I have the Regt's History Book (All the Kings Enemies) - Ask the Q and I'll have a look although I don't think its that detailed. That is definately not a current National Archives ref for the war diary.
I suspect these are the diaries you would be interested in: WO 171/1265 1 Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) 1944 Jan.- Dec. WO 171/5158 1 Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) 1945 Jan.- Dec. As I said ask the Q and I'll look in their book
I thought it might be 'Black Watch Regimental Association', a search of which takes you to their museum. It's not listed in their shop so it may be an out-of-print reprint?
My guess is that the PRO reference isn't to an item in TNA's archive or their bookshop but to a book in their reference library - catalogue here. A "Black Watch" search there yields 6 results. If none of those results looks right, of course, try a different search. Then, armed with a proper description, I'd suggest looking it up in WorldCat to track down a handier copy. Rgds, Steve
If you get a minute or two can you lookup your Black Watch war diary and see if a Sgt T Oliver is mentioned during the fighting in Caen, he is local to me and I was doing some research on the 1st Black Watch Thanks to all for reading this
I'm new to the Forum and I may be able to help with the 1st Black Watch history. My late father was the Battalion Signals Officer from 11 June 44 to 15 Nov 44 when he was wounded by a mine Shortly after the war the Battalion CO (by then) Brigadier Hopwood sent my father a draft of a history of the Battalion from late May 44 to VE day. To my knowledge this history was never published although it may be incorporated into some histories. The style is very much a War Dairy with added personal observations. I have transcribed the document and if anyone is interested I can provide copies. If this would be of interest please contact me.
Aeronut - I would be very much interested in a copy of chapters dealing with the Ardennes 44/45, Veritable (Feb 45) and the Rhine Crossing (March 45). I will sent you a PM.
Aeronut - received the chapters in the mail - thank you so much. They will come in handy once I start restoring the 51st HD Veritable and Rhinecrossing threads (gave you a RP-point)
Aeronut can you please look at the pages covering the 1st battalions action around Caen and then the Reichswald. I am looking for any reference to Cpl/ Sgt T Oliver who was MID in Caen and was awarded the MM for the Reichswald , thanks
Aeronut, your entry was years ago and I wonder whether you are still using the site and if so will you see my post! Just in case, I would very much like a copy of the draft history you mention. I'm new to this site and don't know how you would expect to send it, but I see you will have some experience in doing so. I do hope to hear from you!
Rookie, Aeronut was here yesterday evening, so you could use a private conversation, assuming he is still using the email address used or his email address which can be seen when looking at his profile.
Thanks for that, David. Aeronut did get in touch and kindly offered to send Col. Hopewood's account. I've been wrestling with the question of 1st Bn Black Watch v 1st (Tyneside Scottish) Black Watch, unsure whether they were one and the same thing, but today found a war diary entry which seems to settle the question: they are not one and the same. The family member I'm researching was with 1st TS in 1944 but still with the Black Watch in 1945. I've got even more homework to do than I thought!
