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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.
Battalions during the Second World War.
- 1st Battalion
- 2nd Battalion
- 3rd Battalion
- 4th Battalion
- 5th Battalion
- 6th Battalion
- 7th Battalion
- 8th Battalion
- 9th Battalion
- 10th Battalion
Remembering the troops of all nations who served on D-Day.
6th of June is the anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy. Please take a moment to remember those who took part and those whose support made the operation possible. If your relative was involved, please consider sharing their story via this site so that others may learn about this historic event. The Wartime Memories project is now 13 Years old. If you would like to send us a present, a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. In these difficult times current donations are falling far short of this target. Research your own Family History.
June 2013 - Please note we currently have a large backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site.
We are aware of the issue with missing images, this is due to the redesign of the website, images will reappear as soon as the new version of the page is completed, thank you for your patience.
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List of those who served with The Black Watch during The Second World War
Select a story link or scoll down to browse those stories hosted on this website
- CSM Charles Herbert Baggs 2nd Battalion Read his Story.
- CSM Charles Herbert Baggs 2nd Battalion Read his Story.
- William Leonard Bowden Read his Story.
- Pte. Dan Bricknal Read his Story.
- Robert Cooper Read his Story.
- Robert " " Cruickshank Read his Story.
- Harry Dalby 1st Battalion Read his Story.
- L/Cpl. James Draine 1st Battalion (d.23rd March 1945) Read his Story.
- L/Cpl. Kenneth John Farmer 7th Btn. (d.25th Oct 1944) Read his Story.
- Sgt. David Fenton Read his Story.
- Cpl. Douglas Henry Gardner Read his Story.
- Sergeant Hugh Michael Geraghty
- Pte. Louis Gillen Read his Story.
- Pte. Louis Gillen Read his Story.
- Pte. Ernest Gavin Grant 1st Btn. D Company Read his Story.
- Sgt. William James Hands 3rd Battalion. Read his Story.
- Pte. James Hoey Read his Story.
- Cpl. Thomas Herbert Hulls 4th Btn. Read his Story.
- Pte. James Thomas Inglis Read his Story.
- Douglas Lloyd Innes Read his Story.
- Sgt. Augustus Keen Read his Story.
- Pte. Robert Gourdie Kirk 1st Btn Read his Story.
- William Duncan McArthur Black Watch Read his Story.
- William Duncan McArthur Black Watch Read his Story.
- T. Mitchell Read his Story.
- Cpl. James Low Sharp MM. 1st Battalion
- Pte. Thomas Parker "Jim" Smith Read his Story.
- Pte. Walter Flanders Standage Read his Story.
- Cpl William Horace James Stanners 10th & 6th Battalion
- Wilfred Thomas Read his Story.
- Lt. Ian Menzies Todd 5th Btn. Read his Story.
- Private Philip Clive Wakefield 6th Battalion (d.13 Nov 1944) Read his Story.
- William Walton
- Pte. David White Read his Story.
- "Geordie" Whitwell Read his Story.
- Charles Whyte Read his Story.
- Brig. John A Barstow. (d. 3rd January 1941)
- Lt Brown. Read his story
- James Buchanan. Read his story
- Pte. Harry Dalby. 1st Btn. Read his story
- Jim Clarkin. Black Watch (d.24 Apr 1945) Read his story
- Pte Joseph Cormack. 4th Btn. (d. 14th April 1945)
- John James Crane (d. 6th August 1941)
- Pte. Harry Crossley (d. 17th November 1944)
- Arthur Helps. Read his story
- John Albert E Hammond. Read his Story
- Pte. Thomas Jackson. 1st Btn. (d. 21st November 1944)
- Pte Gilbert Richard Naylor. Read his Story
- Pte. George Albert Pearce. 7th Btn. (d. 15th November 1944)
- Stanley John "Danny" Rose Read his story
- Sgt. Robert Christie Sullivan. 1st Btn. (d. 24th November 1944)
"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.
Robert " " Cruickshank Black Watch
My father, Robert Cruickshank, served in The Black Watch during WW2 in North Africa. During that time he and 19 other servicemen built a Church called “St Margarets Church of Scotland“ Abbassia. My father died while I was quite young , so I don’t know the detail behind this remarkable story. I have clippings from the “Scottish Field” December 1944 and the “Burning Bush “ September 16th 1944 and some personal photos, know he spent some time at El Abbassia Hospital but that’s it. Can anyone help fill in the gaps?
