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The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) were formed in 1881 as the county regiment of Lanarkshire, by the amalganation of the 1st Battalion 26th (The Cameronian) Regiment of Foot and the 2nd Battalion 90th Regiment of Foot (Perthshire Volunteers Light Infantry) Thier line can be traced back to 1689 when they were known as The Earl of Angus's Regiment or The Cameronian Regiment.
During the Second World War the regiment saw action at Ypres-Comines Canal, Odon, Cheux, Caen, Mont Pincon, Estry, Nederrijn, Best, Scheldt, South Beveland, Walcheren Causeway, Asten, Roer, Rhineland, Reichswald, Moyland, Rhine, Dreirwalde, Bremen, Artlenberg, North-West Europe 1940, '44-45, Landing in Sicily, Simeto Bridgehead, Sicily 1943, Garigliano Crossing, Anzio, Advance to Tiber, Italy 1943-44, Pegu 1942, Paungde, Yenagyaung 1942, and Burma.
The regiment was disbanded in 1968
Battalions during the Second World War:
- 1st Battalion
- 2nd Battalion
- 3rd Battalion
- 4th Battalion
- 5th/8th Battalion
- 6th (Lanarkshire) Battalion
- 7th Battalion
- 8th Battalion
- 9th Battalion
- 10th (Lanarkshire) Battalion
- 11th (Home Defence) Battalion
- 12th Battalion
- 13th (Home Defence) Battalion
- 30th Battalion
- 50th (Holding) Battalion
List of those who served with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) during The Second World War
- Rfm. Ernest Bates 9th Btn. (d.16th Feb 1945)
- Leslie Chapman 9th Btn.
- Rfm. Charles Coleburn 9th Btn. (d.24th Sep 1944)
- Rfm. John Dawson 9th Btn. (d.6th Aug 1944)
- L/Cpl. William Downie 6th Btn. (d.19th May 1943) Read his Story.
- L/Cpl. William Downie 6th Btn. (d.19th May 1943) Read his Story.
- Lance Corporal William Downie 6th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.19th April 1945) Read his Story.
- Rfm. Frank Gibbs 9th Btn.
- Robert Hedges Read his Story.
- Cpl. Benjamin Charles Jackman 9th Btn. (d.16th Jan 1945)
- Gerald Jeffrey 9th Btn. D. Coy Read his Story.
- Rfm. Frank Norman Lewis 9th Btn. (d.30th Apr 1945)
- Sgt. Ronald Bernard Loftus 9th Btn. (d.7th Sep 1944)
- Cpl. Clarence Leslie "Les" Marson Read his Story.
- Rfm. Andrew McLean 9th Btn.
- Rfm. John Gerald Oliver 9th Btn. (d.26th Sep 1944)
- Cpl. Edgar George Price 9th Btn.
- Rfm. John Ritchie 9th Btn.
- Rfm. Alfred George Sellens 1st Btn. 5 Platoon Read his Story.
- Rifleman Leonard George Shadbolt 7th Btn. (d.21st Jan 1945) Read his Story.
- William Tarren
- Leslie Thompson
- Rfm. Robert Turnbull 9th Btn. (d.28th Nov 1944) Read his Story.
- Mjr. Lance Greville Warrington MC. (d.20th Nov 1944) Read his Story.
- Rfm. Walter Welton 9th Btn. Read his Story.
- Rfm. Lionel Edward Whitehead 7th Btn. (d.27th Oct 1944)
- Pte. Herbert Whitfield Read his Story.
- Fusilier Ernest Woodman 7th Btn. Read his Story.
Rfm. Alfred George Sellens 1st Btn. 5 Platoon The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
I am doing some research for a friend of mine. Her father was Alfred George Sellens, a RF.N. in the Cameronians. He served in DP of Burma 1943 to’45. He and other soldiers wrote several wonderful poems in an old Eclipse Reporters Note Book, which I think has a twin somewhere. One of these poems is “The Bar O Boys, Introducing 5 Platoon.” The list below contains as many names as I was able to glean from the poem. If any of these names are familiar, please contact me. I would love to compile a history of this Platoon and discover if there is another Eclipse Reporters Note Book of poetry out there. Bar O Boys 5 Platoon Taffy John - Range Boss Tex, M’Guire - Foreman Donneky J.C. O’Connel Sinclair Auchinclose Smokey Rooney Little Cooney Pete McEwan Tichy Elam Thompson Ginger Spiers Watt Wee Spud Tomson Georgie Woods Bobby Dreer Deighton Harry Hindson Tug Wilson - bronco buster Petrie - top hand rustler Begorra, Pat, Hayewood Duncan Michie Tam Mc’Crae Sammy Begg Jackson Fair-Man (Scottish Rifles) Any information that would lead to the identity of theses riflemen would be greatly appreciated.
L/Cpl. William Downie 6th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.19th May 1943)
I am looking for information on my Grandfather, Lance Corpral William Downie of the Cameronians Scottish ifles, R.O. No 16, Camp no 357, POW no 25505, He was captured in May 1940 and died May 19th 1943, he was in Stalag XXA (fort 13 infirmary).
