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Black Watch (bits 'n bobs)

A blog by Derek Black in General

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About this blog

Observations and comment relating to my research into the Black Watch

Entries in this blog

The War Dead of the Black Watch

The Paybook Wills of the Black Watch

In March 1915 the War Office issued an Army Order regarding soldiers paybook and the wills contained therein.   "In the case of soldiers who have been or may be discharged, or at the conclusion of active service, wills in the possession of officers in charge of records will be sent to the men themselves. On a soldier giving up his paybook, either after the conclusion of a term of active service, or on the book becoming full, any will contained therein will be cut out and handed to
Derek Black

Derek Black in The War Dead of the Black Watch

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General War

Football Played During the 1914 Christmas Truce

The oft written about subject of the Christmas truce of 1914, usually touches on the topic of football. Often whether it occurred, or not.   While there are many sources for the events of the truce, few seem to mention football actually taking place between the two opposing armies. Many accounts are second hand information, or the “kick about” was by the British amongst themselves.   The following are instances where football is claimed to be played. That includes anythi
Derek Black

Derek Black in General War

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War Memorials

"Non-Coms" - The Men I've Had Added To The CWGC Database

Over the last 13 or so years, i've identified approximately 15 men who have been added to the CWGC database.   These comprise of men who were killed or died during their time in the military, as well as those who died after discharge from wounds or illness related to their service.   The first casualties I discovered were first sent to the late Jim Grant, who was at that time an established volunteer with the In From the Cold Project.   Later I sent the cases in dir
Derek Black

Derek Black in War Memorials

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Arbroath War Hospitals

Arbroath War Hospitals

During the Great War hospitals and infirmaries around the UK provided dedicated bed space for ill and wounded soldiers. The Red Cross opened auxiliary hospitals, in halls and large houses, to support the already existing facilities. Red Cross Auxiliary Hospitals, while staffed by some V.A.D. Members, were not run by them or called V.A.D. Hospitals. They were Red Cross run facilities. The Red Cross Auxiliary Hospitals were broken into four regions in Scotland. These were cente
Derek Black

Derek Black in Arbroath War Hospitals

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Highland Uniform

The Teddy Bears: Goatskin, Sheepskin and Dogskin....

As winter 1914 approached it was deemed necessary to provide additional clothing to the men in the trenches to protect against the cold. 200,000 fur coats of various animals, including dog, were sent out from late November. Woollen garments of various kinds were also provided, such as: woolen helmets, balaclavas, mufflers, body belts, gloves and socks.   (illustrated war news - 9th Dec.1914)   17th Nov, 1914 - Hansard Mr. HOGGE asked what arrangements hav
Derek Black

Derek Black in Highland Uniform

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1914 & 1914-15 Star Rolls for the Black Watch

Statistics relating to the men on the 1914/15 Star medal roll for the Black Watch

1914-15 Star (other ranks only)   The 1914/15 star was awarded to every soldier who entered a recognised theatre of war, after the 22nd of November and before the 1st of January, 1916. In the three 1914/15 star medal roll books, recording those of the Black Watch to receive the medal, there are 8,724 men listed. This includes those who served abroad initially with the original 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, infantry Battalions. This does not include the officers.
Derek Black

Derek Black in 1914 & 1914-15 Star Rolls for the Black Watch

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5th Black Watch

With the Local Territorials in France (5th BW)

The Broughty Ferry Guide - Friday, February 19th, 1915   With the local Territorials in France We landed at Le Havre on the morning of Monday, November 2nd, 1914, after an exceptionally smooth night passage in a steam boat, so that, although this was the first sea-passage for many of us, we all took our foo with out accustomed readiness, and, moreover, retained it.   It happened to be the Company's turn for Battalion fatigues: consequently, while the main body marched of
Derek Black

Derek Black in 5th Black Watch

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Highland Uniform

Glens, Tam's & Brodies - A Timeline of Highland Headwear

A Timeline of Highland Headwear 1914   Scottish infantry units went into theatre wearing Glengarries.     1915   Footballer Jack Peters of the 2nd A&SH, in his letter home published on the 5th of March, 1915, learned they were to be issued Balmorals shortly. On the 14th of March 31 men of the 5th B.W. returned to Arbroath as medically unfit. Wearing Balmorals, described as recently issued, this was the first those in Angus had seen of the headgear.
Derek Black

Derek Black in Highland Uniform

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Black Watch Soldiers

The Black Watch at Aubers Ridge - 9th of May 1915

“It was not Fighting, but Murder” The Battle of Aubers Ridge   Sunday, the 9th of May, 1915, saw the battle of Aubers Ridge. This was a British offensive, supporting a larger French attack in the South at Artois. The plan being to tie down the Germans, preventing them from sending reinforcements to oppose the main attack by the French.   The British plan comprised of two attacking forces. IV Corps on the left, in front of Laventie, 6,000 yards from the right hand co
Derek Black

