Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox military unit |
{{Infobox military unit |
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| unit_name |
| unit_name =Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) |
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| image |
| image =Badge, regimental (AM 1964.46-1).jpg |
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| image_size |
| image_size = |
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| caption |
| caption =Cap badge |
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| dates |
| dates =1 July 1881 – present |
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| country |
| country ={{flag|United Kingdom}} |
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| branch |
| branch ={{army|United Kingdom}} |
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| type |
| type =[[Line infantry]] |
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| role |
| role =Light Infantry Company / SCPD |
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| size |
| size =One reinforced company |
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| current_commander |
| current_commander = |
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| garrison |
| garrison =RHQ – [[Stirling Castle]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/perth-kinross/147256/thin-red-line-print-heading-to-argyll-and-sutherland-highlanders-stirling-hq/|title=Thin Red Line print heading to Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders' Stirling HQ|publisher=The Courier|date=1 April 2014|accessdate=24 February 2021}}</ref><br />Company – [[Redford Barracks]] |
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| ceremonial_chief |
| ceremonial_chief =[[Charles III|King Charles III]] |
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| colonel_of_the_regiment |
| colonel_of_the_regiment = |
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| nickname |
| nickname =Thin Red Line |
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| motto |
| motto =''Ne Obliviscaris, Sans Peur'' |
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| colors |
| colors = |
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| identification_symbol |
| identification_symbol =[[File:ASH TRF.svg|100px]] |
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| identification_symbol_label |
| identification_symbol_label =Tactical Recognition Flash |
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| identification_symbol_2 |
| identification_symbol_2 = |
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| identification_symbol_2_label |
| identification_symbol_2_label= |
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| march |
| march ={{plainlist| |
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*Quick: ''[[Highland Laddie|Hielan' Laddie]]'' |
*Quick: ''[[Highland Laddie|Hielan' Laddie]]'' |
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*Quick: ''[[The Campbells Are Coming]]'' |
*Quick: ''[[The Campbells Are Coming]]'' |
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*Charge: ''Monymusk'' |
*Charge: ''Monymusk'' |
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*Funerals: ''Lochaber No More''}} |
*Funerals: ''Lochaber No More''}} |
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| mascot |
| mascot =A [[Shetland Pony]] named "Cruachan" |
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| battles |
| battles = |
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| notable_commanders |
| notable_commanders = |
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| anniversaries |
| anniversaries =[[Battle of Balaklava|Balaklava]] (25 October 1854) |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)''' was a [[line infantry]] [[regiment]] of the [[British Army]] that existed from 1881 until amalgamation into the [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]] on 28 March 2006. |
The '''Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)''' is a [[light infantry]] [[company (military unit)|company]] (designated as '''Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]]''') and was a [[line infantry]] [[regiment]] of the [[British Army]] that existed from 1881 until amalgamation into the [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]] on 28 March 2006. |
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The regiment was created under the [[Childers Reforms]] in 1881, as the '''Princess Louise's (Sutherland and Argyll Highlanders)''', by the amalgamation of the [[91st (Argyllshire Highlanders) Regiment of Foot]] and [[93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment of Foot]], amended the following year to reverse the order of the "Argyll" and "Sutherland" sub-titles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30076001|title=Imperial War Museum|access-date=27 Oct 2016}}</ref> The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was expanded to fifteen [[battalion]]s during the [[World War I|First World War]] (1914–1918) and nine during the [[World War II|Second World War]] (1939–1945). The 1st Battalion served in the [[1st Commonwealth Division]] in the [[Korean War]] and gained a high public profile for its role in Aden during 1967. |
The regiment was created under the [[Childers Reforms]] in 1881, as the '''Princess Louise's (Sutherland and Argyll Highlanders)''', by the amalgamation of the [[91st (Argyllshire Highlanders) Regiment of Foot]] and [[93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment of Foot]], amended the following year to reverse the order of the "Argyll" and "Sutherland" sub-titles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30076001|title=Imperial War Museum|access-date=27 Oct 2016}}</ref> The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was expanded to fifteen [[battalion]]s during the [[World War I|First World War]] (1914–1918) and nine during the [[World War II|Second World War]] (1939–1945). The 1st Battalion served in the [[1st Commonwealth Division]] in the [[Korean War]] and gained a high public profile for its role in Aden during 1967. |
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As part of the [[Delivering Security in a Changing World|restructuring of the British Army's infantry]] in 2006, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were amalgamated with the [[Royal Scots]], the [[King's Own Scottish Borderers]], the [[Royal Highland Fusiliers|Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment)]], the [[Black Watch|Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)]] and the [[Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)]] into the seven |
As part of the [[Delivering Security in a Changing World|restructuring of the British Army's infantry]] in 2006, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were amalgamated with the [[Royal Scots]], the [[King's Own Scottish Borderers]], the [[Royal Highland Fusiliers|Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment)]], the [[Black Watch|Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)]] and the [[Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)]] into the seven-battalion [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]]. Following a further round of defence cuts announced in July 2012, the 5th Battalion was reduced to a single light infantry company called Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders). |
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== History |
== History== |
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=== Formation |
=== Formation=== |
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It was formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the [[91st (Princess Louise's Argyllshire) Regiment]] and the [[93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment]] as outlined in the [[Childers Reforms]]. The regiment was one of the six Scottish line infantry regiments, and |
It was formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the [[91st (Princess Louise's Argyllshire) Regiment]] and the [[93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment]] as outlined in the [[Childers Reforms]]. The regiment was one of the six Scottish line infantry regiments, and wore the [[Sutherland]] district [[tartan]] (Government No. 1A) as its [[regimental tartan]]; this is a lightened version of the Black Watch (Government No. 1) sett. The unit also had the largest [[cap badge]] in the British Army. The uniform included the [[Glengarry]] as its ceremonial headdress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theargylls.co.uk/dress.php|title=Regimental Dress|publisher=The Argylls|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> |
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{{multiple image |
{{multiple image |
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| align |
| align =right |
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| direction |
| direction =horizontal |
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| image1 |
| image1 =Unknown portrait of Scottish soldier by W L H Skeen, Colombo, Ceylon, from mystery album (4354371004).jpg |
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| width1 |
| width1 =250 |
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| caption1 |
| caption1 =Unknown Lance Corporal of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Colombo, Ceylon}} |
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[[File:HighlandersPiperMajor.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Pipe Major]] |
[[File:HighlandersPiperMajor.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Pipe Major]] |
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At the Childers |
At the Childers Reforms amalgamation, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders already had a well-earned reputation for valour in the face of the enemy, most notably the 93rd (later 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) during the Crimean War. Here, the 93rd earned the sobriquet of "The Fighting Highlanders" and carried with it the status of having been the original "[[The Thin Red Line (Battle of Balaclava)|Thin Red Line]]". This title was bestowed following the action of the 93rd at Balaklava on 25 October 1854 in which this single battalion alone stood between the undefended British Army base at Balaklava and four squadrons of charging Russian cavalry.<ref>{{cite book|first=Orlando|last=Figes|page=244|title=Crimea|date=2012|publisher=Picador |isbn=9781250002525}}</ref> The 93rd, under the command of [[Colin Campbell, 1st Baron Clyde|Sir Colin Campbell]], not only held steady, but for the first time in the history of the British Army, broke a large cavalry charge using musket fire alone, without having been formed into a square.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.warlinks.com/memories/barker/ash |title=History of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders |publisher=Warlinks |access-date=25 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525233307/http://www.warlinks.com/memories/barker/ash |archive-date=25 May 2014 }}</ref> |
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This action was witnessed by the ''[[The Times|Times]]'' correspondent [[William Howard Russell]], who reported that nothing stood between the Russian cavalry and the defenceless British base but the "thin red streak tipped with a line of steel of the 93rd" a description immediately paraphrased and passed into folklore as "The Thin Red Line".<ref>Greenwood, ch. 8</ref> Later referred to by Kipling in his evocative poem "[[Tommy (Kipling poem)|Tommy]]", the saying came to epitomise everything the British Army stood for. This feat of arms is still recognised by the plain red and white dicing worn on the cap band of the A and SH Glengarry bonnets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.argylls.co.uk|title=The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Stirling Castle|publisher=Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders|access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> |
This action was witnessed by the ''[[The Times|Times]]'' correspondent [[William Howard Russell]], who reported that nothing stood between the Russian cavalry and the defenceless British base but the "thin red streak tipped with a line of steel of the 93rd" a description immediately paraphrased and passed into folklore as "The Thin Red Line".<ref>Greenwood, ch. 8.</ref> Later referred to by Kipling in his evocative poem "[[Tommy (Kipling poem)|Tommy]]", the saying came to epitomise everything the British Army stood for. This feat of arms is still recognised by the plain red and white dicing worn on the cap band of the A and SH Glengarry bonnets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.argylls.co.uk|title=The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Stirling Castle|publisher=Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders|access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> |
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=== Second Boer War |
=== Second Boer War=== |
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[[File:Boer War Memorial, Stirling Castle - geograph.org.uk - 192295.jpg|thumb|right|The Argyll and Sutherland Boer War Memorial at [[Stirling Castle]].]] |
[[File:Boer War Memorial, Stirling Castle - geograph.org.uk - 192295.jpg|thumb|right|The Argyll and Sutherland Boer War Memorial at [[Stirling Castle]].]] |
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The 1st Battalion arrived in the [[Cape Colony|Cape]] in November 1899 and formed part of the [[3rd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|3rd or Highland Brigade]]. The Argylls played leading roles in the [[Battle of Modder River]], the [[Battle of Magersfontein]], the [[Battle of Paardeberg]] and in an action at Roodepoort |
The 1st Battalion arrived in the [[Cape Colony|Cape]] in November 1899 and formed part of the [[3rd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|3rd or Highland Brigade]]. The Argylls played leading roles in the [[Battle of Modder River]], the [[Battle of Magersfontein]], the [[Battle of Paardeberg]], and in an action at Roodepoort immediately preceding the Battle of [[Doornkop]]. In June 1900, the battalion was transferred to a new brigade under Brigadier General George Cunningham. They operated around [[Pretoria]] and from April 1901, in the Eastern [[South African Republic|Transvaal]]. Sections of Argylls formed parts of the 2nd and 12th Battalions [[Mounted Infantry]], and a detachment, along with the [[Black Watch]], formed an escort for Captain J. E. Bearcroft's naval guns during the advance to Pretoria.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/imperial-units/528-argyll-and-sutherland-highlanders |title=Imperial Units – Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) |website=www.angloboerwar.com |publisher=Anglo Boer War website |access-date=26 July 2014}}</ref> |
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In 1908, the Volunteers and Militia were reorganised nationally, with the former becoming the [[Territorial Force]] and the latter the [[Special Reserve (militia)|Special Reserve]];<ref>{{cite web|url= |
