When the 17th embarked for France, some details left behind arrived from Codford on 15th December, 1915, and brought back many old friends and highly efficient instructors. Later on Viscount French paid a visit of inspection to the Ripon area, and the 19th H.L.I. formed part of the Guard of Honour on that occasion. After Ripon came Montrose, and although connected with the Battalion's history only in a small way, the period from 25th April, 1916, to 12th June, 1917, is nevertheless well worthy of mention. Montrose with its lovely beaches and pleasant surroundings, forms one of the happiest memories of those who found themselves part of the 19th H.L.I. during its sojourn there. 1916-17 was a trying time in the life of the Reserve Battalion. Training was concentrated to an unheard-of degree--a recruit being allowed nine short weeks before he found himself on Embarkation Leave. Drafts were required by the dozen, both for the Western Front (for which the Somme and Beaumont Hamel Offensives were chiefly responsible) and for the Eastern Front. Then there was the trying coastguard work with its trench-digging excursions to Lunan Bay--work which probably helped to avert a danger not so remote as we then imagined. "E" Company had a fair share of all these worries, and its able Commander, Captain F.D. Morton, was kept busy choosing drafts, arranging programmes, and working out tactical schemes. Major W.H. Anderson, who afterwards became Lieut.-Colonel, and was awarded the V.C. after his lamented death, did much for the good of the Battalion; and the Soldiers' Home, run by Mrs. Anderson, and Mrs. Auld, proved of great advantage to the men. This period marked the extinction of "E" Company, as representing the 17th. Draft after draft had robbed it of its original appearance, and when on 1st September, 1916, the 19th became the 78th Training Reserve Battalion, it lost all semblance of its former self, and may be said to have had an inglorious end to a short but useful life. [Illustration: LIEUT.-COLONEL W. AULD, V.D. _To face page 90._] [Illustration: The late Lt.-Col. WILLIAM HERBERT ANDERSON, V.C.] [Illustration: The late Sergt. J.Y. TURNBULL, V.C. _To face page 91._] IV.--HONOURS AND AWARDS. Battalion Honour. Extract from _The London Gazette_, dated 26/5/16. The following is extracted from Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch, dated 19/5/16:-- "8.--While many other units have done excellent work during the period under review, the following have been brought to my notice for good work in carrying out or repelling local attacks and raids-- "17th (Service) Battalion Highland Light Infantry." Victoria Cross. †Lieut.-Colonel W.H. Anderson, formerly Captain "C" Company. Gained while serving with 12th Battalion H.L.I. †15888 Sergeant J.Y. TURNBULL. _Gazette_ dated 25/12/16. † Since deceased.