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- Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders during the Great War -


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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders




Want to know more about the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders?


There are:7393 items tagged Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.


Those known to have served with

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Aldrige Douglas. Cpl. 10th Btn. (d.13th October 1917)
  • Anderson David. Pte. 12th Btn.
  • Anderson David. 8th Btn. (d.28th April 1916)
  • Anderson James. L/Sgt. 1/7th Battalion (d.13th October 1918)
  • Armour James. Pte. 2nd Battalion (d.26th Aug 1915)
  • Armstrong John. L/Cpl. 6th Btn (d.18th Apr 1917)
  • Arthur James. Sgt. 5th Btn. E Coy
  • Ballentine Samuel. Cpl. 2nd Btn. (d.21st October 1914)
  • Balloch Acton. Pte. 3rd Btn. E Coy.
  • Barberel Eugene John Auguste. Pte.
  • Barnes William.
  • Baxter David. Sgt. 6th Btn.
  • Bell William John Key. Pte 2nd batt (d.28th August 1916)
  • Bellringer John. Cpl. 1/5th Btn. (d.12th Jul 1915)
  • Beney Horace. Pte. 1/8th Battalion (d.21st March 1918)
  • Berry Gordon Cedric. Pte. 14th Btn. (d.24th April 1917)
  • Blair John Cochrane. Cpl. 9th Btn.
  • Blair R.. Pte. (d.6th December 1918)
  • Boswell Archibald. Sgt. 10th Battalion (d.12th Oct 1917)
  • Bothwell Alexander Burness. Pte. 13th Btn.
  • Brown . L/Cpl.
  • Brown Thomas. L/Cpl. 14th Battalion (d.18th Aug 1916)
  • Buchan VC John Crawford. 2nd Lt. 7th Bn. Attached 8th Bn. (d.22nd March 1918)
  • Cairns James. Sgt. 2nd Btn. (d.20th Jan 1916)
  • Caldwell James. Pte.
  • Cameron Arthur. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.15th July 1916)
  • Cameron William. Pte 2nd Btn. (d.8th Aug 1916)
  • Campbell Colin. Lt.
  • Campbell Duncan. Pte. 8th Btn.
  • Campbell Hugh. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.10th May 1915)
  • Campbell Malcolm. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.12th Nov 1914)
  • Carmichael Gabriel Baird. Pte 2nd Battalion (d.25th Oct 1918)
  • Carmichael Gabriel Baird. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.25th Oct 1918)
  • Carpenter Elijah. Pte. 11th Battalion (d.9th July 1916)
  • Chalmers MC & bar. William. Lt Col. 8th Btn.
  • Clarke Montagu Christian. Lt. 1st Battalion (d.8th May 1915)
  • Collins John Joseph. pte. 2nd Btn. (d.23rd Apr 1917)
  • Collins John Joseph. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.23rd April 1917)
  • Combe David. Pte. 1/7th Btn. (d.14th July 1917)
  • Conley Thomas. Pte. 1/8th Btn. (d.17th May 1917)
  • Connelly Peter. Pte. 1/8th Battalion
  • Cowan James. (d.1917)
  • Coyle MM and Bar. James. CSM. 2nd Btn.
  • Crawford Charles. Pte. 4th Battalion (d.29th November 1918)
  • Crawford Peter. Pte. 10th Battalion (d.15th Oct 1915)
  • Cuninghame MID Boyd Alexander. Mjr. 5th Btn. (d.16th March 1917)
