FLOWER OF SCOTTISH VALOUR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2786, 2 June 1916, Page 5

FLOWER OF SCOTTISH VALOUR

TERRIBLE LOSSES AT THE BATTLE OF LOOS FAMOUS REGIMENTS SHATTERED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. June 1, 10.20 p.m.) London, Juuo 1. A remarkable passage in Colonel Churchill's speech on the Army Bill today revealed the fate of the premier division of Scotland at the Battle of Loos, They went into tho fight 9500 strong. Six thousand were killed or wounded. Some of the battalions lost three-quarters of their strength. Nearly all achieved their task, and gained some of the most important positions, only to bo lost at a later stage, when handed over to other troops. A battalion of tho Cameron Highlanders wont into action with thirty officers, and 850 rank and file. Colonel Cameron, of Loehiel, his adjutant, and 110 men survived, yet they took and held their objective. Four successive liucs were swept away, but the fifth went on. The Teninant of the troops, shattered by the first day's battle, were collected, and twelve hundred of them were asked two days later to inake. another attaok. They went over tho parapet, and renewed the attack with the utmost elan. "Talk about the Balaclava charge, and the Fusiliers at Albuera!" exclaimed Colonel Churchill. "These events pale before tho deeds which are done at the present day by divisions raised in tho British islands, yot only a jejune (barren) account of their glory is published. Four battalions of this primary division of Scotland have been disbanded and merged. into other battalions. The South African Brigade has taken thoir places. The Scotch officers and men have been scattered to the winds, rogardless of regimental' ties."