The Outpost Vol 1 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

THE OUTPOST. 5
IN the first issue of the Battalion Magazine, which
we hope will be an interesting record and souvenir
of our life in the Army, we have thought it appro.
priate to collect notes appertaining to the work
and social life of the Battalion. The following
" Landmarks" have been compiled from the diaries'
of two of the Battalion Officers, and are extremely
interesting :­
12th Sept., 19I4.-Battalion formed. Medical
Examination and Attestation commenced.
15th Sept., 1914.-Assemblyof Recruits in 8th S.R.
Drill Hall. The following provisional allocation of
Halls for drill purposes was made
A Company 8th S.R. Headquarters, Cathedral St.
B 5th H.L.L Hill Street.
C 5th S.R. W. Princes St.
D 7th S.R. Victoria Road.
19th Sept., I9I4.-Kit, was issued in the Royal
Technical College to A and B Companies and to C
and D on the following day.
23yd Sept., 1914.-Recruits assembled in the
Examination Hall at the Royal Technical College,
and afterwards had a " send off .. by the Glasgow
Chamber of Commerce prior to proceeding to their
training camp at Gailes. The following Present.
ations were promised to the Battalion :-Colours
were promised by Mr. Montague Baird, Chairman
of the Chamber of Commerce, while Dr. and
Mrs. Beilby of the Technical College, offered to
present us with Bugles. Pipes and Drums. were
proposed as a joint gift from the Chamber of
Commerce and the Merchants' House. Under canvas
at Gailes until 13th October.
13th Oct., I914.-Moved into billets in Troon.
15th Oct., I9I4.-March back to Gailes Camp to
strike tents.
241h Oct., I9I4.-Battalion inspected by General
Gaisford, Inspector of Infantry.
2nd Nov., I9I4.-First route march, and on this
date vaccination was commenced.
. 4th Nov., I9I4.-Battalion was inspected by
Colonel Stanley Paterson.
7th Nov., 19I4.-Battalion paraded in Glasgow
through the main central streets and was inspected
outside the Municipal Buildings by representatives
'of the Chamber of Commerce. In the afternoon
a rugby match was played at Anniesland between
the Battalion and 2nd Glasgow Highlanders,
resulting in our favour, 40 points to nil. Gate
money amounting to £70 was handed to the Belgian
Relief Fund.
8th Nov., I914.-A route march of about 20 miles,
to Tarbolton and back to Troon, was accomplished.
This was the first whole day's marchof theBattalion.
13th Nov., 19I4.-The first party. was s!:nt to.
Chelsea School of Instruction.
27th Nov., 19I4.-Smoking Concert in Troon,
with talent drawn from the Battalion was most
successful, and the proceeds amounting to over £37,
were sent to the local Belgian Relief Fund.
5th Dec., I9I4.·-A rugby match in Troon between
So. 8 Platoon and the rest of the Battalion resulted
financially in £8 2S. 3d., being handed to Burns'
Ambulance Fund. .
7th Dec" I9I4.-Preliminary training was corn·
pleted and platoon training commenced.
9th Dec., I914.:-'A route march,. of over 20 miles,
to Kilmarnock and back to Troon via Dundonald
Hill, was accomplished. Inoculation against
typhoid was commenced.
12th Dec., 19I4.-Association football match in
Troon, played between A and C men and Band D
men. was successful in raising £6 IOS. 6d., which was
given to the Troon Red Cross Fund.
14th Dec., 19I4--The Battalion was definitely
included in the New Army and was designated the
17th (Service) BattalionH.L.I. ofthe II7thlnfantry
Brigade, of the 39th Division.
17th Dec., 19I4.-A Male Voice Choir was formed
among members of ~he Battalion.
22nd Dec., 1914.-A Battalion concert was held
in the Picture House, Troon, the talent being drawn
from the Battalion. The concert was highly
successful. Admission free.
23rd Dec., I9I4--An association football match
at Hampden Park, between the Battalion team and
Queen's Park, resulted in the score, 3 goals to 2;
Queen's Park winning by a goal. Christmas and
New Year leave was granted, six days being the
maximum.
2nd Jan., I915.-A rugby match, played. at
Anniesland between the Battalion XV..and the
48th Canadian Highlanders, resulted in the favour
of the Battalion, the scores being 14 points to 3.
Gate money amounting to £3 6s. Iod. was sent to
the Belgian Relief Fund.