  • Cunninghame MiD Boyd Alexander. Mjr. 5th Btn. attd. Northern Rhodesia Rifles (d.16th March 1917)
  • Davidson Henry. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.10th December 1917)
  • Deeprose Walter. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.20th Nov 1917)
  • Dick William Laird. Cpl. 2nd Battalion (d.21st Oct 1914)
  • Dorren John. A/Cpl. 5th Btn.
  • Dunlop J.. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.1st Jul 1918)
  • Dunlop Samuel. Pte. 2nd Btn.
  • Durnion Daniel. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.12th May 1915)
  • Edwards Alfred Thomas. L/Cpl. 10th Btn.
  • Egan Michael. Pte. 1st Battalion (d.11th May 1915)
  • Elliot John. Pte. 1st/8th Btn. B Coy. (d.10th April 1917)
  • Ferguson James. Pte. 12th Btn.
  • Ferguson James. Pte 12th Btn
  • Ferguson Joseph. Pte. 1/7th Princess Louise Battalion (d.20th September 1917)
  • Forbes George Alexander. Pte. 11th Ser.Btn. (d.22nd August 1917)
  • Forster Joseph. Cpl. 1/8th Battalion Pincess Louise (d.16th May 1917)
  • Fox Stephen Albert. Pte. (d.20th August 1918)
  • Freebairn George Samuel William. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.5th Dec 1916)
  • Gilchrist John. Pte. 1/8 Btn. (d.9th Apr 1917)
  • Gilchrist William Little. Pte. 1/8th Battalion (d.23rd Mar 1918)
  • Gilchrist William Little. Pte 1st Battalion (d.23rd March 1918)
  • Gillespie Arthur Neil. Pte. 10th Battalion (d.15th October 1915)
  • Gilmour David. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.20th May 1918)
  • Gilmour David. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.20th May 1918)
  • Gilmour Samuel. Pte. 1/5th Btn. (d.12th Jul 1915)
  • Given Joseph. Pte. 1st Battalion (d.16th April 1915)
  • Gladwyn Frederick William Milroy. 2Lt. 9th Btn.
  • Glasgow Ralph. Pte. 10th Bn. (d.14th July 1916)
  • Gold Thomas Cuthbertson. L/Cpl. 10th Battalion (d.15th Oct 1915)
  • Goodwin James. L/Cpl. 6th Btn. (d.6th Mar 1916)
  • Grant Daniel Menzies. 2nd Lt. 5th Btn. (d.4th Aug 1918)
  • Grealey David. Pte 2nd Btn
  • Hackett Percy James. Act/Cpl. 11th Btn. (d.4th Dec 1915)
  • Hamilton James Haldane. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.29th Sep 1918)
  • Hamilton John Renton. Pte. 8th Battalion (d.13th May 1917)
  • Heenan Lawrence. Pte. 10th Battalion (d.15th October 1915)
  • Henderson VC, MC. Arthur. Capt. 4th Btn. (d.24th Apr 1917)
  • Henderson William. Pte. 1st/6th Btn. (d.29th Dec 1916)
  • Higgins James. Pte. 1/9th Btn. (d.26th Aug 1916)
  • Hill Hugh. Pte. 2nd Battallion (d.24th Apr 1917)
  • Hill Leslie Trevor. L/Cpl (d.24th Apr 1917)
  • Hobart 5685 Fred A.. Pte. 1/8th Btn. (d.16th Dec 1916)
  • Holburn William. 10th Battalion (d.12th October 1917)
  • Home MM. Alexander. Sgt. 10th Btn.
  • Hughes John. Pte. Depot (d.3rd November 1918)
  • Hughes Stewart. Pte. 1/5 Btn. (d.14th Sep 1915)
  • Hunter Robert. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.26th Mar 1916)
  • Jarvie James Burns. Pte. 7th Battalion (d.18th April 1917)
