The inscription reads CRUACHAN ! (an ancient slogan of the Argylls recalling a mountain which was a gathering place for fighters since Mons Graupius (circa AD 84), Sterling (1297) and Bannockburn (1314)
SAIR GHAISGICH (TRUE HEROES OF RENOWN)
A CHOGAIDH MHOIR (OF THE GREAT WAR)
Na laoich (the lads)
A CHAIDH ROMHAINN (WHO FELL FOR US)
We remember Sgt. MacKenize (a historical figure) and the gallant men of the Ants (Company A Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders ….frequently….)
Losses during the Second Battle of Ypres (April-May 1915) are estimated at 69,000 Allied troops (59,000 British, 10,000 French), against 35,000 German, the difference in numbers explained by the use of chlorine gas.
Front Line Position YPRES SALIENT 1915
The front line was held by three battalions in each of the three brigades:
80th Brigade (Brigadier-General W E B Smith, HQ at Verlorenhoek): Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, 3rd Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps and 4th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps.
81st Brigade (Brigadier-General H L Croker, HQ north of the Menin Road at Hooge): 1st Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 9th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and 1st Battalion Royal Scots.
82nd Brigade (Brigadier-General J R Longley, HQ south of the Menin Road at Hooge): 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, 1st Battalion the Cambridgeshire Regiment and 1st Battalion the Leinster Regiment.
PERSONAL NOTE on the ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS
in WORLD WAR ONE.
431 officers and 6475 other
ranks lost their lives and six
Victoria Crosses were awarded
to the regiment during the war.
They suffered almost 25,000 casualties and a casualty rate of over 400%.
SAN PEUR (without fear) NE OBLIVISCARIS (do not forget)
The men of the THIN RED LINE OF HEROES….
Captain Porteous, Captain John Lauder, Lt. Henderson, Sgt Mackenzie, American Johnny, Danny McQueen,the beaus of the Dorian sisters Molly and Annie (spinsters for life), Jimmy Quigley, and so many more now nameless Tommies not forgetting the Dins (loyal Indian soldiers)
After World War One over 400,000 Scots emigrated (almost 10% of the population of Scotland and almost 20% of the population aged 1-35); chiefly to the USA and Canada but also Australia. Victory did not bring security but exile…and yet another odyssey and another Journey of the Cross. Most never returned home in their lifetimes….
In modified lallans (Scots)
Original Scottish Version
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears
Ains a year say a prayer faur me
Close yir een an remember me
Nair mair shall a see the sun
For a fell tae a Germans gun
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
English Translation
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
When they come I will stand my ground
Stand my ground I’ll not be afraid
Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears
Once a year say a prayer for me
Close your eyes and remember me
Never more shall I see the sun
For I fell to a Germans gun
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Where before many more have gone
In memory of Sgt. Charles Stuart MacKenzie
Seaforth Highlanders
Who along with many others gave up his life
So that we can live free
http://www.greatwar.co.uk/westfront/ypsalient/meningate/lastpost.htm
LAST POST from the MENIN GATE YPRES (Nov.11 observances. Among the most moving commemorations I have ever seen, heart of observed.)
http://www.greatwar.co.uk/westfront/ypsalient/meningate/lastpost.mp3
We will remember them NE OBLIVISCARIS DO NOT FORGET
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