Some time last year we made available a transcription of the First World War Roll of Honour for the Commercial Bank of Scotland.
The location for the download was a file-hosting website, but now, thanks to Sandy Leishman at the Royal Highland Fusiliers museum, the download has amore permanent location.
It can now be downloaded free of charge at this location.
Our thanks go to Sandy at the museum. I would also recommend checking out some of the other books available for download. Some of them require a small subscription, but the content of many of them more than justifies the cost.
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Monday, 18 January 2010
New STV series: Scots At War
I spotted a trailer for this upcoming series last night. It looks very intersting, and I'll certainly be tuning in.
Here's the blurb from the STV website:
On the front line with Scots at War
Offering a fascinating day-to-day window into the life of today’s modern troops in Afghanistan, STV’s new documentary Scots at War combines the present with the past as it looks at how Scotland forged itself in the fire of previous conflicts.
Scotland has a proud military history which is still closely interlinked to the experiences of today’s modern soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.
In STV’s new series, Scots at War, presenter Ken Hames travels to Afghanistan with the Royal Regiment of Scotland, following their journey as they prepare to take their place on the front line to fight against the Taliban.
The former SAS Major, who comes from five generations of British soldiers, will follow the experiences of the modern soldiers in Afghanistan, listening to eyewitness testimonies from soldiers and commanders of present and past and looking at how the great reputation of the fighting Scot has been forged in the fire of many conflicts over the centuries.
Starting on Tuesday, January 26 at 9pm, the first of the three hour-long programmes will begin by looking back nearly 400 years and drawing parallels between today’s current operations and historic battle’s.
Over his journey, Ken will look at how Scottish regiments tackle insurgents today and reflect on regiments of the 18th Century who had similar problems within their own borders and had to fight against fellow Scots at the Battle of Culloden.
Ken will also join the troops to discuss the hazards of transporting troops through remote hostile environments in Afghanistan and use this as a stepping stone to look back on the Birkenhead Disaster of 1852 when the troop ship HMS Birkenhead hit rocks off the coast of South Africa.
World War One and World War Two were particular dark periods in the Scottish Regiments history and played such a huge part in the shaping of our nation and Army. As part of the series, Ken will visit some of the great battlefields where Scottish soldiers fought and died and find out how these army landmarks shaped the Scottish Regiments of today.
Don’t miss this exciting new series, filled with unique archive footage and eyewitness testimonies. Tune in to STV on Tuesday, January 26 at 9pm or catch up on the STV Player.
Here's the blurb from the STV website:
On the front line with Scots at War
Offering a fascinating day-to-day window into the life of today’s modern troops in Afghanistan, STV’s new documentary Scots at War combines the present with the past as it looks at how Scotland forged itself in the fire of previous conflicts.
Scotland has a proud military history which is still closely interlinked to the experiences of today’s modern soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.
In STV’s new series, Scots at War, presenter Ken Hames travels to Afghanistan with the Royal Regiment of Scotland, following their journey as they prepare to take their place on the front line to fight against the Taliban.
The former SAS Major, who comes from five generations of British soldiers, will follow the experiences of the modern soldiers in Afghanistan, listening to eyewitness testimonies from soldiers and commanders of present and past and looking at how the great reputation of the fighting Scot has been forged in the fire of many conflicts over the centuries.
Starting on Tuesday, January 26 at 9pm, the first of the three hour-long programmes will begin by looking back nearly 400 years and drawing parallels between today’s current operations and historic battle’s.
Over his journey, Ken will look at how Scottish regiments tackle insurgents today and reflect on regiments of the 18th Century who had similar problems within their own borders and had to fight against fellow Scots at the Battle of Culloden.
Ken will also join the troops to discuss the hazards of transporting troops through remote hostile environments in Afghanistan and use this as a stepping stone to look back on the Birkenhead Disaster of 1852 when the troop ship HMS Birkenhead hit rocks off the coast of South Africa.
World War One and World War Two were particular dark periods in the Scottish Regiments history and played such a huge part in the shaping of our nation and Army. As part of the series, Ken will visit some of the great battlefields where Scottish soldiers fought and died and find out how these army landmarks shaped the Scottish Regiments of today.
Don’t miss this exciting new series, filled with unique archive footage and eyewitness testimonies. Tune in to STV on Tuesday, January 26 at 9pm or catch up on the STV Player.
We're still here...
Things have been quiet lately on the blog, but we've not been idle.
The Scottish Military Research Group have got a few plans for 2010, whihc we'll hopefully be able to share with you later in the year.
As for the blog, I'm looking into getting some more people involved, so keep an eye out for that. I also want to get more book reviews done. I actually have a couple that I need to get round to writing up...
The Scottish Military Research Group have got a few plans for 2010, whihc we'll hopefully be able to share with you later in the year.
As for the blog, I'm looking into getting some more people involved, so keep an eye out for that. I also want to get more book reviews done. I actually have a couple that I need to get round to writing up...