  • Jordan MM Joseph. Pte. 1/8th Btn. (d.23rd March 1917)
  • Kane Thomas. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.23rd Apr 1917)
  • Kelly William. L/Cpl 3rd then 2nd Battalions (d.25 Sept 1915)
  • Kemp Alexander Reynolds. Pte. 2/7th Battalion (d.30th July 1918)
  • Kennedy Daniel. Pte. 1/7 Btn. (d.20th Sep 1917)
  • Kennedy Peter. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.21st Oct 1914)
  • Kennedy William Robert. 2Lt. 2nd Battalion (d.25th Sept 1915)
  • Kilpatrick Robert. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.10th November 1914)
  • Kilpatrick Robert. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.10th Nov 1914)
  • Kinghorn Robert. Cpl. 2nd Btn.
  • Knowles John. Pte 2nd Btn (d.12th May 1917)
  • Lambert Peter. 9th Btn. (d.9th May 1915)
  • Lambie Gavin. 10th Battalion (d.9th April 1917)
  • Lee MM. John Douglas. Pte. 2nd Battalion
  • Liddell John Aidan. Capt. 7 Sqd. (d.31st Aug 1915)
  • Liddell MC VC John Aidan. Captain (d.31st August 1915)
  • Lightburn Robert. L/Cpl. 11th Btn. (d.23rd Apr 1917)
  • Locke William Andrew. Pte. 1/8th Btn., B Coy (d.21st Mar 1918)
  • Loftus Joseph. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.9th May 1917)
  • Lovegrove Arthur Stephen Franklin. Pte. 8th Btn (d.10th Apr 1918)
  • MacArthur John. Pte. 8th Battalion (d.1st Jul 1916)
  • MacGilvray Donald. Sgt. 8th Battalion
  • MacIntyre Donald. L/Cpl. 8th Btn. (d.7th Dec 1918)
  • Mackay Magnus. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.19th March 1916)
  • Mackenzie Alexander. Pte. 11th Battalion (d.28th Aug 1916)
  • Mackie MC. John Duncan. Capt. 14th Btn.
  • Maclean Arthur Kirkpatrick. Lt. 2nd Btn. (d.26th August 1914)
  • Malloch James. Pte. 1st Bn. (d.29th Aug 1916)
  • Maxwell Robert. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.21st October 1915)
  • McCall John. L/Cpl. 11th Btn. (d.17th November 1917)
  • McCulloch Thomas T.. Pte.
  • McDonald James. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.8th May 1917)
  • McDonald Thomas Andrew. Sgt. 2nd Battalion (d.23rd April 1917)
  • McEwan MM. James. Pte. 2nd Btn.
  • McFetridge James. L/Cpl. 10th Btn
  • McFetridge James. L/Cpl 10th Btn
  • McIntee Daniel. Cpl. 14th Btn. (d.26th Nov 1917)
  • McKay Robert. Pte. 8th Btn.
  • McLaughlin AM. James William. Pte. 5th Btn.
  • Mclean Donald. Cpl. 2nd Btn. (d.21st Oct 1914)
  • McLean Donald. Cpl. 2nd Btn. (d.21st October 1914)
  • McLintock Douglas. Pte. 11th Battalion (d.27th Sep 1915)
  • McLintock Peter Gordon. Piper 2nd Btn. (d.2nd Mar 1915)
  • McNally Andrew.
  • McQuade John. Pte. 2nd Battalion (d.13th Jun 1916)
  • McRobbie MM. John Stewart. Pte. 8th Battalion
  • McShee Andrew. Pte. 11th Batallion (d.20th Jan 1917)
  • Mills Archibald. Pte. 8th Btn.
  • Mills Archibald. Pte. D Coy., 8th Btn.
  • Mitchell MC. Colin Campbell. Capt. 10th Battalion
  • Mitchell James. Pte. 1/5th Btn.
  • Mitchell William Boyd. Lt
  • Montgomery Thomas. Pte. 7th BTn. (d.26th April 1915)