Pte. Ernest Gavin Grant 1st Btn. D Company The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)
Any info on Ernie Grant? He was wounded at St Valery with The 51st Highland Division and captured. He was also shot at some other point whilst a POW.
He remembered being liberated by the Americans and working in the salt mines. If any one remembers him or any stories please get in touch
Cpl. Douglas Henry Gardner The Black Watch
My father 'Harry' Gardner fought in the Second World War in The Black Watch. He signed up when he was 17 and joined a local regiment but they lost a lot of tro0ps and were merged with The Black Watch. He did not talk much about the war and it was hard to get informaton out of him but I do know he served in Egypt (he hated the place)and he was in the D-Day landings.He also had the choice to be 'Mentioned in Dispatches' or have the weekend off instead,he took the latter! He rose to the rank of corporal and when crossing the Rhine he got shot in the back of the neck and the bullet came out of his cheek. Luckily it missed all of his vital organs. He was also shot in the leg while running back for help. For this he lost his stripes! He was discharged from the Army as A1 Fit and didn't get a penny compensation,though they said if he stayed in he could become a Sergeant, he told them where to go!! He died in 1997 and to me he was a hero.
L/Cpl. Kenneth John Farmer 7th Btn. The Black Watch (d.25th Oct 1944)
This was my Uncle Ken. I do not have a lot of information on him as my family fragmented when my parents divorced when I was 9. I was always in awe of my hero uncle who died at the age of 19 in a place called Halschewater in the Netherlands on 25/10/1944. He was one of only two 7th batallion members recorded killed that day. The other was CPL Harold Dawson 2885672 who was 27. I never really got any details from my mother about his short military career other than he was a "Leading sniper of eight" whatever that meant. He is buried in Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery grave # 179 in plot KK he is there with a lot of aircrew that had died during the many operations from 1940 onwards. His comrade in arms Cpl Dawson was returned to Aberdeen and laid to rest by his family. I have two children of my own now and I tell them often of their great uncle who went to war and never came home. I look at my son who is now the same age as Ken Farmer was when he served and I shudder to think of what my Grandparents and Mother had to deal with when they heard their first born had died. I will always be proud to carry his name and I will ensure he is never fogotten by my clan. Rest in Peace Ken, you saved us all!
Pte. Robert Gourdie Kirk 1st Btn Black Watch
Private Britcher is a relative of my wife's. All we know about him is that he was killed near Dunkirk and lies buried there. If anyone can give me some information regarding his death and service it would be gratefullly received especially as this month is the 70th anniversary of that terrible day. It would be good for us to remember him.
Lt. Ian Menzies Todd 5th Btn. Black Watch
I am looking for information about my father, Ian Menzies Todd, who served during WWII in the 5th Battalion Black Watch of the 51st Division in Montgomery's 8th Army. Could anyone help me or give me a lead? I would be very grateful.
Pte. Louis Gillen Black Watch
My father, Louis Gillen,joined the Ulster Rifles and was at El Alamein with the Black Watch. He was captured in Italy. I don't know where he was held, but he managed to escape and was re-captured again approx 12 months later. He was taken to Stalag XI A where he remained until the end of the war. I would love to hear what life was like there as my father never really spoke about it. Sadly he passed away in 2003 aged 81yrs.
Pte. David White Black Watch
I am trying to get information on my uncle , David White. He was a Prisoner in Stalag XX and I think he was in the Black Watch. He has now passed away and there are no members of his direct family left. I would love to have some info, if possible.
Cpl. Thomas Herbert Hulls 4th Btn. The Black Watch
I'm looking to find out about my dad, Thomas Hulls. I know he served with the Black Watch and was in Palestine in 1945, I think with the 4th battalion, but other than that I don't know. I would love to know more and would be very grateful if anyone could help me.
