HLI Chronicle 1914 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

52 HIGHI.AND LIGHT INFANTRY CHRONICLE.1st Battalion News.Ambala, 19th March, 1914.DEAR MR. EDITOR,-I am afraid my letterthis mail is late, but I must plead want oftime for letter-writing in these busy times,and at best I am afraid my notes must ofnecessity be meagre. I hope that details ofmost things will be more fully describedelsewhere in this number.The Christmas Treat to the childrenwas something quite new this year, and thepresents from home were much appreciatedby all.An account of our Hogmanay Night will,I hope, appear elsewhere; but I cannot refrainfrom giving credit to our excellentChaplain for this really first-class institutionand addition to our Regimental customs,which is so much appreciated, not only by allof us, but also by so many outside our circle.This year was no exception, and we welcomedthere our popular General and his lady wife,and our old friends Colonel and Mrs. Herbert.among many old and new friends of the Regi~ment; and I must not forget Mr. and Mrs.Cooper (Bandmaster of the 5th Fusiliers),whom many will remember in the Band of theBattalion in the eighties.At the end of the old year Mr. Pitts-Tuckerproceeded to Calcutta to play for the GolfChampionship of India, and we were alldelighted when he reached the finals. Anotheryear, we hope, he may be more successfulstill, and bring back to the Mess that muchcovetedtrophy.With the advent of the new year we had ashort visit from Captain and Mrs. Stevenson­Hamilton, and were all glad to welcome themamong us again.A senior offieers' musketry class about thenfilled the station with many new faees, andamong them old friends of the 2nd Battalion,with many inquiries for those of long ago.On the 11th January Captain J. Y. Allanpaid us a short visit, and all were glad to seehim looking so fit and well in spite of fastadvancing years. He has been taking thegreatest interest in the H.L.L Bazaar to beheld in October next, and has made largepurchases in Kashmir on our behalf, andintends to be present in Glasgow to assist.He goes home shortly with this idea.Our hockey team succumbed in the thirdround of th~ Ambala Trades Hockey Cup,but I am glad to chronicle their success inwinning (yesterday) the Clarke Hockey ChallengeCup, which should go a long way toencourage them to further efforts in the future.In the Rifle Meeting, consisting entirelyof" fire problems," we did not shine this year,as it was something quite new to us, and ourfriends the South Lancs. Regiment easilycarried off the trophy, being old hands at thegame. However, next year we hope to dowell and give a better account of ourselves.The Company Cricket Cup was played foron the 23rd and subsequent dates in January,and was comfortably annexed by " H" Company,Captain Walker being in himself agrand stand-by for his Company.On the 5th Februarv a cricket match betweenOfficers and S;rgeants resulted in awin for the former, thanks to a redoubtable140 put up by Captain Walker.On the 9th February we welcomed fromhome )i[ajol' Murray and Captain Bairdbothlooking very well. For Captain BairdIndia holds everything that is new, but MajorMurray knows the country well, and his smilemade the pig draw back into the denserjungle, remembering the tales of his prowessin the years gone by.The 13th February was about the finish ofour strenuous times during this last coldweather, culminating in a long night out amiddust-storms and rain, with a thorough soakingat dawn.On the 18th we had a small " At Home"to select danciilg and piping for the HighiandGathering, which many local people attendedand thoroughly enjoyed. That same nightCaptain Inglis left us for home to have anoperation performed, which we are all glad tohear has been a complete sUGcess, and soon weshall hope to hear he is quite restored tohealth.Ever since we left Lucknow in October lastCaptain Inglis had been in a very precariousstate of health, culminating in the necessityfor an operation. We were all very sorry tosee him leave, not only the Regiment, but alsovacate the Adjutancy, which he has held with