In 1908, the Volunteers and Militia were reorganised nationally, with the former becoming the [[Territorial Force]] and the latter the [[Special Reserve (militia)|Special Reserve]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1908/mar/31/territorial-and-reserve-forces-act-1907|title=Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|date=31 March 1908|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812022930/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1908/mar/31/territorial-and-reserve-forces-act-1907|url-status=live}}</ref> the regiment now had two Reserve and five Territorial battalions.{{efn|These were the 3rd Battalion and 4th Battalion (both Special Reserve), with the 5th (Renfrewshire) Battalion at Finnart Street in [[Greenock]] (since demolished), the 6th (Renfrewshire) Battalion at [[High Street drill hall, Paisley|High Street]] in [[Paisley, Renfrewshire|Paisley]], the 7th Battalion at [[Princes Street drill hall, Stirling|Princes Street]] in [[Stirling]], the 8th (Argyllshire) Battalion at Queen Street in [[Dunoon]] (since demolished) and the 9th (Dunbartonshire) Battalion at [[Hartfield House, Dumbarton|Hartfield House]] in [[Dumbarton]] (all Territorial Force)}}<ref name="regiments">{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/091ASH.htm |title=Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders |publisher=Regiments.org |access-date=4 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051230132647/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/091ASH.htm |archive-date=30 December 2005 }}</ref> |
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=== First World War |
=== First World War=== |
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{{see also|List of battalions of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)#First World War}} |
{{see also|List of battalions of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)#First World War}} |
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[[File:Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders recruiting poster 1914.jpg|thumb|right|A 1914 recruiting poster for the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders]] |
[[File:Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders recruiting poster 1914.jpg|thumb|right|A 1914 recruiting poster for the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders]] |
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==== Regular Army |
==== Regular Army==== |
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The 1st Battalion landed at [[Le Havre]] as part of the [[81st Brigade (United Kingdom)|81st Brigade]] in the [[27th Division (United Kingdom)|27th Division]] in December 1914 for service on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]].<ref name=trail>{{cite web|url=http://www.1914-1918.net/argyll.htm|title=Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders|publisher=The Long, Long Trail|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> |
The 1st Battalion landed at [[Le Havre]] as part of the [[81st Brigade (United Kingdom)|81st Brigade]] in the [[27th Division (United Kingdom)|27th Division]] in December 1914 for service on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]].<ref name="trail">{{cite web|url=http://www.1914-1918.net/argyll.htm|title=Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders|publisher=The Long, Long Trail|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> |
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The 2nd Battalion landed at [[Boulogne-sur-Mer]] as part of the [[19th Light Brigade (United Kingdom)|19th Brigade]], which was operating independently, in August 1914 for service on the Western Front.<ref name=trail/> |
The 2nd Battalion landed at [[Boulogne-sur-Mer]] as part of the [[19th Light Brigade (United Kingdom)|19th Brigade]], which was operating independently, in August 1914 for service on the Western Front.<ref name="trail" /> |
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==== Territorial Force |
==== Territorial Force==== |
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The 1/5th (Renfrewshire) Battalion landed at [[Cape Helles]] as part of the [[157th (Highland Light Infantry) Brigade|157th Brigade]] in the [[52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division|52nd (Lowland) Division]] in June 1915; the battalion was evacuated to Egypt in January 1916 and then landed at [[Marseille]] in April 1918 for service on the Western Front.<ref name=trail/> |
The 1/5th (Renfrewshire) Battalion landed at [[Cape Helles]] as part of the [[157th (Highland Light Infantry) Brigade|157th Brigade]] in the [[52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division|52nd (Lowland) Division]] in June 1915; the battalion was evacuated to Egypt in January 1916 and then landed at [[Marseille]] in April 1918 for service on the Western Front.<ref name="trail" /> |
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The 1/6th (Renfrewshire) Battalion landed in France as part of the [[152nd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|152nd Brigade]] in the [[51st (Highland) Division]] in May 1915; the battalion moved to Italy in November 1917 but returned to France in April 1918.<ref name=trail/> |
The 1/6th (Renfrewshire) Battalion landed in France as part of the [[152nd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|152nd Brigade]] in the [[51st (Highland) Division]] in May 1915; the battalion moved to Italy in November 1917 but returned to France in April 1918.<ref name="trail" /> |
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The 1/7th Battalion landed in France as part of the [[10th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|10th Brigade]] in the [[4th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|4th Division]] in December 1914 for service on the Western Front.<ref name=trail/> |
The 1/7th Battalion landed in France as part of the [[10th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|10th Brigade]] in the [[4th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|4th Division]] in December 1914 for service on the Western Front.<ref name="trail" /> |
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The 1/8th (The Argyllshire) Battalion landed in France as part of the 152nd Brigade in the 51st (Highland) Division in May 1915 for service on the Western Front.<ref name=trail/> |
The 1/8th (The Argyllshire) Battalion landed in France as part of the 152nd Brigade in the 51st (Highland) Division in May 1915 for service on the Western Front.<ref name="trail" /> |
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The 1/9th (The Dumbartonshire) Battalion landed in France as part of the 81st Brigade in the 27th Division in February 1915 for service on the Western Front.<ref name=trail/> |
The 1/9th (The Dumbartonshire) Battalion landed in France as part of the 81st Brigade in the 27th Division in February 1915 for service on the Western Front.<ref name="trail" /> |
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==== New Armies |
==== New Armies==== |
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The 10th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur Mer as part of the [[27th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|27th Brigade]] in the [[9th (Scottish) Division]] in May 1915 for service on the Western Front.<ref name=trail/> |
The 10th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur Mer as part of the [[27th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|27th Brigade]] in the [[9th (Scottish) Division]] in May 1915 for service on the Western Front.<ref name="trail" /> |
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The 11th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the [[45th Brigade (United Kingdom)|45th Brigade]] in the [[15th (Scottish) Infantry Division|15th (Scottish) Division]] in July 1915 for service on the Western Front.<ref name=trail/> |
The 11th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the [[45th Brigade (United Kingdom)|45th Brigade]] in the [[15th (Scottish) Infantry Division|15th (Scottish) Division]] in July 1915 for service on the Western Front.<ref name="trail" /> |
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The 12th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 77th Brigade in the [[26th Division (United Kingdom)|26th Division]] in September 1915 but moved to [[Thessaloniki|Salonika]] in November 1915.<ref name=trail/> |
The 12th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 77th Brigade in the [[26th Division (United Kingdom)|26th Division]] in September 1915 but moved to [[Thessaloniki|Salonika]] in November 1915.<ref name="trail" /> |
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The 14th (Service) Battalion landed at Le Havre as part of the [[120th Brigade (United Kingdom)|120th Brigade]] in the [[40th Division (United Kingdom)|40th Division]] in June 1916 for service on the Western Front.<ref name=trail/> |
The 14th (Service) Battalion landed at Le Havre as part of the [[120th Brigade (United Kingdom)|120th Brigade]] in the [[40th Division (United Kingdom)|40th Division]] in June 1916 for service on the Western Front.<ref name="trail" /> |
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==== Irish War of Independence |
==== Irish War of Independence==== |
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During the [[Irish War of Independence]], the 2nd Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was sent to be stationed in [[Claremorris]], [[County Mayo]] in 1919.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders|url=http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/093-1.html|publisher=Regiments|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060109075349/http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/093-1.htm|access-date=1 April 2021|archive-date=9 January 2006}}</ref> Though the battalion's time in Ireland was mostly uneventful, soldiers from the regiment were involved in the death of [[Captain]] Patrick "Paddy" Boland, the [[officer commanding]] of the Crossard Company, East Mayo Brigade of the [[Irish Republican Army (1919–1922)|Irish Republican Army]] (IRA). On 27 May 1921, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders shot and killed Boland while he was allegedly attempting to escape near his home in [[Aghamore, County Mayo|Aghamore]]; Boland's body was reportedly severely mutilated after his death.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.mercierpress.ie/contentFiles/productExtracts/Men%20Will%20Talk%20First%20Chapter.pdf|title=The Men Will Talk to Me: Mayo Interviews|first=Ernie |last=O'Malley| |
During the [[Irish War of Independence]], the 2nd Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was sent to be stationed in [[Claremorris]], [[County Mayo]] in 1919.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders|url=http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/093-1.html|publisher=Regiments|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060109075349/http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/093-1.htm|access-date=1 April 2021|archive-date=9 January 2006}}</ref> Though the battalion's time in Ireland was mostly uneventful, soldiers from the regiment were involved in the death of [[Captain]] Patrick "Paddy" Boland, the [[officer commanding]] of the Crossard Company, East Mayo Brigade of the [[Irish Republican Army (1919–1922)|Irish Republican Army]] (IRA). On 27 May 1921, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders shot and killed Boland while he was allegedly attempting to escape near his home in [[Aghamore, County Mayo|Aghamore]]; Boland's body was reportedly severely mutilated after his death.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.mercierpress.ie/contentFiles/productExtracts/Men%20Will%20Talk%20First%20Chapter.pdf|title=The Men Will Talk to Me: Mayo Interviews|first=Ernie |last=O'Malley|date=2014|page=17b/113|publisher=Mercier Press|isbn=9781781172063}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Flame and the Candle: War in Mayo 1919–1924|first=Dominic|last=Price|publisher=Collins Press|date=2012|isbn=9781848891364}}</ref><ref>"Interesting Extracts - Brief Personal notes on Parochial and other passing events" by Michael F Waldron, Knox Street, Ballyhaunis, 7 February 1953; re-printed in ''Annagh Parish Magazine'', 2007–09.</ref> |
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=== Second World War |
=== Second World War=== |
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{{see also|List of battalions of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)#Second World War}} |
{{see also|List of battalions of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)#Second World War}} |
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[[File:Lanchester 6x4 Armoured Car in Malaya.jpg|thumb|Men of the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders training with a [[Lanchester 6x4 Armoured Car|Lanchester six-wheeled armoured car]] in the Malayan jungle on 13 November 1941.]] |
[[File:Lanchester 6x4 Armoured Car in Malaya.jpg|thumb|Men of the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders training with a [[Lanchester 6x4 Armoured Car|Lanchester six-wheeled armoured car]] in the Malayan jungle on 13 November 1941.]] |
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The 1st Battalion fought in the [[Western Desert Campaign]], [[Battle of Crete|Crete]], [[Ethiopia|Abyssinia]], [[Allied invasion of Sicily|Sicily]] and in the [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]]. The first action for the 1st Battalion was at [[Battle of Sidi Barani|Sidi Barani]] where they joined the battle on 10 December 1940 as part of the [[16th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|16th Infantry Brigade]]. On 17 May 1941 the battalion moved to Crete where they formed part of the defence based on the east side of the island at [[Tymbaki]]. Most of the Argylls marched from Tymbaki to the airfield at [[Heraklion]] on the night of 24 May to help support the [[14th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|14th Infantry Brigade]] in the fighting at that airfield. They were successfully evacuated on 29 May from Heraklion but their convoy suffered air attacks and many casualties on the route away from Crete. The Argylls left at Tymbaki were captured when the island surrendered. The 1st Battalion was shipped to [[Alexandria]] and after garrison duties followed by a raid into the [[Gondar]] region of Abyssinia, they were sent back to the Western Desert where they were eventually attached to the [[161st Indian Infantry Brigade]], part of [[4th Infantry Division (India)|4th Indian Infantry Division]], and fought in the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]]. In 1943 the 1st Battalion landed on [[Sicily]] during Operation Husky, the [[Allied invasion of Sicily]], attached to the [[5th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|5th British Infantry Division]] as the [[Beach groups|33rd Beach Brick]]. From February 1944 the battalion fought through the [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]] with the [[19th Indian Infantry Brigade]], attached to [[8th Infantry Division (India)|8th Indian Infantry Division]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/ww2/allied/battalion.php?pid=790|title=1st Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders|publisher=Wartime Memories Project|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=4 June 2016|publisher=Order of Battle|title=19 Indian Brigade|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=1413&Tab=Sup|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120302030442/http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=1413&Tab=Sup|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> |
