7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

[steviechelle]

Hi I wonder if anyone can explain things a wee bit for.

My great uncle Donald McKinnon Anderson died on 25th July 1918 as a POW According to his service record he served with 1/7th Battalion in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and I think he may have served in E or H company which was taken from Alloa where he lived.

I have been reading some books trying to find out where he may have been when he was captured and according to his ICRC record which came in a few weeks ago he was captured at Beaumetz.

What is confusing me is if he served withn 1/7th how did they become part of 51st HIghland Division? Was this because his Battalion became so depleted that they was transferred to 51st to make up numbers. I think I can't get into my head about companies, battalions, divisions etc and how they all fit into the bigger picture.

I am pretty sure they would have been part of the 3rd Army and the action they saw was around Cambrai but just wondered if anyone could clarify things a wee bit for me I have read the sections in the Long long trail and some other bits in books and online but just can't get it right in my head.

Apologies for being a bit slow but just trying to work out roughly where he would have been and how the various battalions, divisions etc worked togther

Thanks

Steven

[Chris_Baker]

It is a question of military hierarchy and structure.

1/7th Battalion was under command of 154th Infantry Brigade.

154th Infantry Brigade was under command of 51st (Highland) Division.

At the time of the battles near Beaumetz (late March 1918), 51st (Highland) Division was under command of IV Corps.

And IV Corps was under command of Third Army.

A Battalion is c1000 men; a Brigade c5000; a Division c20000. A Battalion is a unit. A Brigade is a formation made up of several battalions. Etc.

[steviechelle]

Thats great Chris Hierarchy thats what I was meaning.

That really gets it right in my head

Thanks

Steven

PS It means when reading booking I can try to place 7th Argylls

[themonsstar]

This is from the book 7th Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

Next

[steviechelle]

Thanks very much for that - if you don't mind me asking what book was it taken from - might be worth a good look

I have just trying over last year or so to peace as much as I can of Donald together. That juts gave me a real insight as to what was going on when he was captured on 23rd March 1918

Steven

[themonsstar]

7th Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 1914-1919

[steviechelle]

Thanks for your help mate really appreciate it

Regards

Steven

[27thBN]

This is from the book 7th Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

Next

This is great Stuff I have the medal group to an officer a Capt F W Heys OBE,MC,TD in the 1/7th A and S who won his MC on the 21st to 27th of march for holding the flank against serious attack from the germans.Could you PLEASE post the page 35 and the next few after the last page up to the 27th it would be very appreciated .Is there any mention of him in the history for this action as he is mentioned in the war diary

Thanks MC

[themonsstar]

Next page & Capt Heyes MC

Capt Heys MC

[27thBN]

Thanks so much for posting them .I had the picture but not the history .And his action for his MC is at the very top of the page commanding 2 company's in 3 lines at warlencourt .

MC