Sgt. William James Hands 3rd Battalion. Black Watch
My father was Sergeant William James Hands of the 3rd battalion Black Watch Tyneside Scottish. He was a prisoner of war for 5 years, first at Thorn in Poland and then marched to Hohenfels in Bavaria at Stalag 383. I have a 3 year diary which he kept also various photographs including some of his dance band "Bill Hands and his Blue Rhythm Boys".
Douglas Lloyd Innes Black Watch
My Grandad was in the Black Watch and was a POW at Stalag. He recently passed away and I have been given his diary which records the last few days of their imprisonment then the journey to their freedom.
Private Philip Clive Wakefield 6th Battalion Black Watch (d.13 Nov 1944)
Phil was my granddad's brother - he was only 21 when he was killed in Italy. He is buried in Cesena and from research it appears the 6th Batt were involved in terrible battles in the towns and villages around this part of Italy. I've always been aware of Phil and where he was buried but have really only just started looking into his battalion's role in the war.
Pte. James Thomas Inglis Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
My Grandfather died before I was born and I Know that his family came from Gretna in Dumfrieshire, have been searching his army records for several years. Recently I have found that he joined the Blackwatch in 1939 and was then transferred to the Royal Fusiliers with whom he was sent on the British Expedition to France, he was posted from there back to England and then to Iceland where he was posted for two years before being sent back to Kingston in the UK for a further two years before being posted on the British North African Force.
My grandfather was in the army for a total 7 years. In 1952 he emigrated to America and settled in New Jersey where he passed away in 1964 aged just 46. I would love to hear first hand accounts from anyone who may have served in the same Regiments or who served in the same places as my grandfather
Charles Whyte The Black Watch
My grandfather was called Charles Whyte, we have discovered some photos which, I assume, he took throughout his career. We know he was in the RMP and the Black Watch. We also know he served in Greece, where he was captured. The story, as far as I can remember, is that he and his colleagues took control of a town which quickly became surrounded by the enemy. Their only means of escape was a Royal Navy ship that was close by. The boat didn't dock to save them, leaving my grandfather and his colleagues to be captured. He was then sent to a prisoner of war camp. Another story is that once the war was over and they were released, my grandfather and his friends helped a Russian ex-prisoner escape the area as the Germans were looking to kill any Russians they found. The pictures we have relate to Stalag XVIII A, Stalag 383 and his time in Palestine and Buddon camp in 1933. I have attached scanned copies of some of the photos. Some of them have writing on the back but unfortunately most do not. If you can help identify some of the places or some of the people in the photos that would be great but mainly I just want to share them.
Sgt. David Fenton Black Watch
David Fenton was an uncle of mine and was a prisoner in Hohen Fels during WW2, serving with the Black Watch he was captured in Crete. My mums uncle, Dan Bricknal was also with the Black Watch and a POW with David, after they were released they never met again till my parents wedding day where David was my father's Best Man. He was still in the Black Watch as CQSM.
Pte. Dan Bricknal Black Watch
Dan Bricknal was my mother's uncle, he served with the Black Watch and was held as POW in Hohen Fels along with my father's brother David Fenton. After they were released they never met again till my parents wedding day where David was my father's Best Man. He was still in the Black Watch as CQSM.
William Leonard Bowden Black Watch
My Father, William Leonard Bowden, was in the Black Watch and I know he was a POW and am pretty sure that firstly he was captured at Dunkirk and was then in Stalag XXB. I know he was a POW for the whole of the War and did not return home until 1945. Sadly, he died at the start of 1953 and I never asked my mother much about his war time experiences and suspect she might not have wanted to speak about them anyway having been widowed after only seven years of marriage. One thing I do have is a little New Testament Bible which is stamped with the Stalag number and had been presented by The Ecumenical Commission for The Chaplaincy Service to Prisoners of War and it then has a brief address in Geneva. I am assuming that all POWs were given these and that it was his
If anyone has any knowledge about his experience during the War I would be most grateful although I know now it is rather late to be asking!
Robert Cooper Black Watch
I am trying to find information in respect of my step brother, Robert Cooper of the Black Watch, who died in the Second World War. Up till now I am unable to find out where he died or where he has been laid to rest, please any help would be welcome.
