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

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[Illustration: The Late STEVEN D. REITH, D.C.M.]

[Illustration: Lce.-Corpl. F.K. PICKLES.
_To face page 82._]

[Illustration: MARGUS--THE MASCOT.]

[Illustration: ONE OF THE BATTALION RUGBY FOOTBALL TEAMS.
_To face page 83._]

SPORT OF THE BATTALION.

The achievements of the Seventeenth in the field of fire cannot be
dissociated from their experiences in the field of sport. The exploits
of the Battalion in Football, Cross-country Running, and
Boxing--revealing as they did the elements of challenge, perseverance,
cheerfulness in defeat, and also the power to win honours to their
name--have their grand reflex in the more grim and arduous experiences
through which the Battalion was called to pass.

In October, 1915, the Battalion won Divisional honours in
Cross-country Running. The winning of the Cup and medals in an event
in which a thousand runners took part was no small feat.

In the world of "Rugger" the Battalion's career was one triumphal
march, but the end accomplished cannot be summed up in figures,
adverse or the reverse. As for "Soccer" the successive achievements of
the Battalion are recorded in every number of _The Outpost_. Minor
struggles and conquests are recalled and rejoiced in, but the glory of
carrying off another Divisional Cup will never be forgotten by those
who witnessed the fray. Progress to the final of the event was not
easy, and the final was a particularly hard fought game, and though
the Battalion won, it was felt that equal honours were due to the
vanquished for their good play and sportsmanship.

In the Boxing World, the name of Corporal George Barrie, will be ever
green in the memory of all Seventeenth men; and the honour brought to
the Battalion by his pupil, Pte. Cushley, in winning two Divisional
Cups for Boxing, can be looked upon as a fitting tribute to Barrie,
the man who played the game even unto death.

Altogether the Seventeenth has much to be proud of in its athletic
record, and in future days when those of the Battalion sit round and
tell of the things which are theirs, which they won also at great
cost, their prowess in the field will not be among the least; for it
played no insignificant part in the making of the Battalion which,
although disbanded, has remained, both in name and in comradeship,
still the Seventeenth.

THE R.S.M.

Any history of the "Seventeenth" would be incomplete without a passing
reference to James Kelly.

Chosen at the inception of the Battalion out of a large number of
applicants, and appointed Regimental Sergeant Major, his selection was
amply justified by results. He had seen much service in The Royal
Scots, and active service in South Africa, where he was
Colour-Sergeant of his Company and where he gained the D.C.M.

A man of commanding appearance, always very smartly turned out, he set
a fine example to all ranks and speedily infused the real military
spirit into the rank and file. During training at home and on service
in France he did splendid work, and to him is due in no small measure
the high standard of efficiency and discipline maintained in the
Battalion. In manner somewhat brusque, but of a tender heart withal,
he was the friend and confidant of nearly all the Officers, N.C.O.s
and men, and when off parade the best of good fellows.

DAVID S. MORTON,
_Lieut.-Colonel._

A REMEMBRANCE.

Do you hear it, all of you, and remember. Listen!

"Markers outwards turn. Quick march."

"Up, number four. Look sharp. That'll do."

"Markers, steadi-i-i-i-i----."

"Right turn."

"Fall in." And then the final great roar of--

"Stop all that yammering." And how quickly it stopped, too.

Do you remember it, and who said it? Of course you do, just as clearly
as I myself do. You remember those early mornings, too. The sleepy
chatter stilled in an instant to silence. And all those other days,
too, when custom had made it imperative on all parades, it was part of
us and our ceremonial.

[Illustration: Lieut. and Q.-M. (formerly Regimental Sergeant
Major) JAMES KELLY.
_To face page 84._]

[Illustration: Mrs. DAVID S. MORTON,
Convener of the Comforts Committee.
_To face page 85._]

The repeating of it to ourselves conjures up the history of those
never-to-be-forgotten days and carries back our spirits to commune
with all those gone before us.

I say it to myself often now just to bring before me those wonderful
memories. I have heard it on the sea front at Troon; on the Hills of
Dundonald; at Prees Heath, in the lovely woodlands and parks of
England; on the moors of Yorkshire; at Sheffield. It has sounded over
the vast spaces of Salisbury Plain, and in France and Flanders, where
all it stands for was so wonderfully justified and upheld, calling up
that wonderful spirit and special discipline. That was the dear old
Seventeenth.

THE COMFORTS COMMITTEE.

