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Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment)
Name of The Highland Light Infantry was adpoted by the 71st Highlanders in 1809, a regiment which had been formed as the 73rd Highlanders in 1777 by John MacKenzie, Lord Macleod, as the first clan Regiment at the outbreak of the American War of Independence. The 73rd were remnumbered the 71st in 1786. The following year, outbreak of war in India necessitated the raising of more Regiments for foreign service and the 74th Highlanders were formed in that year in the City of Glasgow. In 1881 the 71st and 74th were linked to form the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Highland Light Infantry.
In 1942 the 2nd Bat of the HLI was part of the 10th Indian Brigade, 5th Indian Division, serving in the Western Desert.
The 1st Bat. HLI went to France in 1939 as part of the BEF, fighting during the withdrawal to Dunkirk and was eventually evacuated. After four years in Britain it returned to France as part of the 53rd (Welsh ) Division, landing in Normandy towards the end of June 1944. Battles included the crossing of the Odon, the Ardennes, the Reichswald and the final advance into Germany.
The 2nd HLI was in Palestine in 1939 and was moved to Egypt following the outbreak of war. It played a leading part in the battle of Keren. After a period in Egypt, Syria and Cyprus, 2 HLI went to the Western Desert, fighting at Fuka, Knightsbridge and the Cauldron. Returning to Britain in the latter part of 1942, the Battalion took part in the landings at Sicily, 1943. Later retaining as a mountain battalion, fought in Yugoslavia, Albania and Greece. Early in 1945 it was sent to Italy for the final advance in the North, where it remained until the end of the War.
HLI Territorial Battalions
The 5th and 6th Bat. HLI were part of the 52nd (Lowland) Division, moving to France in June 1940 for a short period taking part a fighting retreat via Cherbourg in the middle of June. For the next four years it trained to become a Mountain Division in Scotland. With the approach of D-Day the role of the Division was changed and it landed in Belgium in October 1944, taking part in the capture of the Dutch island of Walcheren. Thereafter it fought throughout Southern Holland and into Germany, with the Division’s final action resulting in the capture of Bremen.
The 10th HLI was part of the 15th ( Scottish ) Division, although changes occurred throughout the early period of the War. The 15th Division landed in Normandy a few days after D-Day. Fighting included the Crossing of the Odon, the advance into Belgium, the attempt to reach Arnhem, the Siegfried Line, the Rhine Crossing and the advance into Germany. The 11th HLI was converted into an armoured regiment in 1942 and was later disbanded.
As in WWI, other battalions were raised for training and home defence. The 12th (later 30) HLI and 13 HLI were on home duties. The 14th HLI existed in North Africa for a short period but was never in action.
In 1957 the Highland Light Infantry amalganated with the The Royal Scots Fusiliers to become The Royal Highland Fusiliers.
Battalions during the Second World War.
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List of those who served with The Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) during The Second World War
- Kenneth Charles Bruce Read his Story.
- Pte. Alfred Thomas Fieldhouse (d. ) Read his Story.
- Robert Heaney 5th Battalion Read his Story.
- Private Robert Edgar McLetchie 1st Btn. (d.29th Jul 1944) Read his Story.
- Sergeant Ronnie Paynter 10th Battalion Read his Story.
- Sergeant Ronnie Paynter 10th Battalion Read his Story.
- Pte. Bernard Ricketts Read his Story.
- Private Bernard Francis Ricketts 2nd Battalion, 16th Platoon, D Company Read his Story.
- Alexander Ross Read his Story.
- Pte Cyril Harold Barnhurst 5th Bn. (d. 17th Feb 1945)
- Bill Bidmead
- Roy Booth 5th Bn. (d. 16th February 1945)
- Archie Broadfoot. 9th BatnRead his story
- Sgt Fred Fisher 10th Bt. (d. 13th January 1945)
- Pte William Frew. 13th Bn. (d.20th May 1941)
- John Innis Grant. Read his story
- Sgt Leslie Heath. 5th Battalion (d.17th February 1945 )
- Charles Albert King. Read his story
- Jaques Paul Henri Ledoux (d. 1st June 1944) att. Special Operations Executive
- John McPhee Read his story
- Ken Morgan. 10th Bat.
- Bede Anthony Mulholland 10 Bn (d.9th December 1944)
- Pte Gordon William Pamby. 10th Bat. (d. 8 Feb 1945)
- Pte. Stanley Pickles 10 Bat. (d.15th December 1945)
- Jock Rintoul
- Percy William Searle 10th Bat. (d.11th December 1944)
- Lance Cpl Sidney Stoddart. 5th Bn. (d. 16th February 1945.)
- Pte. Herbert Albert Wright. 2nd Bat. (d.20th January 1945)
Pte. Bernard Ricketts Highland Light Infantry
My Father, Private Bernard Ricketts served with the Glasgow Highlanders HLI, he was a pow in Stalag 11b. He is also in the photo of the soon to be freedprisoners, he is the man behind the hand showing the victory sign.
Private Robert Edgar McLetchie 1st Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.29th Jul 1944)
I would really like to find out more about my Uncle Robert Edgar McLetchie who, my Father never got over losing during the second world war. If anyone should know how and where he died I would be very grateful to hear from them. He is buried in the Bayeux War Cemetry
Robert Heaney 5th Battalion Highland Light Infantry
I am trying to find some history about my grandfather, Robert Heaney 22771761, who served in WW2 with the 5th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.