L/Cpl. William Downie 6th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.19th May 1943)
I am looking for information on my Grandfather, Lance Corpral William Downie of the Cameronians Scottish ifles, R.O. No 16, Camp no 357, POW no 25505, He was captured in May 1940 and died May 19th 1943, he was in Stalag XXA (fort 13 infirmary).
UPDATE:
I would like to contact anyone who knew my uncle LCpl William (Bill) Downie, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) who was captured in Trondheim, Norway in 1940 and transferred to Stalag XXA. He was a POW there until 1945 where he joined the exodus to the west and was killed by an Allied aircraft attack on his column along with approximately 33 other POWs. This incident occured near Hannover on 19 April 1945. If anyone knows any more information on this incident, I would appreciate that you would contact me. My uncle in buried at the Commonwealth Military Cemetery in Charlotteburg, Berlin.
Pte. Herbert Whitfield Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Herbert Whitfield (English) Cameronians (SR) 2nd World War. I don't have a story, but I do have a question. I found my father's army service and pay book in my mother's effects when she died. It says he was in the Cameronians (SR) and his army no. was 1572231. He was a private. Since he was from Leeds, Yorkshire, I don't know what he was doing in a Scottish Regiment.
I know he served in Wales and was a gunner, but I don't know what that means. What did gunners do in Wales? I remember a story he told of German planes flying into a harbour that had hills on each side. I think the army had guns on the hills firing at the planes, but it's all very hazy because he would have told me this when I was a child. I know he was shipped out to Burma in March 1945. They were clearing Japanese soldiers out of the jungle, I think.
I'd be very grateful for any information you could give me about this regiment and what the Wales division was doing during the War.
Cpl. Clarence Leslie "Les" Marson Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
My Grandad served with the Cameronians during WW2. His name was Clarence Leslie Marson but his service and pay book states Clarence Lester Marson. Everyone knew him as 'Les' even his personal effects suitcase has the initials L.M.
He enlisted on 15/02/40 in Notttingham and was transferred to the army reserve on 12/07/46. He was a W/Cpl on 16/05/46 although I don't know what this means and I know very little about his time during the war and would love to hear of any information about him.
Robert Hedges Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
My father Robert 'Bob' Hedges was interned in Stalag XXB for the duration of the war. He served with the Cameronians and was captured during the retreat to Dunkirk. He told me that he and two others were hiding in a pig sty when they were discovered. The three of them were made to dig three graves and were then told to stand by the edge - only then did the Germans drag out three of their own dead and proceeded to bury them. Thinking the graves were going to be theirs he said - 'It took us a bloody long time to dig 'em'
Gerald Jeffrey 9th Btn. D. Coy Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Soon after my 18th birthday I was conscripted into the Army and had to report at Carlisle. Later I was transferred to Ballykinla in Northern Ireland to undergo about 10 weeks training with the Royal Ulster Rifles. On completion I was then posted to Keighley to join the 9th Battalion "Cameronians" (Scottish Rifles), D Company.
As the time drew close to the D-Day landings, we were moved to Hove to be part of the build up to the landings. However, we did not join the actual invasion itself, but arrived on the 17th June 1944 to support and relieve the initial forces. The first on-going battle after the landings was known as "OPERATION EPSOM" which began on 26th June 1944. I think it was said that about 60,000 men took part with an enormous support barrage by the Royal Navy and Royal Artillery. Our company joined the start line and around 7.00am we moved across a corn field to commence our engagement with the enemy. It wasn't too long before we encountered cross-fire from the Germans in hedges either side. We were each given 3 or 4 hand grenades to lob in trenches that we saw ahead as we progressed. In my next move there was a trench, but not wanting to waste it, I tore past without using the grenade. However there were 3 Germans in it, whereupon I shouted to the men coming up from behind, and the next thing was the Germans had emerged and surrendered.
Our objective at Haut-du-Bosq was reached later that day. En route to Grainville-sur-Odon we had a bitter fight with the enemy, where I witnessed many men shot and wounded together with many falling dead around me. The cause of this was a sniper hiding out in a church. Having had to withdraw from that encounter, we sought to move forward again next morning. I was required to recover the dead body of an officer which was in a farmyard area and could be still under enemy fire. On his recovery to put him alongside other dead people, I saw many men who had suffered death by being charred by flame throwers. Other casualties had horrendous wounds including limbs blown off. After the battle there, we continued towards Grainville-sur Odon and were expecting to be relived for a rest and return to Mensil Patry. However, before that, 10 men were required to go on a night fighting reconnaissance into enemy territory.
Having infiltrated the German lines and being unable to find the enemy, our officer decided to call it a day and return back. At that point we came under attack and fell to the ground instinctively. Our officer, bren gunner and NCO were able to return fire and were able to flee the area. Unknowingly I was unaware I had been hit. With the Germans at the hill-top in the field, their fire towards us was clearly visible from the flashes from their weapons. Being very dark at the time (early hours after midnight) the remaining 7 of us huddled together along the hedgerow. Obviously the Germans knew we were somewhere there, and began scanning for us the other side. It didn't take them long to guess where we were, and began lobbing stick grenades over the hedge. In no time everyone was wounded in one way or another, and one named Allan Strathan Watson No 14515884 was severely wounded by shrapnel and died during that first night of captivity.