The 1st Battalion fought in the [[Western Desert Campaign]], [[Battle of Crete|Crete]], [[Ethiopia|Abyssinia]], [[Allied invasion of Sicily|Sicily]] and in the [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]]. The first action for the 1st Battalion was at [[Battle of Sidi Barani|Sidi Barani]] where they joined the battle on 10 December 1940 as part of the [[16th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|16th Infantry Brigade]]. On 17 May 1941 the battalion moved to Crete where they formed part of the defence based on the east side of the island at [[Tymbaki]]. Most of the Argylls marched from Tymbaki to the airfield at [[Heraklion]] on the night of 24 May to help support the [[14th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|14th Infantry Brigade]] in the fighting at that airfield. They were successfully evacuated on 29 May from Heraklion but their convoy suffered air attacks and many casualties on the route away from Crete. The Argylls left at Tymbaki were captured when the island surrendered. The 1st Battalion was shipped to [[Alexandria]] and after garrison duties followed by a raid into the [[Gondar]] region of Abyssinia, they were sent back to the Western Desert where they were eventually attached to the [[161st Indian Infantry Brigade]], part of [[4th Infantry Division (India)|4th Indian Infantry Division]], and fought in the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]]. In 1943 the 1st Battalion landed on [[Sicily]] during Operation Husky, the [[Allied invasion of Sicily]], attached to the [[5th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|5th British Infantry Division]] as the [[Beach groups|33rd Beach Brick]]. From February 1944 the battalion fought through the [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]] with the [[19th Indian Infantry Brigade]], attached to [[8th Infantry Division (India)|8th Indian Infantry Division]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/ww2/allied/battalion.php?pid=790|title=1st Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders|publisher=Wartime Memories Project|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=4 June 2016|publisher=Order of Battle|title=19 Indian Brigade|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=1413&Tab=Sup|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120302030442/http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=1413&Tab=Sup|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> |
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The 2nd Battalion fought valiantly against the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] during the fighting in [[Battle of Malaya|Malaya]] and [[Battle of Singapore|Singapore]] (See [[Battle of Bukit Timah]]). Led by the tough [[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Ian MacAlister Stewart|Ian Stewart]] they were one of the very few British units that was prepared for the jungle warfare in [[British Malaya|Malaya]]. In the months before the invasion of southern [[Thailand]] and Malaya in 1941, Stewart took his battalion into the harshest terrain he could find and developed tactics to fight effectively in those areas. This training that the 2nd Argylls went through would make them arguably the most effective unit in [[Arthur Percival|General Percival's]] Malayan Command, earning them the nickname "the jungle beasts".<ref>Jeffreys, p.16</ref> |
The 2nd Battalion fought valiantly against the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] during the fighting in [[Battle of Malaya|Malaya]] and [[Battle of Singapore|Singapore]] (See [[Battle of Bukit Timah]]). Led by the tough [[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Ian MacAlister Stewart|Ian Stewart]] they were one of the very few British units that was prepared for the jungle warfare in [[British Malaya|Malaya]]. In the months before the invasion of southern [[Thailand]] and Malaya in 1941, Stewart took his battalion into the harshest terrain he could find and developed tactics to fight effectively in those areas. This training that the 2nd Argylls went through would make them arguably the most effective unit in [[Arthur Percival|General Percival's]] Malayan Command, earning them the nickname "the jungle beasts".<ref>Jeffreys, p. 16.</ref> |
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During the withdrawal of the [[11th Infantry Division (India)|11th Indian Infantry Division]], the 2nd Argylls slowed the enemy advance and inflicted heavy casualties on them. During these actions the battalion became so depleted by battle that it was ordered back into Singapore. Two days later, 2,000 or so men of the 22nd Australian Brigade (the absolute tail guard of the British forces) arrived at the causeway. An Australian staff officer was amazed to find the |
During the withdrawal of the [[11th Infantry Division (India)|11th Indian Infantry Division]], the 2nd Argylls slowed the enemy advance and inflicted heavy casualties on them. During these actions the battalion became so depleted by battle that it was ordered back into Singapore. Two days later, 2,000 or so men of the 22nd Australian Brigade (the absolute tail guard of the British forces) arrived at the causeway. An Australian staff officer was amazed to find the Argylls camped on the Malay side of the water, and asked why they were in Malaya when they could have been in the relative comfort of Singapore. Lt. Col. Stewart replied "You know the trouble with you Australians is that you have no sense of history. When the story of this campaign is written you will find that the ASHR goes down as the last unit to cross this causeway what's more – piped across by their pipers".<ref>Thompson (2005), p. 251.</ref> |
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The Argylls had lost 800 men due to continuous action as rear guards (especially at the [[Battle of Slim River]]). When the remaining Argylls arrived in Singapore in December 1941, the battalion was reinforced with some [[Royal Marines]] who had survived the sinking of [[HMS Prince of Wales (53)|HMS ''Prince of Wales'']] and [[HMS Repulse (1916)|HMS ''Repulse'']]. The merger was held at [[Tyersall Park]], and the battalion was informally renamed "Plymouth Argylls". (This was in reference to the Argylls' affiliation with [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.]] and to the Plymouth Division of the Royal Marines, which all the Marines were from.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.royalmarineshistory.com/post/plymouth-argyll-royal-marines-fall-of-singapore |title=Plymouth Argyll Royal Marines |
The Argylls had lost 800 men due to continuous action as rear guards (especially at the [[Battle of Slim River]]). When the remaining Argylls arrived in Singapore in December 1941, the battalion was reinforced with some [[Royal Marines]] who had survived the sinking of [[HMS Prince of Wales (53)|HMS ''Prince of Wales'']] and [[HMS Repulse (1916)|HMS ''Repulse'']]. The merger was held at [[Tyersall Park]], and the battalion was informally renamed "Plymouth Argylls". (This was in reference to the Argylls' affiliation with [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.]] and to the Plymouth Division of the Royal Marines, which all the Marines were from.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.royalmarineshistory.com/post/plymouth-argyll-royal-marines-fall-of-singapore |title=Plymouth Argyll Royal Marines – Fall of Singapore|date=12 August 2020 |publisher=Royal Marines History|access-date=11 March 2022}}</ref> |
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The battalion surrendered with the rest of the army in Singapore in February 1942. Many Argylls died in captivity as [[Prisoners of War|P.O.W's]] or in the jungle trying to avoid capture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/ww2/allied/battalion.php?pid=791|title=2nd Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders|publisher=Wartime Memories Project|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> A few Argylls managed to escape to India, including Lt.Col. Stewart, where they lectured on jungle warfare tactics. After this the evacuees became part of No. 6 GHQ Training Team, which organised training exercises and lectures for the [[14th Indian Infantry Division]] and [[2nd Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|2nd British Infantry Division]].<ref>Jeffreys, p.17</ref> |
The battalion surrendered with the rest of the army in Singapore in February 1942. Many Argylls died in captivity as [[Prisoners of War|P.O.W's]] or in the jungle trying to avoid capture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/ww2/allied/battalion.php?pid=791|title=2nd Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders|publisher=Wartime Memories Project|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> A few Argylls managed to escape to India, including Lt.Col. Stewart, where they lectured on jungle warfare tactics. After this the evacuees became part of No. 6 GHQ Training Team, which organised training exercises and lectures for the [[14th Indian Infantry Division]] and [[2nd Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|2nd British Infantry Division]].<ref>Jeffreys, p. 17.</ref> |
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In May 1942, the 15th Battalion, raised during the war, was redesignated as the new 2nd Battalion. This battalion joined the [[227th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|227th (Highland) Infantry Brigade]] and became a part of the [[15th (Scottish) Infantry Division]], a formation that would gain an excellent reputation, in 1943. With the division, the battalion fought in the [[Battle for Caen]], seeing its first action in [[Operation Epsom]], as part of [[Operation Overlord]]. The division ended the war on the [[Elbe]] River.<ref>Levine, p.200</ref> |
In May 1942, the 15th Battalion, raised during the war, was redesignated as the new 2nd Battalion. This battalion joined the [[227th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|227th (Highland) Infantry Brigade]] and became a part of the [[15th (Scottish) Infantry Division]], a formation that would gain an excellent reputation, in 1943. With the division, the battalion fought in the [[Battle for Caen]], seeing its first action in [[Operation Epsom]], as part of [[Operation Overlord]]. The division ended the war on the [[Elbe]] River.<ref>Levine, p. 200.</ref> |
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[[File:The British Army in Normandy 1944 B5988.jpg|thumb|right|The 2nd Battalion, led by their piper, advance during [[Operation Epsom]] in Normandy in June 1944.]] |
[[File:The British Army in Normandy 1944 B5988.jpg|thumb|right|The 2nd Battalion, led by their piper, advance during [[Operation Epsom]] in Normandy in June 1944.]] |
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[[File:The British Army in France 1940 F4733.jpg|thumb|left|Men of the 7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Millbosche, France, 7 June 1940.]] |
[[File:The British Army in France 1940 F4733.jpg|thumb|left|Men of the 7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Millbosche, France, 7 June 1940.]] |
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The 7th Battalion was a [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] (TA) unit serving in the [[154th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|154th (Highland) Infantry Brigade]]. The brigade was part of the [[51st (Highland) Division|51st (Highland) Infantry Division]] in France in 1940 as part of the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]]. They were stationed on the [[Maginot Line]] and so avoided being encircled with the rest of the BEF during the [[Battle of France]]. The 7th Argylls in particular suffered heavy losses during the fighting, the worst day in its history. The 154th Brigade managed to be evacuated to England after the 51st (Highland) Division was forced to surrender on 12 June 1940.<ref name=7th>{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/ww2/allied/battalion.php?pid=796|title=7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders|publisher=Wartime Memories Project|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> The division was reconstituted by the redesignation of the [[9th (Highland) Infantry Division]] to the 51st. The understrength 154th Brigade of the old 51st was merged with the [[28th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|28th Infantry Brigade]]. In 1942 the new 51st Division, 7th Argylls included, were sent to join the [[Eighth Army (United Kingdom)|British Eighth Army]] in the [[North African Campaign]]. They fought in the [[First Battle of El Alamein]] and in the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]] which turned the tide of the war in favour of the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]].<ref name=7th/> During the fighting in North Africa, [[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Lorne MacLaine Campbell]] of 7th Argylls was awarded the [[Victoria Cross]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=36045|date=4 June 1943 |supp=y |page=2623}}</ref> In March 1942, two British privates from the 7th battalion, Macfarlane and Goldie, escaped wearing their blue work detail overalls over their battledress. They wore rucksacks to cover the markings "KG" (''Kriegsgefangener'', "prisoner of war") on their backs. They secreted themselves in a rail wagon carrying salt to [[Belgium]]. There they managed to contact an escape line and, by the middle of the year, they were safely back in Scotland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pegasusarchive.org/pow/cSt_9C_History1.htm|title=Secret Camp Histories Stalag IXC Muhlhausen|publisher=Pegasus Archive|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> |
The 7th Battalion was a [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] (TA) unit serving in the [[154th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|154th (Highland) Infantry Brigade]]. The brigade was part of the [[51st (Highland) Division|51st (Highland) Infantry Division]] in France in 1940 as part of the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]]. They were stationed on the [[Maginot Line]] and so avoided being encircled with the rest of the BEF during the [[Battle of France]]. The 7th Argylls in particular suffered heavy losses during the fighting, the worst day in its history. The 154th Brigade managed to be evacuated to England after the 51st (Highland) Division was forced to surrender on 12 June 1940.<ref name="7th">{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/ww2/allied/battalion.php?pid=796|title=7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders|publisher=Wartime Memories Project|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> The division was reconstituted by the redesignation of the [[9th (Highland) Infantry Division]] to the 51st. The understrength 154th Brigade of the old 51st was merged with the [[28th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|28th Infantry Brigade]]. In 1942 the new 51st Division, 7th Argylls included, were sent to join the [[Eighth Army (United Kingdom)|British Eighth Army]] in the [[North African Campaign]]. They fought in the [[First Battle of El Alamein]] and in the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]] which turned the tide of the war in favour of the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]].<ref name="7th" /> During the fighting in North Africa, [[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Lorne MacLaine Campbell]] of 7th Argylls was awarded the [[Victoria Cross]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=36045|date=4 June 1943 |supp=y |page=2623}}</ref> In March 1942, two British privates from the 7th battalion, Macfarlane and Goldie, escaped wearing their blue work detail overalls over their battledress. They wore rucksacks to cover the markings "KG" (''Kriegsgefangener'', "prisoner of war") on their backs. They secreted themselves in a rail wagon carrying salt to [[Belgium]]. There they managed to contact an escape line and, by the middle of the year, they were safely back in Scotland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pegasusarchive.org/pow/cSt_9C_History1.htm|title=Secret Camp Histories Stalag IXC Muhlhausen|publisher=Pegasus Archive|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> |
