HEROIC VALOUR OF THE LONDON SCOTTISH

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2300, 6 November 1914, Page 5

HEROIC VALOUR OF THE LONDON SCOTTISH

DESPERATE WORK WITH THE BAYONET HOW THE REGIMENT SAVED THE DAY Paris,- November 4. Details of tho doings'of the London Scottish Tiegilneut sliow that a famous British Tciritorial infantry unit was compelled, owing to a terrific onslaught by the Bavarians, to evacuate Messines (six uiiles south of Ypres). Tho London Scottish Rifles were then ordered tii recover tho lost ground.

"Our artillery blazed at Messines alt' ! day, and dislodged a portion of, the j gunnere. In the evening the Scottish ! orept cautiously forward, but a 6earch- ; light found them. Thoy dashed for- i ward, bayoneting the Bavarians up, through, and beyond'.the towti!' ' Messines was won. Maxims' werci placed i in position, mid the London -Scottish j then reformed and' bivouacked for tho 'j night. ■ : j "At daybreak the.v advanced in stip- i port of a cavalry brigade operating in i tho vicinity. Misled by spies, thev j found themselves in. open beet fields, j under a murderous .Germhtrv'jirtillery • j firo. Men were falling on- all-sides, but , I they . pushed on under the relentless slirapnol. A majority, escaping from, /i the shell zone, suddenly became a tar- j get for trench upon trench of German infantry, skilfully hidden. "The Scottish crept through the beet j folds with bajonots,,fixed; then the ]

Germans, in overwhelming numbers, . emerged from tho trenches." : A death ,'. struggle ensued. The Soot-tosh, hand-to- : hand,- overpowered tho Bavarians, who ran, but i our- men had suffered too severely to.allow of pursuit." "Gipiiious LEAD AND EXAMPLE." The, following' message referring to the gallantry, of the.. London. Scottish Regiment, line been received from the High Commissioner by the Prime Minister • ;/-/ ■ ' ]The • London Scottish First Territorial Regiment were ordered to take their place in the firing line, and made a brilliant charge. The officer commanding the. regiment las received,the following ■ telegram from Field -Marshal' Sir.-John French: — "Wish you and your splendid . iregiment to: accept my warmest congratulations and thanks for the fine work .you did on Saturday. You have given a glorious lead , and - : example to all Territorials corps fighting in France." :,