On the Battalion embarking for active service, the Battalion Committee
suggested that a Ladies' Committee be formed to carry out the supply
of Comforts which would tend to alleviate the hardships of the battle
line. The members of the Chamber provided funds in a most generous
manner, and the following ladies consented to form a Ladies'
Committee:--Mrs. D.S. Morton (Convener), Lady M'Innes Shaw, Mrs. J.M.
Mitchell, Mrs. R.A. Murray, Mrs. W.J. Paul, Mrs. W.F. Russell, Mrs.
John Reid, Mrs. Albert A. Smith, and Miss G.D. Young.

Miss G.D. Young acted as Secretary and at a later stage she was
succeeded by Miss M.E. M'Clymont of the staff of the Chamber. The
relatives of the men of the Battalion were notified of the formation
of the Comforts Committee, and were invited to assist in knitting
articles, the wool for which in most cases, was supplied by the
Committee. With this help, and by the industry of the Ladies'
Committee, a very large quantity of shirts, socks, helmets, scarfs,
gloves, etc., was sent abroad.

The conditions under which the men were fighting was always wisely
considered, and for trench dug-outs and cellar billets, a regular
supply of candles was forwarded by the Committee. Christmas presents
were also sent overseas for each man. Provision was made for the time
when the Battalion was out of line for rest, and a supply of weekly
and monthly periodicals was regularly despatched. Needless to say, all
these were very acceptable.

While thanks are due to all the members of the Ladies' Committee, it
must be placed on record that Mrs. Morton, as Convener, rendered
invaluable services and it is universally recognised that to her
indefatigable labours the men in France owed much.

MEMORIAL SERVICE IN GLASGOW.

A Memorial Service in honour of the officers, non-commissioned
officers and men of the 17th Highland Light Infantry, who fell in the
battle of the Somme and elsewhere was held at Glasgow Cathedral, on
July 8th, 1917. Fully 1,200 people were present, and many soldiers of
all ranks were among the congregation, including a number of wounded
men belonging to the Battalion. The "Dead March in Saul" was played at
the commencement, and the service was most impressive throughout. The
preacher was the Rev. A. Herbert Gray, one time Chaplain of the
Battalion, and the service included the anthem, "What are these?" sung
by the choir.

Preaching from the text--"We also are compassed about with so great a
cloud of witnesses," Mr. Gray said: "It must not be to mere mourning
that we give ourselves this afternoon. We are met to recall a very
great page in the history of our city and district. In the year 1916,
the hundreds of young men of whom we are thinking dared to die in a
great cause. Young, strong, and free, full of high hopes and great
purpose, in love with life, and in a hundred ways fitted for mastery
in it, they yet consented to deal with death. A hundred other
ambitions had flushed their hearts, but because humanity called they
laid them all aside and went to the great war. No such life was their
choice, but because it was their destiny they accepted it with a
smile. No compulsion save that of honour constrained them. They were
recruited simply by conscience and the claims of humanity. They made
one of the finest Battalions that ever left these shores, for some of
the very best of the rising generation were in their ranks. And though
they were not soldiers by profession they proved themselves worthy of
a regiment that has traditions of honour as old as the British Army.

"Wherefore, here in God's House, we may well first of all rejoice
concerning them, and give thanks to God who has put so great a spirit
into man. Though tears be in our hearts we must not fail to be proud
and thankful--proud because they were our brothers, and thankful
because they finished their course in faith."

After mentioning the subject of a suitable memorial, and suggesting
that there could be nothing more worthy than the monument of a Britain
turned to God, the preacher concluded with the following impressive
words:--

"From a hundred lonely graves in that foreign land--from the spots
where they fell, and which now are sacred spots for us--our dead are
asking us when we mean to erect that monument. From trench and shell
hole where death found them, their voices call--young, musical voices,
the voices of boys still in their teens, the voices of martyrs on
life's threshold. Scarce a wind can blow that will not waft to you
these voices. And they ask a better Britain as their monument. They
ask it of you and me. Shall we not go from this place resolved to
build it?"

THE CLUB.

Much has been written, and many discussions have arisen concerning the
good-fellowship and camaraderie which exists among the survivors of
the 17th H.L.I., and able pens will express the high ideals aimed at,
and the strong determination in the minds of those remnants to
establish "The Club" on a basis good and sound. Since the inauguration
of the Battalion in September, 1914, there has been a predominating
feeling that such an institution should be made.

Since the first batch of men arrived in Glasgow from France
arrangements were made which facilitated meeting daily in Craig's
Smoke Room in Gordon Street--the arrangement still holds good. Any
forenoon the boys may be found over their coffee and incidentally
discussing the chance of one day, in the near future, having a "nook"
of their own. The object of having such a place is to afford such
privacy as premises of their own would give, in order to have
uninterrupted meetings, business or pleasure, as the occasion
demanded.

