HLI Chronicle 1914 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY CHRONICLE.most miserable. Mayne, Gaussen, and Lathamhit.WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH.Retired at sunrise to yesterday's cover,had some food, and then at about 7 a.m.returned. for. a short period to improve thetrenches. Again about 8.45 we went out,andQ.gain returned, but this time on accountofsD:ell fire. Some enemy were seen in front.I believe the village I didn't know the name ofis oa.lled Verneuil. Remained in our" dugouts"all day, as it was quite hopeless to move.Some more casualties to-day, I believe, butnot many. I believe, also, the people on ourright and left are doing well. Fine to-day, for awonder.THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH.Still in our " dug-outs" (Brodie and I aretogether) until 6 p.m., when the" Worcesters"ca.me up to relieve us, and we went back to thevillage and billeted for the night. Dreadfullywet all day, and most miserable. These lastfour days will not easily be forgotten; underperpetual shell fire.FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH.A rest day to-day for us. Left our billetsat dawn and took up our positions in theshelters just outside the village along the roadside.I wrote home to-day, and some otherletters too. At 6 p.m. we once again departedfor the hill, and took up a. fresh positionfurther in advance and facing half right. Iwas in support of Nos. 1 and 3. At about8 p.m. it began to rain, and continued withoutcessation all night We had no cover, theground being rocky, and it has been themost miserable night I have ever spent. Wetto the skin, and dreadfully cold. Aboutmidnight we heard firing, and stood to arms,there being evidently an attack on some partof the outpost position; but we have no news.Again an awful night.SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH.At dawn removed to a large cave near by,where we spent the remainder of the day .. At 6.30 we were relieved by the Connal1ghts,and went back to our old position at thecrest of the hill. Quite a rest day, whichwas badly needed after a night like last night.We buried poor Powell to-day. Fairly fine.SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH.'Ve were attacked at dawn, and went out. to the trenches to support the Connaughts.Retired shortly, however, on account of shellfire, to the base of the hill. Arrived thereabout 6 a.m.THE LEGION OF HONOURFRENCH ORDER FOR BRITISH OFFICERS FORGALLANTRY IN THE FIELD.THE President of the French Republichas bestowed the decoration of the Legionof Honour on the undermentioned Officer,with the approval of H.M. the King, forgallantry during the operations betweenAugust 21st and August 30th, 1914.There are no restrictions as to the occasionson which these honours may be worn.CROIX DE CHEVALIER.Captain J. H. Hope, 2nd Batt. H.L.I.AWARD OF THE DECORATION "l\bDAILLEMILITAIRE."The President of the French Republic hasbestowed the decoration Medaille Militaireon Warrant Officers, Non-CommissionedOfficers, and Men of the Expeditionary Force,with the approval of H.M. the King, inrecognition of their gallantry during theoperations between the 21st and 30th ofAugust, 1914.10901 Pte. G. Scott, 2nd Batt. H.L.I.Pte. Scott is a native of Alexandria, Dunbartonshire,and joined the H.L.I. on the 21stof October, 1907, and we offer him our con·gratulations on his unique distinction.MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES.THE names of the following officers, non·commissioned officers, and men of the HighlandLight Infantry have been brought forwardfor special mention for services in the fieldfrom the beginning of the campaign to 8thOctober :­2ND BATTALION HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY.Lieut.-Colonel A. A. Wolfe-Murray.Lieut. A. P. D. Telfel'-S.mollett.Lieut. Sir A. C. Gibson-Craig, Bart. (killed).No. 7736 Sergt. F. Nicholson.No. 8944 Pte. J. Webber.No. 9812 Pte. J. CampbelLNo. 9553 Pte. G. Wilson.ROYAL FLYING CORPS.Lieut. W. 'G. S. Mitchell, H.L.I.