3000 Highland Light Infantry men in town
Stirling’s `military occupation’ was about to change, the Observer of April 1915 revealed.
A report in the paper explained that billets in hall, schools and private houses in Stirling and surrounding areas were due to be given up by their soldier occupants by May 5.
The troops were set to move to other parts of the country and they would be replaced by 3000 men of the Highland Light Infantry from Glasgow who were to be billeted under canvas at King’s Park and its vicinity.
The Stirling Observer acknowledged that the new influx would be welcomed by shopkeepers who had come to rely on the money spent in the town by soldiers waiting to go to the Front.
However, there would also have been some trepidation about so many troops setting up temporary home at King’s Park.
As the paper reported a month ago, the ground there had suffered from the combined impact of troops and horses shortly after the start of war.
Heavy rain plus extensive military used had turned the area into a quagmire.
As conditions at the park worsened, the military withdrew from the area and moved to Tillicoultry towards the end of 1914. Ground including the racecourse had been severely cut up by the horses’ feet and wagon wheels.
An editorial in the paper of
April 6, 1915, said that despite the withdrawal, the condition of the park had worsened because of the exercise of troop horses there.
This, however, had now been stopped at the instruction of
General Egerton, commander of the Lowland Scottish Division.
He stepped in after the damage being caused to the park was pointed out by a “local gentleman” who had also written to the Town Clerk suggesting immediate restoration of the park’s turf, particularly the flat area rented from the Crown by the Town Council, and also the racecourse which was a favourite walk of townsfolk.
The Stirling Observer, concurred with the move and believed spring was the ideal time to be setting about the task.
It was accepted that this might look like “throwing money away” as there was no assurance that the military would not return.
Indeed, it looked as if the HLI were set to make the park their home.
However, the Stirling Observer believed that repairs to the damage already caused should be carried out and that railway sleepers should be laid over the greensward in the event of the military moving back to the park.
It adds: “In any event, if the Town Council does not take up this matter, nobody will and King’s Park will be left in its present condition – a public reproach and an eyesore to the community.”