''BOBS''. LORD ROBERTS. FROM THE WAR DIARIES OF ALAN DAVID BARCLAY MARPLES OF THE LIVERPOOL SCOTTISH REGIMENT. NOV. 16. 1914.....OUR BATTALION IS SELECTED TO LINE THE STREETS FOR THE FUNERAL OF LORD ROBERTS AT ST. OMER, AND I WAS DETAILED AS THE SERGEANT OF THE REPRESENTATIVE DETACHMENT OF 20 MEN TO TAKE PART IN THE PROCESSION. SPENT 2 HOURS IN MORNING AT HEAD QTRS.PRACTISING CEREMONIAL RIFLE EXERCISES. NOV.17.1914.....A WET COLD DAY. REVEILLE 5.30. PARADE 7.30 WHEN THE BATTN. MARCHED TO ST. OMER AND TOOK UP THE PREMIER POSITION OPPOSITE THE TOWN HALL AND LINED THE STREETS WITH THE 6TH GORDONS FOR THE FUNERAL PROCESSION OF LORD ROBERTS. I PARADED WITH THE DETACHMENT OF 20 MEN IN THE PROCESSION FROM THE HOTEL WHERE HE DIED TO THE TOWN HALL WHERE A SHORT SERVICE WAS HELD. PIPERS OF OUR BATTN., THE GORDONS AND THE SEAFORTHS PLAYED ''THE FLOWERS OF THE FOREST'' LAMENT DURING THE PROCESSION. A MOST IMPRESSIVE SCENE AND THE FIRST IN MY EXPERIENCE.

jane elder