One great object of the Club is to establish the Benevolent Fund of
the Battalion on a sound financial basis, so as to be in a position to
deal with necessitous cases connected with the 17th Battalion, and it
is thought that this is the only way. It is intended that the Club
should be self-supporting, and assistance is hoped for, morally and
financially, of all those who are interested in the affairs
appertaining to the old Battalion.

A Committee to carry on the good work has been formed, and includes
Colonel Morton, Major Young, with Messrs. Ritchie, Tilley, Corbett and
M'Andrew from the various Companies, along with Mr. J.W. Arthur on the
Benevolent Fund Committee, as representing the Chamber of Commerce.
This Committee will report progress to a General Meeting, at which it
is hoped to decide what steps may be taken to acquire a Working
Capital. It is possible that a Voluntary Subscription List may be
opened, and it is hoped that the opportunity may be given to help the
worthy project of thus forming a Memorial to those who have fallen in
the great cause.

No better monument of love and good-fellowship could be thought of
than to give a helping hand in the hour of need, and, to provide
towards a comfortable home for those who are left to enjoy it.

"E" COMPANY.

At the beginning of January, 1915, the 17th H.L.I. had recruited its
full war strength, and the authorities decreed that a Reserve Company
should be formed. This became "E" Company, and was trained as a unit
of the Battalion at Troon, until the 17th left for England. On May
13th, 1915, it was transferred to Gailes, and became a unit of the
19th Reserve Battalion, Lieut.-Colonel Auld being in command. Under
his training, the Company, as well as the Battalion, reached a high
standard of efficiency. After being inspected by Brigadier-General
Cockburn on the 28th September, 1916, a draft of 101 N.C.O.s and men
was sent to join the 17th H.L.I. at Codford. What was left of "E" Coy.
entrained on 26th October, 1915, at Gailes for Ripon. The men were
billeted in excellent huts in the South Camp of that quaint old
cathedral town, where route marches took place and many excursions
were made to many of the interesting towns and places of interest.

When the 17th embarked for France, some details left behind arrived
from Codford on 15th December, 1915, and brought back many old friends
and highly efficient instructors. Later on Viscount French paid a
visit of inspection to the Ripon area, and the 19th H.L.I. formed part
of the Guard of Honour on that occasion.

After Ripon came Montrose, and although connected with the Battalion's
history only in a small way, the period from 25th April, 1916, to 12th
June, 1917, is nevertheless well worthy of mention. Montrose with its
lovely beaches and pleasant surroundings, forms one of the happiest
memories of those who found themselves part of the 19th H.L.I. during
its sojourn there.

1916-17 was a trying time in the life of the Reserve Battalion.
Training was concentrated to an unheard-of degree--a recruit being
allowed nine short weeks before he found himself on Embarkation Leave.
Drafts were required by the dozen, both for the Western Front (for
which the Somme and Beaumont Hamel Offensives were chiefly
responsible) and for the Eastern Front. Then there was the trying
coastguard work with its trench-digging excursions to Lunan Bay--work
which probably helped to avert a danger not so remote as we then
imagined.

"E" Company had a fair share of all these worries, and its able
Commander, Captain F.D. Morton, was kept busy choosing drafts,
arranging programmes, and working out tactical schemes.

Major W.H. Anderson, who afterwards became Lieut.-Colonel, and was
awarded the V.C. after his lamented death, did much for the good of
the Battalion; and the Soldiers' Home, run by Mrs. Anderson, and Mrs.
Auld, proved of great advantage to the men. This period marked the
extinction of "E" Company, as representing the 17th. Draft after draft
had robbed it of its original appearance, and when on 1st September,
1916, the 19th became the 78th Training Reserve Battalion, it lost all
semblance of its former self, and may be said to have had an
inglorious end to a short but useful life.

[Illustration: LIEUT.-COLONEL W. AULD, V.D.
_To face page 90._]

[Illustration: The late Lt.-Col. WILLIAM HERBERT ANDERSON, V.C.]

[Illustration: The late Sergt. J.Y. TURNBULL, V.C.
_To face page 91._]

IV.--HONOURS AND AWARDS.

Battalion Honour.

Extract from _The London Gazette_, dated 26/5/16.

The following is extracted from Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch, dated
19/5/16:--

"8.--While many other units have done excellent work during the
period under review, the following have been brought to my
notice for good work in carrying out or repelling local attacks
and raids--

"17th (Service) Battalion Highland Light Infantry."

Victoria Cross.

