HLI Chronicle 1914 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

156 HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY CHRONICI,E.CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR SAILORS ANDSOLDIERS.Union Club, Port Said,October 19, 1914.SIR,-I read with pleasure and interestto-"day (Reuter's telegrams, 17th inst.) thatPrincess Mary has opened a fund for " Christmasgifts for every soldier and sailor." MayI point out that there is a by no means inconsiderablenumber of men in the Army, at allevents, to whom pipes, cigarettes, and tobaccoare of little value, as they are non-smokers.And I believe I am not wrong in saying thatat the present time there is no need to makebigger the smoking craze.To these (as to smokers) I find dry chocolateis always acceptable; and for a general giftI know of few things that would be moreappreciated by the troops than a decent-sizedcake of scented soap and a large colouredhandkerchief.-I am, etc.,G. C. MACPRERSON, Chaplain,Highland Light Infantry,Indian Expeditionary Force "A."-From the Scotsman, Nov. 3, 1914.YOUR KING AND COUNTRY.THEY take you from a happy home,Just as they did in Greece and Rome,To smite the foe across the foam.Your King and Country need "you.They take you down to Aldershot, They bring to you a greasy pot, You fish for meat-oh, such a lot! Your King and Country feed you.The news of typhoid comes from FranceSo then begins another dance;' 'You bare your arm, and with a lanceYour Ki~g and Country' bIlled you.You think your arm a good excuse;You swear it is too bad for use;But all you get is dog's abuse.Your King and Country read you.They make you rise before the sun,And once you're up they make you run,On all day long till light goes done.Your King and Country lead you.On Sunday you get up as well,And, lest you find your way to h--,Within a church without a bellYour King and Country screed you.But, if beneath the cannon's boomThey send you forth to certain doom,You will go on tho' hell should loom.Your King and Country speed you.IMPRESSIONS.NEVER in the history of this old militarystation has there been such a time of activityas during the last three months. Fromthe day of the declaration of war men of allsizes, grades, characters, and denominations,have flocked to the Colours, eager, anxious~desperate,in some cases-to strike a blow forliberty, freedom, and justice. For if thereis one thing that has impressed more thananother it has been the clear conceptionpossessed by the average recruit of the causesleading up to the war, the scepticism regardingGerman pretensions, and the desire to avengethe indignities to which the progress ofcivilisation has been subjected by an enemypowerful and unscrupulous.On Wednesday, 5th August, the first dayof mobilisation, provision was made for thereception of 600 Reservists; but that numberwas practically doubled, 1109 responding tothe call. With the arrival of the regularReservists Colonel Garland, D.S.O., and CapiJiinR C. Stuart took over duty as Officer~ommanding and Adjutant 'resp~ctivelY:.