Scots on the Western Front: Recruitment and Sacrifice in WW1
Explore the significant role of Scottish volunteers on the Western Front during World War I. Learn about the motivations behind their enlistment, including patriotism, peer pressure, and the allure of adventure. Discover the stories of the renowned Tramway Battalion and McCrae's Battalion, shedding light on the diverse experiences of Scottish soldiers in the Great War.
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Presentation Transcript
Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front
Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front Scots Recruitment in WW1 All young men aged 19-35 were asked to volunteer and it was a huge success. By 1915 almost 1 million men volunteered. However more Scots volunteered in proportion to the population than any other part of Britain e.g. by the end of August 1914 over 20,000 had volunteered to fight from Glasgow alone.
Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front Why did so many Scots volunteer? Patriotism Belgian atrocities Peer pressure friends volunteered, girl friends etc. Guilt - fear of white feather Sense of adventure get away from mundane lives.
Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front Why did so many Scots volunteer? Along with standard reasons, there were also particular reasons for Scottish soldiers: Scottish martial (fighting) tradition inspired many. Scotland suffered higher unemployment and more widespread poverty than most areas in Britain. The army was a chance for a regular job and wage. Unlike England, there were no official pals battalions but many Scots rushed to join up together to fight alongside friends.
Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front Why did so many Scots volunteer? There were two famous pals battalions the 15th battalion of the Highland Light Infantry (the HLI were Glasgow s regiment) called the Tramway Battalion as it was made up mainly of tram drivers and workers. McCrae s Battalion who were made up of the Heart of Midlothian football team.
Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front Tramway Battalion The Tramway Battalion were the Glasgow regiment of the Highland Light Infantry. The Tramway Battalion were the fastest recruited battalion in the history of the British Army some 1100 recruits in 16 hours. The Tramway Battalion fought at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front McCrae s Battalion The footballers of Heart of Midlothian football team continued to play football once the war had started and they were accused of cowardice for continuing with the awful farce of football . The Edinburgh Evening News suggested that they should be renamed The White Feathers of Midlothian . Sir George McCrae launched an appeal for recruits and within 7 days, 13 professional footballers and 100s of supporters had signed up. McCrae s suffered massive losses at the Battle of the Somme and 3 players were killed.
Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front Why did so many Scots volunteer? The pals battalions were soon discouraged when it became clear the disastrous effect it could have on communities. As pal s battalions fought together, in battles where there were heavy losses, there were communities where large numbers of men were killed. Memorial built in 1922 to the soldiers of McCrae s battalion who were killed.