Derek Black in Black Watch Soldiers

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Black Watch Soldiers

C.S.M. William Charles MIA 25/09/1915 and his paybook

Dundee Courier - 12th of January 1937 News of Husband after 21 years Barnhill Woman Learns His Fate After 21 years of uncertainty a Barnhill woman has now received definite word of her husband's fate on the battlefields of Flanders. She is Mrs William Charles, who lives at 27 Dalhousie Road, Barnhill, Dundee. The proof is obtained in a letter just received by Lord Provost Phin, from a former German soldier, who has in his possession a pay-book, along with a letter and photo
Derek Black

Derek Black in Black Watch Soldiers

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5th Black Watch

Christmas 1914 with the 5th Black Watch

The following is an account of Christmas time 1914, as given by the men of the 5th (Territorial) battalion of the Black Watch. In the early hours of November the 2nd 1914, the 5th btn landed at Le Havre, having left Southampton the night before aboard the SS Architect. They were the first Scottish Territorial battalion to arrive in France. Allocated to the 24th brigade in the 8th Division they were employed as line of communication troops. Digging trenches under Royal Engineer supervis
Derek Black

Derek Black in 5th Black Watch

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Memoirs by Scottish Soldiers, or Those in Scottish Units

The Black Watch - A Record in Action by Scout Joe Cassells

First published as "With the Black Watch - The Story of the Marne" in 1917, the book has been reprinted with different titles in the years since. As "The Black Watch - A Record in Action", the abridged "The Black Watch", and the lengthy "Stand and Fall - A soldier's recollections of the "Contemptible Little Army" and the Retreat form Mons to the Marne, 1914". Joseph Samuel Cassells Joined the Black Watch in 1905. At the outbreak of war in 1914 he was a reservist, whereupon he was recalled a
War Memorials

Arbroath War Memorial

The war memorial for the town of Arbroath takes the form of a cenotaph, an empty tomb, and sits on the edge of a hill overlooking the North Sea. It has 491 great war names listed upon its panels, 1 being a woman. Like all cities, town, villages and parishes, the people of Arbroath spent time after the war in public meetings discussing the funding, design and location of the intended memorial to their war dead. A list of names, which had to meet (now unknown) criteria, was maintained in
Derek Black

Derek Black in War Memorials

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Black Watch Soldiers

1196 Sgt. Arthur Guest and his brother 2124 L/Cpl. Herbert Guest of the Black Watch

Arthur Douglas Guest was born on the Isle of Man in 1889, his younger brother Herbert was born 4 years later in 1893.  Their father was the manager of a boot and shoe store. The family later relocated to Leeds and Huddersfield in England. On the 10th of February, 1908, Arthur enlisted into the Black Watch aged 18. Arthur's younger brother Herbert was 18 in 1911, and he too joined the Black Watch in late July/early August 1911.  Why two brothers born and raised in the Isle of Man, then lat
Derek Black

Derek Black in Black Watch Soldiers

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Black Watch Soldiers

The Personal Account of 9652 Sgt James Honeyman of the 2nd Black Watch in 1914

James Campbell Honeyman, from Leven in Fife, enlisted into the Black Watch on the 11th of November, 1903 at the age of 18. By the time the war broke out he was a Sergeant and stationed in India with the 2nd battalion. He lost his life on the 8th of October 1915, leaving behind his wife Catherine Ann and their three children who were living in Glasgow. Tragically Catherine Ann was to die the next year, her brother John McDonald and wife Kate took in her orphaned children.   Sunday
Derek Black

Derek Black in Black Watch Soldiers

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Black Watch Soldiers

The Personal Diary of 2044 Pte. John Burns of the 1st Black Watch in 1914

John Burns from Forfar, enlisted into the Black Watch on the 12th of April, 1911 aged 18. He went abroad with the 1st Btn in August, 1914 and was wounded on the 15th of September. Whilst recovering at home in October, he was interviewed by his local newspaper, who printed a copy of his diary. He was also wed to Petrina Keith at this time. His daughter Mary was born in the December. It's unclear when he was well enough to rejoin his battalion in France, but sadly John was killed in action,
Derek Black

Derek Black in Black Watch Soldiers

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Memoirs by Scottish Soldiers, or Those in Scottish Units

William Carr - A Time To Leave the Ploughshares: A Gunner Remembers 1917-18 (1985)

Published in 1985, shortly before his death aged 100, William Carr recorded his time as a junior officer in the Royal Field Artillery.   Carr, or Carlos as he was later nicknamed, was from an agricultural family near Stonehaven, on the north east coast of Scotland. Having gone to university in his late 20's to improve his prospects, he was older than most of his fellow officers when he went to war in June, 1917. On arrival in France he was posted to 377 Battery of the 169th Brigade
The War Dead of the Black Watch