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The 8th Battalion was also a Territorial Army (TA) unit serving with the 7th Battalion in the 154th (Highland) Infantry Brigade. The brigade was part of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division in France in 1940 as part of the British Expeditionary Force. The 154th Brigade managed to be evacuated to England after the 51st (Highland) Division was forced to surrender on 12 June 1940.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/ww2/allied/battalion.php?pid=797|title=8th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders|publisher=Wartime Memories Project|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> On 25 April 1943, the 8th Battalion was, by this time, serving with the [[36th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|36th Brigade]], part of the [[78th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|78th ''Battleaxe'' Division]] during the [[Tunisian Campaign]] won fame during the assault of Djebel Ahmera hill on the [[Battle of Longstop Hill (1943)|attack on Longstop Hill]], in which despite heavy casualties from mortar and machine gun fire scaled and took the heights. [[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]] [[John Thompson McKellar Anderson]], for inspiring his men and eliminating strong points, gained the [[Victoria Cross]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=36071 |supp=y |date=25 June 1943 |pages=2937–2938 }}</ref> |
The 8th Battalion was also a Territorial Army (TA) unit serving with the 7th Battalion in the 154th (Highland) Infantry Brigade. The brigade was part of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division in France in 1940 as part of the British Expeditionary Force. The 154th Brigade managed to be evacuated to England after the 51st (Highland) Division was forced to surrender on 12 June 1940.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/ww2/allied/battalion.php?pid=797|title=8th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders|publisher=Wartime Memories Project|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> On 25 April 1943, the 8th Battalion was, by this time, serving with the [[36th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|36th Brigade]], part of the [[78th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|78th ''Battleaxe'' Division]] during the [[Tunisian Campaign]] won fame during the assault of Djebel Ahmera hill on the [[Battle of Longstop Hill (1943)|attack on Longstop Hill]], in which despite heavy casualties from mortar and machine gun fire scaled and took the heights. [[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]] [[John Thompson McKellar Anderson]], for inspiring his men and eliminating strong points, gained the [[Victoria Cross]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=36071 |supp=y |date=25 June 1943 |pages=2937–2938 }}</ref> |
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The 9th Battalion, also a Territorial unit, was converted to artillery as the 54th Light [[Anti-aircraft warfare|Anti-Aircraft]] Regiment, [[Royal Artillery]] comprising three batteries from the former [[Company (military unit)|Companies]]: 160 (Dumbarton), 161 (Alexandria) and 162 (Helensburgh).<ref>Royle 2011 p.{{url|{{Google books|isEYzq9OwxUC|page=PT37|keywords=|text=162/54th+LAA|plainurl=yes}}|36}}</ref> Former B Company (Kirkintilloch) and D Company (Clydebank) formed the nucleus of the second-line regiment, the 58th LAA, comprising 172,173 and 174 Batteries.<ref name="NL44-45">{{cite web |url=https://www.royalartilleryunitsnetherlands1944-1945.com/58-laa-regiment.html|title=58 LAA Regiment|access-date=5 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="WarMemoriesProject">{{cite web |url=https://wartimememoriesproject.com/ww2/allied/battalion.php?pid=6194|title= |
The 9th Battalion, also a Territorial unit, was converted to artillery as the 54th Light [[Anti-aircraft warfare|Anti-Aircraft]] Regiment, [[Royal Artillery]] comprising three batteries from the former [[Company (military unit)|Companies]]: 160 (Dumbarton), 161 (Alexandria) and 162 (Helensburgh).<ref>Royle (2011) p. {{url|{{Google books|isEYzq9OwxUC|page=PT37|keywords=|text=162/54th+LAA|plainurl=yes}}|36}}.</ref> Former B Company (Kirkintilloch) and D Company (Clydebank) formed the nucleus of the second-line regiment, the 58th LAA, comprising 172,173 and 174 Batteries.<ref name="NL44-45">{{cite web |url=https://www.royalartilleryunitsnetherlands1944-1945.com/58-laa-regiment.html|title=58 LAA Regiment|access-date=5 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="WarMemoriesProject">{{cite web |url=https://wartimememoriesproject.com/ww2/allied/battalion.php?pid=6194|title=58th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery in the Second World War 1939–1945|work=Wartime Memories Project|access-date=5 November 2019}}</ref> |
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Armed with [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|Bofors]] and [[Lewis gun]]s, the 54th saw action protecting the rear of the retreat of the BEF to Dunkirk, destroying the Bofors before rescue. 162 Battery became detached protecting airfields at [[Reims]] and escaped in June via Brest, St. Nazaire and La Rochelle.<ref>Barker 1950 pp.3–30</ref><ref>Royle 2011 p {{url|{{Google books|isEYzq9OwxUC|page=PT38|keywords=|text=162/54th+LAA|plainurl=yes}}|38}}</ref> Between Dunkirk and D-Day they were deployed mostly in training and protecting airfields and other sites in England, including Manchester, as part of [[44th Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)|44th AA Brigade]]. They participated in [[Operation Harlequin]] on the south coast. They were then transferred to [[9th Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|9th Armoured Division]] until its dispersal in 1944 and then to the [[21st Army Group]].<ref>Barker 1950 pp.34–35,50,56</ref> They were deployed after D-Day, in August 1944, in support of the [[First Canadian Army]], landing at [[Juno Beach]]. They provided support at [[Rouen]] and [[Pont-de-l'Arche]] and onward through northern France to [[Boulogne-sur-Mer|Boulogne]] and subsequently [[Antwerp]] and [[Ostend]] in Belgium. In November they moved onward to [[Kloosterzande]], Holland, remaining there until the end of the war. They continued into Germany as part of the [[British Army of the Rhine|BAOR]], helping guard [[Prisoner of war#Treatment of POWs by the Western Allies|POWs]] at [[Munsterlager]] until November 1945, then on to [[Braunschweig|Brunswick]] until early 1946 when the regiment was put into "suspended animation" and demobilised.<ref>Barker 1950 pp.62,73,86,96</ref> |
Armed with [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|Bofors]] and [[Lewis gun]]s, the 54th saw action protecting the rear of the retreat of the BEF to Dunkirk, destroying the Bofors before rescue. 162 Battery became detached protecting airfields at [[Reims]] and escaped in June via Brest, St. Nazaire and La Rochelle.<ref>Barker (1950), pp. 3–30.</ref><ref>Royle (2011) p. {{url|{{Google books|isEYzq9OwxUC|page=PT38|keywords=|text=162/54th+LAA|plainurl=yes}}|38}}.</ref> Between Dunkirk and D-Day they were deployed mostly in training and protecting airfields and other sites in England, including Manchester, as part of [[44th Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)|44th AA Brigade]]. They participated in [[Operation Harlequin]] on the south coast. They were then transferred to [[9th Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|9th Armoured Division]] until its dispersal in 1944 and then to the [[21st Army Group]].<ref>Barker (1950), pp. 34–35, 50, 56.</ref> They were deployed after D-Day, in August 1944, in support of the [[First Canadian Army]], landing at [[Juno Beach]]. They provided support at [[Rouen]] and [[Pont-de-l'Arche]] and onward through northern France to [[Boulogne-sur-Mer|Boulogne]] and subsequently [[Antwerp]] and [[Ostend]] in Belgium. In November they moved onward to [[Kloosterzande]], Holland, remaining there until the end of the war. They continued into Germany as part of the [[British Army of the Rhine|BAOR]], helping guard [[Prisoner of war#Treatment of POWs by the Western Allies|POWs]] at [[Munsterlager]] until November 1945, then on to [[Braunschweig|Brunswick]] until early 1946 when the regiment was put into "suspended animation" and demobilised.<ref>Barker (1950), pp. 62, 73, 86, 96.</ref> |
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The 58th joined the BEF and participated in the defence of Boulogne and Calais.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/UK-NWE-Flanders-10.html|title=The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940 |
The 58th joined the BEF and participated in the defence of Boulogne and Calais.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/UK-NWE-Flanders-10.html |title=The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940 |chapter=X: Defence of the Channel Ports (22nd May to 26th May, 1940) |publisher=[[HMSO]] |location=London |date=2007 |orig-year=1953 |first=L. F. |last=Ellis |via=HyperWar Foundation and iBiblio |pages=153, 161, 163}}</ref> |
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From May 1941 they served as part of [[11th Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|11th Armoured Division]] initially as part of 11th Support Group until it was disbanded 1 June 1942, then transferring to Divisional Troops. |
From May 1941 they served as part of [[11th Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|11th Armoured Division]], initially as part of 11th Support Group until it was disbanded 1 June 1942, then transferring to Divisional Troops. |
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In 1944 they were deployed in [[Operation Overlord]] and later that year south and east of Eindhoven, Holland.<ref name="NL44-45"/><ref name="WarMemoriesProject"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/battle-of-normandy/forces/gb/11th-armoured-division|title=11th (GB) Armoured Division battle order |
In 1944, they were deployed in [[Operation Overlord]] and later that year south and east of Eindhoven, Holland.<ref name="NL44-45" /><ref name="WarMemoriesProject" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/battle-of-normandy/forces/gb/11th-armoured-division|title=11th (GB) Armoured Division battle order – 1944 – Battle of Normandy|date=3 December 2017 |access-date=5 November 2019}}</ref> |
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=== After the War |
=== After the War=== |
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Between 1945 and 1948 the 1st Battalion saw service in [[Mandatory Palestine]], during the conflicts with the Jewish paramilitary organisations [[Irgun]], [[Haganah]] and [[Lehi (group)|Lehi]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Exhibition: Palestine: a forgotten conflict?|url=http://www.rememberingscotlandatwar.org.uk/Accessible/Exhibition/253/Palestine-a-forgotten-confllict|access-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423020740/http://www.rememberingscotlandatwar.org.uk/Accessible/Exhibition/253/Palestine-a-forgotten-confllict|archive-date=23 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
Between 1945 and 1948, the 1st Battalion saw service in [[Mandatory Palestine]], during the conflicts with the Jewish paramilitary organisations [[Irgun]], [[Haganah]] and [[Lehi (group)|Lehi]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Exhibition: Palestine: a forgotten conflict?|url=http://www.rememberingscotlandatwar.org.uk/Accessible/Exhibition/253/Palestine-a-forgotten-confllict|access-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423020740/http://www.rememberingscotlandatwar.org.uk/Accessible/Exhibition/253/Palestine-a-forgotten-confllict|archive-date=23 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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In 1948, the 2nd Battalion was amalgamated with the 1st Battalion. The battalion was one of the first British units to serve in the [[Korean War]], arriving there in September 1950 as part of the [[27th British Commonwealth Brigade]]. Its first major action, in the [[Battle of Pusan Perimeter|battle of Naktong]], the battalion was involved in a tragic friendly fire incident, in the fight for [[Battle of Hill 282|Hill 282]].<ref>{{cite news |title= |
In 1948, the 2nd Battalion was amalgamated with the 1st Battalion. The battalion was one of the first British units to serve in the [[Korean War]], arriving there in September 1950 as part of the [[27th British Commonwealth Brigade]]. Its first major action, in the [[Battle of Pusan Perimeter|battle of Naktong]], the battalion was involved in a tragic friendly fire incident, in the fight for [[Battle of Hill 282|Hill 282]].<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. Planes Bomb British Units by Mistake |first=A. A. P. |last=Rueter |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=25 September 1950 |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2800200}}</ref> The Argylls were noted for their reoccupation of the [[Crater (Aden)|Crater]] district of [[Aden]], under controversial [[Commanding officer]], Lieutenant Colonel [[Colin Campbell Mitchell]], during the [[Aden Emergency]] in the mid 1960s.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Argylls in Aden: reocupation of the Crater|url=http://www.argylls1945to1971.co.uk/A_and_SH_Aden_Re-entryintoCrater.htm|publisher=The Argylls|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> |
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In 1970, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, as the junior regiment of the Scottish Division, faced disbandment as part of a general downsizing of the army. A "Save the Argylls" campaign involving the petitioning of Parliament resulted in a compromise under which a [[British Army incremental infantry companies|single regular company]] retained the title and colours of the regiment. "Balaclava Company" continued as an independent unit from 20 January 1971 until the regiment was restored to full battalion size on 17 January 1972.<ref name=bau>{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/argyll-and-sutherland-highlanders.html|title=Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> Between 1972 and 1974 detachments from the regiment regularly served in [[Northern Ireland]] at the height of [[the Troubles]].<ref name=bau/> In January 2004 the regiment was deployed to the [[Iraq War]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/world/argylls-fight-hand-to-hand-in-iraq-1-1394156|title=Argylls fight hand to hand in Iraq|date=16 May 2004|newspaper=The Scotsman|access-date=5 June 2016}}</ref> |
