6th Battalion, Royal Scots facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 3rd Edinburgh Rifle Volunteers4th Volunteer Battalion, Royal Scots 6th Battalion, Royal Scots 226 (City of Edinburgh) Medium Battery |
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|---|---|
| Active | 1867–1921 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Territorial Force |
| Role | Infantry Medium/Heavy artillery |
| Size | Battalion Battery |
| Part of | Lothian Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Gilmore Place drill hall, Edinburgh |
| Nickname(s) | John Hope's Water Rats |
| Engagements | Second Boer War Senussi Campaign Western Front |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Lt-Col John Hope Col George McCrae |
The 6th Battalion, Royal Scots was a special military unit in Britain. It started in 1867 in Edinburgh as a group of volunteers who chose not to drink alcohol. This unit later joined the famous Royal Scots regiment. During World War I, they fought in the Senussi Campaign and on the Western Front. After the war, the unit changed into a powerful artillery battery.
Contents
Volunteer Soldiers in Edinburgh
In 1859, many people in Britain were worried about a possible invasion. This led to a big wave of excitement for the Volunteer movement. Lots of Rifle Volunteer Corps (RVCs) were formed. These were groups of part-time soldiers ready to help the regular British Army if needed.
The 1st City of Edinburgh RVC had 21 different companies. One of these, No 16 Company, was started on 29 February 1860 by a man named John Hope. He only recruited members of the British Temperance League, people who had promised not to drink alcohol.
Hope then decided to create a whole new unit of these "abstainers" from Edinburgh. On 27 May 1867, the 3rd City of Edinburgh RVC was formed with two companies, led by John Hope. Many of his recruits came from No 16 Company. This unit was known locally as 'John Hope's Water Rats'. They added more companies over time, reaching six companies by 1877. In 1880, it was renamed the 2nd Edinburgh RVC.
Joining the Royal Scots
In 1881, many volunteer units across Britain were grouped together with regular army regiments. The 2nd Edinburgh RVC became a Volunteer Battalion (VB) of the Royal Scots. It was then known as the 4th VB of the Royal Scots starting in 1888.
Two more companies joined in 1900. One was in Portobello, Edinburgh, and the other was at the Church of Scotland Teacher Training College.
The 4th VB was part of the Forth Brigade, which helped with training. Later, this brigade split into the 1st and 2nd Lothian Brigades. The unit's main office was at the Gilmore Place drill hall in Edinburgh. Like other volunteer units in Edinburgh, they used a rifle range at Hunters Bog in Holyrood Park for practice.
Fighting in the Boer War
Sixty-four volunteers from the 4th VB served in the Second Boer War in South Africa. This was a big achievement and earned the battalion its first special honour: South Africa 1900–02.
From 1905, the unit was led by Lieutenant-Colonel George McCrae. In 1914, he went on to create a famous new unit called the 16th Battalion Royal Scots. This battalion included many football players from Heart of Midlothian F.C..
Becoming the Territorial Force
In 1908, the volunteer units were changed and became part of the new Territorial Force (TF). The 4th VB then became the 6th Battalion, Royal Scots. Its headquarters stayed at Gilmore Place.
The battalion remained part of the Lothian Brigade. This brigade had a special job: defending the coast of Scotland.
World War I Service
When World War I started on 4 August 1914, the Lothian Brigade prepared for action in Edinburgh.
Soon after, TF units were asked if they wanted to serve overseas. Many soldiers volunteered for this. New "2nd Line" units were created for those who volunteered for overseas service. The 2/6th Battalion was formed in March 1915.
1/6th Royal Scots in Action
The 1/6th Battalion left the Lothian Brigade on 5 September 1915. They went to Egypt to join the Western Frontier Force. After fighting in the Senussi Campaign there, they moved to France on 27 February 1916. Their job was to help keep supply lines open on the Western Front.
On 15 May 1916, the 1/6th Battalion arrived in France. It quickly joined with the 1/5th Battalion Royal Scots.
The 5th/6th Royal Scots
The combined 5th/6th Battalion joined the 14th Brigade in the 32nd Division on 29 July. This division had suffered many losses at the start of the Battle of the Somme. The 5th/6th Royal Scots helped to replace some of the battalions that had been badly hit.
On 18 November, the 14th Brigade fought in the Battle of the Ancre Heights. This was the last big battle of the Somme offensive. The unit then took part in smaller fights in early 1917. They also followed the German army as it retreated to the Hindenburg Line.
In April 1918, the 32nd Division was sent to help stop the powerful German spring offensive. The 5th/6th Royal Scots were involved in the Battle of Amiens on 8 August. They also led the division's attack on 11 August. During the Battle of the Scarpe on 28 August, their advance was very successful.
On 1 October, the 5th/6th Royal Scots attacked the village of Sequehart on the Hindenburg Line. The village was fought over many times. On 3 October, the battalion, which had asked for another chance, finally managed to hold the village.
When the Battle of the Sambre began on 4 November, the 5th/6th Royal Scots played a key role. They crossed the river and continued their advance.
After the war ended with the Armistice with Germany, the 32nd Division became part of the occupation force in Germany. The 5th/6th Royal Scots returned home between 25 February and 19 March 1919.
Other Battalions
The 2/6th Battalion was formed in Edinburgh in March 1915. It moved to Peebles and later joined the 195th Brigade.
The 3/6th Battalion was formed in 1915 as a training unit. It was later renamed the 6th Reserve Battalion.
Becoming Artillery and Disbanding
After World War I, the Territorial Force was reorganized in 1921. The 6th Battalion Royal Scots, along with the 8th Battalion, provided batteries for a new artillery unit. This unit was called the 57th (Lowland) Medium Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery.
The 226 (City of Edinburgh) Medium Battery (Howitzers) was formed from the 6th Battalion Royal Scots. Its base was at the Dalmeny Street drill hall in Leith.
Before World War II, the Territorial Army grew bigger. The 57th (Lowland) split into two regiments. The 226 (City of Edinburgh) Battery stayed with the 57th. This regiment later became the 51st (Lowland) Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery. It served in the Battle of France and the campaign in North West Europe. The unit continued in different forms until it was finally combined with other units between 1956 and 1961.
Uniforms and Badges
The original 3rd Edinburgh RVC wore bright red jackets with blue trim. They had blue trousers with a wide red stripe. Their hats were blue shakoes with a red-and-white tuft.
In 1882, the unit adopted blue helmets. After becoming the 4th VB Royal Scots, they wore the uniform of that regiment. This included tartan trews (trousers). In 1904, the helmet was replaced with a Glengarry bonnet.
Important Leaders
The following people served as special Honorary Colonel of the unit:
- John Hope, who started the unit, from 1883.
- William U. Martin, a former leader, from 1900.
- Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener, a very famous general, from 1905.
Victoria Cross Hero
Lieutenant David Stuart McGregor of the 6th Battalion was awarded the Victoria Cross. This is the highest award for bravery in the British military. He earned it on 22 October 1918 for his actions at Hoogemolen while serving with the Machine Gun Corps. He died during this action.
Memorials and History
All Royal Scots soldiers who died in World War I are remembered at the memorial gates. These gates were opened at the regimental base, Glencorse Barracks, Penicuik, in 1927.
The special flags of the 6th Battalion, used between 1909 and 1920, are kept safe in St. Giles's Cathedral, Edinburgh.
David McGregor's Victoria Cross medal is on display at the Royal Scots Museum in Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.
