Newsletter No7 - August 2009 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

GLASGOW HIGHLANDERS
ASSOCIATION
NEWSLETTER
Seventh Edition
August 2009
We intend to put out a newsletter every 4 months do you have a story
that you want published well this could be your five minutes of fame
First World War Talk - 29th Aug 2009
Held at the museum in Sauchiehall
Street Glasgow
The 27th June 2009 saw members of the Glasgow Highlanders
Association taking part in the National Forces Day gathering at
George Square Glasgow.
It was a great day and good to see members taking part
Frans Hoijtink (from the Diggers—Belgium) is
coming to Scotland in August and has offered
to give a talk on Battlefield exploration. The
talk will be held on Saturday August 29th at
12pm at the Museum. For more information
visit the RHF forum at
www.rhf.org.uk
Or phone Sandy at the museum on
0141-332-0961 and book a place
There is an entry fee of £6.00 but well worth
the payment as this cash is going towards the
combat stress (Scotland) organisation
THE AGM and REUNION
Hotspur Street
The Association AGM and Reunion will take place in October
2009, with the AGM first followed by the Reunion.
A letter concerning this will be sent out to all members giving
detailed timings along with the costing—please make
sure that you get your returns back to the committee by the
nominated date so that they can sort out numbers attending
for feeding etc

GLASGOW HIGHLANDERS—Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
FUNCTIONS
The Family BBQ held at Hotspur Street proved another great success with members and families attending
giving them another chance to meet up. The committee worked hard to ensure the success of the function and a vote
of thanks goes to the Commanding Officer and the catering staff of the 6th (Lowland) The Royal Regiment of
Scotland for hosting the event on the 31st May
AGM—REUNION
You will shortly receive details from the committee for the AGM—Reunion please ensure you get
your returns in by the required date
ARMISTICE PARADE—GLASGOW
The Glasgow Armistice Parade will take place on Sunday 8th November 2009 and members of the
Association are invited to participate with the veterans marching contingents—information on the
parade can be found through the committee and will be mentioned during the AGM. Normally
after the parade the marching contingents are invited to a civic reception held in the City Chambers
by ticket invite only—so if you want to join your friends in the chambers you must be part of
the marching contingent—tickets will be issued on the day by either a committee member or from
the leader of our contingent. Remember NO TICKET—NO ENTRY so inform the committee if
you are attending
MEMBERSHIP
We are always looking for new members
Details for membership can be obtained from
THE GLASGOW HIGHLANDERS ASSOCIATION
Addressed to:
Robert Woodburn
145 Rannoch Drive
GLASGOW G61 2BQ
Tel: 0141-942-7842
PLEASE NOTE: If you apply for membership DO NOT enclose any payment—you application
will go in front of the committee and they will letter you after their meeting you can
download the form at
www.rhf.org.uk
Then click the banner then go to veterans associations—GH - application form
to get the form

Glasgow Highlanders Officers WW1
From a picture – you will find a story!
I received a series of drawings of officers of the Glasgow Highlanders about 70 photos and I thought it
would be of interest to carry out some research on some of them. They obviously all have their own individual
stories and I have only selected a few to research and not being a researcher the information I write
comes from publications that I have at hand – so if anyone can add to my information I would be grateful
on behalf of those who may be interested that you submit your additions.
The drawing were done about 1918-19 and that is the date span of their history I looked at. The battalion
like many others during the Great War had suffered heavy casualties from the outset of the war – The battalion
that left the British shores in 1914 had very few of their original members by 1918.
A battalion in those days had some 1008 men on strength and on many occasions the battalion fought
below half strength and in Alec Weirs book “Come on Highlanders” he lists some 4500 names who
served during the period 1914-18. If you are looking at someone who does research - by reading Alec’s
book you will understand the time and effort that Alec Weir spent preparing this remarkable book – As I
have said before this book is a must read – describing the victories and horrors of this Territorial Battalions
period in theatre in France during the Great War –
My stories have came from information recorded in the following sources.
Alec Weirs – Come on Highlanders
Alex Aiken – Courage Past
Col Reid – Shoulder to Shoulder
The Glasgow Highlanders War Diaries
Drawings from HHQ
Here is my first story - about 5 of the officers all killed during the same action
12 Oct 1918.
All these officers died within days of each other 1918
Lt Brodie DF – MC Lt Baird CA Lt Donalson AH Lt Hill A Lt Alexander TC
The time is October 1918 the war has been going on for four years – the German army was on the withdrawal
but were not defeated – they still had determination in certain sectors to hold the ground and deny
their opponents control and free movement.
The Glasgow Highlanders were located in the River Selle area, they have just fought with distinction at
Targelle Valley and were now located in a trench system known as Pigeon Trench – It was the intention to
push the Brigade across the canal, but all bridges had been blown, and the enemy were holding the far
bank in considerable depth and numbers.

