nabled the two regiments not
only to maintain their glorious traditions but also to enhance their
reputation. No jealousy marred the good feeling between officers and
men; there was nothing but goodwill. We all had absolute trust in
Colonel Thompson, and Colonel Wauchope has often said he always found
the same spirit, the same wholehearted readiness to perform every duty
equally amongst both units. In some ways the Platoon, in some ways the
Division is the tactical unit of the British Army, but by tradition,
custom and wholesome practise the living organism is the Battalion,
and the Commander who ignores that fact loses a source of strength
that no other factor fills. It was only the strength of fellowship and
their confidence in their two commanders that enabled these two famous
regiments to work and fight under every adverse circumstance so
wholeheartedly and with the single-minded devotion which they always
showed during these trying times.

The bond of sentiment holds when other bonds fail. To all to whom
regimental feeling appeals there is no sight like the swing of the
kilt, no sound like the sound of the pipes. Men of both regiments
might often recall how they had charged forward in France, the pipers
leading the way, and no body of men had themselves shewn greater
gallantry or inspired others with their spirit more than the
regimental pipers. Yet even in war the days of battle are few and the
days of trial many, and many a time at reveille and retreat, on the
march and in camp has the sound of the massed pipers stirred our
memories and stoutened our hearts to face whatever danger or hardship
lay before. The old Crimean reveille was still heard, but a new
reveille, "The Highland Regiment in Mesopotamia," arranged by
Pipe-Major Keith, was played more often. During a long march
"Scotland's my Ain Hame," and "Neil Gow's Farewell to Whiskey" were
often call for, and, on reaching camp, before striking up with "The
Blue Bonnets," the pipers always played the Colonel's favourite air,
"After the Battle."

In these days lack of tents, and the excessive heat were minor
troubles compared to the prevalence of sickness and constant flow of
casualties. Whatever the strength of the Battalion, the duties had to
be performed. Again and again men left their turn of sentry duty only
to take part in one of the innumerable but essential working parties.
Over and over again men had to work throughout the cooler hours of the
twenty-