We had no hope of returning to our unit and so we decided to surrender, shouting out " Kamerad, Kamerad" we were dragged over the hedge where I collapsed with my injured foot. Immediately a pistol was put to my head by a German whereupon I screamed "Kamerad" at him. Another German spoke to him and he put the pistol away. Taken up to a farm out-building my boot was taken off while I was in great pain and screaming to stop. The bullets had entered my foot and ankle taking the sock and part of the boot as well. After spending 3 days at the front with the Germans they placed me on a pole-seat and took me to the roadway where a kind of jeep took me to be interrogated by a German officer. He insisted I told him the purpose of our patrol, who was on our left and right flanks and which regiments in the area were taking part. For my part I was completely ignorant of the answers, as we really did not know anything, so I was somewhat relieved not to be pressurised into telling him. However, after that I was placed in a field among many Hitler jugend members of the 12th SS Panzer Grenadiers where I was subjected to much verbal abuse.
Later I was placed in an ambulance along with 4 German wounded, but as there was no more stretcher room, I had to crouch at the rear, to suffer agonising pain with my wounded foot. The ambulance set off that night, but en route to its final destination, I was taken out of it and placed in a classroom at a school and left there alone and in pitch darkness. The next day I was taken to Rennes where it seemed a local school was being used as a hospital. I was in the hospital for the remainder of my captivity, not having any treatment whatsoever, save for the Nuns coming in to dress my wound. As the war progressed the American Army was getting nearer to the hospital, for we could hear gunfire in the distance. The Germans threatened us that anyone looking out of the window at the planes would be shot, and anyone able to escape, there would be 10 of us shot for their daring. As a bed patient I was naturally very concerned.
When eventually the American Army over-ran the area, I was taken to their field hospital and had penicillin pumped into me at regular intervals during the night. I was soon taken to Cherbourg to be taken by landing craft and on to "Blighty". In taking details of everyone wounded and going home the American soldier with his clip-board, shouted out pointing to me, "This is one for the Poiple Heart" ( The Purple Heart was a medal issued to American soldiers for getting wounded). Of course I had to correct him that I was not entitled to it. I arrived back in Weymouth and taken to Winford Hospital near Brisol. Eventually I was discharged from the Army being medically unfit. All this happened between December 1943 until January 1945 and with only 9 months actual military service. I was still only 18 years old to the time I was released as a P.O.W.
Rfm. Robert Turnbull 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.28th Nov 1944)
I'm looking for information on the rifleman Robert Turnbull number : 3863491 who served on the 9th Bn., Cameronians ( Scottish rifles ) and was killed on 28th November 1944 in Lottum/Grubbenvorst in Holland.
Mjr. Lance Greville Warrington MC. South Staffordhire Regiment (d.20th Nov 1944)
Mjr Warrington was attached to the 9th Btn of the Camerionians (Scottish Rifles) when he was killed. He was 31 years old and was married.
Rfm. Walter Welton 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Rifleman Walter Welton served in the 9th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). He fought from Hout Do Bosq, Eterville. Lost a lot of comrades at Paderbourn (Germany). Did some serious street to street fighting in Celle (Germany). He also remembers going through Keel, Cleve? (Germany).
Rifleman Leonard George Shadbolt 7th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.21st Jan 1945)
Do not know much about my uncle I was 18 months old when he was killed in action in Western Europe but have since found letters he wrote to his Mother, a letter and a scroll from King George offering sympathy on his death, also his service book, and a book containing the record and story of the 7th BN. THE CAMERONIANS ( Scottish Rifles ) with The British Libration Army, which includes a map of the activities of the 7th BN, OCT.1944 - MAY 1945 does any one know any more about him? did your family serve with him?
Lance Corporal William Downie 6th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.19th April 1945)
L/Cpl William Downie from Larkhall in Lanarkshire was badly wounded at Narvik in May 1940 and left for dead. He was taken to Trondheim Hospital and later to Oslo Infirmary by the Germans. Willie was in hospital in Norway until August 1940 then transferred to Stalag XXA ,Thorn, Poland, Fort 13. He was in the misery march which saw Germans and prisoners go west to escape the Russian advance in January 1945. L/Cpl William Downie was killed by friendly fire at Gresse, on the River Elbe on the 19th April 1945. L/Cpl William Downie is buried in the British and Commonwealth Cemetery, The Heerstrasse, Charlottenburg, Berlin,Plot 11.Row k
Fusilier Ernest Woodman 7th Btn. Cameronian Scottish Rifles
I am trying to trace my uncle's WW2 history. He was Fusilier Ernest Woodman, No:14755782, he served with 7th Batt Cameronian Scottish Rifles and 5th Batt Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, D Coy.
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