The Seventeenth Highland Light Infantry (Glasglow Chamber of Commerce Battalion) | Page 6

existence. These
were more or less connected with the City of Glasgow and district, and
serve as an indication of the patriotism and loyalty of the community.
On 14th December, 1914, the War Office issued an order that the
Chamber of Commerce Battalion was to form a unit of the New Army,
and was to be designated the 17th (Service) Battalion Highland Light
Infantry, of the 117th Infantry Brigade, of the 39th Division. This
intimation was received when the Battalion was stationed at Troon, and
was hailed with great enthusiasm by all ranks.
Their comradeship in the common cause, their keenness for practical
service and the esprit de corps engendered by their attachment to the
illustrious Highland Light Infantry, knit all ranks together in
enthusiasm and determination.
[Illustration: ON THE SEA FRONT AT TROON.]
[Illustration: LT.-COL. DAVID S. MORTON, V.D., C.M.G.]
[Illustration: LEAVING TROON. To face page 20.]
[Illustration: "GUARD, TURN OUT"--WENSLEY CAMP.]
[Illustration: MESS ORDERLIES--PREES HEATH CAMP. To face
page 21.]
It was about this time that instructions were received to recruit a fifth
Company as part of the 17th Battalion establishment. As this Company
eventually became the nucleus of a further Battalion with a parallel
history of its own, it will be treated separately in another chapter. (Page
89.)

HOME STATIONS AND TRAINING.

The Battalion arrived at Gailes on 23rd September, 1914, and this event
might be called the beginning of the Great Adventure. The war seemed
miles nearer as the light-hearted and high-spirited lads stepped out of
the train and viewed the rows of glistening white tents. The large array
of kit bags was in many instances supplemented by suit cases, filled
with surplus personal effects thought necessary for creature comforts.
The novelty of the surroundings, and twelve men in a tent, including
numerous belongings, did not conduce to sleep; and the next morning
reveillé found all but the old soldier already astir. The weeks at Gailes
were spent in organising, and the efforts of all ranks to become efficient
were worthy of that spirit which lasted throughout the existence of the
Battalion.
The issue of something in the nature of a uniform and a few Drill
Pattern rifles raised hopes that the training was being hurried on. On
the 13th October, a move was made to Troon, where the good citizens
afforded luxurious billets to the Battalion.
In spite of the vigorous training that was enforced during the next few
months, and which stood the men in such good stead later on, the social
side was not neglected and helped to cement a great feeling of good
fellowship and understanding between the officers and men. It was with
mutual regret that the Seventeenth took its departure from Troon on
13th May, 1915, and the memory of the stay in the Ayrshire town will
always remain as one of the most pleasant memories in the history of
the Battalion.
There is something very remarkable about the record of the 17th H.L.I.
when billeted in Troon. For though brain-weary subalterns spent hours
trying to balance their billeting monies to the satisfaction of
exasperated and exacting Company Commanders, there was very little
trouble in the Orderly Room, that pulse of trouble.
Here are some noteworthy facts:--
I.--The Guard Room was always empty.
II.--There were practically no men "crimed" for lateness on parade.

III.--There were practically no "crimes" for being out of "billets."
IV.--There were no complaints of rowdyism in billets.
V.--There were no charges of drunkenness.
VI.--There were only very few charges of pass breaking.
VII.--There were very few claims for damage, and these on
examination were more vindictive than real.
VIII.--It was not necessary to serve any billeting notices.
These are a few of the significant facts that mount up to bring honour to
the rank and file of the 17th H.L.I.
The three troop-trains carrying the Battalion arrived at Whitchurch,
Shropshire, on the morning of the 14th May, and the men marched
some three miles south to the great hut-city on Prees Heath. This was
the first War Station of the Brigade, where the 15th, 16th and 17th
H.L.I. joined the 11th (S.) Battalion Border Regiment (The Lonsdales).
There the men found hut life very comfortable. The cleaning and
tidying of their new abodes kept them busy, and was carried out with
the cheery zest and whole-hearted enthusiasm so characteristic of the
Seventeenth. Full advantage was taken of the adjacent Y.M.C.A.
establishment, which proved an admirable Institution. The Concert Hall,
Refreshment Tables, Reading and Billiard Rooms, were well patronised
at all off-duty hours, and the men appreciated the cheerful kindness of
the attendants, who were voluntary lady workers from the County
houses.
Extended manoeuvres were impracticable in this well-fenced
agricultural area, so the training embraced much route-marching, and
barrack-square work, musketry, signalling, visual training, etc. There
were several