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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1970-09-10, Page 5• � fl THE BLUI THUM ▪ BY G. MAC LEQQ RQS$ The Black Wateb has always been a name with which to conjure. The Forty Second, or Forty.. 'rya's, as the First Battalion was nnumbeed in 1739, was formed from.. some independent companies raised in Scotland in 1725 to `watch'. the disaffected Highlanders after the Rebellion ,of 1715. Why `Mack'? Perhaps to distinguish theme from the 'Red' . or English soldiers , of General Wade's Army,- -or even because of the sombre colour of their tartan. In 1756 the Regiment was sent to w North America and fought the , French at Fort Ticonderoga, in what would become New York State. During the American Civil War in 1862, the Royal Light Infantry was raised in Canada and was affiliated with the Black • Watch. Throughout World War I this Canadian Regiment . was known as the Royal Highlanders of Canada, but just prior to the,, 1939 war, the Regiment became the Black . Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada... Finally, in June of this year, the two battalions were, disbanded, their personnel being ' sent to swell the ranks of another regiment, with the result that the only • hostage to the future lies with a Thud Battalion (Militia) in Montreal. "� It is always a sad -darwhen politics tangle with arms, for -the two professions are so diametrically different in their inspirations. The soldier entrusts his life, his soul ,and his loyalty to -the tpatitieiar-vyk�o,-��. • reserves the right to succumb to all manner- of expediences. In the present instance,' when the expediency of integration of the Three Servicesinto one was perpetrated, this Regiment was told it would never lose the kilt.' • The Scots not being .a_• P• ' 1 • <r -a^ m /„GrODE1 OU SIONALO,P,Alt, • .400711 t believed this ensured their continuance aS a Regiment. But when the transience of political office removed the original 'guarantor% his successor could pacify his 'conscience, technically, by. simply liquidating the whole Regiment, including the kilt, MILITARY EDUCATION For a prejudiced writer to oppose liquidation, may seem reprehensible,- when everyone knowsWe are indulging in one'of exercises of saving money by the well-established method of paring our Defense Force to the bone: The fact remains that inspite of the billions of dollars expended on civil education [with its many Mansions; its affluent -Corps of Pedagogues; its organised - dedication to increasing its personal affluence] the results it achieves cannot compare Avith the finished product turned out by a battgion. That is a fact which cannot be readily gainsaid. Thus it follows, having regard to .our legions of bored stUdents, it might have been more for the emir -ion weal had some imagination beein exercised, and ,recognition given to the superior educalional potential of a -Regiment as a factor, sans pareil, in -producing good citizens:W-hy Schdol" already in being, with all its instructors, just because someone whispered that . the.. "Military" —rather than "Civir".-- There are plenty. of people "Loyalty, Courage and Good Conduct" which military training invokes, with a school for legalised murders, or for the • Dungannon ne Former resident dies in Saskatchewan Word has been received here of the death of.,. Mr. Richard _Steel who passed away on,, Thursday, August 27, in-hospital - at Medicine Eat, Alberta, in his '94th year. was.born March 16, 1877, in Komoka, Ontario, to the late - Phillip Steel and Martha Jane Gill. He:was the eldest child in a family of 12 with only one sister remaining, Mrs. Gladys Rivett, of Dungannon. Peggy Young elected 4-H preskient • The first meeting of the Dungannon 4-H Club was held af the home of klie leader, Mrs. Tom Young. The election of officers :was held wIth Peggy Y,oung elected president; vice-president is Karen R ivett; secretary, Barbara Cull3ert; the treasurers are Ldri Pentland , and Debbie Dustow; 'and press, reporter is Valerie Park. SOCIAL. CACENDAil • Ow -Friday evening Mr.- and Mrs: Tom Hallam of Godetich-, Mr. • George Lawlor and Mt. Murray Rollinson of Auburn called on Mr. and Mrs. Tom Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sterling of or Chatham visited' with Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Irvin on Sunday. Mrs. Elsie Irvin, Mrs. J. Ryan, Webster visited Goderich with friends on Thufsday. Mr. Wilfred Hackett and, son - Jim visited with mr. and Mrs. Dynes Campbell Sunday Visitors on Wednesday with Mrs. Jones and Mel weie Mr, Norman Marsh of Minneapolid, Mrs. Lula Jones, so -Mrs. Gladys,,Wallis and Miss Mae • Davies, all of Clinton. .. Mr. and Mrs. Del Cookt, Ken •and Joanne of Holmesville visited -with Mr. and Mrs. Len Cook. Recent visitors with , Mr. and Mrs,, Fred Young have been Mr. 