Courage of Scots soldiers recognised in Battle of the Somme exhibition

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Exhibition at The Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George offers an insight into the realities of trench warfare

Courage of Scots soldiers marked in Battle of the Somme exhibition

Scottish soldiers who fought in the First World War are being remembered by an exhibition at Fort George Barracks in the Highlands to recall the tragedy of the Battle of the Somme.

It was 110 years ago that battalions of the Seaforth and Cameron Highlanders and millions of other British, French and German soldiers fought in the battle named after the river that crossed through the Western Front.

Originally intended to bring WWI to a swift end, the battle instead lasted more than four months. It became infamous as one of the bloodiest, most costly engagements in British military history.

When it began on July 1, 1916, 13 British divisions were called on to take on formidable German defences. Most were made up of volunteers who joined the Army shortly after the outbreak of war in 1914.

Before the end of the battle in November of the same year, due to the grim realities of industrialised warfare, their numbers grew to 50 divisions. The Seaforth and Camerons together sent a total of 12 battalions into the fray.

Ultimately, at the cost of about a million casualties, the conclusion saw the frontline around the Somme being moved six miles to the east.

The exhibition at The Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George will run until summer next year
The exhibition at The Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George will run until next summer.

An exhibition at The Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George, which runs until summer next year, offers an insight into the realities of trench warfare.

Museum curator Robert Kill said: “The battle was supposed to result in a fast and decisive victory that would break the stalemate on the Western Front.

Private James Aitken of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (kneeling extreme left).

SALUTE TO THE ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS

WWI medals were donated to the West Dunbartonshire Arts and Heritage Trust. They were awarded to the Scott brothers from Dumbarton, who both served in the 1/9th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Allan survived the war, but sadly, John was killed at Ypres in 1915.  Another local Argyll who thankfully survived that war that was supposed to end all wars was James Aitken from Renton, the village post boy who ran away from home at the age of 16 to join the Army. Democrat editor Bill Heaney joined James on a visit to Ypres, which was sponsored by local house builder Eddie McMurray, who has a special interest in military affairs. “Jimmy Aitken was a great man, a kenspeckle figure in the local community and a bowler of exceptional skill,” said Bill later. “Mr Aitken was also an avid supporter of Rangers FC and an example to all to reject sectarianism, no matter which quarter it came from.” A special, and much appreciated contribution to the local community was that he often went into the classrooms of local primary schools to relate stories to the pupils about the horrors of war.” Mr Aitken spent his latter life in Erskine Hospital for Ex-Service personnel. He lived past his century, and his funeral took place at Renton Trinity Parish Church of Scotland.
The poignant story of a young Dumbarton soldier, Bobbie Humble from West Bridgend, Dumbarton, who died at the Battle of Ypres in WW1 is here: https://democratonline.net/2018/11/10/letter-from-ypres/
The late James Aitken with Democrat editor Bill Heaney in Ypres. Belgium. Private James Aitken of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (kneeling extreme left) in the group picture above. Top of page: Argylls are prominent in the Remembrance Sunday service in Levengrove Park, Dumbarton.

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