Many people employed at the Carriage Works took half a day to witness the arrival of the troops and the country people who came to Stony Stratford for the market also displayed great interest in the events of the day. Wolverton practically lost its identity on Friday night and looked more like a garrison town on the occasion of a Bank Holiday crush. Swarms of people flocked into the town from the neighbourhood and the scene was a very animated one and it was already evident as the people began to mass along the thoroughfares.

The Gordon Highlanders were in for a great reception. People could be counted in thousands and the press was tremendous. The pipers chase a merry Highland tune for their march to Stony Stratford camp...

Cheer upon cheer rent the air as they stepped briskly along the road to Stratford which was thickly lined with people for about half a mile. Opposite the Wolverton Social Club there was a vociferous demonstration of cheering and welcoming of the men, who presented a smart appearance. It seemed as if there had been nothing to damp the enthusiasm of the crowd. A fine rain was falling and the conditions under foot were miserable. The people cared little. For a long time after the Highlanders had disappeared the streets bore the appearance of holiday making. Soldiers in squads walked about the town singing snatches of songs and ragtime.