8811 PRIVATE DUNCAN MACFARLANE
Below is a newspaper article which mentions Duncan and also gives a very detailed account of the rigours of enlistment and training to be gone through by potential recruits
From: "Dundee Evening Telegraph" dated 27th February 1900; page 5.
"LORD LOVAT'S SCOUTS .
FOR HIGHLAND BRIGADE .
INTERESTING PARTICULARS.
On Saturday Troopers Duncan MacFarlane and James M'Lauchlan, members of Lord Lovat's Scouting Corps, arrived at Pitlochry on a brief farewell visit to their friends before proceeding to the front. In the course of a short interview, Trooper M'Lauchlan gave some interesting particulars regarding the corps. The scouts number 280 altogether, of whom 150 are mounted, the remaining 130 forming an infantry company. The number of applications for enrollment have been so numerous than even now rejections are being made daily - some formerly chosen have been discarded in favour of more suitable newcomers - with the view of making the corps as strong as possible. Macfarlane and M'Lauchlan have now been at Beaufort three weeks. They were originally passed as medically fit by the local doctor. On arrival at Beaufort the weeding out process began. Both men are attached to the mounted section, having passed pretty severe tests as to their shooting and riding capabilities. They were then put into regular military training, Captain Ellis being in command of their section. About 50 of the mounted scouts are now lodged in an old militia canteen at Beauly, which is being utilised as barracks, having been removed thence from Beaufort in order to make room for others coming in. While during the recent frosty weather the cold was felt rather badly, the quarters are fairly comfortable in every way, and the men had no reason to complain. The experience was certainly a little rough and ready to begin with and, M'Lauchlan frankly confessed, albeit with a humorous smile, that if any of his chums had said "Come on, lads, let's awa' hame" he would have gone back at once. As a matter of fact a good many of those who originally came forward did leave, finding that they would have to give up a good deal of ordinary luxuries to which they had been accustomed. But as M'Lauchlan remarked , if they could not put up with a little inconvenience to commence with they were better off out of the corps. The scouts are drawn from all parts, and are representative of almost every class. One member of M'Lauchlan's section, who joined as a common trooper, is a son of Sir Charles Stirling. Another is a Mexican rough rider -Mr Charles Blackley-who has had a great many years experience both in North and South America. He is a native of Deeside. A third averred that he formed one of the notorious Jameson Raiders, but this statement was accepted with reserve. The daily routine of the cavalry corps is begun with the sounding of the reveille at 6:30 am, after which the men do up their stables until breakfast at 8am. From 9 to 12 is occupied with mounted drill, from 12 to 1 the horses are groomed and fed, dinner there being after served.
THE AFTERNOON HOURS
are devoted to mounted and unmounted drill, and also target practice. At the targets individual and volley firing are engaged in, and prizes are awarded for the best aggregates in each. The Lee-Metford weapon is in use, and the ranges practiced at are 200 to 800 yards up to the present. It is expected that the men will be afforded opportunities if acquainting themselves with longer distances before their departure. The shooting was stated to be, on the whole, very good, and improving daily. After tea, at 5 o'clock, the horses are again groomed and fed. This duty performed, the men are at liberty for the evening, with the exception of those delegated for piquet duty, each turn of which extends to 4 1/2 hours. The horses in use are described as being of a very good class mostly cobs of a dark colour. Greys are rejected, unless of very dark shade. The work of training horses and men is being carried on with the utmost vigour, and both are now in a pretty forward condition. M'Lauchlan spoke very highly on the intelligence of the animals, and declared that given a horse and a man equally unfamiliar with military drill, he would back the horse to pick it up quicker than it's rider. He had seen several instances of the horses moving like clockwork before the men had fully grasped the details of the drill. For the purposes of drill the companies were formed into sub-sections of four men each. The men had to hold the reins in one hand, while the other was left to grasp the rifle. The knees were naturally used to a large extent in guiding the horse, while the attention of the rider is devoted to the details of the drill. In accustoming the ponies to part of their work, the third man in each sub-sections is detailed to take charge of the four ponies, while the other three scouts advance a short distance and fire several rounds of blank cartridge. The horses are then led for the riders to remount. This practice accustoms both men and animals to some extent to that mobility of movement which is so characteristic of Boer methods. At