Royal Scots help.

I am enquiring on behalf of a gentleman who I recently met in my grandmothers nursing home. On chatting about what his various jobs were he mentioned that he regretted he did not have any photographs of his time in the forces. His name is Alexander Campbell (of Dundee), a private of 13 platoon, C company, First battalion, Royal Scots in 1945. I hope this is enough information. I would be delighted with any information.
Thanks Lesley

 

Lesley -
we could use a bit more information with this case as the Royal Scots - as you mention with platoons and company's indicate Infantry as opposed to the Royal Scots Greys which were a Tank Regiment - the Royal Scots you mention would be the Fusiliers...?

The 2nd Battalion RSF's served in the same Brigade - the 17th of 5th Division as the Northamptions and so their movements were the same - BUT you mention 1945 when changes were made so if you can get a bit more information - we can take it from there !
Cheers

 

Hi Lesley and welcome to the forum.

If you plan on doing some research for him I would apply for his service records-They will be free for him if he applies himself.

Army Personnel Centre - British Army Website

 

Found this via Wiki for you:


THE BRITISH ARMY IN BURMA 1945. Men of the Royal Scots pose for a photograph with a Japanese flag taken as a souvenir after clearing the Japanese from Payan, near Shwebo, January 1945.


THE BRITISH ARMY IN BURMA 1944. Men of the Royal Scots search the ruins of Pinbaw for Japanese snipers, December 1944.


THE BRITISH ARMY IN BURMA 1945. Men of the Royal Scots take up positions on the Shwebo bridge while under attack from Japanese who were entrenched in Payan, January 1945


THE BRITISH ARMY IN BURMA 1944. Men of the Royal Scots searching buildings in Namma, October 1944.

 

Hi Lesley

1st Royal Scots was part of the 2nd British Infantry Division and with that unit in 1945 it fought in the Central Burma, they crossed the Irrawaddy west of Mandalay and finished the War in the area of Mt. Popa.

Andy, on the second and the fourth picture (I'm not 100% sure for this one, I have to check) were in fact solders from 1st Royal Scots Fusiliers not 1st Royal Scots. 1st RSF fought at Pinbaw.

 

Hi Sol,

They are from Wiki-so I guess you pays ya money and takes ya chances - I did come across one or two pictures on wikipedia that were said to be labelled wrong by IWM.

Andy

 

Hi Sol,

They are from Wiki-so I guess you pays ya money and takes ya chances - I did come across one or two pictures on wikipedia that were said to be labelled wrong by IWM.

Andy

I noted the same while I was searching for pictures on IWM site. Pinbaw was place in the Norther Burma and in that area 1st RSF fought. So, or they wrongly named the place or regiment.

Other examples



Accompanied by a piper, the Royal Scots march along a road on the outskirts of Pinwe, November 1944.


Men of the Royal Scots, 36th Infantry Division, advancing near Pinwe, December 1944.


A fusilier of the Royal Scots provides covering fire with his Thompson SMG in the village of Namma, October 1944.
1st RS was in 2nd Infantry Division, while 1st RSF was in 36th Infantry Division and had Pinwe as its Battle Honour.

 

Owen -
I didn't forget Pontious Pilates bodyguard - I did want a differentiation of the Greys - Fusiliers and them and as he was Infantry - we could then rule out the Greys of the Crimea - as one battalion of Royal Scots did fight in Italy with the Northamptons in 17th Bde of 5th Div.
Cheers !

 

Thanks for your help. What sort of information do you require? I know he was in Burma but if you could give me a few pionters on any questions to ask him I would be grateful.
Thanks

 

lesley -
Many of the questions have already been answered except that he claims to be in the 1st battalion of which regiment - Royal Scots OR Royal Scots Fusiliers regiment as we have already discounted the Royal Scots Greys as being Armoured in NWEurope and 2nd Battalion Royal Scots in Italy- when did he join ? - as he only mentions 1945 ! Where did he come from to join.
You can see the relevance of having his service record for the facts, and as someone mentioned - they are free if he requests them from Glasgow...
Cheers

 

Tom,
Have contacted Glasgow and will hopefully get the ball rolling. Thanks for your help.
Lesley

 

Lesley - that is what we are all about.....it will take some time as Glasgow always pleads "too busy" so three or four months is not unusual - as Tom Jones might sing ...

My confusion stems from the fact that 1st battalion of Royal Scots fought with 2nd Division 4th Brigade - whereas 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers fought with 36th Division and their Brigade was changed from 29th - to 72nd later in the campaign

Friend of mine - Peter Malone - 6th Black Watch (Italy) apparently lives now in Dundee - he is 90 now and never thought he would get this far......must be the Law Hill air !
Cheers
Cheers