soldier depart aberdeen station

ABERDEEN AND THE WAR
MEN FOR THE NEW ARMY
450 RECRUITS LEAVE
"Kitchener's Army" in being! The people of Aberdeen have had an opportunity during the past few weeks of realising the answer made by the men of the country to the martial call which has been sounded abroad in all parts of Great Britain. The shortage in the Territorial Forces has been reduced to a degree rapidly approaching elimination; but the "Citizen Army," although so many of its units, with a patriotism which cannot be commended too highly, have volunteered for service abroad, is not intended directly to supplement the efforts of the regular troops. The recruits who join the special service armies being raised at the request of the of the Secretary for War, have for their primary object service at the front. Attracted by this prospect, tens of thousands have enrolled themselves in the new force, and Aberdeen city and county, with the remaining portion of the recruiting district for the Gordons, have contributed their full quota. Leaving out of account the great numbers who have hastened to enrol themselves in the Territorial units, the figures for the new 8th Special Service Battalion of the Gordons show that 50 recruits on average have been obtained on each day this week. At Castlehiil Barracks, Aberdeen, recruits are turning up speedily, but more are required for all branches of the service. The 3rd Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders (Special Reserve) is now up strength, while the 8th Battalion is almost completed. There were over 1000 men at Castlehill Barracks yesterday. They were put through various forms of drill. In the afternoon a large number of the recruits were sent to Fonthill Barracks, where the 3rd Battalion is stationed at present. A special recruiting effort is to be made in Aberdeen in the near future. In addition to the meeting to be addressed by Lord Curzon in Aberdeen on Tuesday, another meeting is to be held later, at which a prominent member of Parliament will speak.

Departure Scenes Troops bound for camps in the south pass frequently through the streets of the city, on their way to the station, and citizens have become in some measure familiarised with the spectacle through the warmth of the send-off they give the departing forces, whether Territorials or newly-raised recruits for the armies of Lord Kitchener, is none the less manifest on that account. Last night a body of 450 men, destined at the end of their period of training to support the troops on the Continent, entrained at the Joint Station. Pipers marched at head of the column, and there was the indefinable suggestion of martial spirit in the shrill notes, and in the sound of a measured tread. These volunteers for active service had thus early acquired the distinctive military trait of marching in unison. Along both sides of the narrow column pressed a crowd of well-wishers, shouting farewells and cheering. Many of the recruits wore khaki, but there were others whose civilian garb did duty. These young soldiers - the greater part were young ln years, as in experience of their new life - lacked the trimness which complete equipment with uniform in each case would have imparted, but their bearing showed them to be the stuff of which soldiers are made. The spirit of light-hearted gaiety, such as is associated with the typical wearer of the khaki when there is a prospect of real soldier's work before him, was manifest among them. They swung along at a pace denoting elasticity and vigour. Snatches of song would be trolled forth for a moment, to give place to a cheer in response to a similar salute from the crowd. Then someone would take up the refrain - "Are we down-hearted?" and the answer would come in a sonorous "No! ' Young fellows laughed and waved their hands on sighting an acquaintance. There were others whose demeanour was grave. They were the thoughtful members of the force, whose minds dwelt on the serious work they had undertaken to carry through; but cheerfulness was the predominant characteristic of the recruits. Many carried blankets, bandolier fashion, over one shoulder and across the chest, and some had bundles containing their belongings or portions of their equipment. Thus they marched into the station square and through the entrance to the platform. The bustle of embarkation, careless laughter, and witty retorts to chaffing observations were witnessed and heard for a few minutes, and a final cheer was raised as the train drew clear, its long journey commenced.

Source: The Aberdeen Daily Journal Saturday September 5th, 1914