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The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) was formed in 1881 the 42nd and 73rd Regiments of Foot were amalgamated. The history of the regiment can be traced back to the raising in 1725 of six independent companies of highlanders from clans which had remained loyal to King George I during the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. During World War Two the 1st, 2nd, 4th 5th, 6th and 7th Battalions of the Black Watch, saw action abroad with the loss of 1740 men. The 8th 9th and 10th battalions were engaged in home defence and training duties in the UK throughout the war.
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List of those who served with The Black Watch during The Second World War
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"Geordie" Whitwell Black Watch I was captured at Anzio and eventually transported to Stalag 4b at Mulberg. Two incidents spring to mind apart from the general starvation. A German plane one day straffed the prisoners walking around the compound and coming in far too low struck and Airforce corporal (I think his name was Brown) killing him. Another when one of the prisoners crawled through the broken fence between two compounds to retrieve a football and was wantonly shot dead by one of the guards. One name of Blondie who then took off chased by a mob of prisoners who would have torn him apart had they caught him. I understand that he eventually copped his just deserts. I then was transferred with others to Stalag 357 at Fallingbostel and vividly remember having a luger shoved up my nose by one of the guards aptly called The Bull when lying in bed when I should have been on roll call. I was one of the lucky ones who was in the last party to leave the camp when the allies were approaching and which the Germans failed to get over the Elbe and sent back under their own devices to the camp. We were eventually relieved by The Royal Scots and flown back to England in Dakotas. The Man of Confidence was named Dixie Dean an Australian Airforce warrant officer and a great guy. Died about ten years ago here in Sydney Australia. I understand that the idea for Hogans Heroes was based on Dixie's sabotage work. My muckers were Middy Middleton (Green Howards) Jeff, Taffy, Wally and Sailor and I still have the birthday card they made for me on my 21st Birthday. Sorry that I lost touch with them when the war finished as they looked after me as compared to them I was a kid.to know more about this Stalag. |
William Duncan McArthur Black Watch 51st Highland Division My father William Duncan McArthur was a prisoner in Stalag XXA. I have his dog tags and his number is 15369. He came from Dundee and he was a Dundee weaver. He was a piper in the Black Watch which was part of the 51st Highland Division. He was captured at St Valery during the retreat to Dunkirk as his division was fighting a rearguard action to assist in the evacuation of Dunkirk. He was Lord Ogilvy's Batman. He died when I was five and thus I have only dim memories of him now that I am 47 and have a family of my own. I have heard several stories of him. He was once working as a farm hand when he saw a Nazi Sergeant beating a Jewish woman with his rifle butt. My father became enraged and chased the Sergeant with a pitchfork with the intent of killing him. He was brought before the authorities of the camp to be executed but he explained that he could not understand the German language and what the Sergeant was saying and so his life was spared. This excuse saved his life. On another occasion whilst in the camp, 17 camp inmates were desperate to contact their families at home to inform them that they were not dead. They all wrote their names and addresses on any material they could find such as cardboard, paper, bark or leaves. They did not know how to get the addresses to the outside world so my father stuffed all of the bits of paper and bark into his boot and threw it over the camp fence. A postman found the boot and delivered it to the French Underground and it was finally delivered to my mother who notified the families of their loved one's presence in the camp. He remained in the camp for the whole war. Once he was home from the war, he weighed only 6 stone. His legs were so badly ulcerated that the medical authorities wanted to amputate both legs. My mother forbade this and over a long period of time, tended him and saved his legs. At his funeral in Sydney, Australia in 1965, a man came to the funeral whom none of our family and friends recognised. Once he was approached he stated that "Bill McArthur saved my life and so I have come to pay my respects". If anyone knew of my father, especially in WW2 please contact me. |
CSM Charles Herbert Baggs 2nd Battalion Black Watch My grandfather, CSM Charles Herbert Baggs, 2nd Battalion Black Watch, was held in Stalag 383 from 1940 until 1945. |
William Duncan McArthur Black Watch 51st Highland Division My father William Duncan McArthur was a prisoner in Stalag XXA. I have his dog tags and his number is 15369. He came from Dundee and he was a Dundee weaver. He was a piper in the Black Watch which was part of the 51st Highland Division. He was captured at St Valery during the retreat to Dunkirk as his division was fighting a rearguard action to assist in the evacuation of Dunkirk. He was Lord Ogilvy's Batman. He died when I was five and thus I have only dim memories of him now that I am 47 and have a family of my own. I have heard several stories of him. He was once working as a farm hand when he saw a Nazi Sergeant beating a Jewish woman with his rifle butt. My father became enraged and chased the Sergeant with a pitchfork with the intent of killing him. He was brought before the authorities of the camp to be executed but he explained that he could not understand the German language and what the Sergeant was saying and so his life was spared. This excuse saved his life. On