SCOTS GUARDS IN THE GREAT WAR

In 1914 the Scots Guards (Third Regiment of Foot Guards) consisted of two battalions, both in England and two week after the outbreak of war the 3rd(Reserve) Battalion was formed; this battalion did not go abroad but during the course of the war it provided drafts of 11,201 all ranks for the 1st and 2nd Battalions. The 1st Battalion went to France with the 1st (Gds) Brigade, 1st Division on 14 August and served on the Western Front throughout the war; the 2nd Battalion joined the 20th Brigade of the 7th Division when it formed in September 1914, and landed in Belgium on 7 October 1914 and also served on the Western front for the whole of the war. Losses numbered 111 Officers and 2730 Other Ranks; 30 battle honours and 5 VCs were awarded. In August 1915 the Guards Division was formed in France and both battalions were transferred to it, the 1st to the 2nd Guards Brigade, the 2nd to 3rd Guards Brigade. The Regiment was somewhat unfortunate in its historians, the first – William Ewart – was accidentally killed in Mexico on New Year’s Eve 1922/23 after writing up the first two months of the war only, his successor – L.F.Petrie died in May 1925 after getting most of the war diaries put together, and finally ithe history was finished by C.F Lowther who had commanded the 1st Bn at the beginning of the war and then the 1st (Gds) Bde.
This book is set out in chronological order, and though the battalions were not in the same division during the first twelve months of the war their actions are not recorded under separate headings. Thus both battalions were in action during First Ypres and they both appear in the chapter covering that battle. Apart from war diaries, there are extracts from letters and other contributions from those who were there making up the narrative and the result is a plain, straightforward account. From time to time the list of officers present in both battalions is given as are the names of those who became casualties during any specific action. There is, however, no Roll of Honour nor List of Honours and Awards, just summaries of casualties and honours and awards in a final chapter; VCs are named other awards are summarised, thus :”DSO – Twenty-two officers while serving with the Regiment, four officers whilst attached to other units.”