In 1970, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, as the junior regiment of the Scottish Division, faced disbandment as part of a general downsizing of the army. A "Save the Argylls" campaign involving the petitioning of Parliament resulted in a compromise under which a [[British Army incremental infantry companies|single regular company]] retained the title and colours of the regiment. "Balaclava Company" continued as an independent unit from 20 January 1971 until the regiment was restored to full battalion size on 17 January 1972.<ref name="bau">{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/argyll-and-sutherland-highlanders.html|title=Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> Between 1972 and 1974 detachments from the regiment regularly served in [[Northern Ireland]] at the height of [[the Troubles]].<ref name="bau" /> In January 2004 the regiment was deployed to the [[Iraq War]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/world/argylls-fight-hand-to-hand-in-iraq-1-1394156|title=Argylls fight hand to hand in Iraq|date=16 May 2004|newspaper=The Scotsman|access-date=5 June 2016}}</ref> |
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[[File:British Army Sniper MOD 45154902.jpg|thumb|right|A [[sniper]] of 5 SCOTS (The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) during Exercise ''Boar's Head'' at [[Otterburn Training Area]] in February 2012.]] |
[[File:British Army Sniper MOD 45154902.jpg|thumb|right|A [[sniper]] of 5 SCOTS (The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) during Exercise ''Boar's Head'' at [[Otterburn Training Area]] in February 2012.]] |
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On 5 July 2012, a further series of measures to reduce the total size of the British Army were announced by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond. These included the reduction of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (5 SCOTS) to a single company (Balaklava Company) for public (ceremonial) duties in Scotland.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18716375 |title=Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders downgraded in MoD cuts plan|work=BBC News|date=5 July 2012|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref> [[Queen Elizabeth II|The Queen]] visited the Highlanders at [[Howe Barracks]] in [[Canterbury]] in June 2013 to mark their relocation to Scotland.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-23105986|title=Queen visits Howe Barracks in Canterbury ahead of closure|work=BBC News|date=28 June 2013|access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> |
On 5 July 2012, a further series of measures to reduce the total size of the British Army were announced by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond. These included the reduction of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (5 SCOTS) to a single company (Balaklava Company) for public (ceremonial) duties in Scotland.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18716375 |title=Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders downgraded in MoD cuts plan|work=BBC News|date=5 July 2012|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref> [[Queen Elizabeth II|The Queen]] visited the Highlanders at [[Howe Barracks]] in [[Canterbury]] in June 2013 to mark their relocation to Scotland.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-23105986|title=Queen visits Howe Barracks in Canterbury ahead of closure|work=BBC News|date=28 June 2013|access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> |
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When the company is mounting royal guard/guard duties they are divided into two platoons; Pony Platoon (ceremonial) and Security Platoon. When not mounting guard, the company is divided into No.1 and No.2 platoons for regular deployment. Following the [[Army 2020 Refine]], the company moved to [[Redford Barracks]] where they remain as part of the [[51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/royal-regiment-of-scotland/|title=Royal Regiment of Scotland|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-10-10}}</ref> |
When the company is mounting royal guard/guard duties they are divided into two platoons; Pony Platoon (ceremonial) and Security Platoon. When not mounting guard, the company is divided into No. 1 and No. 2 platoons for regular deployment. Following the [[Army 2020 Refine]], the company moved to [[Redford Barracks]] where they remain as part of the [[51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/royal-regiment-of-scotland/|title=Royal Regiment of Scotland|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-10-10}}</ref> |
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==Regimental museum== |
==Regimental museum== |
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The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum is the [[regimental museum]] of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, their antecedent regiments and successor battalions. Located in [[Stirling Castle]], the museum building was built in the 1490s, and known as the "King's House" or "King's Old Building", thought to have been the private residence of King James IV.<ref>[http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/home/experience/story/argyllandhighlandersmusuem.htm Historic Scotland] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020020032/http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/home/experience/story/argyllandhighlandersmusuem.htm |date=20 October 2014 }}, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders' Regimental Museum</ref> Entrance to the museum is included in the price of the castle entrance ticket. The museum is almost entirely maintained through public donations; the modest grant from the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] has been withdrawn.<ref>The Thin Red Line – Regimental Magazine of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, |
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum is the [[regimental museum]] of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, their antecedent regiments, and successor battalions. Located in [[Stirling Castle]], the museum building was built in the 1490s, and known as the "King's House" or "King's Old Building", thought to have been the private residence of King James IV.<ref>[http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/home/experience/story/argyllandhighlandersmusuem.htm Historic Scotland] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020020032/http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/home/experience/story/argyllandhighlandersmusuem.htm |date=20 October 2014 }}, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders' Regimental Museum</ref> Entrance to the museum is included in the price of the castle entrance ticket. The museum is almost entirely maintained through public donations; the modest grant from the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] has been withdrawn.<ref>''The Thin Red Line – Regimental Magazine of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders'', Vol. 71, No. 1.</ref> It is governed by a charitable trust: The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Trust.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.argylls.co.uk/museum |title=Welcome to the museum|publisher=Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum|access-date=15 June 2018}}</ref> |
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The museum closed for refurbishment |
The museum closed for refurbishment in August 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/TheArgyllAndSutherlandHighlandersRegimentalMuseum|title=Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum|website=[[Facebook]]|access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref> It re-opened again, following completion of a programme of works funded by the [[National Lottery Heritage Fund]] and costing £4 million, in June 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/castle-military-museum-opens-doors-24431308 |title=Castle military museum opens doors again after £4 million refurbishment|date=30 June 2021|newspaper=Daily Record|access-date=25 May 2023}}</ref> |
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A decision was made to refurbish the museum when detailed feasibility study was initiated in 2013 following the withdrawal of Ministry of Defence funding which made the museum unsustainable. In 2018 the Trustees entered into a partnership agreement with Historic Environment Scotland to assure the museum’s future. The museum contributes significantly to the overall visitor attraction. |
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The regiment's battle honours include:<ref name="regiments" /> |
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⚫ | *[[Battle of Blaauwberg|Cape of Good Hope 1806]], [[Battle of Roliça|Rolica]], [[Battle of Vimeiro|Vimeira]], [[Battle of Corunna|Corunna]], [[Battle of the Pyrenees|Pyrenees]], [[Campaign in south-west France (1814)#Battle of the Nivelle, November 1813|Nivelle]], [[Campaign in south-west France (1814)#Battles of the Nive, December 1813|Nive]], [[Campaign in south-west France (1814)#Battle of Orthez, February 1814|Orthes]], [[Battle of Toulouse (1814)|Toulouse]], Peninsula, South Africa 1846–47, 1851–52–53, Alma, Balaklava, Sevastopol, Lucknow, [[South Africa 1879]], [[Battle of Modder River|Modder River]], [[Battle of Paardeberg|Paardeberg]], South Africa 1899–1902. |
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There was also a need to improve the understanding and care of the collection. Existing storage facilities and environmental conditions were poor and management of the collection presented challenges. This was upgraded during the redevelopment. |
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⚫ | *'''The Great War''' – Mons, Le Cateau, [[Retreat from Mons]], [[Marne 1914]], 18, [[Aisne 1914]], [[La Bassée 1914]], [[Messines 1914]], 18, Armentières 1914, [[Ypres 1915]], 17, 18, Gravenstafel, St Julien, Frezenberg, Bellewaarde, Festubert 1915, Loos, Somme 1916, 18, [[Albert 1916]], 18, Bazentin, Delville Wood, Pozières, Flers-Courcelette, Morval, Le Transloy, [[Ancre Heights]], [[Ancre 1916]], [[Arras 1917]],18, [[Scarpe 1917]], 18, Arleux, Pilckem, [[Menin Road]], [[Polygon Wood]], Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, [[Cambrai 1917]],18, St Quentin, [[Bapaume 1918]], Rosières, Lys, Estaires, Hazebrouck, Bailleul, Kemmel, Bethune, Soissonnais-Ourcq, Tardenois, Amiens, Hindenburg Line, Epehy, Canal du Nord, St Quentin Canal, Beaurevoir, Kortrijk, Selle, Sambre, [[France and Flanders 1914–18]], [[Italy 1917–18]], Struma, [[Doiran 1917]], 18, [[Macedonia 1915–18]], [[Gallipoli Campaign|Gallipoli]] 1915–16, Rumani, Egypt 1916, Gaza, El Mughar, Nebi Samwil, Jaffa, [[Palestine 1917–18]]. |
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The museum aimed to attract new audiences through thematic interpretation and improved physical access throughout the building. A new entrance from the Inner Close (courtyard) ensured the Museum has greater visibility and was more accessible to Castle visitors, and the vaulted Ground Floor has been opened up. The removal of redundant non-historic walls has significantly increased gallery space by over one-third, whilst enhancing the historic gallery spaces. Overall, this has enabled a more comprehensive interpretation of The Argylls’ story and delivered a cohesive visitor journey. |
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The interpretation focuses on the wider interests of the audience through adopting a thematic approach, providing a more inclusive and engaging experience by exploring the story of Scotland and the UK through the prism of The Argylls’ story. The social history of the regiment is prominent linking into the regimental area and bringing to the fore the human story of the soldiers and their families. Importantly it reflects the soldiers’ values of courage, discipline, respect, integrity, loyalty and selfless commitment to create a cohesive narrative across the Museum. |
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The regiment's battle honours include:<ref name=regiments>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/091ASH.htm |title=Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders |publisher=Regiments.org |access-date=4 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051230132647/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/091ASH.htm |archive-date=30 December 2005 }}</ref> |
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⚫ | *[[Battle of Blaauwberg|Cape of Good Hope 1806]], [[Battle of Roliça|Rolica]], [[Battle of Vimeiro|Vimeira]], [[Battle of Corunna|Corunna]], [[Battle of the Pyrenees|Pyrenees]], [[Campaign in south-west France (1814)#Battle of the Nivelle, November 1813|Nivelle]], [[Campaign in south-west France (1814)#Battles of the Nive, December 1813|Nive]], [[Campaign in south-west France (1814)#Battle of Orthez, February 1814|Orthes]], [[Battle of Toulouse (1814)|Toulouse]], Peninsula, South Africa |
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⚫ | *'''The Great War''' – Mons, Le Cateau, [[Retreat from Mons]], [[Marne 1914]], 18, [[Aisne 1914]], [[La Bassée 1914]], [[Messines 1914]], 18, Armentières 1914, [[Ypres 1915]], 17, 18, Gravenstafel, St Julien, Frezenberg, Bellewaarde, Festubert 1915, Loos, Somme 1916, 18, [[Albert 1916]], 18, Bazentin, Delville Wood, Pozières, Flers-Courcelette, Morval, Le Transloy, [[Ancre Heights]], [[Ancre 1916]], [[Arras 1917]],18, [[Scarpe 1917]], 18, Arleux, Pilckem, [[Menin Road]], [[Polygon Wood]], Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, [[Cambrai 1917]],18, St Quentin, [[Bapaume 1918]], Rosières, Lys, Estaires, Hazebrouck, Bailleul, Kemmel, Bethune, Soissonnais-Ourcq, Tardenois, Amiens, Hindenburg Line, Epehy, Canal du Nord, St Quentin Canal, Beaurevoir, Kortrijk, Selle, Sambre, [[France and Flanders 1914–18]], [[Italy 1917–18]], Struma, [[Doiran 1917]],18, [[Macedonia 1915–18]], [[Gallipoli Campaign|Gallipoli]] 1915–16, Rumani, Egypt 1916, Gaza, El Mughar, Nebi Samwil, Jaffa, [[Palestine 1917–18]]. |
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*'''The Second World War'''– Somme 1940, Odon, Tourmauville Bridge, Caen, Esquay, Mont Pincon, Quarry Hill, Estry, Falaise, Dives Crossing, Aart, Lower Maas, Meijel, Venlo Pocket, Ourthe, Rhineland, Reichswald, Rhine, Uelzen, Artlenburg, [[North-West Europe 1940]], 44–45, Abyssinia 1941, [[Sidi Barrani]], El Alamein, Medenine, Akarit, Diebel Azzag 1942, Kef Ouiba Pass, Mine de Sedjenane, Medjez Plain, [[Longstop Hill]] 1943, [[North Africa 1940–43]], Landing in Sicily, Gerbini, Adrano, Centuripe, [[Sicily 1943]], Termoli, Sangro, [[Cassino II]], Liri Valley, Aquino, Monte Casalino, Monte Spaduro, Monte Grande, Senio, Santerno Crossing, Argenta Gap, [[Italy 1943–45]], Crete, Heraklion, Middle East 1941, North Malaya, Grik Road, Central Malaya, Ipoh, Slim River, Singapore Island, [[Malaya 1941–42]]. |
