Here Major Norman MacLeod was posted to the Battalion. He had served in the Calcutta Light Horse, and for some time had acted as Musketry Instructor to the Brigade.
About this time the Battalion received its first consignment of kilts, although, as we have indicated, many of the men had already bought the full uniform privately. Owing to the difficulty of getting the different tartans and keeping up a supply in France, the War Office introduced an article called the "universal kilt." It was made of grey-brown cloth, pleated and sewn on to a waist-band of the same material like a girl's skirt. It incorporated all the disadvantages of a kilt without any of the advantages. Luckily this monstrosity was soon killed by the Highland Societies.
On 22nd February the 15th Division was inspected on Frensham Common by a distinguished French visitor under the most depressing weather conditions, as it snowed and rained alternately throughout the day.
The Battalion left Liphook and arrived at Cirencester on the 25th February. The men were practically all billeted in private houses, and never were they more happy and fit than in this fine old town. Who will ever forget the splendid deer park, with its beautiful woods and long, broad grass rides? But the kindness of the people themselves will always be uppermost in our minds. Another unique experience we must record, as it betokens a large-minded tolerance, which is to be the more appreciated and acknowledged because of its rarity even in these times. The two Scottish Battalions could find no place large enough for Divine Service, so the Authorities of the Church of England were approached, and leave was granted for 1200 men to worship in the beautiful old Parish Church. They had their own Presbyterian service under their own Presbyterian chaplain, and the organist led the praise with the old psalm tunes which Scotsmen love so dearly. Had the grand old church, with its lofty pillars, clerestory roof, and walls enshrined with memorial tablets and coats of arms, ever echoed before to such a service, so impressive and unique? Not since the days of Cromwell's Iron Rule, if even then, can the preacher have seen from the pulpit such a sea of manly faces and a sight so inspiring in its character and its associations.
About 8 miles out from Cirencester was the training area, to which we used to march in the morning and return about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, very often to fall in again about 9 or 10 p.m. for night operations. The men were now so fit that, although they had had a strenuous day, they would simply race home the 8 miles at night, singing and chaffing their comrades in front in order to urge on the pace. On 6th April the Battalion left Cirencester for Chiseldon, which was a large hutted camp on Salisbury Plain.
Lieut.-Colonel Haig, on the 22nd April, received the appointment of Commandant of the Staff Musketry Camp at Barry, Lieut.-Colonel J. W. Sandilands, D.S.O., taking over command the same day. It was with great regret that the Battalion parted with Colonel Haig. He was a thorough gentleman and sportsman, and no officer could have been found better suited for the arduous work of handling a Battalion raised under such peculiar circumstances. Lieut.-Colonel J. W. Sandilands had the advantage of having already been out at the Front, where he had commanded a Company in the 1st Battalion, and also the London Scottish. Just previous to his taking over the 7th Battalion, he had been employed as Brigade Major in the 46th Brigade of the 15th Division.
At Chiseldon the Battalion worked strenuously, and were put through their musketry course. On 12th May they marched to Park House, which was a very similar camp to Chiseldon. On 15th May the Brigade marched past Lord Kitchener, who stated that it was the finest, from a physical point of view, which he had yet seen. On 3rd June the Battalion won the 44th Brigade Championship in Highland Games, for which a silver bugle was presented by Brigadier-General M. Grant Wilkinson, M.V.O. This bugle has, along with many other prizes, since been presented to the Depot Cameron Highlanders.
On Sunday, 4th July, orders were received to proceed overseas. This news was the cause of the greatest enthusiasm amongst the men, who were eager to give practical proof of the value of their training. On 8th July the Battalion embarked on S.S. "Arundel" at Folkestone for Boulogne, and was entrained for Houle, where a few days were spent. From Houle it marched to Houchin, the men's feet suffering considerably from new boots and the paved roads. From Houchin we proceeded to Les Brèbis as a detached Battalion, and can therefore claim to be the first Battalion of the 15th Division to enter the shelled area on the Western front.
Les Brebis was being constantly shelled. It was found almost impossible to keep the men in their billets, as, being much interested in this new experience, they would rush into the streets whenever a shell burst, in order to see the effect, and to collect fragments as souvenirs. They very soon got tired of this habit.
On 21st July Lieut.-Colonel M'Dougall of Lunga, who commanded the 10th Gordon Highlanders, was killed while making a tour of the trenches. He was buried at Houchin with full Military Honours. Colonel M'Dougall was a splendid type of Highland officer and gentleman, and was the first officer casualty in the Division.