The Outpost Vol 1 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

12
THE OUTPOST.
Our only hope was that we might be away
before any necessity for them would arise.
One result of this mobilisation was an immense
rise in food prices, so that the poor were being
fed in Nineau, Turin and other big towns by the
lOth of August. In addition there was such a
shortage of coin that it was almost impossible
to purchage anything unless the exact sum was
tendered.
But at last the great British Government had
got to work and we were informed that the
Admiralty, the Foreign Office, and the White
Star Company. had put their heads together and
arranged to bring us all home on one of the
Company's boats, the S.5. Cretic, 13,900 tons,
lying dismantled in Genoa harbour. We were
to pay {lO each and the men were to have
steerage accommodation, and the ladies all
available cabins. The boat was filthy and full
of undesirable, albeit diminutive passengers,
having been used almost exclusively for Italian
emigrant traffic. The captain was fortunately
in Genoa, and we did finallv sail on the 13th of
August, at II p.m., after some trying days.
The weather throughout the voyage home was
perfect, but the conditions in the steerage bunk
were such as to give rise to a formal debate in
the saloon on " Pulex irritans, its position in the
human economy," and only the certain knowledge
that it was a scratch affair prevented a
very famon;'; professor from taking the chair.
It was stated that thehatches had been battened
down, and the place thoroughly disinfected.
On our remarking to a Scottish steward, a
'.' man frae Gourock," that that wonld hardly
be sufficient, he replied, "Mebbe no, but it
wad gie them an awfu' shock." We passed
Gibraltar on Sunday. At such a time this
particularly grim looking British outpost was
of special interest. Only two destroyers were
to be seen guarding the Straits. In the
Atlantic several flutters of excitement were
caused by the appearance of war vessels. Thev
never cameclose to us, buttwinkled questioningly
with their heliographs.
On account of the rascally character of the
crew, and the numerous cases of theft-suit
cases, bags and jewels-the captain formed
several of us into a Special Police Force. We
were continually on duty in relays day and
night, but the only excitement was during the
last night when sailing with only head lights,
some 100 miles off Land's End. About 2 a.m.
three evil looking shapes suddenly appeared
alongside. They were British· Destroyers,
patrolling without lights, but having read our
name they sheered off again into the darkness.
We reached Liverpool on Friday evening,
the 21st August, all precious glad to get home,
but with hardly a " fiver" among the 600 of us.
M.
Lieut.-Col. D. S. Morton, V.D.
TRE 1]1h (Service) Battalion H.L.I. has been
singularly fortunate in having as its Commanding
Officer, Lieut.-Colonel Morton. It was
fitting that one who had to fill such a post
should be a Glasgow man, and this may be
said emphatically of our C.O. He was born
and educated in Glasgow, his business career
has been in that city, and for many years he
has supported the Volunteer movement in the
West of Scotland. Though primarily a
Glasgow man, Lieut.-Colonel Morton's interests
have not been confined to the citv from which
our Battalion has been raised; f;r (to take an
instance) as a Rugby footballer his fame is
International. He played forward for the
West of Scotland Club for about eight years,
and was captain for two years, in one of which
the " West" was the champion team of Great
Britain. He was selected to play forward for
Scotland in 1887, and that year had the unique.
distinction of scoring in all the three International
matches, notching four tries in all. He
played for Scotland for four years, one year as
captain.
His Volunteering service has been varied,
and very thorough. He joined the 1St
Lanark Rifle Volunteers as private, and served
three years in the ranks, he then retired, and,
as Sergeant, joined the 1st Lanark R.E.
Volunteers. After having served four years
with that Corps, he received a Commission in
the 5th Battalion H.L.I., and was promoted
1st Lieutenant, Captain and Major in due
course, retiring with the rank of Lieut.-Colonel.
In 1900, when Captain, he was selected to
command the 1st Volunteer Service Company
of the H.L.L, and in that capacity served with
the 71St in South Africa for about a year and a
half with distinction, being mentioned in
despatches in connection with the operations
resulting in the capture of General Prinsloo and
3,000 Boers. His medals are" South Africa,"
with three clasps, and the Volunteer Decoration.
Not only on account of his previous work,
but also because of his family and business ties,
Lieut.-Colonel Morton might have been excused
if he had chosen to remain at home; but he
showed his character and patriotism by
volunteering at once for active service,
recognising, as every man ought to do, that in
the present crisis one's country has one's first
claim.
In person, tall and spare, and with a dignified
and courteous manner, Lieut.-Colonel Morton
bv his firmness, justness and humaneness has
gained the trust and affection of every one in his
command. It is the feeling of all ranks in the
Battalion, that we have in Lieut.-Colonel
Morton the commander we want.