The Seventeenth Highland Light Infantry (Glasglow Chamber of Commerce Battalion) | Page 8

VISIT OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE, TROON, 1915. To face page 25.]
At last word was received that the Battalion would cross to France on
November 22nd. Only fifty per cent. got week-end leave--there was no
time for more. Training was over. Few will forget the brave skirl of the
pipes as the Battalion swung home in the morning from Yarnbury
Castle, file after file silhouetted against the orange and gold of the
rising sun. Always, when the wind blows fresh and sweet in the
morning, those who are left of those happy times will think of Codford,
the "jumping off place" of the Seventeenth for France.
The following message of God-speed and goodwill was received by the
Battalion as part of the 32nd Division before setting out:--
"17TH SERVICE BATTALION HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY.
"BRIGADE ORDER NO. 1285, OF 19TH NOVEMBER, 1915.
"MESSAGE FROM HIS MAJESTY THE KING.
"Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the 32nd Division,
on the eve of your departure for Active Service I send you my heartfelt
good wishes.
"It is a bitter disappointment to me, owing to an unfortunate accident, I
am unable to see the Division on Parade before it leaves England; but I
can assure you that my thoughts are with you all.
"Your period of training has been long and arduous, but the time has
now come for you to prove on the Field of Battle the results of your
instruction.
"From the good accounts that I have received of the Division, I am

confident that the high traditions of the British Army are safe in your
hands, and that with your comrades now in the Field you will maintain
the unceasing efforts necessary to bring the War to a victorious ending.
"Good-bye and God-speed."
To the above message the following reply was sent:--
"Please convey to His Majesty the heartfelt thanks of all ranks of the
32nd Division for His gracious message and their determination to
justify His expectations.
"The Division deeply regrets the accident which has deprived it of the
honour of a visit from His Majesty, and humbly offers its best wishes
for His Majesty's speedy and complete recovery."
On Sunday, 21st November, 1915, the Battalion paraded in full
strength, 1,032 all ranks, at their hutments, Codford. A minute and final
inspection was made, and everything pronounced to be in order. A
memorable feature of this parade was the head-gear, Balmoral bonnets
of the war service pattern being worn for the first time. Next morning
the Battalion left Codford in three parties for Southampton, and without
any delay embarked on two transports for Havre, the remainder of the
Division going via Boulogne. It was a perfect crossing, no wind, bright
moonlight, with everyone in the best of spirits.
At 7 a.m. on the 23rd, the troops disembarked at the port of Havre and
marched off at once to the Rest Camp, three miles away, great interest
being displayed in the few German prisoners working on the docks. On
arrival the Battalion found it was under canvas, no floor boards and
plenty of mud--a first taste of real discomfort. Moreover the day was
raw, with a suspicion of snow, and no one was sorry when it was
announced that the Camp was being left first thing in the morning. That
evening a few of the Officers visited the town itself, and others went
out on a first reconnaissance to discover the route to the station, and the
Ration Depot.
The next day, after drawing two days' rations as well as "Iron Rations,"

the Battalion left for the "Front,"--"A," "B," and "C" Companies going
off at 1.15 p.m., and "D" Company following a few hours later.
[Illustration: CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BATTALION, TROON,
APRIL, 1915.]

II.--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.
The Battalion arrived at the Port of Le Havre, disembarked in high
spirits, and in the morning of 23rd November, 1915, part of the troops
left the docks for a three mile trek to a rest camp; but soon the Battalion
set out on its first journey "up the line" in cattle trucks. Travelling
through the night of the 24th, via Rouen and Amiens, the unit reached
Pont Remy, some twelve miles east of Abbeville, in the early hours of
the following day, and soon had commenced their first route march into
the battle-ways of France, and, incidentally, at the first resting place,
Mouflers, made cheerily light of what was their first experience of
faulty billeting arrangements. One billet, for 150 men, at the Folie
Auberge was uninhabitable, and the appearance of the billets in general
was greeted with good-natured growls of amazement and disgust. The
weather, however, was mild and sunny, and after