Departure of the Seaforth Highlanders

Image: Departure of the 4th Seaforths, 5th November 1914 [X414/162]

Thursday 5th November 1914 (Bedford): On Sunday the 4th Seaforth Highlanders were informed that they were to leave Bedford for France. Since then the men have been in a whirl of preparation with kit inspections, refitting of transport and the issue of new rifles, bayonets and ammunition. On Tuesday they were addressed by the Brigadier who urged them to live up to the great honour that had been granted to them and also to abstain from alcohol. By last night their packs were ready, filled with the regulation kit list of twenty five items.

At ten o’clock this morning the battalion assembled to the south of the Grammar School. After an address from General Ballatine-Allason and the chaplain the battalion was divided into two halves. At 11.45a.m. the fatigue party left at the head of the transport column. The first half of the battalion said their farewells and as they marched out of the school the Grammar School boys who formed a guard of honour sent up a rousing three cheers on the command of their Headmaster. As the Seaforths’ own pipers were in the ranks the column was led by pipers from another battalion playing “Lochiel’s awa’ tae France”. The soldiers marched down Barnaby Road, to cheers from a group of Highlanders, past St Peters and down the High Street, where girls filled the upper windows, doorways and pavements. Friends linked arms with the soldiers and gave them chocolate, cigarettes and tobacco. From there they marched to the temporary station in Ampthill Road. The public were kept out of the station, but permission was given to family members who had travelled to Bedford to say their farewells. The train left at ten past one to rousing cheers from both the crowd and the soldiers.

The second half of the battalion left the Grammar School at 12.55p.m. and followed the same route as their comrades, this time to even more enthusiastic cheers. In the High Street the pipers who were returning after playing for the first party met the marchers, turned around and accompanied them to the station. Once all the men were on the train the crowds were admitted to the platforms; half an hour later the train left Bedford to yet more cheering, leaving all the onlookers thrilled by the spectacle.

Source: Beds Times 4 December 1914; The Highland Division at Bedford: An Illustrated Souvenir [X414/162]