SOLDIERS' FAREWELL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 April 1928, Page 11

SOLDIERS' FAREWELL

THE AROYI.ES' DEPARTURE FROM CAIRO STHIPJNG SCENES L: the '''.Vveekly Scotsman" appears the following interesting account or the departure ol the Argyies from Cairo, after fifteen years' service abroad : I'aim's fil(i Citadel was the scene of Ihe greatest excitement ami hilarity, final limy last the Argyies were 'going hiime. The spectacle as they marched forth out of that grey grim fortress, fully equipped, and headed by the band.= of the Somerset Light Infantry and the Norfolk Regiment, was one that we shall never forget.

Down those narrow streets they came as one man, with their kilts swinging and their heads erect, and even those Egyptians who have no hrve foi' the British policy in Egypt, stopped to admire and to wave their adieus, for the Argyle and Sutherland's Ist Battalion nave been fu wonderfully popular out here and have won the hearts of all by their spirit nf comradeship and friendliness. On they marched in a manner worthy i:f the best traditions of the old 91st, and as one looked one fell prouder than ever of being 1 British. They were big, clean hraithy looking boys with Iheir faces brown and tanned by lung exposure to the Egyptian sun, but brimming over with humour and fun. At last they reached the big station square and one felt what a perfectly disciplined crowd they were. There was mi fuss and mm outward excitement, as tadi little company marched off to its appointed place on the train. But with the abandonment of ail equipment, did ihey abandon all rest mint, and a-> one of the hands played a jolly Scotch reel, the shouting and singing increased in volume each moment. The old station echoed ami re-echoed with sounds of revelry while the native pollers and officials gazed 0:1 in amazement tor they never can unders-tand how we prefer our own wet little country to this land erf sunshine, and smells.

THE GIRL .1 LEFT BEHIND ME

But thete were also ninny solemn little gioups and many a lassie wept bitter tears as the Inst Fond farewells were lining said. These boys had made many friends in this city of the East, and though they were going to have another look at their bonnie banks and braes, the severing of many of these cords was very dillicult. Though the forming of new ties and then the breaking of them, is part and parcel of Army life, it never becomes easy, and it was evident that many of these .sturdy lads had often a choking sensation of the throat as the good-byes were being said. But the wives and children were the most excited of all. for many of these bairns have never yet beheld their bonnie Scotland. 'The regiment has been abroad in various station for over fifteen years, and so these kiddies have been born and bred in an alien land. Jt had been an anxious time for the mothers, for there was always the possibility of some of them falling ill and being left behind. They longed to take them home to their own kith and kin so that they might get to know their own people, but all the same there was a tugging at the heart strings for some of them bad left behind a very sacred little spot beneath Egypt's sun.-- which they would never forget, and so memories of days which bad been kept constantly recurring and the tears would sometimes fall. SHOTTING AND CHEERING! But. there was no time for morbidness for were they not going home'.' So the band played the merriest of tunes —probably for "the benefit of those of us who were left behind—and the shouting and the cheering continued with unabated vigour. Rank was forgotten, for on such occasions there is a fellow feeling which makes us wondrous kind and sympathetic. The hour for departure is approaching and the General Oilicer in Command arrives and after him Lord Lloyd's representative a? well as many other persons of importance. All have come to wish the Argyies "Bon Voyage." The bell rings and we know that the actual moment of departure has come. The last farewells have been said and tiie last embraces have been given, ami the train moves slowly out, the General saluting all as they pass him. Auld Lang Syne is being played and then suddenly there breaks forth such a cheer from every throat, that the foundations of Cairo itself must have trembled. The cheering dies away but handkerchiefs continue to wave. until the last carriage has vanished in the distance. Again the band plays the liveliest of tunes to cheer nur despondent souls as we quietly wend our ways to ran* various quarters." But we all console ourselves with the thought that some day our turn will come when we will lie able to reply as enthusiastically as- one of these Sco.t's boys did, "I wadna stay for all vour sun." ' Other countries have their advantages, but. after all. despite its drawbacks and its climate conditions, we one and all feel that there's no place like Home Sweet Home.