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7th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)
7th Black Watch saw action in France with the BEF. After the capture of the 51st Highland Division at St Valery in June 1940 it was decided to reconstitute it in the UK around a nucleus provided by the 9th Scottish Division. Less than thirty members of the old 1st Battalion were available, but it was rebuilt and joined by the 5th and 7th Battalions which had not yet gone overseas.
7th Black Watch arrived in North Africa in early 1943 as part of 51st Highland Division taking part in the battle of El Alamein, followed by the pursuit across the North African desert through Mareth and Wadi Akarit ending with a triumphant entry into Tripoli.
The 7th Battalion trained in amphibious landings in Algeria, using them in landing in Sicily in early July. It suffered severe casualties at Adrano at the end of July before German withdrawal to the north. The battalion with the rest of the 51st Division landed on the Italian mainland and six weeks later was moved to Britain to prepare for the D-Day operations in Normandy.
The Battalion suffered many casualties in Normandy and after the fall of Caen on 11th July 1944, was engaged in the push north to close the Falaise Gap. St Valery, Le Havre, Dunkirk, the sites of previous defeats in 1940, were all passed through with little German resistance. In February 1945 the battalion was part of the attack through the Reichswald, leading to continuous action under German artillery attack. It crossed the Rhine on 22nd March 1945 under severe shelling, the last major engagement before VE-Day.
26th August 1939 Message
29th August 1939 Conference 
29th August 1939 Messages
29th August 1939 Message to 7th Black Watch
1st September 1939 Telegram
1st Sep 1939 Operational Instruction
2nd September 1939 Reliefs
3rd September 1939 War Declared
3rd September 1939 Message to 7th Black Watch
28th September 1939 Reliefs
14th October 1939 Enemy Aircraft
16th October 1939 Operational Control Returns
17th October 1939 Posting
18th October 1939 Posting
19th October 1939 Reliefs
20th October 1939 Air Raid
20th October 1939 Air Raid
21st October 1939 Reliefs
23rd October 1939 On the Move
27th October 1939 Postings
28th October 1939 Stand To
29th October 1939 Stand To
29th October 1939 7th B.W. Operational instruction No.1
30th October 1939 Stand To
2nd November 1939 Suspicion
3rd November 1939 Operational Control
17th November 1939 Posting
18th November 1939 Accident
26th November 1939 Orders
30th November 1939 On the Move
12th December 1939 Postings
13th December 1939 Postings
21st December 1939 Postings
4th January 1940 Orders
6th January 1940 Postings
16th January 1940 Heavy Snow
18th January 1940 Postings
20th January 1940 Postings
23rd January 1940 Hotel Fire
31st January 1940 Snow
23rd February 1940 Orders
27th February 1940 Reliefs
5th March 1940 Defence
6th March 1940 Defence
8th March 1940 Defence
12th March 1940 Defence
14th March 1940 Defence
19th March 1940 Defence
10th April 1940 Reliefs
11th April 1940 Reliefs
18th April 1940 Reliefs
22nd Aril 1940 Instructions
25th April 1940 Draft
11th May 1940 Orders
11th May 1940 Orders
1st June 1940 Move
1st June 1940 Orders
2nd June 1940 On the Move
3rd June 1940 Orders
4th June 1940 Yellow warning
5th June 1940 Warning
6th June 1940 Reinforcements
7th June 1940 Warning
8th June 1940 Warning
9th June 1940 Quiet
10th June 1940 Shots Fired
11th June 1940 Quiet
12th June1940 Quiet
13th June 1940 Orders
13th June 1940 Orders
13th June 1940 Measures to meet invasions by air or sea.
14th June 1940 Enemy Aircraft
15th June 1940 Quiet
16th June 1940 Warning
17th June 1940 Quiet
18th June 1940 Quiet
19th June 1940 Reinforcements
20th June 1940 Quiet
21st June 1940 Order
21st June 1940 Orders
22nd June 1940 Quiet
23rd June 1940 Quiet
24th June 1940 Defences
25th June 1940 Quiet
26th June 1940 Quiet
26th June 1940 Visit
27th June 1940 Training
28th June 1940 Order
28th June 1940 Positions
29th June 1940 Quiet
30th June 1940 Quiet
1st July 1940 Quiet
2nd July 1940 Quiet
3rd July 1940 Quiet
4th July 1940 Civilian passes
5th July 1940 Quiet
6th July 1940 Quiet
7th July 1940 Quiet
8th July 1940 Quiet
9th July 1940 Quiet
10th July 1940 Air raid warning.
