The Outpost Vol 1 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

THE OUTPOST.
19
insignificant. Then we go through some
evolutions in physical drill under Sergt-:Majors
or other instructors, soon hurrying back into
" Mass" to be dismissed for breakfast. This is
the interval usually used for shaving and the
other finer parts of the toilet for which we have
no time in the early morning.
Messing may be done in tents or, what was
much cheerier, in large marquees, where a great
jovial din was kicked IIp at every meal, varied
with such things as
A voice-" The squire has been foully
murdered I "
Chorus---" Shame! "
Voice--" And ve villain has escaped to
London with ye papers concealed in ye black
bag! "
Chorus-" Oh ! "
Voice-" Some say Laird has finger in pie! "
Chorus-" Ah I "
Voice-" But never mind these trivialities.
Let us hie to yonder Wet Canteen and have ye
ale with me ! "
Chorus-" Hurrah! "
Voice-- H
Exit the villagers."
Chorus-" Um-te-diddly, um-te-day,
We are the villagers, blithe and gay,
Um-te-didaly, um-te-day."
Or, " Bread and jam, bread and jam, bread
and jam again," to the old tunc.
On all the other parades throughout the day
we get squad drill with intervals, squad drill in
'Jingle rank, squad drill in two ranks, and all the
other variations of squad drill that E Coy. are
being treated to at present. One could write
volumes on life under canvas, but considerations
of Rpace limit one to a mere sketch. The
mention of such things as dixies to be washed,
lines to be cleaned, beds and kits to be put
outside, tents to be kept in order, rations to be
drawn, etc., etc., will bring the whole of that
glorious time back to the minds of many.
There is the Dry Canteen where one could buy
anything from a check for chips to a pair of sox,
the Wet Canteen where one drank one'3 modest
pint 0' bitter and enjoyed a good smoking
concert of an evening, the Guild Tent where
one could write letters, if he were lucky enough
to find a seat at a table, and Trvine or Troon
where we went to see a picture show. At
sunset the bugles blow "Retreat "-all
visitors must JerLYe the lines-the footballers
come in because it is getting too dark to see,
and soon the little village is lit up, for one must
have candles to play cards, write letters or
swot up the Red Book. At 9.30 p.m. "First
Post" is sounded, by which time all men should
be in their lines, and the thoughtful ones are
getting their beds down with a view to avoiding
trouble in the dark.
At 10 p.m. "Tattoo--Last Post" goes on
the bugle and by this time all Company Orderly
Sergeants have been round the tents, calling the
roll, so that they are ready to report "all
present" at the Tattoo Staff Parade. Everyone
now gets into pyjamas, helmets and
sleeping sox, ready to blowout the candle when
the bugle sounds" Lights Out "-10.15 p.m.
Such are the dry bones of the de:;;cription of
life under canvas. It would be impossible to
enumerate all the joyful little items that go to
make up one of n.e best forms of life one could
wish for.
CUEvALIlm.
The Recruit's Complaint.
I.
When we parted with our job,
And we took our Monarch's" bob,"
Then our thoughts of killing Germans gave us thrills,
But we're still put through the mill
Doing" Squad" and" Company" Drill,
And we fight and die upon Dundonald Hills!
n.
With our service rifles neat,
And our khaki all complete! ! ! !
We could see ourselves in Belgium right away.
Still no rifles 'mongst the lot,
But our khaki we have got
For we rub it on our belts 'most every day!
Ill.
Times we dream upon parade
Of a dreadful cannonade,
And we hear the shells go whistling out of sight!
Then we think that must be hell
Till the Sergeant starts to yell,
" Why the devil can't you dress up on the right! ! ! "
IV.
'When we left our girls in town
They were nearly breaking down,
But they told us to be brave and come back soon.
Now, if they only knew
That their lovers, brave and true,
'Were stilllearuing daily how to form Platoon'
V.
But of course it's only right
That we cannot hope to fight
Till we learn the military A B C,
Yet our souls are dead within
When the Sergeants rub it in,
" Now then smartly! Order Arr.ums!! One~Two
-Three ~ !!"
T. c.
t t t
Some one wants to know why Ayris out of bounds
without a pass. Tt is argued that the Government
clothes US and gives us food and drink, yet they
would deprive us of Ayr!