Posted on 04/04/2006 7:34:35 PM PDT by -=[_Super_Secret_Agent_]=-
Scots resent the merging of their glorious infantry By John Keegan (Filed: 29/03/2006)
The reorganisation of the Scottish Division of Infantry is the most sensitive of the Army reorganisations because of the strong local affiliations of the Scottish Infantry regiments.
Not only is reorganisation involved. One of the six Scottish Infantry battalions is to be dispensed with, a move demanded by Gordon Brown to make funds available for social spending. The economy is required even though the Army is fighting a war in Iraq which is stretching the infantry to breaking point.
The five surviving units are to become numbered battalions of a new Royal Regiment of Scotland, though they are, thanks to a fight by their colonels, to retain their historic titles. Thus the Black Watch will attach the suffix 3rd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland to its famous name.
The reduction is to be achieved by amalgamating the Royal Scots and the King's Own Scottish Borderers. The new regiment will be known as the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The two have been resisting amalgamation for years. It has been forced upon them because both are lowland regiments and have some difficulty in recruiting up to strength.
The other regiments affected are the Royal Highland Fusiliers founded in the 1960s by the amalgamation of two Glasgow regiments the Highland Light Infantry and the Royal Scots Fusiliers; the Highlanders, the amalgamation of the Gordon Highlanders, the Cameron Highlanders and the Seaforth Highlanders; and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
The Argylls escaped amalgamation in the 1960s because of a vigorous and skilful public relations campaign which resulted in the biggest petition ever presented to a government office.
The new amalgamation does serious damage to Scotland's illustrious military history. The Royal Scots, the 1st of Foot, is the senior British regiment of infantry and the oldest existing regiment in the world.
It was founded in 1633 for service under the crown of France and also served the Swedish king before being brought into the British army in 1684 after the restoration of Charles II. It cherishes the nickname Pontius Pilate's Bodyguard. It has the distinction of displaying on its colours all four of Marlborough's victories, Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde and Malplaquet in 1704-8 as well as Waterloo.
The King's Own Scottish Borderers is one of very few infantry regiments to have a naval battle honour, for serving aboard ship at the Glorious First of June, 1794. It also has both Mons and Gallipoli from the First World War and Imphal from the Second.
General Sir Michael Jackson, the Chief of the Defence Staff, shares with Mr Brown the responsibility for bringing about these changes, which also affect the English, Welsh and Irish regiments. Gen Jackson's argument is that the changes will improve the career patterns of soldiers by reducing postings between stations and so stabilising family life. There is substance in that argument but it has not quelled opposition.
The old faithful of some regiments are very angry indeed, particularly those of the Cheshire regiment the 22nd Foot, which is losing both its title and its Cheshire home, In future it is to be based in Yorkshire. The light infantry, the Green Jackets and some West Country regiments have been bundled up into an amorphous regiment to be known as The Rifles.
It is in Scotland that the most dissatisfaction is to be expected. Bad news for Mr Brown.
Emotional farewell to The Black Watch
Emotions ran high at a ceremony in Perth today, held to bid farewell to the historic Black Watch regiment, writes Dave Lord.
Proud veterans, local politicians and Fair City residents were all on hand to pay tribute to the world-famous regiment, which is now part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (RRS).
The merger may have caused massive divisions, but locals stood united at a service to mark 266 years of distinguished service.
Held at Balhousie Castle, the regiment’s HQ, the sombre ceremony included a short service of commemoration and speeches by dignitaries and members of the Scottish Parliament.
Amid emotionally-charged scenes, The Black Watch was described as “one of the best fighting units in the world today”.
A strong sense of pride was clear for all to see, with politicians insisting The Black Watch must never be regarded as a “relic of the past”.
In fact, some spoke of their continued opposition to the merger of Scotland’s regiments and insisted they would fight for a reversal of the controversial decision.
The Black Watch has fought in some of the world’s most famous battles, as Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser noted.
“This is the end of a regiment that has fought across the globe with the highest of dignity and has battled in some of the most ferocious battles in history,” he said during the ceremony.
“They have fought in North America against native tribes during the seven year’s war. “They have defeated George Washington in the Battle of Long Island. They have fought in the Boer War. They fought at Waterloo, the Somme and Ypres.
“Black Watch solders were among the first forward in some of the most intense fighting of World War II in Normandy after the D-Day landings.
“The 1st Battalion of The Black Watch became the first British unit to enter German territory in World War II.”
Mr Fraser, a Tory, spoke of his party’s commitment to reversing the merger.
“We are talking about one of the best fighting units in the world today. The Black Watch returned home from Iraq, after serving with the highest dignity, bravery and honour,” the MSP continued.
“For Labour to pat them on the back for serving in Iraq and to then stab them in the back the next moment with amalgamation is disgusting.”
