What ships transported the 51st Highland Division?

[Macthomas]

Hi all,

I am hoping someone can tell me what ship or ships were used to transport the 51st Highland Division to France at the beginning of May 1915. In particular the 7th Bn Black Watch. If it involved more than one ship, as I expect it did, a list of what regiments were on which ship would be usefull as would information on which Port they sailed from and arrived at, photos of the ships, any info on the crossing etc.

Any information along these lines would be great as I am trying to put together a short story about my grandfathers war for my family and may eventually make it into a personal website.

Thanks

Ian

[Simon Jones]

Ian

Capt Robert B Ross in The Fifty-First in France who served with 1/7th Gordons (153 Bde) states they crossed in the Onward belonging to the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway.

Regards

Simon

[Macthomas]

Ian

Capt Robert B Ross in The Fifty-First in France who served with 1/7th Gordons (153 Bde) states they crossed in the Onward belonging to the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway.

Regards

Simon

Thanks for that Simon, but did it carry the whole 153rd Brigade or just the the 1/7th Gordons?

Cheers,

Ian

[Macthomas]

Simon,

I found pictures of Onward at this site

http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/SR_SECR1.html#anchor1549039

It is not a huge ship, I would imagine it would manage to carry maybe a few Battalions but not much more.

Anyone know if this is the ship the 7th Black Watch were transported on?

If the whole army went in ships of this size there must have been a lot of them in use.

Ian

[Luc]

Simon,

I found pictures of Onward at this site

http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/SR_SECR1.html#anchor1549039

It is not a huge ship, I would imagine it would manage to carry maybe a few Battalions but not much more.

Ian

he's right.Onward wound't be able to carry more than a few battalions

Luc

[Malcolm]

The 51st History talks of the unts going either to Southampton for Boulogne or Folkstone for Havre so they would be on several ships. The History does not mention any of the ships sorry.

Aye

Malcolm

[barrieduncan]

Battalion War Diaries often mention what ships they sailed in, might be worth tracking down the diary for the 7th Black Watch.

Barrie

[Macthomas]

Yes the war diary sounds a good place to look for information and answers to this and other questions I have. Unfortunatly no one on this site apperars to have one and I cant find it on the NA website. this is a pity, as I have heard that the 7th Black Watch war diary was one of the most detailed of the war.

I remember being told that a fire somewhere, destroyed a lot of the papers concerning 7BW, I hope that didnt include this war diary.

Ian

[barrieduncan]

Have you asked the staff at the NA where it is? Is it possible that its not on the list of diaries available for download online, but is actually at the NA? Could also try the BW museum in Perth to see if they have a copy of it, or at least know if it still exists.

[Simon Jones]

1/7th Black Watch War Diary is WO95/2877. I have used it, it is about average as war diaries go but may give you the name of the ship.

Simon