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Scotland and the Spanish Civil War
The West of Scotland Branch of the Historical Association will be hosting a talk by Daniel Gray entitled Scotland and the Spanish Civil War next Tuesday 8th December 2009 at 5.30pm, in the Dyer Room at the Mitchell Library. The talk will be based on Gray's book “Homage to Caledonia”, in which he has collated extensive research from first hand sources on the conflict.
(Thanks to Chris Paton at the Scottish Genealogy Blog for the heads up!)
(Thanks to Chris Paton at the Scottish Genealogy Blog for the heads up!)
Thursday, 3 December 2009
New Headstone for Gordon Highlander
From the Press and Journal, 3rd December 2009.
THE grave of a Grantown World War I veteran that has been marked by two cockleshells for more than 50 years, is to be given a proper headstone for the first time.
Kenny “Cockles” MacKenzie, who served with the Gordon Highlanders, survived the conflict after seeing action in France, before also serving in India.
He returned to Grantown where he is said to have lived a solitary life until his death in 1955.
There was no money to pay for a headstone, but shortly after Mr MacKenzie’s death two cockleshells were placed on his grave and have remained there ever since.
Glenfeshie-born Mr MacKenzie was known locally as Kenny Cockles, possibly because of the seashells which he kept along the front of his home in Grantown.
Leonard Grassick, of South Street, Grantown, who was a Seaforth in the Queen’s Own Highlanders, and the Royal Naval Association, have now announced plans for a headstone to mark Mr MacKenzie’s grave. Mr Grassick as a lad used to deliver groceries to Mr MacKenzie, and was one of the few people allowed in his cottage. He said: “He was a character and a worthy from Grantown who deserves to be remembered properly as a brave soldier.”
Mr Grassick said it was hoped that the stone, which is expected to cost £600 and will be inscribed with two cockleshells, would be unveiled at Easter. The local branch of the Royal British Legion have already made a contribution to the stone.
As an aside, I would hope that the new headstone will incorporate the cockleshells which have marked his grave until now.
THE grave of a Grantown World War I veteran that has been marked by two cockleshells for more than 50 years, is to be given a proper headstone for the first time.
Kenny “Cockles” MacKenzie, who served with the Gordon Highlanders, survived the conflict after seeing action in France, before also serving in India.
He returned to Grantown where he is said to have lived a solitary life until his death in 1955.
There was no money to pay for a headstone, but shortly after Mr MacKenzie’s death two cockleshells were placed on his grave and have remained there ever since.
Glenfeshie-born Mr MacKenzie was known locally as Kenny Cockles, possibly because of the seashells which he kept along the front of his home in Grantown.
Leonard Grassick, of South Street, Grantown, who was a Seaforth in the Queen’s Own Highlanders, and the Royal Naval Association, have now announced plans for a headstone to mark Mr MacKenzie’s grave. Mr Grassick as a lad used to deliver groceries to Mr MacKenzie, and was one of the few people allowed in his cottage. He said: “He was a character and a worthy from Grantown who deserves to be remembered properly as a brave soldier.”
Mr Grassick said it was hoped that the stone, which is expected to cost £600 and will be inscribed with two cockleshells, would be unveiled at Easter. The local branch of the Royal British Legion have already made a contribution to the stone.
As an aside, I would hope that the new headstone will incorporate the cockleshells which have marked his grave until now.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Bannockburn: A New History
I've received notification of the publication of a new book on the Battle of Bannockburn. Here's the information from the press release:
"Bannockburn 1314: A New History
by Chris Brown
To be published 11th January 2010, priced £12.99
A history of the most celebrated battle between Scotland and England in which a mere 7,000 followers of Robert The Bruce defeated over 15,000 of Edward II's troops.
"Bannockburn 1314: A New History
by Chris Brown
To be published 11th January 2010, priced £12.99
A history of the most celebrated battle between Scotland and England in which a mere 7,000 followers of Robert The Bruce defeated over 15,000 of Edward II's troops.
The battle of
- The most comprehensive history of the battle ever undertaken.
- The author’s conclusions rewrite the history books.
- A new look at the terrain where the battle was fought.
- Recreates the campaign and battle from the perspectives of both the Scots and English.
- In-depth investigation of the contemporary narrative sources and the administrative records.
- Major reassessment of the Scottish victory against the English.
- 25 colour illustrations and 25 b&w illustrations.
Chris Brown is an acknowledged expert on medieval
To be published by The History Press, this looks worth picking up. I hope to publish a review nearer the time of publication.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Approaching Remembrance Day
As we approach Remembrance Day, I'm sure that, like me, you start to think a little more about the sacrifice made by many men and women for the cause of freedom. But we should also remember those who came home.
We should remember those who still bear the scars of conflict, and those who perhaps should be remembered more than those who did not come home.
Please take time to visit the following sites, and please consider giving to some of these worthy causes:
Poppy Scotland
Help for Heroes
Erskine
We should remember those who still bear the scars of conflict, and those who perhaps should be remembered more than those who did not come home.
Please take time to visit the following sites, and please consider giving to some of these worthy causes:
Poppy Scotland
Help for Heroes
Erskine
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