The Volunteer - Scottish Soldier

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Vijiha Bashir, at BBC Scotland on behalf of J.Moran from Glasgow and has been added to the site with the permission of Johnstone History Society. The author fully understands the site’s terms and conditions.

The recruiting office beckoned me; to there I made a dash,
A kilted Sergeant sat in there, bedecked in his Red Sash,
He said you’re the type we’re looking for, big, strong, able ailing,
So just sign on the dotted line and you will get a Shilling,
He led me to the doctor’s room, where I got a friendly greeting,
The DOC then said you are A.1 because your heart is beating,
As I approached the Barrack gate, I thought I must be dreaming,
For above the sounds of Pipes and Drums, I could hear Drill Sergeant screaming!

I tried to turn away and run before it was too late,
But a tree striped arm reached right out and pulled me in the gate,
The QM Issued me with kit, some large and some to wee,
And when I mentioned this to him, he yelled, “don’t talk back to me”!
The R.S.M. Marched up to me and gave a piercing glare,
“Get over to the Barber’s shop; I’m standing on your hair”!
They led me to the dreaded square my feet they felt like lead,
These boots were never meant for me, I was used to crepe soled suede,
The Drill Instructor shouts like mad, I’m sure he has no mum or dad.

“Attention, stand at ease and don’t forget to bend your knees,
That’s a rifle, not a gun”. “It’s for fighting, not for fun,
shape, shine, silhouette, never get your rifle wet,
You must learn to read a map or you become a handicap”.
“When I say fix! You don’t fix but when I say Bayonets! Then you fix”.
“Stomach in chest out, don’t lose balance when you turn about”.
Yes sir, no sir, three bags full, blind obedience is the rule,
Kit inspection another dread when ordered to stand by your bed.
I was taught to aim and shoot and regulate my sight,
The proper way to camouflage and read the stars by night.

My training ended one fine day; to the battalion I must go,
My Co. had decided I was fit to fight the foe,
Now why did I ever join and bring about such pain?
I then made my mind up to never volunteer again,
Then for the first time since enlisting, I got a big reprieve
The C.S.M. Gave me a pass to have a spot of leave.
I left that training depot, bulled up from head to toe
My Sergeant looked at me and smiled and for the first time said hello,
With my straight back and measured stride I never had felt bolder
My proud moment came when an old man said — “There goes a Scottish Soldier”.

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