Scots on the western front Flashcards
VOLUNTARY RECRUITMENT
Patriotism
patriortic sentiment to fight for the king, britain and empire
65% of scots were volunteers compared to 52% of english. 30 000 glaswegians joined up in 10 weeks
Economic reasons
soldiers received a steady wage, 3 meals a day
Fear of unemployment
many employers threatened to dismiss employees if they didn’t sign up. 36% of miners from the lothian coalfield enlisted
Peer pressure
recruiters in scotland were effective in using appeal of history of church, employments and sporting communities to persude men to sign up. players at hearts football team signed up
Avoiding prison
prisoners with minor charges would volunteer to avoid imprisonment- charges removed if they joined.
Outbreak of war was exciting
many men had the idea that if they didn’t join up straight away, they would miss out on the ‘fun’.
the sense of adventure inspired so many men to join up as they seized the opportunity to see new places and perform heroic deed.
Bantam Battalions
comprised of men who did not meet height requirement to join army. increased recruitment rate in scotland as many men did not meet height standard
BATTLE OF LOOS
how many scots took part
over 30 000
of the 20 598 dead. 1/3 were from scottish regiments
how many casualties in the 6th cameronians
700/950 men were casualties
how many casualties from the 9th and 15th scottish divisions
13 000 casualties
Piper daniel laidlaw
helped hold the line when the germans attacked the counter
Colonel Angus Baxter
led his troops up Hill 70 with no other weapon than his walking stick while the germans defended it. he was killed but awarded with victoria cross for bravery
Loos memorial
1/3 of names were from scottish battalions
BATTLE OF THE SOMME
51st highland division
lost 3500 men at high wood
9th scottish division
314 officers and 7203 men killed or missing but morales remained high
16th HLI
three platoons isolated after an attack on a trench called frankfurt trench. they held out for eight days against german attacks
Beaumont hamel
51st highland division achieved objective here. rewarded with memorial that has gaelic inscription - translates to “friends are good on the day of battle
Casualties
on first day alone:
15th royal scots lost 18 officers and 610 soldiors were wounded or killed.
16th royal scots lost 12 officers and arounf 573 soldiers
16th HLI lost 20 officers and 534 men.
SCOTTISH LEADERSHIP
Douglas haig
edinburgh born
C-I-C of britsh army
