An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Gaidheal > Volume 35, October 1939--September 1940

An t-Sultuin, 1940.
AN GAIDHEAL.
185
AN COMUNN’S RED CROSS
AMBULANCES.
Officials of An Comunn Gaidhealach and
a representative gathering of Gaels were
present at the handing over of two motor
ambulance waggons purchased by An
Comunn to the Scots Red Cross for service
in His Majesty’s Forces. The ceremony
took place on the 8th August in Blythswood
Square, Glasgow, and the Red Cross was
represented by Colonel K. M. Connal,
Major Mitchell, and Mr Stevenson.
The gathering was presided over by the
Rev. Malcolm MacLeod, the President of
An Comunn, and the ceremony opened with
the singing in Gaelic, led by the General
Secretary, of the first verse of the 46th
Psalm, after which the President, in a
Gaelic prayer, dedicated the ambulances to
the sacred service and errands of mercy for
which they were to be used.
In introducing Mrs. John M. Bannerman,
convener of the Central Comforts Com¬
mittee, and asking her to hand over these
two ambulances to the Red Cross, Mr.
MacLeod said Highlanders were always
acknowledged as possessing the qualities
thab go to make great soldiers. This they
have shown in this war no less than in
previous ones, as revealed in the newspaper
reports of the work done by the Highland
Division in the Dunkirk affair. We had
perhaps a generous enough acknowledg¬
ment of this warlike quality of our race;
but the Gaels have other qualities which
were not so generously acknowledged, that
of loyalty—loyalty to their country, and to
justice and freedom and right—with an
intense independence; this and firm stead¬
fastness and a clear sense of duty, with a
detetmination to carry out that duty at
whatever cost. They were also kind and
merciful to the suffering and needy, and
were sensible of the needs of the sick and
wounded in time of war. At the time of the
Cuchullin era they had their army doctors
and healers, one famous among them, Dian
Cecht, had a vat of healing balm into which
the wounded were immersed and were
immediately healed, and were fit to join
their unit again as active soldiers.
The President then said that it was his
privilege and pleasure to introduce Mrs.
Bannerman, who needed no introduction to
this audience, and ask her to hand over
these beautiful and useful ambulances to
the Red Cross. It was mainly due to her
enthusiasm and energy that those
ambulances were here to-day; she was the
first to suggest that such should be done,
and personally, he admired her enthusiasm
and optimism from the beginning. It was
mainly due to her inspiration and energy
that they were in the happy position of
being able to give these two ambulances
to-day for the benefit of our own lads.
Mrs. Bannerman, after thanking Mr.
MacLeod for what she called his far too
kindly reference to herself, and his far too
generous estimation of her part in the work,
said :■—
“Mr. MacLeod, Ladies and Gentlemen,—
It is with great pride that I make this
presentation on behalf of An Comunn
Gaidhelach. But before doing so I would
like to take this opportunity of thanking
those who have helped. Members and
friends from all parts of the Highlands and
Islands, aye, and from the Lowlands and
from lands across the seas, have responded
most generously to our appeals. On
behalf of the Central Committee I extend
to all those who have made it possible for
us to hand over the ambulances to-day our
most grateful thanks. I want to make it
quite clear, however, that this is not the
end of our efforts. Our aim is that there
will be three ambulances proudly bearing
the name of An Comunn Gaidhealach, and
one that of Comunn na h-Oigridh. As we
look on these vehieleiS of mercy we must be
filled with a great pride and determination
to see to it that our dream comes true—we
must all go away this afternoon enthused
with the idea of having Ambulance No. 8
in active service as soon as possible.
It is our earnest prayer that these
ambulances may be of use to the Red
Cross, and if and when necessary they will
be a help and comfort to qur Highland men
serving gallantly as ever in the Royal
Navy, the Army, and the Royal Air Force.
Colonel Connal, it is with pleasure that I
now ask you to accept An Comunn Gaidh¬
ealach Ambulance No. 1 and An*Comunn
Gaidhealach Ambulance No. 2, and may
God be with them as they journey to and
fro on errands of mercy.’’
Colonel Connal. in receiving the
ambulances on behalf of the Red Cross,
said that he was 75 per cent. Gaelic himself,
and that he knew that what had been
mentioned with regard to the loyalty and
sense of duty and kindly deeds of mercy of
the Highlanders were so. He thanked Mrs.
Bannerman and An Comunn Gaidhealach
for these useful and fine ambulances to
help the Red Cross in their work of helpful-