*'''The Second World War'''– Somme 1940, Odon, Tourmauville Bridge, Caen, Esquay, Mont Pincon, Quarry Hill, Estry, Falaise, Dives Crossing, Aart, Lower Maas, Meijel, Venlo Pocket, Ourthe, Rhineland, Reichswald, Rhine, Uelzen, Artlenburg, [[North-West Europe 1940]], 44–45, Abyssinia 1941, [[Sidi Barrani]], El Alamein, Medenine, Akarit, Diebel Azzag 1942, Kef Ouiba Pass, Mine de Sedjenane, Medjez Plain, [[Longstop Hill]] 1943, [[North Africa 1940–43]], Landing in Sicily, Gerbini, Adrano, Centuripe, [[Sicily 1943]], Termoli, Sangro, [[Cassino II]], Liri Valley, Aquino, Monte Casalino, Monte Spaduro, Monte Grande, Senio, Santerno Crossing, Argenta Gap, [[Italy 1943–45]], Crete, Heraklion, Middle East 1941, North Malaya, Grik Road, Central Malaya, Ipoh, Slim River, Singapore Island, [[Malaya 1941–42]]. |
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*'''Korean War''' – Pakchon, Korea 1950–51. |
*'''Korean War''' – Pakchon, Korea 1950–51. |
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== Victoria Cross recipients |
== Victoria Cross recipients== |
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{{further|Victoria Cross}} |
{{further|Victoria Cross}} |
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==Colonels-in- |
==Colonels-in-chief== |
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Colonels-in-chief of the regiment were:<ref name="regiments" /> |
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* |
*1914–1939: [[Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll]], CI, GCVO, GBE, RRC |
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* |
*1947–2006: [[Queen Elizabeth II]], LG, CI, GCSTJ |
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==Regimental |
==Regimental colonels== |
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Colonels of the regiment were:<ref name= |
Colonels of the regiment were:<ref name="regiments" /> |
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*1881–1888 (1st Battalion): Gen. [[James Robertson Craufurd]] (ex [[91st (Argyllshire Highlanders) Regiment of Foot|91st Foot]]) |
*1881–1888 (1st Battalion): Gen. [[James Robertson Craufurd]] (ex [[91st (Argyllshire Highlanders) Regiment of Foot|91st Foot]]) |
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*1881–1888: (2nd Battalion): Gen. Hon. Sir [[Robert Rollo (British Army officer)|Robert Rollo]], KCB (ex [[93rd Foot]]) |
*1881–1888: (2nd Battalion): Gen. Hon. Sir [[Robert Rollo (British Army officer)|Robert Rollo]], KCB (ex [[93rd Foot]]) |
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*''2006: Regiment amalgamated with The [[Royal Scots]], The [[Royal Highland Fusiliers]], The [[King's Own Scottish Borderers]], The [[Black Watch]] and The [[Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)]] to form The [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]]'' |
*''2006: Regiment amalgamated with The [[Royal Scots]], The [[Royal Highland Fusiliers]], The [[King's Own Scottish Borderers]], The [[Black Watch]] and The [[Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)]] to form The [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]]'' |
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== Affiliations |
== Affiliations== |
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Units that have formed affiliations with the regiment include:<ref name=regiments/> |
Units that have formed affiliations with the regiment include:<ref name="regiments" /> |
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*{{CAN}} – The [[Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada]] (Princess Louise's) |
*{{CAN}} – The [[Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada]] (Princess Louise's) |
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*{{CAN}} – [[The Calgary Highlanders]] |
*{{CAN}} – [[The Calgary Highlanders]] |
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*{{UK}} – Balaklava Company, West Lowland Battalion ACF |
*{{UK}} – Balaklava Company, West Lowland Battalion ACF |
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== See also |
== See also== |
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* [[Notable members of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]] |
* [[Notable members of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]] |
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* [[Armed forces in Scotland]] |
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* [[Military history of Scotland]] |
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== Notes== |
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{{notelist}} |
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{{reflist|30em}} |
{{reflist|30em}} |
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== Sources |
== Sources== |
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*{{Cite book|last=Frederick|first=J. B. M.|title=Lineage Book of British Land Forces |
*{{Cite book|last=Frederick|first=J. B. M.|title=Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660–1978, Volume I|publisher=Microform Academic Publishers|date=1984|isbn=1851170073|location=[[Wakefield]], [[United Kingdom]]}} |
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*{{cite book|last=Barker |first=F.R.P. |title=History of the 9th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 54th Light A.A. Regiment |
*{{cite book|last=Barker |first=F. R. P. |title=History of the 9th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 54th Light A.A. Regiment 1939–45|publisher=Thomas Nelson and Sons|date=1950|oclc=493113190}} |
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* |
*{{cite book|last=Jeffreys|first= Alan|title=British Infantrymen in the Far East 1941–1945|publisher=Osprey Publishing|date=2003|isbn=1841764485}} |
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* |
*{{cite book|last=Levine|first=Alan|title=D-Day to Berlin: The Northwest Europe Campaign, 1944–45|publisher=Stackpole|date=2007|isbn=9780811733861}} |
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* |
*{{cite book|last=Royle |first=Trevor |title=The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders: A Concise History |date=2011 |publisher=Random House |isbn=9781780572444}} |
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* |
*{{cite book|last=Thompson|first=P.|date=2005|title=The Battle for Singapore; The True Story of the Greatest Catastrophe of World War Two|publisher=Piatkus Books|isbn=9780749950996}} |
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== Further reading |
== Further reading== |
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* |
*{{cite book|last=Greenwood|first=Adrian|title=Victoria's Scottish Lion: The Life of Colin Campbell, Lord Clyde |author-link=Adrian Greenwood |date=2015|publisher=History Press | place=UK | page=496 |isbn=9780750956857| url=http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/index.php/victoria-s-scottish-lion-26465.html}} |
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|year=2015|publisher=History Press | place=UK | page=496 |isbn =978-0-75095-685-7| url=http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/index.php/victoria-s-scottish-lion-26465.html}} |
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== External links |
== External links== |
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{{Commons category|Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders}} |
{{Commons category|Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders}} |
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* |
*[http://7thbattalion.tumblr.com/ 7th battalion, the great war] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044329/http://7thbattalion.tumblr.com/ |date=4 March 2016 }} |
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*[http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/26343.aspx 5 SCOTS (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders)] – British Army website |
*[http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/26343.aspx 5 SCOTS (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders)] – British Army website |
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*[http://www.argylls.co.uk The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum] |
*[http://www.argylls.co.uk The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum] |
Revision as of 04:43, 8 July 2024
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) | |
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![]() Cap badge | |
Active | 1 July 1881 – present |
Land | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Typ | Line infantry |
Role | Light Infantry Company / SCPD |
Size | One reinforced company |
Garrison/HQ | RHQ – Stirling Castle[1] Company – Redford Barracks |
Nickname(s) | Thin Red Line |
Motto(s) | Ne Obliviscaris, Sans Peur |
March |
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Mascot(s) | A Shetland Pony named "Cruachan" |
Anniversaries | Balaklava (25 October 1854) |
Commanders | |
Ceremonial chief | King Charles III |
Insignia | |
Tactical Recognition Flash | ![]() |
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) is a light infantry company (designated as Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland) and was a line infantry regiment of the British Army that existed from 1881 until amalgamation into the Royal Regiment of Scotland on 28 March 2006.
The regiment was created under the Childers Reforms in 1881, as the Princess Louise's (Sutherland and Argyll Highlanders), by the amalgamation of the 91st (Argyllshire Highlanders) Regiment of Foot and 93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment of Foot, amended the following year to reverse the order of the "Argyll" and "Sutherland" sub-titles.[2] The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was expanded to fifteen battalions during the First World War (1914–1918) and nine during the Second World War (1939–1945). The 1st Battalion served in the 1st Commonwealth Division in the Korean War and gained a high public profile for its role in Aden during 1967.
As part of the restructuring of the British Army's infantry in 2006, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were amalgamated with the Royal Scots, the King's Own Scottish Borderers, the Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment), the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) and the Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) into the seven-battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland. Following a further round of defence cuts announced in July 2012, the 5th Battalion was reduced to a single light infantry company called Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders).
History
Formation
It was formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 91st (Princess Louise's Argyllshire) Regiment and the 93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment as outlined in the Childers Reforms. The regiment was one of the six Scottish line infantry regiments, and wore the Sutherland district tartan (Government No. 1A) as its regimental tartan; this is a lightened version of the Black Watch (Government No. 1) sett. The unit also had the largest cap badge in the British Army. The uniform included the Glengarry as its ceremonial headdress.[3]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/HighlandersPiperMajor.jpg/150px-HighlandersPiperMajor.jpg)
At the Childers Reforms amalgamation, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders already had a well-earned reputation for valour in the face of the enemy, most notably the 93rd (later 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) during the Crimean War. Here, the 93rd earned the sobriquet of "The Fighting Highlanders" and carried with it the status of having been the original "Thin Red Line". This title was bestowed following the action of the 93rd at Balaklava on 25 October 1854 in which this single battalion alone stood between the undefended British Army base at Balaklava and four squadrons of charging Russian cavalry.[4] The 93rd, under the command of Sir Colin Campbell, not only held steady, but for the first time in the history of the British Army, broke a large cavalry charge using musket fire alone, without having been formed into a square.[5]
This action was witnessed by the Times correspondent William Howard Russell, who reported that nothing stood between the Russian cavalry and the defenceless British base but the "thin red streak tipped with a line of steel of the 93rd" a description immediately paraphrased and passed into folklore as "The Thin Red Line".[6] Later referred to by Kipling in his evocative poem "Tommy", the saying came to epitomise everything the British Army stood for. This feat of arms is still recognised by the plain red and white dicing worn on the cap band of the A and SH Glengarry bonnets.[7]
Second Boer War
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/Boer_War_Memorial%2C_Stirling_Castle_-_geograph.org.uk_-_192295.jpg/220px-Boer_War_Memorial%2C_Stirling_Castle_-_geograph.org.uk_-_192295.jpg)
The 1st Battalion arrived in the Cape in November 1899 and formed part of the 3rd or Highland Brigade. The Argylls played leading roles in the Battle of Modder River, the Battle of Magersfontein, the Battle of Paardeberg, and in an action at Roodepoort immediately preceding the Battle of Doornkop. In June 1900, the battalion was transferred to a new brigade under Brigadier General George Cunningham. They operated around Pretoria and from April 1901, in the Eastern Transvaal. Sections of Argylls formed parts of the 2nd and 12th Battalions Mounted Infantry, and a detachment, along with the Black Watch, formed an escort for Captain J. E. Bearcroft's naval guns during the advance to Pretoria.[8]
In 1908, the Volunteers and Militia were reorganised nationally, with the former becoming the Territorial Force and the latter the Special Reserve;[9] the regiment now had two Reserve and five Territorial battalions.[a][10]
First World War
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Argyll_%26_Sutherland_Highlanders_recruiting_poster_1914.jpg/220px-Argyll_%26_Sutherland_Highlanders_recruiting_poster_1914.jpg)
Regular Army
The 1st Battalion landed at Le Havre as part of the 81st Brigade in the 27th Division in December 1914 for service on the Western Front.[11]
The 2nd Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 19th Brigade, which was operating independently, in August 1914 for service on the Western Front.[11]
Territorial Force
The 1/5th (Renfrewshire) Battalion landed at Cape Helles as part of the 157th Brigade in the 52nd (Lowland) Division in June 1915; the battalion was evacuated to Egypt in January 1916 and then landed at Marseille in April 1918 for service on the Western Front.[11]
The 1/6th (Renfrewshire) Battalion landed in France as part of the 152nd Brigade in the 51st (Highland) Division in May 1915; the battalion moved to Italy in November 1917 but returned to France in April 1918.[11]
The 1/7th Battalion landed in France as part of the 10th Brigade in the 4th Division in December 1914 for service on the Western Front.[11]
The 1/8th (The Argyllshire) Battalion landed in France as part of the 152nd Brigade in the 51st (Highland) Division in May 1915 for service on the Western Front.[11]
The 1/9th (The Dumbartonshire) Battalion landed in France as part of the 81st Brigade in the 27th Division in February 1915 for service on the Western Front.[11]
New Armies
The 10th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur Mer as part of the 27th Brigade in the 9th (Scottish) Division in May 1915 for service on the Western Front.[11]
The 11th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 45th Brigade in the 15th (Scottish) Division in July 1915 for service on the Western Front.[11]
The 12th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 77th Brigade in the 26th Division in September 1915 but moved to Salonika in November 1915.[11]
