Reformation of 51st Highland Division August 1940

Discussion in '1940' started by Karen D McIntyre, May 28, 2019.

  1. I am having trouble finding any information on where the 51st Highland Division was reformed, after the surrender at St Valery. I know it was sometime in August of 1940, and that they then did home defense work until 1942. Would like more details. Any ideas where to look?
     
  2. smdarby

    smdarby Well-Known Member

    Just had a look at "None Bolder - History of 51st HD in WWII". On 7 August 1940 the 26, 27 and 28 Brigades of 9th HD (a TA division raised as a duplicate of 51st HD), became 152, 153 and 154 Brigades, while the 9th HD itself became the 51st HD.
     
  3. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    The reform was not quite exactly done as stated in "None Bolder". It is true that 26th and 27th Infantry Brigades became 152nd and 153rd Infantry Brigades, but Headquarters 28th Infantry Brigade was actually absorbed by by Headquarters 154th Infantry Brigade, which survived France, which it left on 15 June 1940 arriving in the UK on 16 June 1940. Remnants of 7th and 8th Argylls along with those of 4th Black Watch returned. For example, the 7th Argylls lost 23 officers and 500 ORs in France. On August 7, 1940 the 7th was amalgamated with the 10th Argylls (of 9th Division) and became the 7th/10th Argylls. Similarly the 8th Argylls reformed after the return from France. Because of heavy losses in C and D Companies, recruited in Oban, Ballachulish and Dunoon, C and D Companies were not reformed on that association. Instead, new X and Y Companies were reformed and all survivors were mixed up and redistributed over the four companies. The 8th Argylls then found its was to the 101st Royal Marine Brigade, where it almost went to Dakar. It remained with the Royal Marine Division until April 1942, when it returned to Army command under the 1st Guards Brigade. The 4th Black Watch were also reformed but sent to garrison Gibraltar.
     
    Incredibledisc, Owen, Chris C and 2 others like this.
  4. Thank you! I will try to find "None Bolder".
     
  5. Thank you for the information! Interesting you mentioned Oban. I was just there (My husband's clan came from around there once upon a time.) and saw several names on the War Memorial from the 51st. Do you happen to know where the reforming took place?
     
  6. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Karen:

    I will get back to you on this thread with some more details.
     
  7. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    According to Queens Own Cameron Highlanders historical reords, vol 6. "During the last week of July the 51st was reformed and the 5th Battalion Camerons became part of 152 brigade...……" The 51st was then spread out along the North East coast of Scotland. 3rd Sept 1940 5th Cams were moved to Thurso. 1st week of November they moved to Muir of Ord-Beauly in order to take part in Divisional training, with river crossings of the Nairn, Findhorn and Spey.
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  8. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    I have taken a look at the individual regimental histories for the period of reform, particularly on the official date of August 7, 1940. Unfortunately some of these are very spare, such as the Black Watch and Seaforth histories. Although the Argyll's history is detailed, it does not give a location for the 7th/10th Battalion on reformation nor is the 11th Battalion mentioned, since the Argyll's histories only included battalions that saw active service. Here is the breakdown of the 51st Division's infantry battalions on reformation on August 7, 1940:

    152nd Infantry Brigade
    4th/5th Seaforth Highlanders - ?
    7th Seaforth Highlanders - ?
    5th Cameron Highlanders - Halkirk
    153rd Infantry Brigade
    5th Black Watch - ?
    1st Gordon Highlanders - Aberdeen
    9th Gordon Highlanders - Tarves
    154th Infantry Brigade
    2nd Seaforth Highlanders - ?
    7th/10th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - ?
    11th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - ?

    This was not the final configuration that 51st (Highland) Division took to war in 1942. There was some more shifting around of battalions during 1940-41.

    I am sure some other members may have war diaries for the above battalions and may be able to fill in the missing locations in Scotland.
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  9. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    The reformed 51st order of battle was; 152nd. Bde. consisteing of 2nd Seaforth, 5th Seaforth and 5th Camerons. (formerly 26th Bde) 153rd. Bde. 5th Black Watch, 1st Gordon Highlanders and 5th/7th Gordon's. (formerly 27th Bde) 154th Bde. 1st Black Watch, 7th B.W. and 7th Argylland Sutherland Highlanders. (incorporating 28th Brigade.)
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  10. sjw8

    sjw8 Well-Known Member

    Hi
    I have the War Diary for 274 (H) Field Coy R.E. (courtesy of Drew) covering Sept 1939 to Dec 1941. Prior to 51st's re-formation, they were part of 9th (H) Divisional Engineers.