11th July 1940 Quiet
12th July 1940 Warning
12th July 1940 Quiet
12th July 1940 Orders
13th July 1940 Orders
14th July 1940 Operation Instructions
15th July 1940 Curfew
16th July 1940 Quiet
17th July 1940 Quiet
18th July 1940 Quiet
19th July 1940 Quiet
20th July 1940 Arrivals
21st July 1940 Quiet
22nd July 1940 Weapons
23rd July 1940 Quiet
24th July 1940 Warning
25th July 1940 Quiet
26th July 1940 Quiet
27th July 1940 Quiet
28th July 1940 Quiet
29th July 1940 Quiet
30th July 1940 Quiet
31st July 1940 Quiet
1st August 1940 Quiet
2nd August 1940 Quiet
2nd August 1940 Stand To
3rd August 1940 Air raid siren.
4th August 1940 Quiet
5th August 1940 Quiet
6th August 1940 Exercise
6th August 1940 Intelligence
7th August 1940 Alert
7th August 1940 Stand Down
8th August 1940 Quiet
9th August 1940 Quiet
10th August 1940 Quiet
11th August 1940 Quiet
12th August 1940 Orders
13th August 1940 Message
14th August 1940 Quiet
15th August 1940 Exercise
15th August 1940 Report
16th August 1940 Quiet
17th August 1940 Quiet
18th August 1940 Quiet
19th August 1940 Quiet
20th August 1940 Quiet
21st August 1940 Quiet
22nd August 1940 Quiet
23rd August 1940 Quiet
24th August 1940 Quiet
25th August 1940 Message received
26th August 1940 Quiet
27th August 1940 Quiet
28th August 1940 Quiet
29th August 1940 Quiet
30th August 1940 Quiet
29th November 1940 Postings
22nd May 1942 Competition
23rd May 1942 Competition
2nd Jun 1942 Exercise
19th of September 1942 Move
21st of September 1942 Exercises
23rd of September 1942 Attack exercise
24th of September 1942 Relief
20th of October 1942 152nd Brigade Operational Order
20th of October 1942 Gapping and Taping
21st of October 1942 Operation Order No.1
22nd of October 1942 Schedule of Tasks for Evening
23rd Oct 1942 Led by the Pipers
25th of October 1942 In Position
26th of October 1942 In Action
27th of October 1942 Situation Obscure
27th of October 1942 152nd Brigade Operation Order
27th of October 1942 5 Seaforth Operation Instruction
29th of October 1942 In Action
1st Nov 1942 In Action
2nd Nov 1942 In Action
3rd Nov 1942 In Action
4th Nov 1942 Advance
5th of November 1942 Report
22nd of November 1942 Instructions
25th of November 1942 Orders
1st of December 1942 Operation Order No. 12.
6th of December 1942 Op Order No. 13 Appendix B
6th of December 1942 Draft 152 Bde. Operation Instruction No. 1.
15th of December 1942 Orders
20th of December 1942 Field Firing Exercise
16th Jan 1943 Advance
31st Jan 1943 Recomendation
28th March 1944 Instructions
31st March 1944 On the Move
1st April 1944 Advance Party
2nd April 1944 Rest
3rd April 1944 Arrivals
4th April 1944 Preparations
5th April 1944 On the Move
5th April 1944 Orders
6th April 1944 Billets
7th April 1944 Training
8th April 1944 Conference
9th April 1944 Divine Service
10th April 1944 Training
10th April 1944 Patrols
10th April 1944 Exercise
10th April 1944 Exercise
11th April 1944 Training
12th April 1944 Training
13th April 1944 Training
14th April 1944 Exercise
15th April 1944 Reinforcements
15th April 1944 Street Fighting
16th April 1944 Snipers
17th April1944 Training
17th April1944 Transport Orders
18th April 1944 Dispute
19th April 1944 Training
20th April1944 Training
21st April 1944 Preparations
21st April 1944 Exercise
22nd April 1944 Exercise
22nd April 1944 Orders
23rd April 1944 Exercise
23rd April 1944 Exercise Notes
24th April 1944 154th Brigade Instructions
25th April 1944 Exercise
28th April 1944 Planning
29th April 1944 Preparations
30th April 1944 Preparations
7th Jun 1944 On the Move
8th Jun 1944 Radar Station
8th Jun 1944 Under Fire
8th Jun 1944 Advance
11th Jul 1944 In Action
6th Oct 1944 Recce
7th Oct 1944 Reliefs
23rd March 1945 Crossing the Rhine
3rd May 1945 Orders
If you can provide any additional information, especially on actions and locations at specific dates, please add it here.