  • Moodie William. Pte. 1/19th Dunbartonshire Btn. (d.10th May 1915)
  • Moyes David. Pte. 10th Battalion (d.23rd Aug 1918)
  • Muir James Craig. Cpl. 3rd Btn. D Company (d.19th Jul 1916)
  • Munro MM. Thomas. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • Munro MM John Alexander. Sgt. 1st/8th Btn.
  • Munro MM. Thomas. Pte. 1st Battalion
  • Mylet Hugh Mcpherson. Pte. 1/6 Btn. (d.30th August 1915)
  • Newsum Lionel B.. Pte. 14th Btn. (d.24th April 1917)
  • Nicol David. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.28th Jul 1916)
  • O'Donnell Edward. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.3rd May 1918)
  • Oman James Williams. Pte. 4th Btn. (d.19th Sep 1917)
  • Paterson MC. Alexander Leonard. Cpt. 1st Btn.
  • Paterson MID MC Alexander Leonard. A/Capt. 1st Btn.
  • Paterson William Robertson. Pte. 15th Btn. (d.4th May 1917)
  • Paton Richard. L/Cpl. (d.27th September 1915)
  • Pearson Robert McQueen. Private 11th Batallion (d.2 Nov 1916)
  • Ponsonby Reginald George John. Major. 10th Btn. (d.27th Sep 1915)
  • Proudfoot Frederick. L/Sgt. 10th Battalion
  • Richardson Alexander. Cpl.
  • Risk Robert. Pte. 1/8th Btn. (d.9th Apr 1917)
  • Ritchie Colin.
  • Robertson James Dewar. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.23rd April 1917)
  • Robertson John Dobbin. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.30th Sep 1918)
  • Ross David. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.13th October 1918)
  • Russel W.. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.5th Jan 1917)
  • Russell Joseph. Pte. 7th Btn.
  • Russell P. R.. L/Cpl. 12th Btn. (d.19th Sept 1918)
  • Scott Joseph McKnight. Private 6th Battalion (d.9th Apr 1917)
  • Shiels Alexander. Pte. 1st Battalion
  • Sloan Thomas. Pte. 1st/8th Btn. (d.16th May 1917)
  • Sloggett William. Pte.
  • Smith Alfred David Crawford. Pte. 7th Battalion
  • Smith Henry. Cpl
  • Smithson William. L/Cpl. 2nd Btn. (d.18th Aug 1916)
  • Steele James Currie. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.8th Mar 1918)
  • Stewart Duncan. 13th Btn.
  • Stirling Alexander. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.26th March 1916)
  • Story Thomas. Pte. 8th Btn.
  • Syme MM. Robert. Pte. 1/7th Btn. (d.25th July 1918)
  • Symington Alexander. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.18th October 1916)
  • Taylor James. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.23rd Aug 1918)
  • Tennant John J.. Pte. 1/8th Btn. (d.20th April 1917)
  • Timlin John. Pte. 2nd Btn (d.28th Aug 1916)
  • Turner Henry. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.28th Mar 1918)
  • Turner-Thomson M.C. Wilbert. Capt. 12th Btn.
  • Vandal Robert. Pte. 11th Battalion (d.23rd April 1917)
  • Walker Robert. Pte. (d.23rd Apr 1917)
  • Watson R.. Cpl.
  • White George Edward. Pte. 4th Btn. (d.7th July 1918)
  • Wild DSO. William. CQMS. 26th Btn.
  • Wills James. Pte.
  • Wren R.. Pte.
  • Young Robert. Cpl. 7th Battalion