The 14th (Service) Battalion landed at Le Havre as part of the 120th Brigade in the 40th Division in June 1916 for service on the Western Front.[11]
Irish War of Independence
During the Irish War of Independence, the 2nd Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was sent to be stationed in Claremorris, County Mayo in 1919.[12] Though the battalion's time in Ireland was mostly uneventful, soldiers from the regiment were involved in the death of Captain Patrick "Paddy" Boland, the officer commanding of the Crossard Company, East Mayo Brigade of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). On 27 May 1921, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders shot and killed Boland while he was allegedly attempting to escape near his home in Aghamore; Boland's body was reportedly severely mutilated after his death.[13][14][15]
Second World War
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The 1st Battalion fought in the Western Desert Campaign, Crete, Abyssinia, Sicily and in the Italian Campaign. The first action for the 1st Battalion was at Sidi Barani where they joined the battle on 10 December 1940 as part of the 16th Infantry Brigade. On 17 May 1941 the battalion moved to Crete where they formed part of the defence based on the east side of the island at Tymbaki. Most of the Argylls marched from Tymbaki to the airfield at Heraklion on the night of 24 May to help support the 14th Infantry Brigade in the fighting at that airfield. They were successfully evacuated on 29 May from Heraklion but their convoy suffered air attacks and many casualties on the route away from Crete. The Argylls left at Tymbaki were captured when the island surrendered. The 1st Battalion was shipped to Alexandria and after garrison duties followed by a raid into the Gondar region of Abyssinia, they were sent back to the Western Desert where they were eventually attached to the 161st Indian Infantry Brigade, part of 4th Indian Infantry Division, and fought in the Second Battle of El Alamein. In 1943 the 1st Battalion landed on Sicily during Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily, attached to the 5th British Infantry Division as the 33rd Beach Brick. From February 1944 the battalion fought through the Italian Campaign with the 19th Indian Infantry Brigade, attached to 8th Indian Infantry Division.[16][17]
The 2nd Battalion fought valiantly against the Imperial Japanese Army during the fighting in Malaya and Singapore (See Battle of Bukit Timah). Led by the tough Lieutenant Colonel Ian Stewart they were one of the very few British units that was prepared for the jungle warfare in Malaya. In the months before the invasion of southern Thailand and Malaya in 1941, Stewart took his battalion into the harshest terrain he could find and developed tactics to fight effectively in those areas. This training that the 2nd Argylls went through would make them arguably the most effective unit in General Percival's Malayan Command, earning them the nickname "the jungle beasts".[18]
During the withdrawal of the 11th Indian Infantry Division, the 2nd Argylls slowed the enemy advance and inflicted heavy casualties on them. During these actions the battalion became so depleted by battle that it was ordered back into Singapore. Two days later, 2,000 or so men of the 22nd Australian Brigade (the absolute tail guard of the British forces) arrived at the causeway. An Australian staff officer was amazed to find the Argylls camped on the Malay side of the water, and asked why they were in Malaya when they could have been in the relative comfort of Singapore. Lt. Col. Stewart replied "You know the trouble with you Australians is that you have no sense of history. When the story of this campaign is written you will find that the ASHR goes down as the last unit to cross this causeway what's more – piped across by their pipers".[19]
The Argylls had lost 800 men due to continuous action as rear guards (especially at the Battle of Slim River). When the remaining Argylls arrived in Singapore in December 1941, the battalion was reinforced with some Royal Marines who had survived the sinking of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse. The merger was held at Tyersall Park, and the battalion was informally renamed "Plymouth Argylls". (This was in reference to the Argylls' affiliation with Plymouth Argyle F.C. and to the Plymouth Division of the Royal Marines, which all the Marines were from.[20]
The battalion surrendered with the rest of the army in Singapore in February 1942. Many Argylls died in captivity as P.O.W's or in the jungle trying to avoid capture.[21] A few Argylls managed to escape to India, including Lt.Col. Stewart, where they lectured on jungle warfare tactics. After this the evacuees became part of No. 6 GHQ Training Team, which organised training exercises and lectures for the 14th Indian Infantry Division and 2nd British Infantry Division.[22]
In May 1942, the 15th Battalion, raised during the war, was redesignated as the new 2nd Battalion. This battalion joined the 227th (Highland) Infantry Brigade and became a part of the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division, a formation that would gain an excellent reputation, in 1943. With the division, the battalion fought in the Battle for Caen, seeing its first action in Operation Epsom, as part of Operation Overlord. The division ended the war on the Elbe River.[23]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/The_British_Army_in_Normandy_1944_B5988.jpg/220px-The_British_Army_in_Normandy_1944_B5988.jpg)
The 5th battalion landed in France as part of the British Expeditionary Force in September 1939. They took part in the Dunkirk evacuation in June 1940 and then, after converting to become the 91st Anti-Tank Regiment and seeing action at the Normandy landings in June 1944, they fought through North-West Europe to the River Elbe.[24]
The 6th Battalion landed in France as corps troops for I Corps with the British Expeditionary Force in September 1939. They took part in the Dunkirk evacuation in June 1940 and then, after converting to become the 93rd Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery saw action in the Tunisia campaign, in the Allied landings in Sicily and in the Allied landings in Italy.[25]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/The_British_Army_in_France_1940_F4733.jpg/220px-The_British_Army_in_France_1940_F4733.jpg)
The 7th Battalion was a Territorial Army (TA) unit serving in the 154th (Highland) Infantry Brigade. The brigade was part of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division in France in 1940 as part of the British Expeditionary Force. They were stationed on the Maginot Line and so avoided being encircled with the rest of the BEF during the Battle of France. The 7th Argylls in particular suffered heavy losses during the fighting, the worst day in its history. The 154th Brigade managed to be evacuated to England after the 51st (Highland) Division was forced to surrender on 12 June 1940.[26] The division was reconstituted by the redesignation of the 9th (Highland) Infantry Division to the 51st. The understrength 154th Brigade of the old 51st was merged with the 28th Infantry Brigade. In 1942 the new 51st Division, 7th Argylls included, were sent to join the British Eighth Army in the North African Campaign. They fought in the First Battle of El Alamein and in the Second Battle of El Alamein which turned the tide of the war in favour of the Allies.[26] During the fighting in North Africa, Lieutenant Colonel Lorne MacLaine Campbell of 7th Argylls was awarded the Victoria Cross.[27] In March 1942, two British privates from the 7th battalion, Macfarlane and Goldie, escaped wearing their blue work detail overalls over their battledress. They wore rucksacks to cover the markings "KG" (Kriegsgefangener, "prisoner of war") on their backs. They secreted themselves in a rail wagon carrying salt to Belgium. There they managed to contact an escape line and, by the middle of the year, they were safely back in Scotland.[28]
The 8th Battalion was also a Territorial Army (TA) unit serving with the 7th Battalion in the 154th (Highland) Infantry Brigade. The brigade was part of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division in France in 1940 as part of the British Expeditionary Force. The 154th Brigade managed to be evacuated to England after the 51st (Highland) Division was forced to surrender on 12 June 1940.[29] On 25 April 1943, the 8th Battalion was, by this time, serving with the 36th Brigade, part of the 78th Battleaxe Division during the Tunisian Campaign won fame during the assault of Djebel Ahmera hill on the attack on Longstop Hill, in which despite heavy casualties from mortar and machine gun fire scaled and took the heights. Major John Thompson McKellar Anderson, for inspiring his men and eliminating strong points, gained the Victoria Cross.[30]
The 9th Battalion, also a Territorial unit, was converted to artillery as the 54th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery comprising three batteries from the former Companies: 160 (Dumbarton), 161 (Alexandria) and 162 (Helensburgh).[31] Former B Company (Kirkintilloch) and D Company (Clydebank) formed the nucleus of the second-line regiment, the 58th LAA, comprising 172,173 and 174 Batteries.[32][33] Armed with Bofors and Lewis guns, the 54th saw action protecting the rear of the retreat of the BEF to Dunkirk, destroying the Bofors before rescue. 162 Battery became detached protecting airfields at Reims and escaped in June via Brest, St. Nazaire and La Rochelle.[34][35] Between Dunkirk and D-Day they were deployed mostly in training and protecting airfields and other sites in England, including Manchester, as part of 44th AA Brigade. They participated in Operation Harlequin on the south coast. They were then transferred to 9th Armoured Division until its dispersal in 1944 and then to the 21st Army Group.[36] They were deployed after D-Day, in August 1944, in support of the First Canadian Army, landing at Juno Beach. They provided support at Rouen and Pont-de-l'Arche and onward through northern France to Boulogne and subsequently Antwerp and Ostend in Belgium. In November they moved onward to Kloosterzande, Holland, remaining there until the end of the war. They continued into Germany as part of the BAOR, helping guard POWs at Munsterlager until November 1945, then on to Brunswick until early 1946 when the regiment was put into "suspended animation" and demobilised.[37] The 58th joined the BEF and participated in the defence of Boulogne and Calais.[38] From May 1941 they served as part of 11th Armoured Division, initially as part of 11th Support Group until it was disbanded 1 June 1942, then transferring to Divisional Troops. In 1944, they were deployed in Operation Overlord and later that year south and east of Eindhoven, Holland.[32][33][39]
After the War
Between 1945 and 1948, the 1st Battalion saw service in Mandatory Palestine, during the conflicts with the Jewish paramilitary organisations Irgun, Haganah and Lehi.[40]
In 1948, the 2nd Battalion was amalgamated with the 1st Battalion. The battalion was one of the first British units to serve in the Korean War, arriving there in September 1950 as part of the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade. Its first major action, in the battle of Naktong, the battalion was involved in a tragic friendly fire incident, in the fight for Hill 282.[41] The Argylls were noted for their reoccupation of the Crater district of Aden, under controversial Commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Colin Campbell Mitchell, during the Aden Emergency in the mid 1960s.[42]
In 1970, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, as the junior regiment of the Scottish Division, faced disbandment as part of a general downsizing of the army. A "Save the Argylls" campaign involving the petitioning of Parliament resulted in a compromise under which a single regular company retained the title and colours of the regiment. "Balaclava Company" continued as an independent unit from 20 January 1971 until the regiment was restored to full battalion size on 17 January 1972.[43] Between 1972 and 1974 detachments from the regiment regularly served in Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles.[43] In January 2004 the regiment was deployed to the Iraq War.[44]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/British_Army_Sniper_MOD_45154902.jpg/220px-British_Army_Sniper_MOD_45154902.jpg)
On 28 March 2006, as part of the restructuring of the infantry, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were amalgamated with the other Scottish infantry regiments into the single Royal Regiment of Scotland.[45] The regiment's last role before amalgamation was in the air assault role as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade. Elements of the new regiment originally affiliated with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders included a regular battalion (5 SCOTS), an affiliated company of the Territorial Army battalion, 51st Highland Volunteers (7 SCOTS) and an Army Cadet Force battalion. The 5th Battalion continued recruiting in the area allocated to the Argylls, wore a green hackle on its headdress to differentiate it from the other battalions, and were permitted to use the title "The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders" in reference to the battalion.[46]
On 5 July 2012, a further series of measures to reduce the total size of the British Army were announced by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond. These included the reduction of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (5 SCOTS) to a single company (Balaklava Company) for public (ceremonial) duties in Scotland.[47] The Queen visited the Highlanders at Howe Barracks in Canterbury in June 2013 to mark their relocation to Scotland.[48]
When the company is mounting royal guard/guard duties they are divided into two platoons; Pony Platoon (ceremonial) and Security Platoon. When not mounting guard, the company is divided into No. 1 and No. 2 platoons for regular deployment. Following the Army 2020 Refine, the company moved to Redford Barracks where they remain as part of the 51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland.[49]
Regimental museum
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum is the regimental museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, their antecedent regiments, and successor battalions. Located in Stirling Castle, the museum building was built in the 1490s, and known as the "King's House" or "King's Old Building", thought to have been the private residence of King James IV.[50] Entrance to the museum is included in the price of the castle entrance ticket. The museum is almost entirely maintained through public donations; the modest grant from the Ministry of Defence has been withdrawn.[51] It is governed by a charitable trust: The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Trust.[52]
The museum closed for refurbishment in August 2018.[53] It re-opened again, following completion of a programme of works funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and costing £4 million, in June 2021.[54]
Battle honours
The regiment's battle honours include:[10]
- Cape of Good Hope 1806, Rolica, Vimeira, Corunna, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse, Peninsula, South Africa 1846–47, 1851–52–53, Alma, Balaklava, Sevastopol, Lucknow, South Africa 1879, Modder River, Paardeberg, South Africa 1899–1902.
