Scottish Horse
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Scottish Horse | |
|---|---|
 The Scottish Horse Capbadge |
|
| Active | 1900-1956 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Yeomanry |
| Role | Formation Reconnaissance Infantry Artillery Army Air Corps |
| Size | One Regiment |
| Colors | Black and Gold |
| March | The Scottish Horse The Garb of Old Gaul |
| Engagements | Anzio |
| Insignia | |
| Regimental Tartan (Murray of Atholl) |
 |
| Stable Belt Colours |  |
The Scottish Horse was a Yeomanry Regiment of the British Territorial Army from 1900 to 1956 when it was amalgimated with the The Fife and Forfar Yeomanry.
Raised in South Africa in 1900 for service in the Boer War. The Regiment saw heavy fighting in both the Great War as 13th Battalion of The Black Watch and in World War II as part of The Royal Artillery.
Today the combined regiment is perpetuated by "C" (FFY/SH) Squadron of The Queen's Own Yeomanry based in Cupar,Fife and 655(Scottish Horse) Squadron Army Air Corps based in Northern Ireland.
Contents
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[edit] History
[edit] Formation 1900-1902
The Scottish Horse raised for the South African War in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pietermaritzburg and expanded to two regiments: 1st and 2nd Scottish Horse formed from Australian volunteers, drafts from Scotland and South Africa. In 1902 both regiments were disbanded at Edinburgh Castle, after repatriating Australians and discharging South Africans
[edit] Boer War 1900-1902
In 1902 The Scottish Horse were reconstituted as two regiments:
- British Army Regiment
- Volunteer Regiment in Transvaal Army (disbanded in 1907)
both regiments claiming descent from the original Scottish Horse.
[edit] Scottish Horse Imperial Yeomanry 1903-1913
Returnign to Scotland after the Boer War initially as an Imperial Yeomanry Regiment of four Squadrons the Scottish Horse was made the county Yeomanry Regiment for Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, Elgin, Nairn, and Argyllshire and by 1908 the Scottish Horse had been expanded to two Regiments (eight Squadrons in total) with its Headquarters at Dunkeld co-located with the Headquarters of the 1st Regiment.
| 1st Scottish Horse (Dragoons) (Yeomanry for Perthshire) |
2nd Scottish Horse (Dragoons) (Yeomanry for Aberdeenshire, Elgin, Nairn, and Argyllshire) |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| HQ | Dunkeld | HQ | Aberdeen |
| A Squadron | Blair Atholl (dets at Ballinluig, Pitlochry, Kirkmichael, Kinloch Rannoch) |
E Squadron | Elgin (dets at Pluscarden, Craigellachie, Cullen, Dallas, Dufftown, Forres, Keith, Archiestown) |
| B Squadron | Dunkeld (dets at Murthly, Bankfoot, Dupplin, Perth, Cluny, Aberfeldy) |
F Squadron | Kintore (dets at Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Ellon, Huntly, Insch, Inverurie, Monymusk, Cluny, Alford, Turriff, Fyvie, Rothie-Norman, Maud, Mintlaw, Newmachar, Bucksburn) |
| C Squadron | Coupar Angus (dets at Blairgowie, Alyth, Invergowrie) | G Squadron | Aberdeen (dets at Torphins, Aboyne, Tarland, Ballater, Braemar) |
| D Squadron | Dunblane (dets at Crieff, Comrie, Lochearnhead, Auchterarder, Muthill, Dunning, Methven) |
H Squadron | Connell, Argyll (dets at Kilchrenan, Appin, Easdale, Ardrishaig, Taynuilt, Calgary (Mull), Tiree, Craignure (Mull), Cambeltown, Bunessan (Mull), Torloisk (Mull), Port Ellen, Port Charlotte, Bowmore, Bridghead) |
[edit] Great War 1914-1918
[edit] The First Scottish Horse Brigade
The 1st and 2nd Scottish Horse were expanded with the creation of the 3rd Regiment in August 1914 and the Scottish Horse Brigade was then fomed with these three Regiments in September 1914. By January 1915 the Scottish Horse Brigade was attached to the 50th Division, on coastal defence duties in the UK.
[edit] Gallipoli and Egypt
By August 1915 the regiment was ready for foreign service and ended up dismounted landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on 2nd September 1915 attached to 2nd Mounted Division.
December 1915 saw the 1st,2nd and 3rd Regiments evacuated from Gallipoli and moved to Egypt. Due to heavy casualties the Scottish Horse Brigade was absorbed into 1st Dismounted Brigade on Suez Canal defences in Feb 1916.
[edit] Macedonia
By October 1916 the 1st and 2nd Regiments formed 13th (Scottish Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, the Black Watch (with the 3rd Regiment forming into the 26th Squadron, the Machine Gun Corps and continuing to serve in Egypt).
The 13th (Scottish Horse Yeomanry) Battalion of The Black Watch were sent to fight in Salonika as part of the 81st Brigade in 27th Division. It was during this time that the water colour titled "Sport In War" was painted showing the Officers of the 13th Regiment hunting in Macedonia just after returning from a raid on Hungarian Lines.
[edit] Western Front
With victory looming on the Macedonia front the Regiment was transferred to 149th Brigade, 50th Division in the Western Front in June 1918. They remained on the front until the end of the war.
[edit] The Scottish Horse Mounted Brigade
Three more Regiments were formed in August and September 1914 and attached to 1st Scottish Horse Mounted Brigade. They were converted into cyclist units in July 1916 and remained in the Great Britain until 1918 when they were moved to Ireland.
