The Henson Journals

[256]

Saturday, August 12th, 1911.

A most glorious morning. Before breakfast there was Brigade drill in which three Battalions – Civil Service, London Scottish, & Queen's Westminsters – took part. I went with the troops, & enjoyed the spectacle greatly. The London Scottish make a fine show. Their uniform is very effective as it shows the face, & has a pretty waving short petticoat above the bare knees. The Queen's Westminsters [257] are certainly disadvantaged by trailing their rifles. This seems to be an old arrangement coming down from a time when a distinction was really drawn between muskets & rifles: but now everybody has rifles. There may be a practical reason in the fact that when the weapon is carried at the shoulder, the sun glinting on the barrel might reveal the troops to an observant enemy.

The London Scottish immediately after arriving in camp began to make preparations for their departure to Scotland, where they are to march from Oban to Glasgow.

I accompanied the signalling party, and admired the simple yet subtle machinery by which the heliograph compels the sun to transmit messages across immense tracts. In India, I am assured, that many miles have been thus covered.

The "Times" contains the substance of my little letter correcting the alarmist statements about the men's sufferings from heat.

In the afternoon the captains issued pay to the men of their companies.

After dinner I attended the Concert given by our own men in Y.M.C.A. tent. At the close we vindicated our Christian character by singing a hymn, reading a Psalm, & receiving a Benediction! It was odd, perhaps incongruous, but well–intentioned.

---