- The Great War – Mons, Le Cateau, Retreat from Mons, Marne 1914, 18, Aisne 1914, La Bassée 1914, Messines 1914, 18, Armentières 1914, Ypres 1915, 17, 18, Gravenstafel, St Julien, Frezenberg, Bellewaarde, Festubert 1915, Loos, Somme 1916, 18, Albert 1916, 18, Bazentin, Delville Wood, Pozières, Flers-Courcelette, Morval, Le Transloy, Ancre Heights, Ancre 1916, Arras 1917,18, Scarpe 1917, 18, Arleux, Pilckem, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Cambrai 1917,18, St Quentin, Bapaume 1918, Rosières, Lys, Estaires, Hazebrouck, Bailleul, Kemmel, Bethune, Soissonnais-Ourcq, Tardenois, Amiens, Hindenburg Line, Epehy, Canal du Nord, St Quentin Canal, Beaurevoir, Kortrijk, Selle, Sambre, France and Flanders 1914–18, Italy 1917–18, Struma, Doiran 1917, 18, Macedonia 1915–18, Gallipoli 1915–16, Rumani, Egypt 1916, Gaza, El Mughar, Nebi Samwil, Jaffa, Palestine 1917–18.
- The Second World War– Somme 1940, Odon, Tourmauville Bridge, Caen, Esquay, Mont Pincon, Quarry Hill, Estry, Falaise, Dives Crossing, Aart, Lower Maas, Meijel, Venlo Pocket, Ourthe, Rhineland, Reichswald, Rhine, Uelzen, Artlenburg, North-West Europe 1940, 44–45, Abyssinia 1941, Sidi Barrani, El Alamein, Medenine, Akarit, Diebel Azzag 1942, Kef Ouiba Pass, Mine de Sedjenane, Medjez Plain, Longstop Hill 1943, North Africa 1940–43, Landing in Sicily, Gerbini, Adrano, Centuripe, Sicily 1943, Termoli, Sangro, Cassino II, Liri Valley, Aquino, Monte Casalino, Monte Spaduro, Monte Grande, Senio, Santerno Crossing, Argenta Gap, Italy 1943–45, Crete, Heraklion, Middle East 1941, North Malaya, Grik Road, Central Malaya, Ipoh, Slim River, Singapore Island, Malaya 1941–42.
- Korean War – Pakchon, Korea 1950–51.
Victoria Cross recipients
- Lance Corporal J. Dunlay, 16 November 1857, Indian Mutiny
- Captain W.G.D Stewart, 16 November 1857, Indian Mutiny
- Private P. Grant, 16 November 1857, Indian Mutiny
- Private (later Sergeant) D. MacKay, 16 November 1857, Indian Mutiny
- Colour-Sergeant J. Munro, 16 November 1857, Indian Mutiny
- Sergeant J. Paton, 16 November 1857, Indian Mutiny
- Lieutenant (later Major-General) W. McBean, 11 March 1858, Indian Mutiny
- Capt J.A. Liddell 31 July 1915 Belgium
- Lieut J.R.N. Graham 22 April 1917 Mesopotamia
- 2nd Lieut A. Henderson MC 23 April 1917 France
- 2nd Lieut J.C. Buchan 21 March 1918 France
- Lieut D.L. MacIntyre 24–27 Aug 1918 France
- Lieut W.D. Bissett 25 October 1918 France
- Lieut Col L.M. Campbell, DSO, TD 6 April 1943 Wadi Akarit
- Major J.T. McKellar Anderson, DSO, TD 23 April 1943 Longstop Hill
- Major K. Muir 23 September 1950 Korea
Colonels-in-chief
Colonels-in-chief of the regiment were:[10]
- 1914–1939: Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, CI, GCVO, GBE, RRC
- 1947–2006: Queen Elizabeth II, LG, CI, GCSTJ
Regimental colonels
Colonels of the regiment were:[10]
- 1881–1888 (1st Battalion): Gen. James Robertson Craufurd (ex 91st Foot)
- 1881–1888: (2nd Battalion): Gen. Hon. Sir Robert Rollo, KCB (ex 93rd Foot)
- 1888–1895: Gen. George Erskine
- 1895–1904: Gen. Sir John Alexander Ewart, KCB
- 1904–1905: Lt-Gen. Sir Frederick William Traill Burroughs, KCB
- 1905–1907: Lt-Gen. John Sprot
- 1907–1915: Maj-Gen. John Edward Boyes, CB
- 1915–1937: Maj-Gen. Sir Alexander Wilson, KCB
- 1937–1945: Maj-Gen. Gervase Thorpe, CB, CMG, DSO
- 1945–1958: Gen. Sir Gordon Holmes Alexander MacMillan of MacMillan, KCB, KCVO, CBE, DSO, MC
- 1958–1972: Maj-Gen. Frederick Clarence Campbell Graham, CB, DSO, DL
- 1972–1982: Lt-Gen. Sir Alexander Crawford Simpson Boswell, KCB, CBE
- 1982–1992: Gen. Sir Charles Patrick Ralph Palmer, KBE
- 1992–2000: Maj-Gen. David Phillips Thomson, CB, CBE, MC
- 2000–2006: Lt-Gen. Sir Andrew John Noble Graham, Bt, CB, CBE (to Royal Regiment of Scotland)
- 2006: Regiment amalgamated with The Royal Scots, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, The King's Own Scottish Borderers, The Black Watch and The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) to form The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Affiliations
Units that have formed affiliations with the regiment include:[10]
Kanada – The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's)
Kanada - The Calgary Highlanders
Kanada - Cape Breton Highlanders
Australien - The Royal Queensland Regiment
Australien - The Royal New South Wales Regiment
Pakistan – 1st Battalion (Scinde), The Frontier Force Regiment
Royal Navy - HMS Argyll
Vereinigtes Königreich – Balaklava Company, West Lowland Battalion ACF
See also
Notes
- ^ These were the 3rd Battalion and 4th Battalion (both Special Reserve), with the 5th (Renfrewshire) Battalion at Finnart Street in Greenock (since demolished), the 6th (Renfrewshire) Battalion at High Street in Paisley, the 7th Battalion at Princes Street in Stirling, the 8th (Argyllshire) Battalion at Queen Street in Dunoon (since demolished) and the 9th (Dunbartonshire) Battalion at Hartfield House in Dumbarton (all Territorial Force)
References
- ^ "Thin Red Line print heading to Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders' Stirling HQ". The Courier. 1 April 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Imperial War Museum". Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ "Regimental Dress". The Argylls. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ Figes, Orlando (2012). Crimea. Picador. p. 244. ISBN 9781250002525.
- ^ "History of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders". Warlinks. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- ^ Greenwood, ch. 8.
- ^ "The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Stirling Castle". Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- ^ "Imperial Units – Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)". www.angloboerwar.com. Anglo Boer War website. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 31 March 1908. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
- ^ a b c d e "Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 30 December 2005. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders". The Long, Long Trail. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders". Regiments. Archived from the original on 9 January 2006. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ O'Malley, Ernie (2014). The Men Will Talk to Me: Mayo Interviews (PDF). Mercier Press. p. 17b/113. ISBN 9781781172063.
- ^ Price, Dominic (2012). The Flame and the Candle: War in Mayo 1919–1924. Collins Press. ISBN 9781848891364.
- ^ "Interesting Extracts - Brief Personal notes on Parochial and other passing events" by Michael F Waldron, Knox Street, Ballyhaunis, 7 February 1953; re-printed in Annagh Parish Magazine, 2007–09.
- ^ "1st Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders". Wartime Memories Project. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "19 Indian Brigade". Order of Battle. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ Jeffreys, p. 16.
- ^ Thompson (2005), p. 251.
- ^ "Plymouth Argyll Royal Marines – Fall of Singapore". Royal Marines History. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ "2nd Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders". Wartime Memories Project. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ Jeffreys, p. 17.
- ^ Levine, p. 200.
- ^ "5th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders". Wartime Memories Project. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "6th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders". Wartime Memories Project. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ a b "7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders". Wartime Memories Project. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "No. 36045". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 June 1943. p. 2623.
- ^ "Secret Camp Histories Stalag IXC Muhlhausen". Pegasus Archive. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "8th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders". Wartime Memories Project. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "No. 36071". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 June 1943. pp. 2937–2938.
- ^ Royle (2011) p. 36.
- ^ a b "58 LAA Regiment". Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ a b "58th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery in the Second World War 1939–1945". Wartime Memories Project. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ Barker (1950), pp. 3–30.
- ^ Royle (2011) p. 38.
- ^ Barker (1950), pp. 34–35, 50, 56.
- ^ Barker (1950), pp. 62, 73, 86, 96.
- ^ Ellis, L. F. (2007) [1953]. "X: Defence of the Channel Ports (22nd May to 26th May, 1940)". The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940. London: HMSO. pp. 153, 161, 163 – via HyperWar Foundation and iBiblio.
- ^ "11th (GB) Armoured Division battle order – 1944 – Battle of Normandy". 3 December 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ "Exhibition: Palestine: a forgotten conflict?". Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ Rueter, A. A. P. (25 September 1950). "U.S. Planes Bomb British Units by Mistake". The Canberra Times.
- ^ "The Argylls in Aden: reocupation of the Crater". The Argylls. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ a b "Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders". British Army units 1945 on. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "Argylls fight hand to hand in Iraq". The Scotsman. 16 May 2004. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Delivering Security in a Changing World" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
- ^ "The Royal Regiment of Scotland". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- ^ "Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders downgraded in MoD cuts plan". BBC News. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
- ^ "Queen visits Howe Barracks in Canterbury ahead of closure". BBC News. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- ^ "Royal Regiment of Scotland". www.army.mod.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- ^ Historic Scotland Archived 20 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders' Regimental Museum
- ^ The Thin Red Line – Regimental Magazine of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Vol. 71, No. 1.
- ^ "Welcome to the museum". Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
- ^ "Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum". Facebook. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ^ "Castle military museum opens doors again after £4 million refurbishment". Daily Record. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
Sources
- Frederick, J. B. M. (1984). Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660–1978, Volume I. Wakefield, United Kingdom: Microform Academic Publishers. ISBN 1851170073.
- Barker, F. R. P. (1950). History of the 9th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 54th Light A.A. Regiment 1939–45. Thomas Nelson and Sons. OCLC 493113190.
- Jeffreys, Alan (2003). British Infantrymen in the Far East 1941–1945. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1841764485.
- Levine, Alan (2007). D-Day to Berlin: The Northwest Europe Campaign, 1944–45. Stackpole. ISBN 9780811733861.
- Royle, Trevor (2011). The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders: A Concise History. Random House. ISBN 9781780572444.
- Thompson, P. (2005). The Battle for Singapore; The True Story of the Greatest Catastrophe of World War Two. Piatkus Books. ISBN 9780749950996.
Further reading
- Greenwood, Adrian (2015). Victoria's Scottish Lion: The Life of Colin Campbell, Lord Clyde. UK: History Press. p. 496. ISBN 9780750956857.
External links
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- 7th battalion, the great war Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- 5 SCOTS (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) – British Army website
- The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum
- Argylls 1945 to 1971
- Argylls 1972 to present day
- Soldier's view of service with the Argylls
- 93rd Sutherland Highlanders Living History Association
- Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
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