8th Battalion of the Black Watch

[Guest jackie nash]

I am trying to find out where this battalion was on 24th March 1918 when my great uncle, David Kelly Geary died at the age of 19. His service number was 23131 and he was first assigned to a training unti 1/1972 38th T R Battalion

I would be most interested if anyone has any information about the battalion at this stage in the war or has a war diary or knows anything about that training reserve

From

Jackie Nash

[truthergw]

Hi Jackie, welcome to the forum. On 24th March, 9th Div were fighting on the line of the Bapaume - Peronne road. This was part of the defense against the March offensive by the Germans. That day, the South African Brigade who were part of the Division were almost wiped out. The 26th Bgde of which 8th BW were a part were on the Sailly Saillesail Ridge then retired through Guillemont and Maricourt. The fighting was very confused with forces retiring in several directions and attaching themselves to the nearest command. A force of 300 BW retired Northwards and grew in strength under the name of Hadow's Force. and ended up 2000 strong at Mericourt. All of these placenames are familiar as sites of actions during the 1916 battle of the Somme. I give you a couple more snippets . " Sunday, 24th March, was one of the most dismal days of the retreat". " ...the terrific fighting all along our front all but shattered our defences".

I am afraid I have no information about the training unit.