the inspection of troops last Monday General Chapman through the officers, complimented them on their creditable appearance, and said he could hardly have believed that they could have made such great progress in the short time that had elapsed since the corps had been formed. M'Lauchlan having incidentally mentioned that he was a practical blacksmith, it is probable that he will be required to help in the horse shoeing at the front. The evenings were stated to be passed most pleasantly, as is natural where a considerable company of young men of exuberant spirits are gathered together. There is no lack of amusement, while special concerts have been organised for their further entertainment at Beaufort and Beauly. A regular supply of the daily newspapers is furnished, and the war news is followed by the keenest interest by all. Practice with field glasses has not yet been engaged in to any extent, but it is intended that glasses will be issued this week. The khaki outfit was issued on Wednesday last. It consists of the regular serge jacket, whipcord knee breeches, puttees, and strong brown boots, together with the inevitable wide-awake. The men present
A SMART APPEARANCE
and it is understood that the corps will be one of the best dressed companies that proceed to the front. Questioned in regard to the probable destination of the scouting corps, M'Lauchlan said it was generally believed that they were to be attached to the Highland Brigade under General Macdonald. Although it is expected that the corps would sail from Southampton in ten days, no official intimation had been received so far from the War Office, and it was considered possible that they might not be ordered to proceed for a fortnight yet. Macfarlane and M'Lauchlan have now got thoroughly into the swing of life, and both remarked that so far as it has gone their experiences have been very agreeable. The men are extremely anxious to get on the move, and hope the order to embark will be received sooner rather than later."
NEWS FROM THE FRONT.
Whilst away at the front, Duncan and his comrades certainly did not forget to keep in touch with the folks back at home in Pitlochry. A round up of local news items published in the"Perthshire Courier " of the 13th October 1900 provided evidence of this as quoted below;
'PITLOCHRY.
Several interesting ear souvenirs have been sent home from South Africa by Trooper Duncan Macfarlane, of Lovat's Scouts, and Private W. Skinner, volunteer with the Black Watch. The latter includes several bullets picked up after the engagement at Rietif's Nek."
THE HEROES RETURN!
Once their period of active service was completed, the 1st contingent of Lovat's Scouts returned home before the end of the war having done signal service for the Imperial war effort and seen much action. Many men opted to stay on in South Africa to seek their fortune following the eventual victory.
However, this opportunity obviously did not tempt Duncan MacFarlane. His return to bonnie Scotland along with his pal and fellow gamekeeper/blacksmith James M'Lauchlan was reported in the"Dundee Evening Telegraph " on 17th August 1901 on page 4;
'"THE RETURNED LOVAT'S SCOUTS.
HEARTY RECEPTIONS IN NATIVE TOWNS.
Last night Troopers James M'Lauchlan and Duncan MacFarlane, of Lovat's Scouts, arrived at Pitlochry from the front, and had an extremely cordial reception. The men, who travelled by the 6:45 train from Inverness, were accompanied by Farrier-sergeant Watson, Muir End, Kilspindie, and Trooper Kennedy, Blairgowrie. At the station a very large assemblage, including many interested visitors, had gathered, and on alighting from the train hearty cheers were raised. Thereafter a procession was formed, and, headed by Pipers Mitchell, Pirnie, and Campbell, with Drummer Kennedy, the company marched by way of Main Street to the Union Bank. Returning to the Monument, the men were addressed by Mr. Charles Gibson M'Lagan of Pumpherstone, who said they knew the excellent work done by the Scouts had been referred to with approbation by the principal commander. They were all pleased that the local men had come back safe and sound. (Applause). Trooper M'Lauchlan in acknowledging, thanked them cordially for their reception. He paid a high tribute to Lord Lovat and Colonel Murray, to whom, he said, the satisfactory account the Scouts had been able to give of themselves was largely due. He thanked them cordially for their reception, for which, he said, it had alone been almost worth while going to South Africa. (Laughter and applause)."
Well, I don't know about any of you having read this far, but I am transported back in time to Pitlochry on the day of the return of Duncan and his fellow Pitlochrians to Pitlochry amid the skirl of the bagpipes, the beat of the drum and the exultation of the crowd. I am sure that more than a few drams of whisky would have been imbibed well into the early hours!
It is my hope that Duncan's story might stir similar imagination from the reader.
REFERENCES
Ancestry ---attestation document and medal rolls.
Findmypast ---newspaper articles.
"A Military History of Perthshire"---photographic image.
