The Seventeenth Highland Light Infantry (Glasglow Chamber of Commerce Battalion) | Page 9

about eight hours'
work all the troops were more or less under cover. When every incident
was an experience novel and suggestive, such minor discomforts did
not trouble anyone seriously; but considered in retrospect it must be
admitted that these, their first billets, were very poor for a village so far
behind the line. If it was an unpromising beginning for the companies,
it proved a delusion and a snare for headquarters, for they scored on
this occasion in having at the Chateau the most comfortable billets they
ever were fated to enjoy.

The next day was spent in resting, and on the 27th the march was
continued along the magnificent Amiens Road, through Felixcourt and
Belloy-sur-Somme to La Chaussee. This was a day of keen frost and
bright sunshine, and headed by the band, the 17th stepped out through
the various villages in the best of spirits. Following the same column
was the 17th Northumberland Fusiliers and two A.S.C. Companies.
That night the billets were good, everyone felt somehow in holiday
mood, helped perhaps by the successful bargaining for eggs, chickens
and wine, for to make purchases at all was even at that early date a
matter for rejoicing. The pipers delighted with their playing the heart of
Madame la Comptesse at her chateau at Turancourt where Brigade
headquarters were stationed.
On the 28th, a bitterly cold day, the Battalion marched eleven miles via
Coisy and Ranneville to Molliens-au-Bois, and there they stayed until
the morning of December 1st, when they were joined by M. Duchamps,
interpreter. Molliens-au-Bois lies about eight miles north of Amiens,
but the outstanding feature was that, from the high ground above there
was got the first glimpse of the illuminations provided nightly by the
Bosche, all along the battle front.
On 1st December they left at 8.15 a.m., in company with the 16th
H.L.I., and on the way a Company of the 17th Northumberland
Fusiliers joined the column, which now was moving into the front area.
During the afternoon of that day, the Officers and N.C.O.s of "A" and
"B" Companies went from Bouzincourt into the front line trenches, just
north of Albert, and were attached for instruction to the 7th Gordons
and the 7th Black Watch of the 51st Division, and on the following day
these two Companies joined their Officers in the front line for one night.
The trenches were in a very bad condition after hard frost and heavy
rain. Parts of the trenches were collapsing under the severe conditions
and cases were reported from neighbouring units of men being
drowned in the mud and water.
On the 3rd and 4th December "C" and "D" Companies from
Millencourt went through a similar programme. On the 6th the front
line only of Sectors F1 and F2 were taken over, and then on the 8th the

whole Battalion took over Sector F1--some 2,000 yards of system from
just north of La Boisselle towards Authuille (Blighty) Wood. The front
line and communication trenches were knee deep in water and the
trench shelters were poor. Rats galore and of enormous size added to
the amenity of the district.
[Illustration: HAVRE.]
[Illustration: RUINS OF BETHUNE. To face page 28.]
On the 4th of December the 17th suffered their first casualty by enemy
action, Pte. J.M. Harper, "A" Company, being wounded by a rifle
grenade.
The next day Ptes. A. Taylor and R. Cross, of "D" Company, were
wounded while bringing up rations. On the afternoon of the 11th, the
Battalion, having completed its course of practical instruction, was
relieved, and returned, two Companies to Bouzincourt, two to
Millencourt. During the relief the enemy shelled the position heavily,
and the Battalion was fortunate in escaping with only one casualty, Pte.
R. M'Kelvie of "B" Company. The next day the Battalion marched back
to Molliens-au-Bois, via Senlis and Beaucourt, to recuperate after their
opening experience of active trench warfare conditions. The mud and
water and the delapidated condition of the trenches were indeed an
eye-opener to the men, as much as the comparative absence of "enemy
activity." As they tramped back to Molliens, they passed some
Companies of the 15th H.L.I. en route for their first spell, and their
blank astonishment at the muddy appearance of the returning 17th
Battalion was much appreciated by the war-worn veterans!
All ranks received a good reception from the villagers, and the next few
days were spent in resting, inspections and training. Considerable time
was taken up in making duck-boards from the smaller trees of a wood
near the village until this exercise was stopped by the forester. A few
secured the grant of leave to Amiens, a privilege greatly enjoyed. The
work of the organisations home in Glasgow and the interest taken in the
Regiment and the men of the 17th Battalion soon