The Seventeenth Highland Light Infantry (Glasglow Chamber of Commerce Battalion) | Page 4

much service, and was well fitted to fill the post. His volunteer
experience included service in the 1st L.R.V., the Engineers, and
various Commissioned ranks in the 5th H.L.I., ending, on his retiral,
with the rank of Lieut.-Colonel. In 1900 he served with the 71st in
South Africa as Captain of the H.L.I. Service Company. He was
mentioned in despatches, and received the "South Africa" Medal with
three clasps.
Major W.J. Paul was appointed second in Command. His service had
been with the Scottish Rifles (the 4th V.B.S.R.), in which unit he rose
to the rank of Major, second in Command. He retired in 1907 with the
Honorary rank of Major.
The original Officers in Command of Companies were:--
"A" Major W.J. Paul. "B" Major J.R. Young. "C" Major W. Auld, V.D.
"D" Major E. Hutchison.
The Regimental Staff included Captain D.R. Kilpatrick, R.A.M.C., as
Surgeon attached; Lieut. and Quarter-Master Slade; Regimental
Sergt.-Major Kelly; Regimental Quarter-Master Sergt. T. Keith; and
Orderly Room Quarter-Master-Sergt. J. Copland.
Up to this point the drill and training were being well pushed on. It will
be remembered that the extraordinary demands made on khaki cloth, by
the sudden institution of a national army, made it practically
unobtainable in these early months. A navy blue serge cloth was
substituted for making tunics, trousers and greatcoats, and these made a
neat and serviceable uniform. This uniform was issued at Gailes and
was exchanged for khaki in the following summer at Troon. The
Battalion was now ready to set out for its war training station, and on
23rd September assembled in the Examination Hall of the Royal
Technical College, and had a good send-off by the Directors and
Members of the Chamber of Commerce, Colonel Stanley Paterson, and

other friends. At this meeting, Colours for the Regiment were promised
by Mr. Montagu M.W. Baird, the President of the Chamber; Bugles, by
Dr. and Mrs. Beilby, of the Technical College; and Pipes and Drums as
a joint gift by the Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and
Merchants' House. After the Meeting, the Battalion entrained for the
Camp at Gailes.
[Illustration: MAJOR W.J. PAUL.]
[Illustration: MAJOR JOHN R. YOUNG.]
[Illustration: MAJOR W. AULD, V.D.]
[Illustration: MAJOR E. HUTCHISON. To face page 16.]
[Illustration: THE FAREWELL MEETING IN THE TECHNICAL
COLLEGE. To face page 17.]
A member of the Battalion, giving a general impression of these
memorable "first days," writes:--
"We all assembled in our various drill halls. We watched and
whispered. Some asked, who is that man with the loud voice shouting
at us, giving us papers and getting us into what he called Companies.
We knew soon. Then they selected N.C.O.'s (acting) from amongst
those who had some previous training. After that we went away. The
N.C.O.'s stayed and took the bundles of papers, our pledged word to
our king, and wearily for hours sorted them and listed the names.
"Days followed when we marched and when we got to know our
officers by sight and to call ourselves by our Company name. Then
came the day we drew our kit and carried off strange bundles to our
homes. We got the magic words 'To camp at Gailes.' Then we were
soldiers now. We paraded by Companies and assembled in the Square
and marched to the train. A motley crowd carrying on our shoulders all
manner of weird shaped bundles. The crowd laughed and cheered us.
Thus we left the City that held us very peculiarly her own, her citizens
and sons for the last time. Henceforth her soldiers."

The Chamber of Commerce Battalion was now an accomplished fact,
and the following authoritative acceptance by the Government and the
War Office, linked it as an integral part of the Service Regiments of the
British Army.
"WAR OFFICE, "LONDON, S.W., 2nd November, 1914.
"TO THE PRESIDENT, "CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, "7 WEST
GEORGE STREET, "GLASGOW.
"Sir,
"I am commanded by the Army Council to offer you, and those
associated with you, their sincere thanks for having raised the 17th
(Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (3rd Glasgow) of which
the administration has now been taken over by the Military Authorities.
"The Council much appreciated the spirit which prompted your offer of
assistance, and they are gratified at the successful results of the time
and labour devoted to this object, which has added to the armed forces
of the Crown the services of a fine body of men.
"The Council will watch the future career of the Battalion with interest,
and they feel assured that when sent to the front it will maintain the
high reputation of the distinguished Regiment of which it forms part.
"I am to add that its success on active service will largely depend on the
result of your efforts to keep the depot Companies constantly up to
establishment with