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Old Books - Military
Essentials for Local Historians, Genealogists & Family Historians

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The Seventeenth Highland Light Infantry
(Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Battalion)
Record of War Service, 1914-1918


AUTHOR: Unknown
FIRST PUB.: 1920
THIS EDITION: 2009

CD-ROM £10.00
 


155 page book, supplied as a PDF document on CD-ROM.

EDITORS' PREFACE.
In compiling and editing this history of the Chamber of Commerce Battalion, the aim of the editors has been to present such a narrative as will provide a detailed but not overburdened account of the Battalion's movements and operations throughout the years of its existence, and at the same time give a representative impression of the various outstanding events which have built up the character and the traditions of the unit.

In accordance with the wishes of the History Committee, the narrative dealing with Field service has been kept within the limits of the Battalion's share in the campaign, and accordingly no attempt has been made to give any picture of the relative positions of the various other units operating with the 17th, or of the general strategic import of the actions described.

The chapters dealing with the beginnings and home training, and those general items in Part III. are founded mainly upon matter supplied by officers of the unit and members of The Outpost staff. The Roll of original members in Part IV. has been gathered together by Lieut. and Quarter-Master Kelly. The material in the section dealing with the service of the Battalion overseas has been gathered from the following sources:—

For data—the Official War Diaries of the 17th Battalion H.L.I. preserved in the "Records" Office, Hamilton; supplementary notes supplied by Lieut.-Cols. Morton and Paul and Major Paterson, D.S.O., M.C.; Brigade and Battalion Operation Orders; Battalion Operation Reports.

For impressions, opinions, and descriptions—numerous and exceedingly helpful literary vignettes from members of The Outpost staff and others, and from interviews.

The Editors desire to record their appreciation of material contributed and help given by:—Lieut.-Col. Morton, Lieut.-Col. Paul, Lieut.-Col. Inglis, Major Paterson, the Rev. A. Herbert Gray, C.F., Capt. G.H.R. Laird, Capt. M. MacRobert, Capt. T.P. Locking, Mr. Cameron of the Chamber of Commerce, Lieut. and Quarter-Master Kelly, Mr. Meadows of Saltcoats (for allowing illustrations and excerpts to be taken from the diary of his son, the late Lieut. B. Meadows), the relatives of the late Lieut. D.W. Hourston (for a selection of photographs from his collection), and the following gentlemen identified with the publication of The Outpost:—Messrs. A.M. Cohen, W.S. Corbett, Mark Drummond, W.M. Dixon, A.G. Deans, W. Glennie, A.G. Houstoun, J.L. Hardie, C. MacCallum, J. M'Kechnie, N. M'Intyre, W.K. M'Taggart, D. Murray, J.L.L. Niven, F.K. Pickles, H.F. Scott, D.M. Thomson, R. Tilley.
JOHN W. ARTHUR.
ION S. MUNRO.
GLASGOW, May, 1920.

CONTENTS.

I.—FORMATION AND HOME TRAINING.
THE NATION'S CALL TO ARMS
Declaration of War—Strain on the resources of the Regular and Territorial Forces—Kitchener's Call to Arms—Civic response—Glasgow Corporation Battalions—Meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and Resolution—Committee formed—The Technical College.
A BATTALION IN BEING
Attestation and enrolment—"A" Company from Technical College—"B" Company from Schools—"C" and "D" from the City—C.O., Second in Command, Adjutant, Company Commanders, and Staff appointed—Leaving the City—Government acceptance—Farewell visit to City.
ESPRIT DE CORPS
Traditions of the H.L.I.—the 71st and 74th Foot—Uniform—pre-War Establishment—Regular and Territorial Battalions—War Service Battalions raised—the allocation of the 17th Battalion.
HOME STATIONS AND TRAINING
Gailes—Troon—Prees Heath—Wensleydale—Totley—Codford Camp—Overseas Orders—Message from the King—Embarkation.

II.—ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

ON TREK
Arrival at Havre—March to the forward area—Bouzincourt and Millencourt—instructional tour of front line trenches—condition of trenches—first casualties—Molliens.
TRENCH ROUTINE
In the line—Xmas '15 and the New Year—the new trench—"Standing to"—routine and patrols.
THE RAID
The "Red" Division—in the line at Authuille—Colonel Morton wounded on March 21st—A raid postponed—carried out on 22nd—success of Lieut. Begg's party—congratulatory messages and awards.
A LULL BEFORE THE STORM
Preparations commenced for the Somme offensive—a complimentary shoot with "P" Battery—Divisional, Brigade and Battalion identification marks—happy days at Rubempré.
THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME
Spirit of the Battalion prior to the battle—zero and "over the top"—Leipzig Trench carried—flanks exposed—precarious position of the unit—great casualties—protective bombing posts—consolidation— Battalion relieved—Victoria Cross gained by Sergeant Turnbull—Roll Call.
A DIARY ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE
Extract from the personal diary of the late Lieut. B. Meadows giving a wonderfully realistic picture of the July 1st Battle.
HULLUCH AND THEREABOUTS
Senlis—last parade under Col. Morton—Bombing raid north of Ovillers—Move to Bethune—1st Army Area—inspection by General Munro—depleted ranks—trench warfare about Hulluch—Cambrin Sector.
BEAUMONT-HAMEL
The attack—weather conditions—failure of artillery support—forlorn hope—break-down of assault—gallantry and sacrifice—casualties—Mailly-Maillet—Franqueville and Rubempré—Xmas 1916 and New Year—football and high spirits.
THE NEW YEAR, 1917
Bad weather—Courcelles—trench labours—varied moves—beginning of Spring Offensive—attack by the French—the advance—Nesle—condition of inhabitants—great digging work at Germaine.
ON THE HEELS OF THE ENEMY
The taking of Savy—casualties—patrolling—capture of Fayet—congratulatory messages—strenuous days—Canizy—competitions with the French—work and sport—Hangard—leaving the Fourth Army—Farewell message from General Rawlinson.
IN FLANDERS
En route to Steenbecque—R.T.O.—the 14th Corps—reconnaissance of Messines Sector—heavy marches—Coxyde and Kuhn—amenities of Nieuport area.
OPERATIONS ON THE COAST
Enemy hurricane bombardment—enemy attempt frustrated—attack abandoned—visit to H.L.I.— sports—visit of Dr. Kelman—patrol work by Corpl. Wilson—listening post raided—departure for Adinkerke.
THE YPRES SALIENT
Passchendaele—gallantry of attack—casualties— Hilltop Farm—move to Landethun and Yeuse—Serre Sector—close of 1917.
THE DISBANDMENT
Hogmanay—with the II. Corps—the blow—new army establishment—Hospital Camp—disbandment—the passing of the "17th."

