Chapter 3: SERVICE WITH THE ARGYLLS

In 1915 I responded to the call to arms at Greenock, giving my age as nineteen and was duly sworn in and enlisted in the 3/5 Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. This being a new Battalion and I have a bare minimum of Military training, while the others had none, I was immediately promoted to Platoon Sergeant, at the princely pay of half-a-crown a day.

The third day of this promising career, my No. 2 Platoon reached its strength of fifty with an influx of twenty-seven men from the nearby prison, allowed out on ticket-of-leave, provided they immediately join the Army.

I found these ex-convicts already knew elementary drill and were eager to accept the opportunity to rehabilitate themselves.

We were through our musketry and field training, ready for a final assessment as reinforcements for the 1/5 Battalion A&SH who had been suffering sever casualties. However My mother, already a widow, didn't believe that I, in reality only sixteen years old, would be needed just yet. She disclosed my true age to the Military authorities and I was unceremoniously released. My battalion was posted into duty and fell in action very shortly thereafter.