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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.
The 5th Battalion Black Watch was part of the 51st Highland Division, captured at St Valéry, June 1940. It was reconstituted in Britain around the 9th Scottish Division. The remnants of the 1st Battalion were rebuilt and joined the 5th and 7th Battalions, going to Egypt in June 1942. The Battle of Alamein, 23rd October 1942 engaged all three Black Watch battalions. The 5th Battalion was withdrawn from the front in November and was part of the forces pursuing the retreating Axis forces past Benghazi and Tobruk. Battles took place at Mareth, Wadi Zigzaou, Wadi Akarit, ending with Sfax, 9th April 1943.
The 5th Battalion saw no more action in North Africa, moving to Algeria and training in amphibious landings for the invasion of Sicily, 10th July. From July until October 1943 the 5th battled and skirmished its way across Sicily and Italy. It was then sent back to Britain for training for the invasion of France. On 6th June 1944, it landed on Juno Beach, moving across northern France and Holland to the lower Rhine. It followed the 1st and 7th Battalions shortly after they had led the attack into Germany itself through the Reichswald on 8th February 1945. It crossed the Rhine on 22nd March under severe shelling, engaged in house-to-house fighting in Rees, and further actions until VE-Day.
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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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List of those who served in The 5th 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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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.
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