The Outpost Vol 1 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

_THE OUTPOST.
At the Church Parades the organ has almost
always been played by Private Hubbard, who is
also the conductor of the Male Voice Choir, which
leads the singmg (?) during route marches. Fn e
men have been discharged to take commissions in
other battalions. Sergeant Drummond has been
detailed to take charge of the Miniature Range,
and act as Sergt..lnstructor of Musketry, under
Major Auld.
C Company, we may confidently assert, does
everything, including large contributions to The
Outpost. Sergt. Marshall and Pte. Hall are burdened
daily with sheaves of letters to the Editor.
The first week of this month was devoted to
Special Training, but the Company was most
unfortunate in the matter of weather. Some of the
areas allotted to the Company had to be abandoned
owing to the state of the ground, so that a little of
the variety of the training was lost. A very
distinct improvement was noticed towards the end
of the week in the movements of the men, and the
Section Commanders learned much from the various
schemes which were so carefully thought out and
explained by Captain Morton. Although much
harder than usual, the week was enjoyed by all
ranks. It proved to be very instructive and
certainly much more interesting than "forming
line outwards" on the Polo Ground. The only
regret the men had about the special week was that
they were not allowed to take part in the Battalion
Double at 7 o'clock in the morning (?)
On a recent Friday, great excitement was created
among the junior ~ .C.O.s of the Company. After
pay at the Unionist Rooms the men were to be
marched along in groups of ten, or thereabouts,
as they came out after receiving their" salary"
(there was some to get this particular week as there
was nothing deducted for insurance) to the Dr ill
Hall to be furnished with khaki--mits and sleeping
helmets. The honour of leading men along
Portland Street seemed to appeal to the imagination
of what Lord Roberts once called the brains of
the Army. and there was an unprecedented rush
amongst them as to who should have the honours:
No wonder, then, one despairing "One Striper"
was heard to exclaim, in a wronged tone of voice;
"Hey, there-you've got eleven there. Leave
some for me !" This b'ame lad in taking along the
next group encountered a second.lieutenant of the
Royal Scots. Imagine the blushes on the faces of
the men when he gave in a confident, stentorious
voice-" Eyes Right!" "Eyes Front!" One
cruel private was heard to exe!aim; "that truly
they were the people, and wisdom would die with
them."
The fixing up of the new kit created great
diversion-if not anxiety~-among the members of
the Company, as doubtless would be the case with
the other companies also. So it was a proud,
young soldier of the King who, on coming on to
parade on the Saturday morning, and when asked
how he had got on with the equipment declared
with flashing eyes; "I've used all the bits, anyway,
except that darned yellow strap. I can't get it on
anywhere." By the way, is everybody carrying
water in the" bottles?" A remark regarding lime
juice was several times-overheard. Euphemism!
Perish the thought! ­
D COMPANY.
I'fHE representatives of the Company on the
Magazine Committee were glad to see the
first issue so well supported and trust that this will
continue. Sergt. Abercrombie or CorpI. Ellery
will be pleased to receive contributions.
It would be noticed in the first issue how modest
we were in reference to D Company's virtues and
accomplishments. It is unfortunate that some of
the others did not follow our example in this respect,
for we always maintained that self.praise was no
honour. Nevertheless, we have the material, and
when we come to the .. real thing" the "Irish
Brigade" will be there and in the thick of it.
~The news of the formation of a big drum band in
the Battalion is only of passing interest to D
Company since we hear that applications are being
restricted to the supermen from the "modest"
companies. (See last month's Company Comment.)
The 'result of the Miniature Range Competition
does not reflect great credit on our shots. It must
be remembered, however, that on the day allotted to
us at the range we had been at Kilmarnock, and
the men were tired. There was a long delay before
we lay down, with the result that half the entrants
did not fire. Under improved conditions we could
do much better. The following prizes were gained;
Lance.Sergt. Hughes, . prize £0 I 8
Pte. Gowans, " 0 I 0
Applications for commissions have been duly'
made.
A mmour is current that we men of D Company
are doctors, lawyers, chemists, company promoters.
etc. This libel has been circulated to our detriment
by some evil-minded person and opportunity is here
taken to deny it. Careful enquiries made amongst
all ranks prove finally, and beyond all shadow of
doubt, that we are, to a man, soldiers. What were
we, did you say? Ah! that is another maIter,
we are in the army now.
Throughout the route march the Company
philosopher was wrapped in deep thought--so much
so that at the halt be borrowed tobacco, forgetting
he had his own. On being dismissed he lifted up
his voice unto the multitude, saying these words:
.. They are what they are, despite Company Com.
ment; so are we." vVhereat the people marvelled
greatly, saying:" Verily. this, too, is an honest man,"
and each went his way and told his neighbour.
We beg respectfully to offer our congratulations
to Captain Neilson on his promotion. He comes of
a good soldiering family and is "to the manner
born." Captain Neilson's brother is a Brigade
Major and a D.S.O., so we are forced to the con·
c1usion that soldiering is hereditary. like most of our
vices. Captain Neilson should go far, and Major
Hutchison is fortunate in having him as second in
command.
One of the best stories we have heard for a long
time comes from No. 13 Platoon. The doctor wa~
in need of an orderly and one of the boys of 13
applied. "\Vell, my man, what do you know about
horses? .. said the doctor. "I've backed them for
the last ten years, Sir," was the unexpected reply.
Well! Well! Well!
The formation of E Company temporarily
depleted our ranks and bereft many of us of
pleasant marching companions, Some said it was