The Outpost Vol 1 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

THE OUTPOST. 93
THE past month has been crowded with incident
for all ranks of the Battalion. The Special
Training Companies have carried on the work each
week on the training areas under the careful
supervision of the Brigade and their own Officers,
and steady progress is being made. A prominent
feature of this month's training has been the
practice obtained in handling of ammunition
supplies. The Transport Section have followed the
Training Companies with wagons containing
supplies of practice ammunition, and the Company
pack horses have accompanied their Companies in
the field. This exercise is one of the most important
parts of training and therefore is of the greatest
value to the Battalion.
During the month, on some waste ground off
Bentinck Drive, some of the Companies of the
Battalion constructed a system of trenches on plans
from the front published by the \Var Office. These
have proved of exceptional value, not only to this
Battalion, but to the Brigade.
Towards the middle of the month the four Training
Companies commenced a course of instruction and
practice in night operations. The use of the
compass, reconnaissance of positions by day for use
at night, and the siteing of trenches have been
practised. The men of the Battalion have been
taught the use of silence, the value of the shock of
an attack in the grey. raw minutes of early dawn,
when the spirits ofthe enemy are at theidowestebb,
and the importance of accurate measurement of
time and space. The field cookers have accom·
panied the Companies on night work, and hot coffee
has proved a great boon to all ranks.
The 27th of this month is marked with a white
stone for the Battalion, for on this day the Lord
Provost of Glasgow and the Directors of the Glasgow
Chamber of Commerce visited Troon. and with the
Brigadier inspected the Battalion. The march.past
was carried out in fine style and the Lord Provost
complimented the Officers, ~.C.O.s and men on their
appearance and work. The Directors expressed
themselves as delighted with the progress of the
Battalion they had been instrumental in raising.
The letters published later in Orders bore witness
to their appreciation and should inspire each
member of the Battalion with pride in his Regiment.
The Signallers have from the first made very
satisfactory progress, and have now been having
field days, during which a message travels over
twenty miles from start to finish. The efficiency
of this section is very gratifying, and the appointment
of Lieut. Paterson as Signalling Officer is a
mark that this section is now in full working order.
During the month Lieut. Kitchin has left the
Battalion to take up a Commission in the Royal
Marines. \Ve take this opportunity of congratu.
lating him on his success in obtaining first place
in the qualifying examination and wishing him luck
in his fu ture career.
This month, alas, has also seen another well
known Officer leave to join another unit. Captain
Kilpatrick, our most popular Doctor, having becn
recalled to the Territorial Forces. This is a sad loss
to the Battalion, and all ranks will join in regret at
his departure and in wishing him God-speed in his
fu ture labours.
The following Officers and N.C.O.s have been
undergoing courses of instruction during the month:
Capt. Keilson, Machine Gun Course at Strensall.
Lieut. :V[orton, Course of Musketry at Chelsea.
Lieut. Begg, Course in Physical Training at
Aldershot.
Sergt. Mather, Course of Cookery at Aldershot.
Sergt. Hamilton, Course of Instruction at Chelsea.
Each Company has been undergoing during the
month a special course of Physical Training under
Sergt. Shuttle and tent pitching under the Company
Staff.
During the latter days of last month L..Corpl.
Morrison of the Royal Engineers was attachel to
this Battalion to instruct the men in the con·
struction of obstacles and bombs an j their uses.
VerY momentous news has been received since
these notes were commenced. The Battalion is to
proceed to Prees Heath, in Shropshire, on the 13th
May. This is, inieed, a step in the right direction,
and is a cause for self congratuL!tion by all ranks,
as we are told it is promotion.
However, our gratification at the move is
tempered by a good deal of regret at leaving the
II7th Brigade. Brigadier.General F. Hackett·
Thompson and Capt. H. L. \Vood have always made
our work interesting, and while making themselves
popular with all ranks, have not stinted praise or
blame where it was likely to prove beneficial, and
all ranks will be exceeding sorry that orders compel
them to say good.bye !
\Ve have another cause for deep regret. E
Company is not to go with us to Prees; but is to
form a depot under lVlajor W. Auld at Gai~es. This
is a sad business, as we shall leave behmd many
popular Officers, N.C.O.s and men. However, we
must hope that the parting is to be brief. and that
E Company will soon follow and accompany us to
France. our goal.
T. P. L.