The Seventeenth Highland Light Infantry (Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Battalion). VariousЧитать онлайн книгу.
Meeting at the Technical College,
"They ask a better Britain as their monument."
I.—FORMATION AND HOME TRAINING.
THE NATION'S CALL TO ARMS.ToC
Great Britain declared war on Germany on August 4th, 1914, and almost immediately the combatant strength of its Regular Army was on service and the great bulk of that gallant force engaged in those fierce actions against odds which marked the early fighting.
The War Office was quickly alive to the fact that the Regular Army could not cope in point of numbers with the Germanic hordes. On the day following the declaration of war the Territorial Forces of Great Britain were mobilized, and with a marvellous and inspiring unanimity their members volunteered for Overseas Service. But even the addition of these many thousands to our striking force was realised to provide no more than a relief for the rapidly exhausting strength of the "old contemptibles," and Lord Kitchener issued his great manifesto calling the people to the Empire's help, and laid the foundations of a New Army—Kitchener's Army—the finest and most disinterested body of soldier patriots that ever stepped in a sound and worthy cause. At once the patriotism of the country declared itself and the Nation sprang to arms. The City of Glasgow proved itself second to none among the cities and districts of the Kingdom in its answer to the call. The Town Council recruited two fine battalions, the 1st Glasgow, which was mainly drawn from the Tramway employees of the city; and the 2nd Glasgow, which was recruited from former members of the Boys' Brigade. Other institutions in the city were bestirring themselves in the national cause, and at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Directors, held on 3rd September, 1914, it was unanimously resolved, on the motion of Bailie W.F. Russell, to form a Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Battalion. Enthusiasm for the scheme was quickly evident, and no time was lost in getting the matter put upon a practical basis. At the same meeting of Directors the following gentlemen were appointed as the Committee in charge:—Messrs. M.M.W. Baird, James