All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please. Add a Name to this List

More Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders records.


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1206509

Pte. David Ross 7th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.13th October 1918)

David Ross died on 13th October 1918 aged 23 and is buried in the Naves Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

Son of James and Annie Ross nee Stevenson, of 19 Nimmo's Rows, New Stevenston, Lanarkshire, prior to enlisting David was a miner in James Nimmo's Collieries, Holytown, Lanarkshire

s flynn




1206339

Sgt. James Arthur 5th Btn. E Coy Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Sgt. James Arthur: Soldier's Pay Book and Health Memoranda booklet

I have recently come by this T.A. soldier's pay book, for Sgt. James Arthur of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Date of attestation 1-4-08 at age 36. It was on ebay for sale under the heading: Soldiers Pay Book. Sergt. 5th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 1908/Soldiers Health.

I thought you might be interested in having pictures for your records before it leaves me, although unfortunately I cannot find the link with all the names of past A&SH soldiers again. I have enclosed pictures of the book as I discovered a few names under 5th A&SH E Company (TA Port Glasgow) and he, an early recruit, is not included. It shows that the company was probably formed about 1908.

Sgt. James Arthur: Pay Book pages 1 and 2

Sgt. James Arthur: Pay Book page 2 closeup

Sgt. James Arthur: Pay Book pages 3 and 4

Sgt. James Arthur: Pay Book page 5

Andrew Gray




1206258

2nd Lt. John Crawford Buchan VC 7th Bn. Attached 8th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.22nd March 1918)

John Buchan was killed in action on 22nd March 1918 aged 25 and buried in the Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension in France. Native of Alloa, Clackmannanshire

An extract from The London Gazette, dated 21st May, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When fighting with his platoon in the forward position of the battle zone, 2nd Lt. Buchan, although wounded early in the day, insisted on remaining with his men, and continually visited all his posts, encouraging and cheering his men in spite of most severe shell fire, from which his platoon was suffering heavy casualties. Later, when the enemy were creeping closer, and heavy machine-gun fire was raking his position, 2nd Lt. Buchan, with utter disregard of his personal safety, continued to visit his posts, and though still further injured accidentally, he continued to encourage his men and visit his posts. Eventually, when he saw the enemy had practically surrounded his command, he collected his platoon and prepared to fight his way back to the supporting line. At this point the enemy, who had crept round his right flank, rushed towards him, shouting out "Surrender." " To hell with surrender," he replied, and shooting the foremost of the enemy, he finally repelled this advance with his platoon. He then fought his way back to the supporting line of the forward position, where he held out till dusk. At dusk he fell back as ordered, but in spite of his injuries again refused to go to the aid post, saying his place was beside his men. Owing to the unexpected withdrawal of troops on the left flank it was impossible to send orders to 2nd Lt. Buchan to withdraw, as he was already cut off, and he was last seen holding out against overwhelming odds. The gallantry, self-sacrifice, and utter disregard of personal safety displayed by this officer during these two days of most severe fighting is in keeping with the highest traditions of the British Army."

s flynn




500653

L/Cpl. Robert Lightburn 11th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.23rd Apr 1917)

Lance Corporal Robert Lightburn, my father's brother in law, was killed (aged 29) in the Second Battle of Arras, he was serving with 11th. Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. My father's step brother, Emmerson Beckwith (aged 25) was killed just 6 days before in the same battle, but different sectors. The two families lived within 1 mile of each other in the same mining village in North West Durham

Ramsay Hall




263705

Pte. James Caldwell Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

My great great grandfather, James Caldwell fought during World War One, enlisting on 12th of December 1914 with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, then transferred to the Labour Corps on 26th of November 1917.

He was invalided to the 3rd Scottish Hospital, at Stobhill, Glasgow on 14th of August 1916 before being discharged on 31st of August 1916. He was later discharged from the forces on 8th of June 1918 due to being physically unfit.





261889

Pte. Thomas "Changa Drost" Munro MM. 1st Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Higlanders

I know a lot about my grandfather Thomas Munro's service and the names of some of his pals. He enlisted in August 1914 and was at Constantinople in 1919. He mustered out in May 1919. He was awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry in the field at 2nd Ypres. He served in the trenches with Colin Campbell Mitchell, Sr. then with the HLI. Colin Campbell Mitchell Sr. won a battlefield commission to Captain in the Argylls and MC and later another MC.

The Argylls experienced 36 days of continual combat during April and May, 1915. My grandfather saw the first poison gas attack in April 1915. He said a medical student from Glasgow University recognized it was chlorine gas and recommended they use urine-soaked handkerchiefs as an emergency measure. I know other stories and events as well.

Thomas Munro 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Salonika, April 1917

Thomas Munro, in Constantinople with Jimmy Quigley, his nephew, in January 1919

Thomas Munro with his squaddies during 2nd Ypres, April 1915

Ricardo Munro




261786

Cpl. John Cochrane Blair 9th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

John Blair of Dunwood Cottage, Cardross, Dumbarton enlisted with the 9th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on the 8th of September 1914 and went to France on the 19th February 1915. He was wounded, a gunshot wound to skull (23rd May 1915 I think) and discharged with pension on the 7th of January 1916.