Private Bernard Francis Ricketts 2nd Battalion, 16th Platoon, D Company Highland Light Infantry
Does anyone remember Bernard Francis Ricketts, my dad, who was a prisoner at Stalag 11b, liberated 16th April 1945 with the appearance of tanks of the 8th Hussars? Or do you know anyone who was in his regiment: 2nd Battalion Glasgow Highlanders, the Highland Light Infantry, 16th platoon, D.Coy?
Forward platoons of D Company were taken prisoner and sent to Stalag 11B, Fallingbostal. His best friend's name was Cassidy, also held at Stalag 11b, and also served in the same regiment.
Please, if anyone knows any info on my dad, his regiment, or Stalag 11B I would be truly grateful.
Kenneth Charles Bruce Highland Light Infantry
My father, Kenneth Charles Bruce, served with the Highland Light Infantry, I believe he served in Sicily, Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece and finally in Northern Italy. Sadly he died in 1984 and I have not been able to get any information on his service. Did anyone out there know of him? He had a good friend Mac (I think his name was McIntire)
I would be very interested in any leads that would help me trace his military history.
Sergeant Ronnie Paynter 10th Battalion Highland Light Infantry
My father, Ronnie Paynter, served with the 10th Bn Highland Light Infantry during the second world war. He was proud to have served in this fine Battalion, which he fondly referred to as the Best Scots Regiment full of Yorkshiremen.
I recall stories:
when they were bored bloody stupid on the Shetland Isles prior to deployment on the Invasion of Normandy. how he hated the skirl of the pipes. the crossing of the River Rhine. hiding booty never to be found again. Unfortunately my father passed away at the age of 78 in 1996. The memory of my father Sgt Ronnie Paynter 10th Bn HLI will be with me forever.
Sergeant Ronnie Paynter 10th Battalion Highland Light Infantry
My father, Ronnie Paynter, served with the 10th Bn Highland Light Infantry during the second world war. He was proud to have served in this fine Battalion, which he fondly referred to as the Best Scots Regiment full of Yorkshiremen.
I recall stories:
when they were bored bloody stupid on the Shetland Isles prior to deployment on the Invasion of Normandy. how he hated the skirl of the pipes. the crossing of the River Rhine. hiding booty never to be found again. Unfortunately my father passed away at the age of 78 in 1996. The memory of my father Sgt Ronnie Paynter 10th Bn HLI will be with me forever.
Pte. Alfred Thomas Fieldhouse Queens Own Cameron Highlanders (d. )
I am trying to trace anyone who remembers my late father Alf Fieldhouse. I am also looking for any information regarding the time my father was in The Queens Own Cameron Highlanders and also at some time, the Highland Light Infantry. Any and all information is welcome as I do not have much at present.
Alexander Ross Highland Light Infantry
I am looking for anyone who knew Alexander Ross, he served in the Highland Light Infantry during World War 2, he came home to isle of skye for a family funeral in 1943 and has not been seen since. There was rumour he went to London, anyone who may have served with him or remembers anything about family please get in touch.
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My mums dad, John Innis Grant, served with the Highland Light Infantry during WW2. He was wounded whilst in a tank but survived and at some point fought in the desert. I was wondering if anyone has any information on where he served or any pictures of him during the second world war?
My father, John McPhee, was a Bdr with the Highland Light Infantry and a POW from 1942 (PD73 Italia) and then Stalag X1A in 1943 and 44 until? His POW number in Germany was 138892. I would like to know where to find information about life in the camp and be in touch with anyone who knew him and possibly from the same regiment in the camp in Italy. I would be grateful for any information.
My Father, Archie Broadfoot, was a POW in Stalag 8b for the duration of the war. He was captured I believe on the way to Dunkirk. He was serviving with the 9th HLI Glasgow highlanders, although he wore a Black Watch uniform? He was forced to labour in teh mines, then he took ill and was given "light" work in a sawmill. As teh war came to an end, he and some others went thier own way to try and get home. He tells teh story of eventuallybeing picked up by the Americans somewhere on the Czech border, though he can't remember the unit. If anyone can help with inofrmation reguarding the above people or places it would be apprieciated.
I am looking for help finding out about my grandad and finding some photo's if pos. His name is Ken Morgan, I beleive he was in the 10th Battalion the Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) between 1940-1945, I have alot of his old things from the war, but would like to find out more about him. He lived in bristol for the last 40 years before he died. If anyone has any photo's or information please email.
Thanks Mark Ashley
My Dad was a prisoner in Stalag xxa I have been given a large amount of photoe by my Mum to look after regarding these years from 1940-1945 lots of them have writing on the back, names places and dates. My Dad's name was Charles Albert King, (know as Charlie) from Stepney London. He joind the army long before WW2 and was in Egypt for some time with his regement the Highland Light Infantry. Unfortunatly he died at the age of 59 and is still dearly missed By me my Mum Rose and all the family. I dont know what he was like when he was young and in the HLI but I know he was a great story teller and made people laugh and also a great Dad to me and his step son Terry. p>
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