The War Dead of the Black Watch

During the war the Black Watch had 12 infantry battalions deployed in theatres of war. These comprised of 2 regular battalions, 4 territorial first line battalions and 3 Service battalions. Added to these was a Labour battalion, operating in France between June, 1916 and April, 1917, when it was then absorbed into the Labour Corps. Two battalions were made up from adopting yeomanry regiments. The Fife & Forfar Yeomanry in October, 1916, then the Scottish Horse in January, 1917.
Derek Black

Derek Black in The War Dead of the Black Watch

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Black Watch Soldiers

The Personal Account of 3/949 Pte. William Murray 1st Black Watch in 1914

3/949 Pte.William Murray, a Special Reservist from Dundee, arrived in France on the 20th of September in a reinforcement draft. Being wounded less than a month later, on recovery he served in the 2nd battalion, finally being discharged in May, 1919. Murray died in 1960 aged 69.   23rd December 1914 Dundee Courier   Private William Murray, 1st Battalion Black Watch, has returned to his home at 36 Kirk Street, Lochee, to recover from five shrapnel wounds sustained on 10th Novem
Derek Black

Derek Black in Black Watch Soldiers

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Black Watch Soldiers

The Personal Diary of 9755 L/Cpl William Trueland of the 1st Black Watch in 1914

William Trueland was Born in Edinburgh in 1885 and joined the Black Watch about the 24th of January, 1904. He was recalled as a reservist on the outbreak of war and went out in the first reinforcement draft to France in late August, 1914. After receiving a head wound from shrapnel, he underwent an operation at Edinburgh Castle Military hospital in mid December, 1914. Probably due to this injury he was transferred to the 1st Garrison battalion of the HLI in January, 1916, then later the 1st Gar
Derek Black

Derek Black in Black Watch Soldiers

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Black Watch Soldiers

The Personal Diary of a Scout of the 1st Black Watch in 1914

The following is a transcription of a personal diary that appeared in the pages of the Dundee Advertiser in serial form in March, 1915. Also later published in its sister paper the People's Journal, slightly abridged, the following month. The author, referred to a "Scout", is a reservist in the Black Watch. The diary covers the period from his return to the depot at Perth on the 5th of August, until his wounding and return to Britain on the 22nd of November 1914. All place name spellings are
Derek Black

Derek Black in Black Watch Soldiers

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Black Watch Soldiers

The Personal Diary of 9700 L/Cpl Reuben Jackson of the 1st Black Watch

The following is the transcribed personal diary of Reuben Jackson, a regular of the 1st battalion Black Watch, who went to France with the very first of his regiment. This first year of his diary was published in his local newspaper, "The Belper News" in Derbyshire, England, in serialised form, in mid to late 1915. This detailed and unique diary, provides insight into the events as experienced by him between mobilisation in August, 1914, and late June, 1915. There being a deficiency in offici
Derek Black

Derek Black in Black Watch Soldiers

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Black Watch Soldiers

2619 Pte. Scott Oram

When the great war in Europe ended, men were returning to their families over the course of the following months. In Arbroath, Agnes Wallace had been waiting for the return of a loved one, who had been held for over four years as a prisoner of war. It was not her husband, brother, or even her father the 36 year old awaited, but her 19 year old son, Scott Oram. Scott was born on the 14th of November, 1899, in his maternal grandparents cottage in the rural parish of Kinnettles, Forfarshire. Rec
Derek Black

Derek Black in Black Watch Soldiers

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1914 & 1914-15 Star Rolls for the Black Watch

Statistics relating to the men on the 1914 Star medal roll for the Black Watch

It's been an interest of mine, when time allows, to research the men listed upon the 1914 for the Black Watch. Here i will share the statistical breakdown of these results, so far. These will be updated as more research is done.   1914 Star   The 1st, 2nd and 5th battalions of the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) reached France and Belgium in the qualifying period for the awarding of the 1914 Star, between 5th August and midnight on the 22nd of November 1914.   Com
Derek Black

Derek Black in 1914 & 1914-15 Star Rolls for the Black Watch

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5th Black Watch

Territorial renumbering in the 5th

It was the Army Council Instruction (ACI) 2414 of 1916, published on 23 December 1916, that among other things, ordered the renumbering of the men of the Territorial Force. Previously numbered 1 - 9999, the Territorials were to be allocated a new (and in most cases) 6 digit number. The changes were to be implemented by the 1st of March 1917. In the case of the 5th Black Watch the number block given over to them began at 240001. With few exceptions the renumbering followed the
Derek Black

Derek Black in 5th Black Watch

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