The first picture of Lt Douglas Fontaine Brodie MID - MC – Lt Brodie was one of the
original Glasgow Highlanders who had came to France in the ranks of A Company in
1914 as a private (Regt No 1604) A Glasgow University student who had gassed in
October 1915, suffered trench fever and then gunshot wounds in 1917 and had recovered
from these events and had been commissioned. In September 1918 he was involved
in the fighting at Targelle Valley where he and about 60 men found themselves
too far forward of the rest of the brigade and had lost contact with any of his brigade
due to fog and had sent a message asking for instructions and saying he was digging in
– a message was sent back telling him to withdraw but the message never arrived as
the messenger had been captured – Brodie sent a further message asking for information
as the situation was that German troops were building up in the area and the fog
was clearing. In the better visibility Brodie and his men could see the enemy who under
cover of artillery and machine gun fire were moving up the valley towards their location.
Their position was surrounded, a few managed to escape but the rest were either captured
or killed, Brodie himself avoided capture by feigning death and managed to get
away under cover of darkness., he rejoined his battalion and with them prepared for an
enemy counterattack that did not happen. The cost of this battle was that the battalion had suffered 350 casualties,
73 of whom had been killed and with previous casualties this brought the battalion fighting strength to 50% in yet another
day of terrible loss
In October the battalion was tasked to move to along the Montay-Neuvilly Road on the descent down to the river Lt
Brodie was killed, his remains along with ten other Glasgow Highlanders are buried in Selridge British Cemetery on
the high ground they had just crossed – Lt Brodie was 25 years old at the time of his death.
The attack continued, the crossing the river did not give the battalion a problem as the engineers
somehow been able to put bridges across, it was as they started to climb the
slopes they came under heavy machine gun fire causing heavy losses, during the initial
attack Lt Charles Arthur Baird and Lt Alexander Howard Donaldson fell under enemy
fire. After a short time the battalion withdrew back over the ground they had covered and
during this phase Lt Alexander Hill and Lt Turnbull Clark Alexander were killed
The second picture of Lt Charles Arthur Baird – Charles had been another original going
to France with the ranks who was commissioned in 1917, he was wounded in 1917 and by
April 1918 recovered enough to rejoin the battalion. Lt Baird was 26 years old at the time of
his death
The third picture is 2/Lt Alexander Howard Donaldson – There
is no information on this officer in my references apart from the fact that he was 22 years
old when he was killed. His body was never recovered and is commemorated on the Vis-En
-Artois Memorial to the missing
The forth picture is Lt Alexander Hill died either on the objective
or on the withdrawal phase again I have no information in my references
– his body was never recovered and he to is commemorated
on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial to the missing
The fifth picture is Lt Turnbull Clark Alexander again I have no
information in my references – his body was never recovered and
he to is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial to the
missing
The casualties for this action was another blow to the battalion already at 50% strength – it
suffered a further 173 casualties of the battalion strength of 356. The death toll was 52
The reason I picked these five officers were that they all died during the same battle if anyone
can add details concerning these officers I would be grateful
I wish to thank those whom I have mentioned at the beginning of this story for the information
given and to HHQ (Sandy) for passing on the photos—If anyone wants a copy of these
photos please email me at dinger105@hotmail.com

BBQ PHOTOS
Here are some of the photos sent in by Angie from the BBQ
Major Mack and CSgt Jackie Nelson
SCOFF BEING SERVED
Perfect weather for a BBQ
Wullie Dodds and Jimmy Gangles Ex Signals Platoon
Major Ron Smith WO2 Gibby McDowall and Major
George Stewart taking in the rays
Sgt Joe Richardson Ex Assault Pioneers adding the
trimming to his meal Just a great day

