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Iain Laird's Family History Project

The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)

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The United Kingdom's oldest Infantry Regiment was raised by a Warrant from the Privy Council of Scotland, given under King Charles I's authority at Whitehall on 28th March 1633

On 24th April 1633 Sir John Hepburn raised a regiment of 1,200 men in Edinburgh under a warrant from the Privy Council of Scotland, given under King Charles I’s authority at Whitehall on 28th March.  The Regiment when raised was formed of units which had served since the mists of time. It is the oldest regiment of infantry in the British Army and is the 1st Regiment of Foot. The Royal Scots have served throughout practically every major campaign in the last 372 years, up to and including the Gulf War in 1991, with honour and distinction. Many know the saying “Steady the Buffs…” but less well known is the last part “…stand fast the Queens and let the Royals go by.”
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Sir Robert Douglas recaptures the Colour at the Battle of Steenkirke,1692
The Regiment’s nickname is “Pontius Pilate’s Bodyguard”, consequent upon its antiquity.  In its early days, in service in France, the Royals were quartered next to the Regiment of Picardy, which claimed to be older, having been on guard at the crucifixion. The Royals replied, they were there too, making a much better job of guarding the Governor of Palestine. Many legends have a basis in fact. It is now thought that Pontius Pilate may have been born in Perthshire, and the Roman Legions recruited from every part of the Empire.
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World War I
In World War I 100,000 men served in The Royal Scots.  The Regiment was awarded 71 Battle Honours, 10 of which appear on their Colours.  6 Victoria Crosses (VC), 32 Distinguished Service Orders (DSO), 217 Distinguished Conduct Medals (DCM), 158 Military Crosses (MC) and 337 Military Medals (MM). 11,213 were killed and 40,000 wounded, a casualty rate of over 50% over 4.5 years of war.

1914 2014
One of a million Centenary candles lit at "Lights Out" for the million British and Colonial fallen of the Great War at 2200 hrs on 4th August 2014 and extinguished at 2300 hrs, the hour war was declared in 1914.

Battle of the Somme July 1916
Seven Battalions of The Royal Scots took part in the Battle of the Somme, The 2nd, 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 16th (McCrae’s) and the 17th.

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Thiepval Memorial to the fallen of The Battle of the Somme with no known grave.

Contalmaison 1st-4th July 1916
The objective on 16th Battalion, The Royal Scots, known as McCrae’s after their C.O.. This battalion was recruited fully in just six days and had at its core the Heart of Midlothian Football Team and its coaches and supporters.  The Battalion went in 1,000 strong and took and held their objective for four days.  When the roll was called 624 NCOs and Men and 12 officers were missing.  They are thought to be buried at Gordon Dump Comonwealth War Graves Cemetery nearby, only 19 are identified.  1,053 of the 1,676 war graves are unidentified.

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World War II
In WWII there were 4 Battalions, the 1st, 2nd, 7th/9th and 8th.  The Regiment was awarded 38 Battle Honours, 10 of which appear on the Colours.  Awards included 1 George Cross (GC), 14 DSOs, 42 MCs, 10 DCMs and 40 MMs. 97 Officers and 1,151 Warrant Officers, Non Commissioned Officers and Soldiers were killed. 140 Royal Scots were killed in action in 17 days in May 1940.

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The Battle on the Escaut, Bruyelle Military Cemetery - Fallen 21st May 1940

 10th-27th May 1940
The Royal Scots fought against the German Advance into Belgium and France in May 1940, with the first engagement at Wavre on 11th-15th May, the Battle of the Escaut on 21st-22nd May and fought to the “Last round and the last Man” holding the line of La Bassée Canal from 25th-27th May at Le Paradis.

The Battle remembered by the late Major Jimmy Howe OBE. Subsequent experience as a PW by his boyhood friend, fellow bandsman, Corporal Billy Bell.

1rs 10.05.1940 27.05.1940