HLI Chronicle 1915 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

JiiXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM AN
OFFICER OF THE 7TH BATT. HIGHLAND
LIGHT INFANTRY.
It WE'VE been pretty busy. Yesterday we
had a 30-mile march, and the men, you will
be glad to hear, stuck it welL Only two men
fell out, and one was seedy at the start and
ought not to have tried, and a wee laddie in
the pipers had a bad foot and only gave in
after 26 miles.
" They are as keen as mustard, and dying
to get off."
FORWARD, THE H.L.I.!
Forward, the H.L.I.! ready to do or die!
On many a field, on many a shore,
'Mid shot and shell and cannon's roar,
An honoured name they always bore-
The gallant H.L.I.
Forward, the H.L.I.! ready to do or die!
Into the ranks, then, quickly fall
At the sound of the drum and bugle call,
From humble cot or lordly hall.
Forward, the H.L.I. !
Forward, the H.L.I.! ready to do or die!
Our soldiers brave-a gallant band­
Make 'gainst odds a valiant stand;
They call to you for a helping hand.
Join the H.L.I.
Forward, the H.L.I.! ready to do or die !
For King and country proudly go
To lay a braggart despot low,
In Freedom's cause to strike a blow.
Forward, the H.L.I. !
Forward, the H.L.I.! ready to do or die!
On Empire's youth rests Empire's fate.
Forward! then. No longer wait.
To arms! to arms I ere it be too late.
Rally round the H.L.I. !
GOD SAVE THE KING.
H.L.I.
Grand Hotel, Glasgow.
A depot for comforts for the men of the 1st
and 10th Battalions H.L.I. is open at the
Grand Hotel, Glasgow. It is run by a committee
of ladies connected with the Regiment,
and they have been much gratified with the
generous response made to their appeals.
Thousands of garments have been sent to
the men, and also large quantities of pipes,
tobacco, and sweets, and post-cards from
men at the Front show how much these things
have been appreciated.
HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY CHRONICLE. 29
...__._-----
LIEUT. W. LILBURN.
SERIOUSLY WOUNDED AT THE BA.TTLE OF THE
AISNE.
GLASGOW and West of Scotland sportsmen
have mote than one intimate interest in the
present hostilities, but none is held dearer
or in higher esteem than that which is impersonated
in Lieut. W. Lilburn. A son of the
late Mr. James Lilburn of Glenlora, Lochwinnoch,
by whose recent death the old school
of Clyde yachtsmen lost one of its finest
stalwarts, Lieut. Lilburn gave early evidence
of his paternal heritage--a keen love for sport.
While a cadet at Sandhurst he captained the
gymnastic eight against Woolwich, and at
Sandhurst, too, he received his colours in
Rugby, being a member of the XV; While
in India, Lieut. Lilburn played Rugby for
Calcutta, two of his team being "Reid"
Kay and "Charlie" Arthur. It was on his
return to this country, however, that Lieut.
Lilburn became so prominent in Scottish
sporting circles, and one of the most popular,
most prized, and best-known figures on the
Rugby fields of the Second City. He played
for Kelvinside Academicals for several years,
and was a trial inter-city in his last season.
Gazetted from Sandhurst in 1905, Lieut.
Lilburn got his second star four years later,
and now the man we have cheered so heartily
on many a winter afternoon has proved his
soldier's grit in the fighting line, and has gained
an honour that is not simply of locality but
of nation. Everyone will wish this true
sportsman a speedy recovery, for it is such as
he who kindle anew the fires of British glory,
and teach our opponents, even in war, how to
"play the game."
A COLONEL IN SEARCH OF HIS
BATTALION.
AN INCIDENT OF 1914.
THE following amusing story is told of a certain
retired officer (whom we will call "C. S.")
who,' having reported himself anxious for
re-employment, was informed one fine morning
that he had been appointed to the command
of the -th Battalion H.L.I. Naturally
delighted, he at once posted off to consult
his Brigadier as to the best station for his new
battalion. After some consideration, it was
decided that Torquay was the ideal spot.
It was sufficiently remote from the chance
of German invasion to allow the training to
be carried on uninterruptedly, and it offered,
as the advertisements say,:;." a mild and sal­
ubrious winter climate." To Torquay sped