MARCH 18, 1915.
We got a message this afternoon that the 6th Battalion will leave Falkirk for Southampton on Saturday, the time will be given us later. So at last we are released from home service, and are to be given an opportunity of more real usefulness; may we be found faithful when our turn comes. Nothing else seems to matter quite so much as that. I don't trust myself, but of course I mustn't try to do that, but trust Another.
Side-lights upon the thoroughness of his work, and his happy relations with those whom he worked with, are afforded by letters from other people.
The Town Clerk of Falkirk wrote after his death:—'I can tell you he was highly esteemed in Falkirk.' Another gentleman in Larbert, who had come into contact with him while he was acting as Billeting Officer for his Battalion in the district, wrote:—'His business tact, his high sense of honour and duty, and withal the kindly and courteous manner in which he conducted all his affairs, made it really a pleasure to meet and do business with him.' Yet another testimony comes through a friend:—'When Harry was at Grangemouth, where James had been for some time, he found his memory there very fragrant.' And an Officer in the R.A.M.C., who had been associated with Captain Lusk at that period, wrote to him to France some time afterwards:—'I had a call the other day from an Artillery Brigadier (formerly in Bridge of Allan), and in conversation he expressed the opinion that the Stenhouse Muir Stables were about the best that had been put up anywhere. I thought you would like to hear this.'
Finally, one has glimpses into a happy little circle of friends which formed itself during that winter, among whom James had his own place. There are some treasured memorials of some of these friendships:—I always felt one could never be in contact with him without feeling one was near a very noble character.' 'He has left a beautiful and blameless life.' 'No one can have known your son and not go through life feeling the better for that knowledge.' 'Somehow at once one felt his goodness and strength. It helps one to be better, I think, just to look at and think about a friend like Captain Lusk.'
II
EARLY WEEKS IN FRANCE
March—June, 1915