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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.[ToC]
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 reveillé 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 citizens afforded luxurious billets to the Battalion.
In spite of the vigorous training that was enforced during the next few months, and which stood the men in such good stead later on, the social side was not neglected and helped to cement a great feeling of good fellowship and understanding between the officers and men. It was with mutual regret that the Seventeenth took its departure from Troon on 13th May, 1915, and the memory of the stay in the Ayrshire town will always remain as one of the most pleasant memories in the history of the Battalion.
There is something very remarkable about the record of the 17th H.L.I. when billeted in Troon. For though brain-weary subalterns spent hours trying to balance their billeting monies to the satisfaction of exasperated and exacting Company Commanders, there was very little trouble in the Orderly Room, that pulse of trouble.
Here are some noteworthy facts:—