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In writing this short account of the 2nd Battalion in Mesopotamia, my aim has not been to write a military history of all that was achieved; that will be the task of some one more competent to judge of merits and demerits than myself. My object has been to give an account in simple language of the two years spent by the Battalion in the Iraq, so that the children of the men of the regiment may know of the brave deeds and the hardships cheerfully borne on their behalf.

Two articles describing our last two battles are here reprinted with the permission of Brigadier-General A. G. Wauchope, from whom I have also received many details of our earlier fights, and I am also indebted for information to Captains J. Macqueen, W. E. Blair, W. A. Young, Sergeant-Major W. S. Clark, and other officers of the Battalion.

Mesopotamia,

October, 1917.

Telegram from

HIS MAJESTY THE KING

Received by Colonel A. G. Wauchope, D.S.O., Commanding, 2nd Battalion—January 1917

I thank you, Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men, for the card of New Year's greetings.

I have followed the work of the Battalion with great interest. I know how well all ranks have done, what they have suffered, and that they will ever maintain the glorious tradition of the Regiment.

GEORGE, R.I.,

Colonel-in-Chief.

Order by G. O. C., – Division

I cannot speak too highly of the splendid gallantry of the – Highlanders, aided by a party of the – Jats, in storming the Turkish Trenches.

Their noble achievement is one of the highest.

They showed qualities of endurance and courage under circumstances so adverse, as to be almost phenomenal.

Sir George Younghusband,

Commanding – Division.

After the action fought on the 21st January 1916 on the Tigris the above was published.

Letter to O. C. 2nd Battalion –

Tell the men of your battalion that they have given, in the advance to the relief of Kut, brilliant examples of cool courage, and hard and determined fighting which could not be surpassed.

Sir Percy Lake,

Commanding the Army in Mesopotamia.

July, 1916.

General Munro, C.-in-C, Indian Army, addressing the – Regiment, Tigris Front—October 1916

Your reputation is well known, I need say nothing more.

To the – Regiment.

From Sir Stanley Maude, Army Commander—March 1917

You led the way into Baghdad, and to lead and be first is the proper place for your Regiment.