time there were as many as thirty
Battalions in 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 reveille 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 cit