Commanders, and Staff appointed--Leaving the City--Government acceptance--Farewell visit to City.

ESPRIT DE CORPS, 19 Traditions of the H.L.I.--the 71st and 74th Foot--Uniform--pre-War Establishment--Regular and Territorial Battalions--War Service Battalions raised--the allocation of the 17th Battalion.

HOME STATIONS AND TRAINING, 21 Gailes--Troon--Prees Heath--Wensleydale--Totley--Codford Camp--Overseas Orders--Message from the King--Embarkation.

II.--ON ACTIVE SERVICE.