Jon Blair




261445

Pte. Archibald Mills D Coy., 8th Btn. Machine Gun Corps

Archibald Mills

Apparently, Archibald Mills originally enlisted (or maybe was conscripted – it’s unclear) as No. 21475 in an unknown battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. His birthdate is shown as 3rd January 1898 at Stenhouse. He would have completed his basic military training with that unit, and might have expected to join one of the active service units of the Argylls but instead, between 23rd and 26th of September 1917, he was compulsorily transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.

The MGC had a presence in every brigade of every division serving overseas since the beginning of 1916. At that time, each brigade comprised 4 infantry battalions, each of up to 1,000 men, plus a pioneer battalion, artillery units, a trench mortar company, medical units, Royal Engineers, and Royal Signals. It also had a dedicated machine gun company which took its designation from the brigade in which it served. The company was about 140 strong, fielding 16 Vickers Mk 1 heavy machine guns, manned 6-men to each, plus a transport section of horse- or mule-drawn wagons to bring up fresh supplies of ammunition and spare parts from dumps to the rear of the front line.

The duties of a machine-gun company were: to go forward if the infantry was attacking (usually in the second or third wave) to provide fire against counter-attacks; then to defend at all times the infantry and artillery positions; and finally, in the event that the infantry had to withdraw in the face of attack by the enemy, the gunners were expected to remain to the last, to give everyone else time to get out in good order. Hence, MGC casualties were always on the high side. Not for nothing were they known by the squaddies as The Suicide Club.

There were three brigades in each division and, therefore, three MG companies in each division. In the spring of 1917, the War Office responded to requests to beef up the fire power by sending out a fourth company that would be independent of the brigades and under the direct control of the brigadier, to be used wherever he saw fit.

Archibald underwent a six-week gunnery and tactics course at Belton Park, Grantham and on completion would have been sent out to France, probably by the end of November 1917. He joined No. 218 Company (the "fourth" MG company), which was part of the 8th Division. He may have joined just in time to see his first action at the assault on the Southern Redoubt, Passchendaele on 2nd of December 1917, which marked the end of serious fighting that year, as winter conditions prevented either side from continuing.

All then went fairly quiet, and on 20th of January 1918, in common with other divisions of the Western Front, the four machine gun companies in the 8th Division amalgamated to form the 8th Battalion MGC, which was now about 750 strong and fielding 64 machine guns. The old 218th Company became D Company in the new organization. The Division was to remain in the Ypres sector around Passchendaele until 12th of March 1918, when it was relieved in the line and sent to the Somme sector near Longuenesse. Its strength at that point was 37 officers, 777 other ranks, plus 258 horses and mules. The make-up of the 8th Division was then nine infantry battalions: 2nd Devons, 2nd West Yorks, 2nd Middlesex, 1st Worcesters, 1st Notts & Derbys, 2nd Northamptons, 2nd E. Lancs, 2nd R. Berkshires, and 2nd Rifle Brigade, with 22nd Durhams as Pioneers.

The situation in the Somme sector was disquieting. In March 1918, the Germans had finally knocked the Russians out of the war, forcing an armistice of the Eastern Front. This enabled them to transfer about 1 million battle-hardened troops to the West, which they concentrated in the Somme. The British Army was under-strength there. Political considerations at home had starved the units of reinforcements. There was a general election due and the Prime Minister, Lloyd George, withheld many young trained soldiers in the hope of keeping the electorate on his side. It was a decision which nearly lost the war.

The Germans now outnumbered their opponents at a ratio of about 3:1 and they were about to launch a massive offensive, trying to drive a wedge between the British and French armies, pushing through to the Channel ports and thus knocking Great Britain out of the war before the American Army, now arriving in huge numbers, could tip the balance against them. The 8th Division (with Archibald in D Company, 8th Battalion MGC) was at Harbonnieres, behind the Somme Canal, when the first assaults commenced on 21st of March 1918. All defending divisions were pushed quickly back all along the Somme frontage and by the 29th April the 8th Battalion MGC had lost 23 officers and 410 other ranks. Many of these were initially listed as missing and subsequently found to be POWs. The 8th Division was relieved by the 4th Australian Division.