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Those known to have served with 7th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) during the Second World War 1939-1945. - Baines John William. Pte. (d.6th Apr 1943)
- Blake George Albert. Pte. (d.25th June 1944)
- Duncan Robert Fraser. Pte (d.31st October 1944)
- Farmer Kenneth John. L/Cpl. (d.25th Oct 1944)
- Gillender David. Pte (d.23rd/24th October 1942)
- Gray Alexander. Pte. (d.7th Apr 1943)
- Greenwood Harry. Pte. (d.25th June 1944)
- Hamilton Robert Brewster. Pte.
- Hyams Sydney. Pte. (d.23th October 1944)
- Marr MBE. Hendry. WO2.
- Marr MBE. Henry. CSM.
- Parker Richard. Pte. (d.13th Dec 1942)
- Rees William Llewellyn. Pte
- Robinson Douglas Graham. Pte. (d.8th Aug 1944)
- Savelli Vilmo. Pte. (d.26th October 1944)
- Savill Arthur James Stanley .
- Sloan John. Pte. (d.22nd-23rd October 1942)
- Wigg Frederick. Pte. (d.15th July 1944)
- Wilson Thomas. Sgt.
The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please
Add a Name to this List
Records of 7th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) from other sources.
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Want to know more about 7th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)? There are:1558 items tagged 7th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. |
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CSM. Henry Marr MBE. 7th Btn., HQ Coy Black Watch Henry Marr was recommended for an award on the 31st of Jan 1943.
During the very early states of the Alamein battle, all three officers of the 7th Black Watch Anti Tank Platoon were either killed or wounded and since this time CSM Marr has commanded the platoon with great courage and devotion to duty. He has during the whole of this period carried out his duties, which have virtually been equivalent to the duties of three officers, with relentless energy and determination. During the later stages of the Alamein battle the position of the anti tank guns had frequently to be changed under heavy fire and on different occasions since then the gins have had to be got into position under dangerous and difficult conditions and on ever occasions CSM Marr has personally supervised the movement and siting of the guns. He has during the whole period commanded the platoon in a most outstanding manner and has displayed very fine powers of leadership and command. His conduct in action has been a most excellent example in this unit.
The awarding of an MBE was published in the London Gazette on 14th of October 1943.
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Pte. Sydney Hyams 7th Battalion Black Watch (d.23th October 1944) Sydney Hyams served with the 7th Battalion, Black Watch.
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Pte. Douglas Graham Robinson 7th Btn. Black Watch Royal Highlanders (d.8th Aug 1944)  Douglas Robinson was tragically only 21 years old at the time of his death. He had served for two years in the Army. He died on 8th of August 1944 during Operation Totalise, in Garcelles. My family always spoke of him and I was fascinated to learn more about him. Firstly in 2010, I visited Edinburgh Castle and found his name in the Roll of Honour there. I then visited the Wroughton War Memorial in Wiltshire, and his name is inscribed on there.
In 2015, I had the privilege to travel to Normandy on a staff ride with the Royal Air Force. (I am current serving RAF). We visited all of the Normandy Landing beaches, and I was able to ask them to take me to Douglas's Cemetery. I found it on find a grave.com, and details of his exact plot number. I was overwhelmed to see a family headstone in a random foreign cemetery. None of my family had ever visited his grave before, and to follow in his footsteps as current serving military myself, looking down on his grave was very emotional. My RAF Officer took a photograph of me crouching beside the headstone.
I felt a sense of guilt that he had been in that cemetery for 71 years with no family visit. My grandparents couldn't get there when they were alive. I'll never forget my visit to Normandy, it was life changing. I still think about Douglas and I need to take my dad and brother across to see it for themselves to see it.
My brother found a book in Swindon Library this week called 'Reflections of Wroughton', and we were overjoyed to finally see a decent photograph of Douglas. He looks very alike to me, and four of his service number digits are identical to mine, which is a bit bizarre. This has re sparked my interest in finding out more about him. I have applied for a copy of his death certificate from the GRO, and hope to apply for his Service Records. Unfortunately, I heard his brother sold off his medals in the 1980's in the Devizes area. I would love to try and track them down somehow and get them back. The whole story is pretty strange, I believe Douglas ran away from home from Wiltshire to join the Black Watch in Scotland, for reasons unknown.
The Black Watch Museum emailed me back in 2015 and told me:
"The 7th Battalion Black Watch landed on D-Day +4, ie 10th June, as part of the reinforcing wave of troops. By this point the identities of the initial landing beaches have become merged to become the Normandy beachheads, as opposed to Sword, Gold, Juno etc. Operation Totalise was the closing of the Falaise Gap. Basically the advances of the Americans and Anglo Canadian forces had created a pocket containing the remaining elements of Germany Army Group B, the 7th Army and the 5th Panzer Army. Between the 12th and 21st of August Operation totalise was launched to close this gap.