'Harold McIlwain of London; Miss Marie Willis, .Benmiller;.,and Mrs, Jerry Schultz, Barrr and Gerry...of Kitchener' Miss Sharon Young viSited a Mr. and Mr6. Abe ChaSe, were gueSts of Mr. and Mrs, Fred Mt. and Mrs. Freeman Olson - and Debbie attended the funeral • of Mrs, OlsOn'S, aunt in Ilaitelock Niar*P,OterbbrOugio On Saturday. . Leaders for this course are Mrs. Tom Young and MiS Linda • During the discussion period the girls decided to do huck weaving and discussed a name for the club but none, was decided, on. They also 'discussed keeping Mentally fit.' The next meeting is on September 16 at the home of Lori Pentland. Each member is to* bring a book they had read and describe it to the other, members. The meeting was closed with the 4-H Cteed. inculcation a a spirit of war. They continue to believe that better citizens are hatehed in the schoolA of political science with which oior- universities are so impregnated,'" What is little understood is, that military training is.designed to $0 season a rnin,, that his stock of courage, his main life's capital, will ° withstand the rigours of war; for. - war is an activity in which men wear out , like clothes. A free people is only ready,, to resist aggression when the Christian virtues flourish, for a man of character in peace is a man of courage in war — or 'in life for that matter. Thus the question, becomes: How do you season a man -So that he will stand the rigours- of life longer? There is - 'nothing in the life of our times to suggeSt 'that we can make an exception to• the need for discipline, for in a democracy we need more, n.dt leSs, if by discipline we mean self-control., FOR THE REcORQ In the hundred and eight years of the Regiment's existence it haS gained over forty battle honours. In the First World War three battalions went overseas, a feat not equalled by any other Canadian Regiment. 31.26 officers and men served, winning 931 personal decorations and six Victoria Crosses. In World War 11, 20 additional—battle -11(moms-were- added to the 23 *earned from 1914 to 1918. Since then the Regiment has served in Korea, In isnid-June of this year-lhe Colours of the First and Second Battalions were deposited on the - altar of the Regimental Church Sherbrooke Street, Montreal. " There must have been many at this funerary ceremony who, thropgh glistening eyes, looked back to the days when they had iven so much to uphold the fair name of their Regiment. There must have been those whose memories returned to those stricken heaths, to such , Golgothas as those in which it was said, of the Dead, one.was .Scottish Soldier, and was 'kneeling facing east, so that oke's` cbuld scarcely' credit death in him; he was seen at some little distance from the usual tracks, and no one had much time in Thienval just then for sight-seeing, or`burying the dead. Death could not kneel so, . I thought, and approaching I ascertained with a sudden .shrivelling of spirit that Death There niust still be many of you for whom Such scenes -were - familiar; yon who are 'aware of all,' the intimations and discoveries by reason of having taken the same journey — the journey you will be retracing • again and again. .And there will be those too' who do not understand; who with the best will in the world can never p.nderstand. Those to whom your idiom is just,expressed in an unlearnt language. "But why let meniory wander? Time glides away Lorenzo, like a brook.. in the same blook none ever bathed EP1TAPH (*2) "When a 'great Regiment ,eeises tO exist -•-% though it is something to lie grateful fortbat" its Third Battalion in 1Viontr91, still survives .— a link is broken of inspiration. and example, siring noble conduct from generation to generation.. A Regiment is a school of virtpe.; teaching -all her sons the lessons of. self-discipline, self-respect, and honourable pride, comradeship, self-s4crifice, and devotion to duty. Within: its Self -renewing ranks no service, n9 act of self-abnegation, no loyalty to-COrps and comrades is. ever wasted. Though • the goldier dies, his deeds become part,, of the treasured memory and mystique of the Regiment. So, in the hour of the ota Regiment's passing — perhaps only a lemporary passing, for if the perils once more beset ys, the Black Watch may well be, reborn — here are some words of comforts,- ' . "Be of Good Courage, The mystic. element of morale has ever been a feature of tbe Black Watch, esp,ecially when facing grim situations. You coUld not fail. to have been caught up in itg p'owerful influence. ,So take it with you, to the various units where you will continue td serve. And if your future lies in civil life, take it with you, there. With your disciplined minds' it will be 'a reitarding possession to you wherever you go. "The text has also a word for. those who have given a lifetime of serVice to the Regiment, and to whom this day must bring a pang of sorrow - beyond the telling that lies at the heart qf love. To many of us who are not here, the Regiment can_never die. It- will live In our hearts till mind and memory flee. "So then, above all our sad regrets there is gratitude to God' fof tife blessings,. of the years, and there is pride in the exploits of comrades past and ' present. LoOk at your drums! ThO carry - battle honours that are an epic in 'Canadian' hi4ory. 'FrZbin them w4 :can take comfort that fhe event or this day has befallen you not because you shirked; or your forbears ever shirked, any duly entrusted to your charge. So put pride in your step.' Forward the Forty Second! AS you march out...of the Arm3iList you march into history and from your proud place there, ,no man can rernove your name." The word§ from the Royal Commission. *1. Quoted from Edmund Blunden's "Undertones of War". *2. Adapted from Arthur BrYant's article on the passing of anothe, Scottish Regiment. SPONSORED BY 'GODERICH 110WE 'To R9ister You Mus,‘t *Be At Lepst REG! ,STRATIQN-FEE 136c—Ni) Other tog' I9vohied AITRESSES if ' Good Salary arid' WOrking. Conditions 41. 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