    Re 9th Division's location, there is the following July 1940 diary entries -
    "10/7/40 - 14.00 - Major S.B. Russell reported to Headquarters, 9th (H) Division at Grantown." (my emphasis)
    "15/7/40 - 19.45 - 2/Lieut. RM Taylor proceeded to Headquarters, 9th (H) Division R.E., Aberdeen."

    There is also the following -
    (a) a facing page before the August 1940 diary headed "51st Division" with the following notation - "Joined on abolition of 9th Division on 7/8/40".
    (b) the relevant August diary entry -
    "7/8/40 - 11.00 - 9th. Division ceased to exist and 51st Division established."

    Re location of 11th Bn, A & SH, there are the following September 1940 diary entries -
    "Gordon Castle (My emphasis) - 8/9/40 - 01.30 - Section 2 reported to O.C. 11th. Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders , Gordon Castle.
    Arrival reported to H.Q. 154 Infantry Bde and to O.C. 274th Field Coy. R.E.",
    and, later that date -
    "Gordon Castle - 13.30 - received verbal orders from Adjutant, 11th. Battn. Argyll and Sutherland for section to report back to Company H.Q."

    Steve W
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  11. Thank you so much! I have a lot more to research now, but I love it! While my novel may be fiction, I want it to be as historically accurate as possible. Honest, if you will.
     
  12. Bless you! This is great information.
     
  13. Wonderful!
     
  14. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    This was the final order of battle for 51st (Highland) Division by 1941.
     
  15. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here are the actual brigade assignments from August 7, 1940 through 1942:

    152nd Infantry Brigade
    7th Seaforth Highlanders - 7/8/40-23/8/40
    5th Cameron Highlanders - 7/8/40-31/8/45
    4th/5th Seaforth Highlanders - 7/8/40-4/4/41
    5th Seaforth Highlanders - 5/4/41-31/8/45 (Renamed from 4th/5th)
    2nd Seaforth Highlanders - 4/9/40-31/8/45

    153rd Infantry Brigade
    5th Black Watch - 7/8/40-31/8/45
    9th Gordon Highlanders - 7/8/40-2/9/40
    1st Gordon Highlanders - 3/8/40-31/8/45
    5th/7th Gordon Highlanders - 21/10/40-31/8/45

    154th Infantry Brigade
    2nd Seaforth Highlanders - 7/8/40-4/9/40
    11th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - 7/8/40-22/9/41
    7th/10th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - 7/8/40-30/9/42
    7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - 1/10/42-31/8/45 (Renamed from 7th/10th)
    1st Black Watch - 24/10/40-31/8/45
    7th Black Watch 22/9/41-21/8/45

    On August 7th, 1940, the 51st (Highland) Division also took over the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers from 9th (Scottish) Division:

    Royal Artillery:
    126th Field Regiment, RA
    127th Field Regiment, RA
    128th Field Regiment, RA
    61st Anti-Tank Regiment, RA

    Royal Engineers:
    274th Field Company, RE
    275th Field Company, RE
    276th Field Company, RE
    239th Field Park Company, RE (retained from original 51st (Highland) Division)
     
    Edward Pattinson and stolpi like this.
  16. That's amazing! Thank you so much.
     
  17. I have seen the poem several times and in different places now, the one that starts "Friends are good in the day of battle." Where does that come from? What is its significance?
     
  18. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    An old Gaelic proverb, my father would often quote it. As far as I know it was often quoted in the 51st Highland Division.
     
  19. Thank you! That's pretty much what I thought, but it's good to have it confirmed.
     
  20. As I understand it, on 7 August 1940, the 9th Scottish Division absorbed the remnants of the 51st Highland Division that had survived the Battle of France. At the request of General Cunningham (GOC of the 9th) it was renamed the 51st Highland Division. My husband, who is retired US Navy, says there would have been some sort of "change of command" or other such ceremony at the time. However, this was a time of war, and maybe it was accomplished more simply. Anyone have any ideas or information on this?

    FYI - Monty's Highlanders: 51st Highland Division in the Second World War is an awesome book. Reads easily, but lots of first hand information and details.
     

Share This Page