MAJOR E. HUTCHISON.
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[Illustration: THE FAREWELL MEETING IN THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE.
_To face page 17._]

A member of the Battalion, giving a general impression of these
memorable "first days," writes:--

"We all assembled in our various drill halls. We watched and
whispered. Some asked, who is that man with the loud voice shouting at
us, giving us papers and getting us into what he called Companies. We
knew soon. Then they selected N.C.O.'s (acting) from amongst those who
had some previous training. After that we went away. The N.C.O.'s
stayed and took the bundles of papers, our pledged word to our king,
and wearily for hours sorted them and listed the names.

"Days followed when we marched and when we got to know our officers by
sight and to call ourselves by our Company name. Then came the day we
drew our kit and carried off strange bundles to our homes. We got the
magic words 'To camp at Gailes.' Then we were soldiers now. We paraded
by Companies and assembled in the Square and marched to the train. A
motley crowd carrying on our shoulders all manner of weird shaped
bundles. The crowd laughed and cheered us. Thus we left the City that
held us very peculiarly her own, her citizens and sons for the last
time. Henceforth her soldiers."

The Chamber of Commerce Battalion was now an accomplished fact, and
the following authoritative acceptance by the Government and the War
Office, linked it as an integral part of the Service Regiments of the
British Army.

"WAR OFFICE,
"LONDON, S.W., _2nd November, 1914._

"TO THE PRESIDENT,
"CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
"7 WEST GEORGE STREET,
"GLASGOW.

"Sir,

"I am commanded by the Army Council to offer you, and those
associated with you, their sincere thanks for having raised the
17th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (3rd Glasgow)
of which the administration has now been taken over by the
Military Authorities.

"The Council much appreciated the spirit which prompted your
offer of assistance, and they are gratified at the successful
results of the time and labour devoted to this object, which has
added to the armed forces of the Crown the services of a fine
body of men.

"The Council will watch the future career of the Battalion with
interest, and they feel assured that when sent to the front it