For data--the Official War Diaries of the 17th Battalion H.L.I. preserved in the "Records" Office, Hamilton; supplementary notes supplied by Lieut.-Cols. Morton and Paul and Major Paterson, D.S.O., M.C.; Brigade and Battalion Operation Orders; Battalion Operation Reports. For impressions, opinions, and descriptions--numerous and exceedingly helpful literary vignettes from members of _The Outpost_ staff and others, and from interviews. The Editors desire to record their appreciation of material contributed and help given by:--Lieut.-Col. Morton, Lieut.-Col. Paul, Lieut.-Col. Inglis, Major Paterson, the Rev. A. Herbert Gray, C.F., Capt. G.H.R. Laird, Capt. M. MacRobert, Capt. T.P. Locking, Mr. Cameron of the Chamber of Commerce, Lieut. and Quarter-Master Kelly, Mr. Meadows of Saltcoats (for allowing illustrations and excerpts to be taken from the diary of his son, the late Lieut. B. Meadows), the relatives of the late Lieut. D.W. Hourston (for a selection of photographs from his collection), and the following gentlemen identified with the publication of _The Outpost_:--Messrs. A.M. Cohen, W.S. Corbett, Mark Drummond, W.M. Dixon, A.G. Deans, W. Glennie, A.G. Houstoun, J.L. Hardie, C. MacCallum, J. M'Kechnie, N. M'Intyre, W.K. M'Taggart, D. Murray, J.L.L. Niven, F.K. Pickles, H.F. Scott, D.M. Thomson, R. Tilley. JOHN W. ARTHUR. ION S. MUNRO. GLASGOW, _May, 1920._ CONTENTS. EDITORS' PREFACE. I.--FORMATION AND HOME TRAINING. PAGE THE NATION'S CALL TO ARMS, 13 Declaration of War--Strain on the resources of the Regular and Territorial Forces--Kitchener's Call to Arms--Civic response--Glasgow Corporation Battalions--Meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and Resolution--Committee formed--The Technical College. A BATTALION IN BEING, 15 Attestation and enrolment--"A" Company from Technical College--"B" Company from Schools--"C" and "D" from the City--C.O., Second in Command, Adjutant, Company Commanders, and Staff appointed--Leaving the City--Government acceptance--Farewell visit to City. ESPRIT DE CORPS, 19 Traditions of the H.L.I.--the 71st and 74th Foot--Uniform--pre-War Establishment--Regular and Territorial Battalions--War Service Battalions raised--the allocation of the 17th Battalion. HOME STATIONS AND TRAINING, 21 Gailes--Troon--Prees Heath--Wensleydale--Totley--Codford Camp--Overseas Orders--Message from the King--Embarkation. II.--ON ACTIVE SERVICE. ON TREK, 27 Arrival at Havre--March to the forward area--Bouzincourt and Millencourt--instructional tour of front line trenches--condition of trenches--first casualties-- Molliens.