I received this email from Canada on 19th May 2009
Dear Dinger,
Just a bit of reminiscing.
It was 65 years ago today the I arrived in Liverpool, England along with
249 other Canloan all going as reinforcements to the British Army for the
invasion of Normandy. We had come around the north end of Ireland, down
past the Isle of Man and into the Princess floating dock. As we berthed we
all lined up on the port side of the ship, the Empress of Scotland, until ordered
dispersed by OC Troops. However, the few I was with all went across
the deck to the starboard side, circled around the stern and found lovely
spots at the railing on our deck, spots that had just been ordered clear. No
one was going to deny us a full view of our destiny! There on the dock was
full brass band welcoming us together with a large assembly of troops and
civilians. A VIP party came on board to welcome us - we could only hear
them on the PA system because we were too far away, near the stern, and
we were more interested in watching the activities on shore.
a
We had to take our turn to disembark as we had two hospital units, a
large contingency of Air Force personnel as well as many army types as
well.
Skipper 1944
Once off the ship we located our luggage as it was unloaded, very carefully I might add, then had it accompany
us to the railway station where we boarded an overnight train to London. We sat up most of the
night admiring the performance of the train (starting and stopping) and laughing at its size and whistles.
We made a few stops at stations along the way and regarded them as miniatures as well. But the
beauty of the countryside as dark as it was really thrilled us.
When we got into Marylebone station we walked across the way to the Grande Hotel, were given rooms
and told to rest. However, a mate and I merely had a bath (the first in nearly two weeks - clean-ups were
all sponge-ups during the crossing), a shave, got into our newly pressed battle dress, went back over to
the RR Station, figured out the Underground train system, waited on the proper platform and took off to
see the sights of London. What a day that turned out to be!! We ended up in a Red Lion Pub, then
worked our way back to the Grande. That was May 11th, 1944. The next day we selected our Divisions
and left to join them on the 12th. On the 13th we linked up with the 2nd Glasgow Highlanders in Brighton
to meet the Jocks with whom we would spend the next few months. It was certainly a learning experience
for all of us.
Just a wee bit of nostalgia from an "old" man. I turned 86 two days ago. Feel fine in spite of my medical
problems!!!!
Yours aye,
Skipper
I wish to thank Roger for all the stories that he has submitted to the newsletters
since we started producing them—he has been the mainstay of our stories—even
to the extent of thinking of renaming the newsletter—The MacLellan News. I have
other stories for future editions but as a thank you to Roger (Skipper) I have copied
his email so many happy returns Skipper from all the association members and
thank you for your input

PHOTO OF ROGERS COMPANY 1944
Another Glasgow Highlander found
During the recent 65th Anniversary of the landings of troops on
Normandy which one of our members (Danny Macrae) attended
the proceedings. A news report from Normandy was shown on the
television talking to an ex Glasgow Highlander a Mr Ted Roberts
who now lives in Kent England. I received an email from another
member (Ken Milligan) asking if I had seen the report which unfortunately
I had missed but managed to track it down through the
internet. Knowing that Danny was there I emailed him asking if out
of the thousands of veterans there had he come across this Glasgow
Highlander in his travels to which he mailed back -”believe it or
not he is sitting beside me!!” and they were discussing the fact that
we have an association and Ted is keen on joining—He had seen
my web page prior to going to Normandy and intended to join on
his return. I have since lettered Ted giving him information on the
association and hopefully he will join us.
If you know of any other Glasgow Highlanders out there please
pass their details onto the committee so as to bring them back into
the family. Thank you both Danny and Ken for passing on the information

GLASGOW HIGHLANDERS
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Glasgow Highlanders Association
WEB —INFORMATION PAGE
Details about the Glasgow Highlanders Web Page
There are two web pages for Glasgow Highlanders at
www.glasgowhighlanders.org
Note all one word glasgowhighlanders—no spaces
Also at
www.glasgow-highlanders.110mb.com
Make a point of visiting the sites at least weekly
I will use the web page to promote the Association as well as finding ex members of the Glasgow Highlanders
and their relatives—Please make a point of visiting the site at least weekly
We have a forum thanks to RHF Home Headquarters in Glasgow on www.rhf.org.uk and click onto “Veterans forum” and
we’re under GH
WAR GRAVES COMMISSION
Anyone looking for information on war graves can find information at
http://www.cwgc.org
This is the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site and by simply logging on you can
find out information on the cemeteries and fallen soldiers—you may have a relative and
want to find out details where they are buried
The Scottish Belgium
Monument
Log onto
www.
scottishmonument.be
And listen to the song
THE PIPERS CALL
I DON’T HAVE A
COMPUTER
If you don’t have a computer
you can go to your local library
and ask to use theirs—
all you have to do is be a
member of the library—and
ask to set up an account (it’s
free). The staff in libraries are
generally very helpful and
would guide you through the
system and you can set up an
Email account for example
www.hotmail.com and register
giving yourself an Email
account name and your in!
You should check with the
library if you have to book to
use their machines but most of
them are “Walk in and use”
depending on how many machines
they have and how
busy they are at the time.
SEARCHING THE SEARCH ENGINES
There are many search engines available for you to look for information on the web—a
few examples are
www.google.com
www.yahoo.com
Once you get onto your selected search engine then type in what you are looking for— for
example
Glasgow Highlanders
and the search engine will then display any information on that subject—you may want to
further define your search by adding more detail for example: Glasgow Highlanders at
Walcheren and a more detailed search will be conducted. If you have a question you can
enter for example Ask Jeeves in your search engine and the ask.com page will appear
and you have a choice of pages to go to—once in you can ask a question and a search will
be made using the words that you put to the search engine for example “Where can I find
out about British war graves” and it will give you samples of your main words like British—
War—Graves
Most of the pages are free to use but it depends on what you want to do—it may be that
you are trying to trace your family roots—a lot of these pages require you to register
which may involve a registration fee but as I said it depends on what you want
SO GET SURFING