another occasion whilst in the camp, 17 camp inmates were desperate to contact their families at home to inform them that they were not dead. They all wrote their names and addresses on any material they could find such as cardboard, paper, bark or leaves. They did not know how to get the addresses to the outside world so my father stuffed all of the bits of paper and bark into his boot and threw it over the camp fence. A postman found the boot and delivered it to the French Underground and it was finally delivered to my mother who notified the families of their loved one's presence in the camp. He remained in the camp for the whole war. Once he was home from the war, he weighed only 6 stone. His legs were so badly ulcerated that the medical authorities wanted to amputate both legs. My mother forbade this and over a long period of time, tended him and saved his legs. At his funeral in Sydney, Australia in 1965, a man came to the funeral whom none of our family and friends recognised. Once he was approached he stated that "Bill McArthur saved my life and so I have come to pay my respects". If anyone knew of my father, especially in WW2 please contact me. |
CSM Charles Herbert Baggs 2nd Battalion Black Watch My grandfather, CSM Charles Herbert Baggs, 2nd Battalion Black Watch, was held in Stalag 383 from 1940 until 1945. |
Wilfred Thomas Black Watch I am looking for any one who can help tell me anything about Stalag Va, my father, Wilfred Thomas was a prisoner there,he was in the blackwatch. I have photos of him there and letters. I would also like to know if there are any trips to this camp. |
Harry Dalby 1st Battalion The Black Watch, 51st Highland Division My late grandfather Harry Dalby was a POW in Stalag XXA. I have had his prisoner of war records translated and they give 2.K Batlingen, Batlingen 20 and Reigersfeld as work camps. My grandfather, while in one of the camps, had what can only be described as a large hankie or part of a sheet with his Battalion's badge and two soldiers in highland dress on either side of it. This was drawn in ink we were told. It also has HE YDEBRECK written on the top of it which I believe is Batlingen. We have no idea who made this for him so if anyone has any idea or info I would be very greatful. He was in the 1st Battalion The Black Watch, 51st Highland Division captured St.Valery 16/6/40. |
Sgt. Augustus Keen Black Watch My Father, Gus Keen, was a pre-war Territorial and became full time in 1938. Initially in the Artillery he was seconded north to a Training Camp on the racecourse at Troon, attached to the Black Watch. Because he was an experienced driver, rare in the 1930's, he quickly rose through the ranks and became a small arms and drill instructor. My mother never let him forget how she could hear him shouting at new recruits across the barrack square (she always said it was a mile, but I doubt it) and how on one occasion she wheeled my brother, in his pram, right up to him on the parade ground to tell him not to shout so much! He was promoted Sergeant Major and transferred to Northern Ireland with an Ack Ack unit where he became a Spotter. His job was to go up in a Lysander aircraft, fly over Liverpool,Cardiff or Bristol- wherever the raid was coming in- and tell the gunners on the ground what height the bombers were at to set their fuses to the reuired height. On one occasion the plane ran out of fuel and they landed in a field near RAF Locking, Weston-super-Mare, and had to walk to the air station to request fuel. The Duty Officer asked my father if he wanted to go back with the 19 year old pilot or make other arrangements. He went back to N Ireland by train and ferry! He never liked flying after that and after the war never went in an aeroplane again. Although never wounded, he played football for his regiment and had to have his cartliage removed, for which he received a war pension until his death in 1999. As a small boy in the 1950's I can remember his silver topped cane which he used when he became an Acting RSM with the Black Watch towards the end of the war. This site certainly prompts some good old memories. |
My father, Stanley John Rose (often known as 'Danny' during WW2) served in
the Blackwatch regiment, I think it was 2nd Battalion. He fought through
Italy and was wounded at Monte Cassino.
One incident that he often relates involved a comrade called 'Bonham-
Carter'. My father was behind Bonham-Carter when was killed by a land mine
and my father was wounded by some shrapnel from the mine.
Does anyone know anything about the Bonham-Carter he was with and the
incident.
 The photograph shows my father (wearing the shorts) in Palestine 1946. The officer in the kilt is Lt Brown. Any information on Lt Brown would also be welcomed. Many thanks.
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 This is a photo of my Grandad's Battalion the 1st Battalion Black Watch taken before the war in 1939. I have been researching my Grandad's history and have found out quite alot of information so far, I am still looking though. My Grandad was Harry Dalby (first on the back row left) a private, his friend (third in starting at my Grandad) was called Jack (jock) my Grandad stayed in touch with him after the war. If anyone could put names to any of the other faces I would be very greatfull or if any one would like a copy of the photo, please get in touch. My Grandad was sent to France very early after the outbreak of the war, he was captured at St.Valery on the 12/6/40. He then spent the rest of the war in Poland as a POW main camp Stalag XXA, camp no BAB20. Any information about the camp especially BAB20 would be appreciated. 
Photo from his POW Card. 
This photo of a hankie I am trying to find out about. All I know is that it was made for my Grandad by a Polish soldier and that Grandad kept it with him through out his time as a POW in Stalag XXA. I was told by some one that it may have been part of an exhibition. Thank you Michele Carroll |