Mr Fraser fears the “honourable traditions” of the regiment may well be lost forever. “Our local area and The Black Watch are intertwined and it will be a severe loss for the communities that have had long standing ties with the regiment,” he remarked.
“This strong bond with the local area undoubtedly aids recruiting, as we see different generations from the same family joining their local regiment.
Mr Fraser urged Tayside and Fife never to forget the role played by local soldiers.
“After so many battles and victories this is a sad end for The Black Watch,” he said.
“Let us remember the honour of The Black Watch and remember its men that have fought for the regiment and for the United Kingdom.
“Do not forget their motto, ‘Nemo Me Impune Lacessit’ — ‘no one attacks me with impunity’. Do not forget The Black Watch,” Mr Fraser added.
Politicians of all parties attended today’s event, along with association branch members from Dundee, Perth, Fife, Newcastle, Chorley, Stoke and London.
Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart said those behind the amalgamation should be “ashamed of themselves”.
“The fight goes on comrades,” he said. “We must ensure The Black Watch can keep its identity within the new Royal Regiment of Scotland.
“Fighting for the retention of The Black Watch was the proudest moment of my political career,” Mr Wishart added.
Meanwhile, Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham paid tribute to all those involved in the campaign to save the Black Watch.
“I am sorry the government has no time for history,” she said. “Recruitment figures are falling and the Government may come to regret the day it came to this decision.”
Brigadier Garry Burnett welcomed around 200 veterans to today’s ceremony.
“I enlisted 49 years ago and have mixed feelings today,” he said. “I would like to thank all those who campaigned tirelessly for the regiment.
“Today we think of the regiment and remember all of those who served with it. We also think of what the regiment has meant to us.”
The other five regiments becoming battalions of the super regiment are the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Royal Scots, Royal Highland Fusiliers, King’s Own Scottish Borderers and the Highlanders.
As well as the Perth event there were special parades in parts of the world where Scottish soldiers are based, including the Royal Scots in Iraq and the Royal Highland Fusiliers in Cyprus.
I've been following this story in the Scotsman. I hate to see the Black Watch go. There are some truly historic units disappearing, and for an armchair historian, that's a shame to see.
I guess that's why they retired the unit... that just didn't fit with the British posture towards Islam.
I suppose if the Scots really wanted to provide for additional regiments, they could push a tax through their separate scottish parliment, and fund one (or more).
Of course then the Scots would be entitles to their own foreign policy.
"If we give them Artillery, then we have given them independence." (Quotation from Lawrence of Arabia)
So many of the "last stands" fought by the British Army were Scottish units.
I grew up near Ticondaroga. What a brave unit they were! How green the fields around Ticondaroga!
I believe we have a Freeper who was in the Black Watch and might have some interest in this.
Seems the politicians don't understand what "Tradition and Legacy" mean.
They just keep watering everything down!
LOL ... I can't blame them for touting that one, if I'd beaten George Washington I'd lay claim to it!
I guess they could just cut the size of the units... Say instead of the Black Watch Regiment, they could become the Black Watch Section.
My dad's old regiment (the 79th Cameron Highlanders) was amalgamated out of existence a long time ago . . . but the Black Watch? I can't believe they're doing this to the senior Highland regiment.
"Since you have preferred sheep to men, let sheep defend you!"
In the final stages of the assault the 42nd Highlanders launched from the reserve a particularly determined attack that came near to succeeding.
Montcalm understandably claimed that he had inflicted a crushing victory on the British.
Casualties: The American provincials lost 350 killed and wounded. The British battalions lost 1,600 killed and wounded. The worst affected were the 42nd with 490 casualties, 44th and 46th with 200 each, 55th and 4/60th with 150, 1/60th and 27th with 100.
The French casualties were around 350 killed and wounded.
http://www.britishbattles.com/battle_of_Ticonderoga.htm
Fire Gordon Brown!
In the lexicon of Political Correctness, "tradition" is a dirty word.
Social spending trumps defense of the nation.
Same is going on here in the USA. We are scaling back R&D, reducing procurement for weapon systems and outright canceling other weapon programs to feed the socialism hog.
George Washington got beaten many times, but whether he won or lost a battle, he managed to deny the key objective to his enemy: He preserved his Army.
One of his best characteristics as a commander was his ability in retreat. He understood that soldiers in a Republic are valuable, and managed to save his army over and over again.
George Washington also built his own Navy, the first US Navy (John Paul Jones was a privateer, a legal pirate! and not part of a Navy) He also preserved a British Army, when British general Edward Braddock's force was nearly destroyed, Washington rallied the Virginia colonials, and brought the remnant back, after having had several bullets penetrate his clothing.
Even a good colonel may lose a battle. A good general will still win his campaign.
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