It was clear that the whole Division was in a very poor state and needed to be rested and strongly reinforced. Along with the 21st, 25th, and 50th Divisions, all in a similar state, the 8th was sent to a "quiet" spot in the French lines farther south in the Aisne sector where a build-up of strength and recuperation could take place. The 8th arrived at Fere-en-Tardenois where they were packed like sardines into French trenches on the ridge of high ground known as the Chemin-des-Dames (The Ladies Road), which the French had taken from the Germans at enormous cost in 1917 and was the cause of the near-mutiny in the French Army.

The British were of the opinion that the positions held were very bad. They were on ground with a river to the rear and there was no strength-in-depth, a tactic used very successfully by the Brits in March/April on the Somme. There were no trenches further back and no reserve artillery points, but the French would not hear of establishing that system - they would not yield a single yard, although they told the British that there was nothing to fear anyway, that it was a very quiet spot! Unknown to the French and British, the Germans had decided to make an all-out effort to break through to Paris since they had been stopped on the Somme, well short of the Channel ports. They also knew the British were "resting" there and had decided to head straight for them, engaging 12 whole divisions.

When the battle started on 27th May 1918, the British units stood no chance. They were quickly overwhelmed and outflanked, and were forced into a headlong retreat in which thousands were killed or taken prisoner. The heaviest blows fell upon the 8th Division, and poor Archy was "in the bag" by the next day, the 28th May 1918. The overall offensive failed after the Germans had captured much ground, but at fearful cost. It would be their last gamble of the war. Fewer than half of the strength of 8th Battalion MGC escaped capture. The POWs from this period were spread among many different camps. Archy was sent to Gustrow Camp, south of Rostock on the Baltic coast.

He was released immediately after the Armistice and arrived back in the UK, at Dover, on 1st of December 1918. All returned POWs were given immediate leave unless they required hospital treatment. Archibald Mills was discharged from the Army on 28 March 1919 and went to Class Z Reserve. That meant that the Army regarded him as fit, and liable for recall in an emergency.

Stuart Henderson




261438

Pte. James Haldane Hamilton 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.29th Sep 1918)

James Hamilton, 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

James Hamilton served with the 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Jo Barber




261436

Cpl. Daniel McIntee 14th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.26th Nov 1917)

Daniel McIntee, 14th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Daniel McIntee served with the 14th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.





261405

Cpl. Joseph Forster 1/8th Battalion Pincess Louise Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.16th May 1917)

My great uncle Joseph Forster joined the 1/8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders(Princess Louise) on the 18th of April 1915. He and his comrades were guarding a chemical works at Fampoux on the last day of the Battle of Arras 16th of May 1917 when he was listed as missing presumed killed. He was 19 years old.

Alan Pearson




260567

Cpl Henry Smith

Henry Smith was my grandad. I know nothing of him. I have his medal from 1914-1919

Stewart McDinald




258631

Pte. Robert Kilpatrick 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.10th Nov 1914)

Robert Kilpatrick served with 2nd Btn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.





258553

Andrew McNally Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Andrew McNally served with Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders





258210

2Lt. William Robert Kennedy 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.25th Sept 1915)

My Uncle Bill Kennedy, an older brother of my yet-to-be-born mother, was a promising medical student at the University of Aberdeen, where he gained 1st class certificates of merit in his first year.

Initially, her served in the Gordon Highlanders, going into the trenches on his 19th birthday on 8th March 1915, he displayed such conspicuous bravery in carrying urgent despatches across a shell-swept zone, by motorcycle, from his Battalion to Divisional HQ, that he was complimented by the Major-General commanding the Third Division, was recommended for the DCM, and singled out for promotion.

After a six-week course at the French Military College at St Omer, he was instead awarded a commission on the field, 2nd Lieut. in 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. After two days leave in August to get his uniform, during which he managed to get home and see his parents for one night, he was killed at Loos, at the head of his platoon, leading them against the enemy, shot through the heart on a day when the battalion lost 10 officers and 112 men. The chaplain Rev Fred Langlands buried him in Cambrin Churchyard on the 28th and wrote to his parents, Dr John Robert Kennedy and Mrs Cecilia Kennedy. My mother, born in 1916, was given the middle name Cambrin, in his memory.

