OUR BRAVE HIGHLANDERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3197, 23 June 1915, Page 77

OUR BRAVE HIGHLANDERS.

AN APPEAL

For generations the chronicles of our wars have been studded with the brilliant achievements of Britain’s Highland regiments. During the past 100 years, from India and the Far East to Florida in the West; from Waterloo and the Crimea to Egypt and South Africa, the kilted warriors have, whenever they came into the firing-line, struck terror into Britain’s foes. Theirs it ever was to bear the brunt of the heaviest fighting and tackle the most difficult positions. Little mattered it to the fearless ■ Gaels whether it was the heights of Barger, the marshes of Florida, or the sandy wastes of Tel-el-Kebir; their task was always cheerfully taken up and wonderfully well finished. All that the nation owes to our Highland regiments may never be fully recorded; but it will be agreed that their prowess in battle has been an important factor in building up our great Empire. When in August last the call to arms rang through our nation, and the slogan resounded through strath and glen of the Highlands, the response of these Gaels was a magnificent lead to all parts of the Empire. Every crofter’s home and fisherman’s dwelling in the Highland counties gave of its best—its fathers and sons to the army and navy, its daughters to the nursing brigades, while old people knitted as only Highland women can knit, comforts for the common store, while the aged men bent their Avhite heads to the work the younger had to leave. Sadly deplenished though the Highlands are today compared with their state a century ago, when a regiment could be raised where now but a company can be got together, almost every fit man went to the front.

When recently a London newspaper offered a monument to the village anywhere in the United Kingdom that had sent the best percentage of its men to tbs war, few were surprised when a Highland village romped home with the trophy, and the records of the Highland districts were found to lead those of all the districts in the Empire. Something must be said, too, of the value of the men sent. Hardened as they are by long experience fishing in all weathers there, none could stand the rigours of a long winter vigil in the North Sea like the Highland fishers. * They proved invaluable not only in the minesweeping trawlers so largely used in this war, but as naval reserve men spread throughout our grand fleet, they brought to their work an intimate knowledge of the waters patrolled. Then those rugged iants from the North of Sutherland, tho Hebrides, and tho isles and firths of the West —what grand phalanxes they added to our forces that went to hold up the rapidly-advancing Huns! Having travelled with them from the Highlands to the English ports from which they set out on their way to France, I realised more than my readers can what a sacrifice the Highlands were making in giving up these magnificent men to become human ramparts barring the onward sweep of the German hordes. But biitiv wont — Seaioitiis, iila-clc VV atoii, Argyle and Sntherlanders, Gordons, Campbells, Camerons, and Lovat Scouts, —singing their Gaelic songs and English choruses like lads going to a picnic. How they fought, too, from Mons to tho Marne and after ! A stupid censorship may prevent for a time the recital of their glorious deeds to the outposts of the Empire. Those of us whose daily duties carry ua

into Fleet street and the Strand, or around the hospitals where the returned wounded are, know something of it already.

Why should we not tell of how the famous nguting Gordons passed out'l Given a dangerous point to hold in a rearguard action, they held it while the main hodv was being withdrawn till they had not a cartridge left. Then, when they were left there, through the order to retire not reaching them, they received ten times their number of Germans with their bayonets and butt-ends of their rides, holding up the enemy advance till of nearly IOOU who went into action less than zi'O gallant Gordons remained; but they held the corner.

Space will not permit me to write of the heroic charges of the nuggety little men of the Black Watch or the aweinspiring, battering rushes of the stalwart Seaforths, nor yet the reckless bravery of the brawny Argyle and Sutherlanders on these battlefields of France. Need I tell what the whole world knows — that the London Scottish, mostly sons of crofter homes and Highland fishers’ dwellings, made a notable addition to the honour scroll of Britain’s famous regiments. Not only Highlanders, but Britons everywhere, would be thrilled to the heart's core could they know what our brave Highlanders have already done for the nation in this war.

The purpose of this, however, is to make an appeal to New Zealand on behalf of their aged parents and dependents. Many hundreds of these men freely gave their lives for their nation; others are crippled for life, and , all of them have dear ones at Home whom we should see comfortably provided for. New Zealand gave generously to the Belgians. They deserved it all. Now, what about “ oor ain folks”? Our Highland Land League knows more about the people’s circumstances and the necessities of the Highlands than any Government department or other organisation, because our officers and councillors are frequently visiting different parts of the Highlands, and our members are scattered throughout them ; and it takes Gael to understand when Gael is suffering, for Highland pride makes Highlanders conceal their suffering to the last limit. Those left at home in the Highlands struggled through the winter just r>ast because of the previously-made provision of those now at the front. With nearly all the able men away fightings little ploughing, sowing, planting, or peat-cut-ting can be clone this year. The fishing, too, is almost completely held up. Next winter is going to be a- dreadful time in the Highlands unless friends outside come to the help of its people. The council of our league know that many thousands of pounds will be necessary to save from distress and to protect the Highland crofters and fishers. We therefore appeal to all New Zealanders who can to help us to assist these people., A Dunedin-hom New Zealander of Highland descent myself, I have confidence in my countrymen doing all they can. Perhaps Highland and Scottish Societies will take the lead. A “Highlanders’ Day” with the sale of tartan badges, and a “ Heather Day ” with the sale of sprigs of heather, might raise a good sum. Contributions in the way of drafts or postal orders should be made payable to the treasurer, Highland Land League, London division Bank of Scotland, Helmsdale, Sutherland, Scotland; Bank of New Zealand, London; or direct to the secretary, 161 a The Strand, London. The High Commissioner of New Zealand will be invited to be present or represented at meetings of the League Council dealing with New Zealand contributions.

On behalf of the Highland Land League, —Yonrs faithfully, 6. J. Bruce, Hon. Sec.