December 1914

Citizen Soldiers

Lieutenant Hugh Roche McCabe
5th Battalion Black Watch (Territorials)

Lieutenant McCabe, of the 5th Battalion Black Watch, now with his regiment in the fighting line in Flanders, is a son of Bailie McCabe, one of Dundee’s most zealous municipal workers. The Lieutenant is one of the most youthful officers of his corps, but though only in his 20th year, he is an efficient and trustworthy officer.While at school in Ambleford, in Yorkshire, he was a member of the Cadet Corps there, and a student of military science and art. On returning to Scotland he attended classes at the technical college, Glasgow, in order to equip himself for the business in which his father had won position as a skilled expert. Some eighteen months ago he received a commission as Lieutenant of the 5th, and his service in time of peace marked him out for active service when the battalion was honoured by orders to proceed to the front. Letters from soldiers of the 5th afford evidence that Lieutenant McCabe has won the esteem and confidence of his fellow officers and men of the battalion. He has bestirred himself, on behalf of Catholic soldiers, and by his cheery, earnest service on their behalf he has won gratitude given expression to in letters written while the men were under fire. Dundonians and more especially the Ninth Ward folks, manifest interest in and goodwill towards Lieutenant McCabe, and trust that he will have full share in the victories of the 5th Black Watch Battalion.

Black Watch Sergeant Dies of Wounds in Hospital

Sergeant J.S. Reoch, of the 1st Battalion Black Watch, succumbed in hospital of 9th November to wounds received at Ypres. He was a native of Dundee and was well known in the city and also in Perth, where he was located for a time. His younger brother, who is in the 2d Black Watch, has been wounded, and lies in hospital at Rouen.

Cheery Letters from Officers

A Dundee Lieutenant with the 5th Battalion Black Watch Territorial in France has had narrow escapes for the German snipers.

Writing under date 22nd November, Second Lieut. L.A. Elgood, son of Mr W.A. Elgood, Dalkeith Road, says:- “We have only lost one man, so far as I know, but we have been very lucky. I’ve had two very narrow escapes from snipers. They hide behind haystacks &c and let you have it, but I’ve managed to pull through all right.

We have been digging trenches during the past four nights within 200 yards of the German lines. They didn’t know we were there, but a few stray shots whizzed past, and more sniping was indulged in. You should see our fellows get under cover. Talk about rabbits! -  They’re far quicker.

We are very cosy here when off duty, and having great fun cooking dinner &c. The food we get is jolly good. The only thing is that the Germans were here some weeks ago and looted the place. They didn’t leave much behind. We are having a quiet day today washing and cleaning up. The big guns are making a horrible noise and last night some German shells fell a few hundred yards from our billet. Night is our worst time, but whatever we have to do we don’t grumble at all. The men are bricks, and will do anything we tell them. There is a very close relationship between the officers and men of our company at least, and I suppose it is the same in all the companies”

Jute Overalls for the Troops

Some time ago it was stated that a proposal had emanated from Dundee that the troops at the front should be provided with jute overalls for work in the trenches, as the general experience of the soldiers who had come home from the front was that in dirty weather the khaki overcoats got so much covered with mud that they were uncomfortable to wear, and soon became unserviceable.

The first idea was that the men should be provided with hessian sacks, slightly modified to suit the purpose intended. The matter has been further considered, and it is now stated that a well-known city manufacturer has expressed his willingness to provide the Government with half a million of such overall for the troops. The design in this case is somewhat different from the sack idea, but it is almost as simple, and is held to allow much more freedom of movement on the part of the wearer. It could be worn instead of the overcoat, when digging in wet soil was to done, while the overcoat could be reserved when warmth was required. The jute overall would not add materially to the weight of the equipment the soldier had to carry. It is understood that Sir James K. Caird, Bart., is interesting himself in the matter.

Belgium Relief Fund

Sale of Work
To be held in Friend’s Meeting Hall
Melville House, Nethergate
Today (Saturday) at 2 o’clock.
Opened by Mrs Wm. Kinnear
Chairman – Bailie Barnes.
Admission free.

Education

Best Appointments
After the War will be open to those preparing now.
Expert training for youths and young ladies in day, afternoon and evening courses.
Enrolling today at
Paton’s College, 30, Reform Street, Dundee.

A Budget of Timely Hints

Yule-time Helps
If you cannot get beef suet for putting into your forcemeat, just use beef of pork dripping, they are a great improvement and sometimes you are glad to use them up.

To keep suet good for weeks chop it finely, mix with a little sugar and a pinch of salt, and cover it.

If you have any mincemeat left over after making the Christmas pies store it in a glass jar and stir it every day or two to prevent it from hardening.

Cost Price Sale

Until December 31st I will continue giving 2½ percent of all sales to the Red Cross Society’s Fund.

Furs make the very best of presents and would be thoroughly appreciated by any lady. Buy at the favoured prices now, while this sale lasts.

Arthur A. Miller
64-68, Nethergate, Dundee.
“The Steeple is Just Opposite”.

Are You Drilling?

Hints for Civilian Rifle Corps.
Have you joined one of the Civilian Rifle Corps which are being formed in all parts of the country for the defence of hearth and home?

There is a place in these corps for everybody who is not eligible for Lord Kitchener’s Army or the Territorial Forces.

The Editor of the “People’s Journal” has arranged a well-known military officer to contribute a series of articles on how the New Citizen Forces should be conducted.

He will be giving you valuable hints on drilling, shooting, signalling, trench digging and other important matters – in short, his explanations will enable any corps to reach a high state of efficiency in a comparatively short time.

The first of the series will appear in next weeks “People’s Journal”.

Her Majesty’s Theatre

Tomorrow evening Her Majesty’s Theatre is sure to be the rendezvous of the military and public. The grand sacred concert organised in aid of the Dundee’s Women’s War Relief Fund for the sixth ward is attracting a good deal of attention, and Brigadier-General A. de S. McKerrel has promised to be present, along with his Staff officers.  A varied and attractive programme has been arranged.