+Lieut.-Colonel W.H. Anderson, formerly Captain "C" Company. Gained
while serving with 12th Battalion H.L.I.

+15888 Sergeant J.Y. TURNBULL. _Gazette_ dated 25/12/16.

+ Since deceased.

The following is the extract from _The London Gazette_ of 3rd May,
1918, intimating the award of the Victoria Cross:--

"T. Maj. (A. Lt.-Col.) WILLIAM HERBERT ANDERSON,
late H.L.I.

"For most conspicuous bravery, determination, and gallant
leading of his command. The enemy attacked on the right of the
Battalion frontage, and succeeded in penetrating the wood held
by our men. Owing to successive lines of the enemy following on
closely there was the gravest danger that the flank of the whole
position would be turned. Grasping the seriousness of the
situation, Colonel Anderson made his way across the open in full
view of the enemy now holding the wood on the right, and after
much effort succeeded in gathering the remainder of the two
right companies. He personally led the counter attack, and drove
the enemy from the wood, capturing 12 machine guns and 70
prisoners, and restoring the original line. His conduct in
leading the charge was quite fearless, and his most splendid
example was the means of rallying and inspiring the men during a
most critical hour.

"Later on in the same day the enemy had penetrated to within 300
yards of the village, and were holding a timber yard in force.
Colonel Anderson re-organised his men after they had been driven
in, and brought them forward to a position of readiness for a
counter-attack. He led the attack in person, and throughout
showed the utmost disregard for his own safety. The
counter-attack drove the enemy from his position, but resulted
in this very gallant officer losing his life. He died fighting
within the enemy's lines, setting a magnificent example to all
who were privileged to serve under him."

Among the first to join the 17th H.L.I. was Captain W.H.
Anderson, a man widely known and highly respected in Glasgow
social and business circles. He was with the Battalion during
most of its training at Gailes and Troon, and before embarking
for Service in France was gazetted as Major in the 19th H.L.I.
He served with the same rank in the East Surreys till invalided
home in March, 1917. On his return to France he was transferred
to an H.L.I. Battalion, becoming Lieut.-Colonel, and shortly
afterwards was killed in an attack at the head of his men of the
12th H.L.I. as recorded above.

Sergeant JAMES Y. TURNBULL, V.C.

It has been said of James Turnbull that he began to win his V.C.
at Troon. He was a born leader, and always a fearless champion
of fairplay. He towered above the average man in strength of
character as he did in stature, and he was always the same
unassuming and genial "Jimmy." He was a fitting embodiment of
the ideals of the Seventeenth. A big man for a big occasion--and
the big occasion came along on the 1st of July, 1916.

The position of the Battalion was that of a wedge driven against
the iron of impregnability, and the driving force suddenly
withdrawn. At the thin end of the wedge Sergeant Turnbull, with
a handful of men, performed prodigies of valour. From three
sides enemy machine guns swept the position, snipers took deadly
toll, and bombing attacks were constantly launched. Exposure
meant almost certain death. The position was not only desperate;
it was hopeless. Yet it was necessary to hold on till nightfall.
It was a _man's_ job, and Turnbull filled the bill. He
shouldered the responsibility as only a strong man could; and he
organised the defence. He had to take countless risks, and was
always where the fighting was fiercest. He was the indomitable
leader and inspiring example. Wounded, he carried on till his
last risk was taken, and he met a soldier's death towards the
end of that fateful summer day.

Of a band of heroes he was the beloved leader and super-hero.

Honours Gained by Officers and others while Serving with the
Battalion.

Extract from _The London Gazette_, dated 3/6/16.

"To be additional member of the Third Class or Companion of the
Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.

"Lieut.-Colonel D.S. Morton, V.D."

Military Cross.

Date of _Gazette_
+Lieut. A.J. BEGG, 30/ 5/16
2nd Lieut. J.L. BRODIE, 26/ 5/17
+2nd Lieut. J.N. CARPENTER, 30/ 5/16
Lieut. A.N. DRYSDALE, 13/ 2/17
Capt. F.E. DUNSMUIR, 1/ 1/18
Lieut. J.L. M'CONNELL, 17/ 9/17
2nd Lieut. W.M. MARTIN, 26/ 5/17
Major G. R.S. PATERSON, 26/ 9/16
+Capt. JAS. RUSSELL, 1/ 1/17
Capt. J.D. RUSSELL, 26/ 5/17
2nd Lieut. D.G. THORBURN, 18/ 6/17
15214 R.Q.-M.S. W. DUNSMORE, 1/ 1/17
15394 C.S.M. A. MILLAR, 6/ 4/18

+ Since deceased.

