SCOTS AND AUSTRALIANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1917, Page 3

SCOTS AND AUSTRALIANS.

One of the members of a contingent of wounded and invalided soldiers tliat readied Sydney, wore .at a jaunty angle a cap whicli had originally belonged to a soldier in one of the Scottish regiments. The two men had occupied beds alongside each other in hospital, and naturally became <?]oSe friends. Treatment of the Scotsman's wounds proved Unavailing, and on his deathbed he left to his Australian mate his cap and Ms kilts as a token of regard. It was the cap of a man in the Argylc and Southerland Regiment. The incident (says the Sydney Morning Herald) recalls the stories—all of them borne out by a'number of returned men—of the close .attachment for one another tliat lias sprung up, not only in the line, but when off duty, between the Australians and the men belonging to the Scottish regiments. According to the men, .Scotland is the most popular of the men's haunts when on leave.

"If there is a big 'stunt' on," said one of the men, "and the Australians are in it, there also you will find the Scotsmen. It is generally recognised that they mix together better as fighting units than perhaps any other force on the field on the Western front. The Scots are fine chaps to fight alongside of, and it is the confidence which theso men and the Australians have in one another, as devil-may-care men generally, that has brought them 30 closely together. Like the Australians, the Scottish soldier.*, as a class, are rough and ready, and are always' prepared to see the liglit side of things, even in the blackest hour. This fine feeling existing between these two forces counts for a tremendous lot, and the commanding officer*, seem to recognise it, for where you see the Australians in the firing lino the 'ScoUics' are sure .to he somewhere handv." ! "The Australians and the Scotsmen." said another man, "not only mix well together »s. fighter*, bits they mix their drinks together, with an artistry unexcelled 'by other troops."