1922 Portlaoise "Gay Gordon's"
The 2nd Gordon Highlanders evacuated Portlaoighise Military
Barracks on Friday week and left for Glasgow by two special trains,
the first carrying baggage and equipment, and an advance guard of 3
officers and 92 men. The second train carried the remainder of the
detachment, viz: 14 officers and 292 men. They were played to the
Railway Station by their pipers, playing the air "Old Comrade".
The departure of the first lot was witnessed by only a few
civilians, but the main body received the farewells of a crowd of
weeping maidens and some other residents, including a number of the
Royal Irish Constabulary. A few of the "Gay Gordon's" were
particularly gay on the night before they left for Bonnie Scotland,
and indulged in some frivolities including the breaking of windows,
and the smashing of some of the little stone pillars outside Mr.
Turpin's residence in Coote Street. It is fair to say however, that
these were the acts of only a few men, and the townspeople say that
the general behaviour of the men of the regiment was much better
than that of some of the English soldiers who previously garrisoned
the town.
Outside the small circle who reaped some financial advantage from
the presence of the troops there was a general feeling of
satisfaction and rejoicement at their leaving the town and county.
The above is a true and
accurate transcript of the original document.
- Transcribed by M. Purcell c2010.
- Old newspapers in the PPP.