ibuted to its success.

At this stage the Council of the Royal Glasgow Technical College
approached the Chamber of Commerce Committee, and it was arranged that
students of the College would find special opportunities of forming a
detachment within the Battalion. This arrangement was found acceptable
in every way, and many students entered for the service of their
country under the colours of what was at that early stage known as
"The Chamber of Commerce Battalion, 3rd Glasgow."

[Illustration: THE LATE MR. MONTAGU M.W. BAIRD,
President of the Chamber, 1914-1915.]

[Illustration: MR. JAMES W. MURRAY,
President of the Chamber, 1916-1917-1918.
_To face page 14._]

A BATTALION IN BEING.

No time was lost in bridging the gap between "Resolution" and
"Action." By September 12th, 1914, the work of enrolling recruits had
begun, and Medical Examination and Attestation were commenced under
the supervision of Colonel J. Stanley Paterson, Officer in Charge, No.
2 District, Scottish Command. Colonel Paterson did much for the
Battalion in many directions, and in a recent letter says:--"I have
never lost, and never will lose, the deep interest I took in the 17th
H.L.I. from the moment of its initiation, and the full story of its
doings will give me the greatest pleasure to read."

The Lesser Hall of the Merchants' House was for many days the
Headquarters of busy recruiting, and those associated with these
stirring times will long remember the enthusiasm with which the
enrolment was conducted. With the help of Dr. Beilby and Mr. Stockdale
of the Royal Technical College, "A" Company was speedily recruited,
and was composed mainly of the College Students. Colonel R.C.
Mackenzie, C.B., did much for "B" Company, enlisting in its ranks
former pupils of the City Schools, the High School, Glasgow Academy
and others. "C" and "D" Companies were composed principally of men
from the business houses and different trades in the city and
district. For a few weeks the men, living in their own homes, were
instructed and drilled in four of the Territorial Force Association
Halls. During the recruiting and the early weeks of the training,
Major Rounsfell Brown acted as Adjutant, and rendered excellent
service.

Kit was issued to the four original Companies, "A," "B," "C," and "D,"
on 19th and 20th September.

It was at first expected that Colonel Fred. J. Smith, late of the 8th
Scottish Rifles, might be chosen as Offic