Mentioned in Despatches.

_The London Gazette_, dated 15/6/16.
Lieut.-Colonel D.S. MORTON, V.D.
15205 Regt. S.M. J. KELLY.

_The London Gazette_, dated 4/1/17.
+Capt. J.S. MARR.

_The London Gazette_, dated 25/5/17
2nd Lieut. F.E. DUNSMUIR.
16109 Sergt. W. WALLACE.

_The London Gazette_, dated 21/12/17.
Major G.R.S. PATERSON, M.C.
15510 Sergt. J.C. BRUCE.
16084 Sergt. Y. GILBERT.
16085 Pte. W. PARKER.

Distinguished Conduct Medal.

15849 Sergt. W. FRASER, 1/ 1/18
2797 Sergt. F. LEIPER, 13/ 2/17
15866 C.S.M. W. MATHER, 1/ 1/17
+15507 C.S.M. S.D. REITH, 30/ 5/16

+ Since deceased.

Bar to Military Medal.

+2997 Sergt. N. CONNOR, M.M.

+ Since deceased.

Military Medal.

Date of _Gazette_.

+23053 Pte. G.S. ANDERSON, 26/ 5/17
15255 Cpl. J. CHAPMAN, 10/11/16
+ 2997 Sergt. N. CONNOR, 16/ 2/17
16004 Pte. J.K. DEANS, 16/ 2/17
15973 L.-Sergt. W. DICKSON, 17/ 9/17
15937 Cpl. F. FARNELL, 17/ 9/17
15582 L.-Cpl. A.V. FOLLETT, 17/ 9/17
40899 Pte. A.B. FORREST, 17/ 9/17
15581 Pte. C.N. FRASER, 16/ 2/17
16084 Sergt. Y. GILBERT, 16/ 2/17
2727 L.-Cpl. W. GLENNIE, 26/ 5/17
41046 Pte. J. HOGG, 26/ 5/17
2744 Pte. J.C. HUNTER, 20/10/16
9808 Sergt. J. JOHNSTONE, 26/ 5/17
2797 Pte. F. LEIPER, 3/ 6/16
15748 Sergt. F.M. M'GREGOR, 16/ 2/17
+15720 Pte. D. MACINTOSH, 3/ 6/16
15363 Pte. A.G. M'NAIR, 10/11/16
+15677 Sergt. J. MAXWELL, 16/ 2/17
+16146 Sergt. R. MILLIGAN, 29/ 8/17
+15964 Sergt. J. OSBORNE, 16/ 2/17
27267 L.-Cpl. J. PEARSON, 26/ 5/17
2725 L.-Sergt. J. RAMAGE, 26/ 5/17
41198 Pte. E. REDDINGTON, 26/ 5/17
15415 Sergt. T. RITCHIE, 20/10/16
15775 Sergt. J. ROBERTS, 16/ 2/17
28057 L.-Cpl. P. ROBERTSON, 26/ 5/17
43268 Pte. T. SCOTT, 16/ 2/17
13688 Pte. R.J. SLOWEY, 16/ 2/17
42378 Pte. P. SMITH, 26/ 5/17
15956 C.Q.M.S. W. STEWART, 16/ 2/17
+15458 Sergt. H.G. TAYLOR, 3/ 6/16
16149 Cpl. H. THORBURN, 26/ 5/17
41607 Pte. D. TURNBULL, 18/ 6/17
15938 Sergt. A.G. WATSON, 16/ 2/17
15818 Pte. R.M. WATSON, 16/ 2/17
40530 Pte. J. WATT, 26/ 4/17
353079 Pte. F.S. WILLDER, 17/ 9/17

+ Since deceased.

Meritorious Service Medal.

15544 Sergt. M. CULLEN.
16064 L.-Cpl. J. HUTTON, att. IV. Corps.
15710 L.-Cpl. J.A. M'DOUGALL, 32nd Division.
16169 Sergt. J.F. SINCLAIR, 97th Brigade.

Belgian Croix de Guerre.

15310 C.S.M. G. HIRST.
16109 C.Q.M.S. W. WALLACE.

Honours Gained by Original Members of the Battalion
after being Transferred to other Units.

Distinguished Service Order.

Major G.R.S. PATERSON, 5th K.O.S.B.,
formerly Major 17th H.L.I.

Capt. J.D. YOUNG, 10th A. & S. Highlanders,
formerly 2916 Pte. "B" Coy.

Bar to Military Cross.

Lieut. J. CALLAN, M.C., 12th H.L.I.,
formerly 15527 L.-Cpl., "A" Coy.

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