The 7th Battalion Black Watch were given as their target the strategically important town of Garcelles. Suspecting little resistance the whole 51st Highland Division, of which the 7th was part, launched their operation 24 hours early and had almost complete success.
Only C Company encountered any resistance with three enemy machine gun nests. Following the attack on the town the Germans shelled it heavily, and whether your great uncle was killed in the initial attack with C Company, or later when the town was bombarded, I do not know. The Falaise Gap was eventually closed, and cost the Germans over 100,000 soldiers killed, wounded and/or captured, along with most of their armies equipment."
Any extra information, photographs, records, stories etc relating to Douglas would be most appreciated. I would also love to try and track his medals down and get them back, and perhaps purchase a replica or similar SD cap to what he is wearing in the photograph.
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Pte. Harry Greenwood 7th Battalion Black Watch (d.25th June 1944) My Uncle Harry Greenwood died in June 1944. I was born in January 1945 and my grandmother asked my mother to name me Harry in remembrance of my uncle.
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Pte. John William Baines 7th Battalion Black Watch (d.6th Apr 1943) John Baines was killed in action at the Battle of Wadi Akarit, Tunisia, aged only 20.
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Pte. Robert Brewster Hamilton 176th (Highland) Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps Robert Hamilton served with 176th (Highland) Field Ambulance RAMC, attached to 7th Battalion Black Watch in 154 Brigade, 51st Highland Division.
He served in North Africa with 8th Army and was part of the 7th Battalion Black Watch that spearheaded the invasion of Sicily, D Day push into North West Europe and amongst the first to cross the Rhine. Also, amongst the first to liberate Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
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Arthur James Stanley Savill 7th Btn. Black Watch Arthur Savill served with the 7th Battalion, Black Watch.
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Pte. Alexander Gray 7th Btn. Black Watch (d.7th Apr 1943) Alex Gray was my grandmother's youngest brother, they lived in Edinburgh, Scotland. The story goes, Alex Gray joined up with the Black Watch. During the war Alex, did send a letter to his family, saying he had lost all his mates and all he had left was on his back. He stated they had one more job for Monty and then they would head home. Unfortunately, Alex lost his life from infection of wounds suffered from Wadi Akarit in Tunisia they had fought the battle on the 6th of April 1943.
He did survive the initial battle but was badly wounded, even his own brother Hughie Waugh, did not even recognize him, as his brother was helping the wounded off the truck and Hughie inquired about an Alex Gray. The wounded soldier said: I am Alex Gray. Alex ended up in the triage hospital, his wounds were from barbed wire and his torso was all bandaged up. When his brother Hughie went to see him the next day, Alex told him (or the nurse told Hughie) the military was going to move him to a hospital in Cairo to convalescence. However, the family lost track of Alex and they received a message saying he had died on the battlefield on April 6th, 1943. But his brother said, "He couldn't be I spoke to him on the 6th!" It shows how records and dates get mixed up. But, in retrospect of what his brother said, we believed he died of infection of his wounds, being a hot country and who knows the type of medical care he would have received. Dying of infection or maybe of internal bleeding would have being plausible, our guess he died a few days later.
The only effects the family received of Alex's was an American belt (with the American Eagle on it) with an address of the American, a small money purse, his black watch medal. It was common at the time to swap effects, in order to keep in touch with new friends. The family also, received a picture of his burial site, in a cemetery somewhere in in desert area of North Africa. He was only 23 years old and left behind a wife and one daughter, mother, sister and 2 brothers.
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Pte. Richard Parker 7th Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.13th Dec 1942) Richard Parker, son of Thomas W. and Mary Jane Parker (nee Jefferson) was born in Hebburn, County Durham, Great Britain in 1919. He was the husband of Jane Parker (nee Scott), also of Hebburn. Private Parker died aged 23 during the Western Desert campaign in the minefields of the village of Mersa Brega. He is buried at Benghazi War Cemetery in Libya, and is commemorated on the WW2 Roll of Honour Plaque in the entrance to Jarrow Town Hall, Tyne and Wear, Great Britain.
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Pte. George Albert Blake 7th Btn Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.25th June 1944) George Albert Blake died aged 28, he was the son of Percy and Elizabeth Ann Blake (nee Young) of Jarrow and husband of Lilian Blake (nee Waggott) of Jarrow.
George is buried in Ranville War Cemetery.
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