Pte. Walter Flanders Standage Black Watch
My father, Walter Standage, never spoke of his time as a POW and sadly he died in 1978 before I became interested in genealogy and discovered the information I now have on his life and his war years. From research I do know he was captured on 16th June 1940 (uncertain yet exactly where captured or the circumstances - maybe someone can enlighten me) and was in Stalag XXa 35 - Torun and released after VE day 1945.
My mother was notified in August 1940 of his capture and there is a press cutting from the South Wales Echo of this information as apparently another POW in the same Stalag, one Private Hughes was in the same regiment and from the same street back home.
I found the reading of this web page very interesting, enlightening and helpful to understanding some of what he may have endured. I enjoyed reading others memories and viewing the photo's - sadly my father did not seem to be amongst them. I have many photo's of my father's army days but they appear to be more from his time at various postings / camps rather than anything remotely 'Stalag' - only one seems feasible, a group in front of a large wooden hut.
Pte. James Hoey Black Watch
My Dad was a prisoner of war during WW11 at Stalag 20b, Marienburg or so we thought. There are some stories that say it wasn’t in Marienburg but in Willenburg. His name was Private James Hoey, he was in The Black Watch. I wish I had asked him questions when he talked about it. Unfortunately, he died in 1999 and I am trying to research as much about him as I can. So if anyone knew my Dad or can tell me when and where he was captured or knew of anyone who served with him, I'd love to hear from you.
Pte. Thomas Parker "Jim" Smith Black Watch
My Dad, Thomas Smith was held at Stalag XXB but like many did not talk about it much. He was wounded by a grenade so probably spent some time in medical care, loosing the sight in his right eye and wounds to right arm and leg He did tell some funny stories like the one about the potato that made noises.... familiar to anyone?
Pte. Louis Gillen Black Watch
My father, Louis Gillen, was captured after the North African Campaign. He was captured in Italy but managed to escape twice. He joined the army with the Ulster Rifles but was attached to Black Watch in 8th Army. He was eventually captured and sent to Stalag 11a in Altengrabow. He remained there until they were liberated. He passed away in 1983. He was a wonderful man. Does anyone have any information on him as I would be delighted to hear anything.
L/Cpl. James Draine 1st Battalion Black Watch (d.23rd March 1945)
My Great Uncle Jimmy Draine was a regular soldier from the age of 18, to 31 years old at his death. He fought in all the major battles and died at Speldrop/Klein Esserdren crossing the Rhine on the 23 March 1945 on their way to final victory. He served with Major D. Johnstone, 1st Battalion Black Watch and was on the forward Company on the night of 23rd of March 1945 when himself and others got a direct hit from a shell and died. He is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
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.
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
Tom Renouf
As a 19-year old Black Watch conscript Tom Renouf's war began with some of the most vicious fighting of the conflict - against Himmler's fanatical 'Hitler Youth' SS Division. It ended with the capture of Himmler himself and Tom taking a trophy he still treasures - the Gestapo commander's watch. Seriously wounded and later decorated with a Military Medal for gallantry, Tom Renouf witnessed the death and maiming of countless of his teenage comrades and saw the survivors transformed into grizzled veterans. Tom Renouf draws on his own personal experiences - as well as his unique archive of interviews with veterans amassed over twenty years as secretary of the 51st Highland Division Veterans' Association - to paint a vivid picture of the Battle of Normandy, the liberation of Holland, the Battle of the Bulge and many more memorable WW2 events.More information on:
Gian Gaspare Napolitano
First published in an Italian-language anti-fascist newspaper in Switerland in 1944, this remarkable book tells the story of Lieutenant Pinto, appointed Italian liaison officer to the Scottish Black Watch. Based on the author's own experiences as a Black Watch liaison officer, "To War with the Black Watch" is a sharp, witty and moving insight into Scots-Italian relations in the latter part of the Second World War.More information on:
Dr. Tom Renouf
'Triumphant . . . A remarkable wartime story' --Tim Newark, FINANCIAL TIMES --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. Book Description * A personal story of the Second World War brought to life against the backdrop of the Black Watch - Scotland's best-known regimentMore information on:
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Black Watch: Liberating Europe and Catching Himmler - My Extraordinary WW2 with the Highland Division
To War with the Black Watch
Black Watch: Liberating Europe and catching Himmler - my extraordinary WW2 with the Highland Division