III.—AN ODD MUSTER.
THE SPIRIT OF THE BATTALION
The Padre's tribute.
CO-OPERATION
The 17th and the Gunners.
"THE OUTPOST,"
The Battalion Magazine.
SPORT OF THE BATTALION
Football—running—boxing.
THE R.S.M.
Tribute by Lieut.-Col. D.S. Morton.
A REMEMBRANCE
An echo.
THE COMFORTS COMMITTEE
The Ladies' Committee and Office-bearers—their helpful work.
MEMORIAL SERVICE IN GLASGOW
The Somme—Rev. A. Herbert Gray's text.
THE CLUB
The object—Battalion Benevolent Fund—Committee formed—Hope of the future.
"E" COMPANY
17th H.L.I. Reserve—19th Battalion—drafts— activities—Lieut. Col. Anderson, V.C.—78th T.R.B.

IV.—HONOURS AND AWARDS.

Battalion Honour
The Victoria Cross
Honours gained by Officers and others while serving with the Battalion
Honours gained by original Members of the Battalion after being transferred to other units
List of Officers who were granted Commissions in the Battalion on its formation
"Other Ranks" of the Battalion who were granted Commissions in the Battalion
Roll of Warrant Officers, N.C.O.s and men who joined the Battalion prior to 22nd November, 1915

ILLUSTRATIONS.

FRONTISPIECE.
THE LATE MR. MONTAGU M.W. BAIRD AND MR. JAMES W. MURRAY, PRESIDENTS OF THE CHAMBER
ORIGINAL OFFICERS IN COMMAND OF COMPANIES—MAJORS W.J. PAUL, J.R. YOUNG, W. AULD, V.D., AND E. HUTCHISON,
FAREWELL MEETING AT THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE
EARLY DAYS— A REST BY THE WAY
H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT, COLONEL-IN-CHIEF OF THE H.L.I., AND COLONEL J. STANLEY PATERSON
LIEUT.-COLONEL DAVID S. MORTON, V.D., C.M.G.
ON THE SEA FRONT AT TROON—LEAVING TROON
MESS ORDERLIES (PREES HEATH CAMP)—"GUARD, TURN OUT" (WENSLEY CAMP)
A PEACEFUL BIVOUAC (SALISBURY PLAIN)—RECRUITING MARCH AT CODFORD
OFFICERS OF THE BATTALION AT MAR LODGE, TROON, 1915
VISIT OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, TROON, 1915
THE BATTALION ON PARADE
HAVRE—RUINS OF BETHUNE
THE CATHEDRAL, ALBERT—BEFORE AND AFTER BOMBARDMENT
MAP ILLUSTRATING OPERATIONS OF 1ST JULY, 1916
VIEW FROM BOUZINCOURT LOOKING TOWARDS THE LINE
COOKHOUSE AT BECOURT—OBSERVATION POST, HULLUCH SECTOR—WAR'S DESTRUCTION
LIEUT.-COLONEL W.J. PAUL
LIEUT.-COLONEL J. INGLIS, C.M.G., D.S.O.
TYPES OF SUPPORT LINE DUG-OUTS AND FIRST AID POST
MAJOR THE REV. A. HERBERT GRAY—CHURCH PARADE (PREES HEATH)
PHASES OF BATTALION TRAINING
"THE OUTPOST" STAFF ON ACTIVE SERVICE—ORIGINAL EDITORIAL STAFF
THE LATE STEVEN D. REITH, D.C.M.—LCE.-CORPL. F.K. PICKLES
MARGUS, THE MASCOT—ONE OF THE BATTALION RUGBY FOOTBALL TEAMS
LIEUT. AND Q.-M. (FORMERLY REGIMENTAL-SERGEANT-MAJOR) JAMES KELLY
MRS. DAVID S. MORTON, CONVENER OF THE COMFORTS COMMITTEE
LIEUT.-COLONEL W. AULD, V.D.
THE LATE LIEUT.-COLONEL WILLIAM HERBERT ANDERSON, V.C., AND SERGEANT J.Y. TURNBULL, V.C.