In the Garb of Old Gaul

Horowhenua Chronicle, 1 June 1915, Page 2

In the Garb of Old Gaul

MORAL EFFECT ON ENEMY. The iLondon "Times" last month published a letter from a private in a Highland regiment to his brother in an English regiment, in which he writes:— "I see from a letter in the papers that the Canadian Scottish treat their kilt as a sort of parade drees and put on "trews" when they go into the trenches. This, of course, we consider a- great mistake, for it is in these wet trenches over here that we shine. "For instance, it's no uncommon thing for a trousered section who've stood shivering on their platforms with their wet things clinging; to their legs for twenty-four hours to see with a feeling of envy their kilted comrades coming up through the water to relieve them, with their kilts tucked up high up out of the wet, so that with the exception of feet and putties they can look forward to a comfortable and, all tilings considered, a warm time instead of a shivery one; for the kilt ,being exceptionally thick round the waist and loins, keeps the whole body nice and warm, and if it does happen to get wet the constant swinging about tends to dry it quickly without a constant clammy contact with the lege. "But it is on the march that one appreciates the kilt most. There's a delicious cooling sensation as the wind strikes your knees that helps you along, and there's a sense of ireedom about the waist and shoulders which the trousered men will never fee!.