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The Black Watch was formed as part of the Childers Reforms in 1881 when the Royal Highland Regiment (The Black Watch) was amalgamated with the 73rd (Perthshire) Foot to form two battalions of the newly named Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).
During World War I the 25 battalions of Black Watch fought in France and Flanders, Mesopotamia and Palestine and the Balkans. In World War II, battalions of the Black Watch fought in almost every major action of the British, from Palestine to Dunkirk to Normandy and as Chindits (42 and 73 columns) in Burma.
When war broke out with Germany in September 1939 the 2nd Battalion was already on active service in Palestine and was to be deployed in a successful rearguard action against overwhelming Italian forces in Somaliland in July 1940. It was then sent to Crete to help defend the island from the anticipated German invasion.
In 1941 German paratroopers descended on the 2nd Battalion at Herklion, eventually forcing the withdrawal of the garrison. It was next fought in Tobruk, and then was sent to India in 1944.
The 2nd Battalion was trained for the Second Chindit Expedition, divided into two columns. It spent 5 months behind Japanese lines disrupting communications, supplies and reinforcements. Supplied by air drop, they attacked and ambushed enemy columns in thick jungle, heat, disease and the monsoon. The 2nd Battalion ended the war training as a parachute unit for the planned invasion of Malaya.
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On our 12th Anniversary we would like to thank all those who have contributed to this project.
Research your own Family History.
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June 2011 - 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.
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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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If you have any unwanted
photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them.
The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes.
World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great
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List of those who served in The 2nd Battalion The Black Watch during The Second World War.
Select a story link or scoll down to browse those stories hosted on this website
If you have any names to add to this list, or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please get in touch.
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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. |
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. |
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If so please let us know.
Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice.
Celebrate your own Family History
Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc.
Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.
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