[edit] Inter-War Years 1919-1939
In 1920 the Scottish Horse reconstituted as part of the Territorial Army with it HQ again at Dunkeld.
[edit] World War II 1939-45
Starting the war as reconnaissance mounted cavalry the horse were withdrawn and in 1940 The Scottish Horse Regiment was split to become the 79th (The Scottish Horse) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery and 80th (The Scottish Horse) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery.
[edit] The Post War Period 1945-1956
| The Scottish Horse RAC (1947) |
|
|---|---|
| Parent unit | HQ Dunkeld |
| Components | A Squadron at Blair Atholl C (Lovat Scouts) Squadron at Inverness D Squadron at Dunblane |
In 1947 the Scottish Horse rejoined the Territorial Army list with an HQ back at Dunkeld.
They were transferred from the Royal Artillery to become part of the Royal Armoured Corps. At this time the Regiment was made up of two Squadrons of Scottish Horse and the third from theLovat Scouts.
This was to be short lived and by 1949 the Lovat Scouts had be roled as Artillery leaving the Scottish Horse and The Royal Armoured Corps.
In 1956 an amalgimation was announced with the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry and on 31 October 1956 the Scottish Horse become part of the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry/Scottish Horse.
[edit] Battle Honours
The battle honours were displayed on the guidons of the Scottish Horse which are now laid up in Dunkeld Cathedral.
The battle honours were carried forward on to the guidon of the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry/Scottish Horse and are repsented today, on to the guidon of the Queen's Own Yeomanry.
[edit] Boer War
- South Africa 1900-02
[edit] The Great War
- Beaurevoir
- Selle
- Sambre
- France and Flanders 1918
- Macedonia 1916-18
- Gallipoli 1915
- Rumani
- Egypt 1915-16
[edit] The Second World War
- Badge of the Royal Regiment of Artillery badge with year-dates "1943-45"
- North-West Europe
- Sicily
- Italy
[edit] Decorations and Awards
[edit] Victoria Cross
[edit] Honorary Colonels and Commanding Officers
| Colonel Commandant (1900-1920)/ Honorary Colonels (1920-1956) |
Commanding Officers | |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa (1900-02) |
The Duke of Atholl KT PC GCVO CB DSO | |
| Imperial Yeomanry (1902-1914) |
||
| The Great War (1914-1919) |
||
| Scouts and Yeomanry (1920-39) |
Lt Col RA Bartram MC | |
| 79th Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery (1939-45) |
The Duke of Atholl KT PC GCVO CB DSO The Duchess of Atholl DBE DCL LL.D FRCM |
Lt Col RA Bartram MC |
| 80th Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery (1939-45) |
Lt Col RMT Campbell-Preston | |
| Armoured Reconnaissance (1947-56) |
The Duchess of Atholl DBE DCL LL.D FRCM Col RA Bartram MC |
Lt Col TG Cooper 4/7 DG Lt Col Lindsay DSO Lt Col RMT Campbell-Preston Lt Col M Lyle |
[edit] Seniority in The British Army
| Year | Preceded by | Title | Followed By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1913 | The Lovat Scouts | The Scottish Horse (Dragoons) | |
| 1916 | 12th (Labour) Battalion of The Black Watch | 13th (Scottish Horse) Battalion of The Black Watch | 14th (Fife and Forfar Yeomanry) Battalion of The Black Watch |
| 1939 | 78th (The Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry)
Medium Regiments of Royal Artillery |
The 79th & 80th (Scottish Horse) Regiments Royal Artillery | 84th (Sussex) Medium Regiment Royal Artillery |
[edit] Accoutrements
[edit] SH Cap Badge
The cross of St Andrew with a sprig of laurel on one side and a branch of juniper leaves on the other. The King's and in turn Queen's crowns on top were later additions.
[edit] Crops
[edit] Tartan
Murray of Atholl was worn by the Officers and Men With pipers (called Trumpeter on the Establishment) wearing Tuliibardaine Tartan
[edit] Warrant Officers's Dress
[edit] Head Dress
Full Dress: Slouch hat with the silk Murray of Athol tartan in the pogri, a cap badge with backing of yellow/red or blue (depending on if with soldier was in 1st 2nd or 3rd Regiment) and black cock feather.
Working Dress: The Atholl Bonnet, a tam o'shannter type headress in navy with a green, white and red check band, with red tourrie (bobble) on top.
[edit] Stable Belt Colours
Black belt with three gold stripes - colours taken from The Duke of Atholl's crest.
[edit] SH Pipes and Drums
The pipe band of the Scottish Horse was largley drawn from the musician of the Atholl Highlanders
[edit] Affiliations and Alliances
South Africa - Transvaal Scottish Regiment
[edit] Bibliography
- “The Scottish Horse 1900-1946” by The Duchess of Atholl
- “The Scottish Horse 1939-1945” by R A S Barbour MC (History 79th & 80th (Scottish Horse) Medium Regiments Royal Artillery
- “The Scottish Horse 1900-1956” by Lt Col RMT Campbell-Preston
- "The Uniforms of the British Yeomanry Force 1794-1914-The Lovat Scouts & Scottish Horse" by the Robert Ogilby Trust
Additional References not fully devoted to the Regiment
- “A military history of Perthshire 1660-1899" by The Duchess of Atholl
- “A military history of Perthshire 1899-1902" by The Duchess of Atholl
- "The sword of the North:Highland memories of the Great War" by Dougald MacEchern