Louise Dickson




257606

David Anderson 8th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.28th April 1916)

David Anderson served with the 8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in WW1. He died 28th of April 1916 aged 36 years and is buried Maroeuil British Cemetery in France. Son of James and Minnie McKay Anderson of Port Ellen, Islay, Argyllshire.

Cheryl Lawless




257115

Pte. William Robertson Paterson 15th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.4th May 1917)

William Paterson was born on 14th of February 1895, the second son of a grocer in Glasgow. He enlisted on 23rd of November 1915 with the 15th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and was killed on 4th of May 1917 aged 22 years in the Arras Offensive and is buried in the Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery in France.

William's elder brother, Alexander, was injured in WW1 fighting with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Their cousin, Wallace Campbell Paterson, was killed in 1916 whilst tunnelling underground for the Royal Engineers, and another cousin, James Speirs Anderson Paterson was seriously injured in 1915 whilst fighting with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces.

William was the son of William B. and Elizabeth Paterson, of 13, Herriet St., Pollokshields, Glasgow.

Alistair Paterson




256896

Pte. Malcolm Campbell 1st Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.12th Nov 1914)

Malcolm Campbell served with the 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in WW1. He died 12th of Nocember 1914 aged 27 years. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium. Son of Neil and Jeanie McKechrie Campbell of 25 Glebe St. Campbeltown.

Douglas Campbell




256853

Pte. Edward O'Donnell 8th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.3rd May 1918)

My Great grandfather, Edward O'Donnell, served in the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders during WW1. He was taken prisoner in 1916 and died as a POW in 1918. He is buried in Halle just outside Berlin. I don't know a great deal about his service and don't have much in way of service records. I do, however, have his medals that were sent back to the family. I know he was born in Ireland around 1890 and moved to Lennoxtown when he was a toddler as his father worked on a farm there.

Martin Lang




256594

Pte. George Samuel William Freebairn 10th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.5th Dec 1916)

George Freebairn served with the 10th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Christine Tyrrell








Recomended Reading.

Available at discounted prices.



Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Alastair Of Airds Campbell



The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders: A Concise History

Trevor Royle


The Argylls have a stirring history of service to the British Crown. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders is one of the best known regiments in the British Army. When it was ordered to disband in 1968 as part of wide-ranging defence cuts, a popular 'Save the Argylls' campaign was successful in keeping the regiment in being. They served all over the empire, taking part in the Indian Mutiny and the Boer War, and fought in both World Wars.In the post-war period the Argylls captured the public imagination in 1967 when they re-occupied the Crater district of Aden following a period of riots. Recruiting mainly from the west of Scotland, the regiment has a unique character and throughout its history has retained a fierce regimental pride which is summed up by its motto: 'sans peur', meaning 'without fear'. "The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders" puts its story into the context of British military history and makes use of personal testimony to reveal the life of the regiment.
Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-19: Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders)


A roll call of those killed during the Great War whilst serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. A valuable research tool.
History of the 51st (Highland) Division 1914-1918

F.W. Bewsher


The Highland Division was one of the pre-war Territorial divisions. Its HQ was in Perth with brigade HQs in Aberdeen, Inverness and Stirling. On mobilization the division moved down to its war station in Bedford where it remained, carrying out training till embarking for France in May 1915. During this period six of its battalions were sent to France, three in November 1914 and three in the following March, replaced by two Highland battalions and a brigade of four Lancashire battalions; it is not clear whether the latter were required to wear kilts. They were transferred to the 55th (West Lancashire) Division when that division reformed in France in January 1916 and were replaced, appropriately, by Scottish battalions. It was in May 1915, just as the division arrived in France, that it was designated 51st and the brigades 152nd, 153rd and 154th; by the end of the war the 51st (Highland) Division had become one of the best known divisions in the BEF.




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