Can anyone help with information on what the 7th Black Watch were doing on the 11th of January, 1943. Captain (162563) Kenneth Alastair MacKenzie Gillies fell on this date . Also found a reference to " Wadi Ouesca Reconnaissance. " He is commemorated on Alamein Memorial. Also, why would a Captain have a service number? Mike
All officers had a number when they were commissioned. Here he his in London Gazette , see how the numbers are consecutive. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35040/supplement/247/data.pdf
Thanks Owen. So is that a number of an N.C.O. that was commissioned, or, a reference number unique to an officer? Mike
They're all officers. Here's a page from 51st Div history for some background info, hope it's readable. 7 Black Watch was in 154 Brigade.
GILLIES, KENNETH ALASTAIR MACKENZIE Rank: Captain Service No: 162563 Date of Death: Between 11/01/1943 and 12/01/1943 Age: 23 Regiment/Service: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) 7th Bn. Panel Reference: Column 63. Memorial: ALAMEIN MEMORIAL Additional Information: Son of the Revd. William Alexander Gillies, D.D., and Margaret Gillies. Captain Kenneth Alastair Gillies ( - 1943) - Find A Grave Memorial
He doesn't get a mention in the regimental history, All the King's Enemies and the diary details at Kew are below: WO 169/10181 7 Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) 1943 Jan-Dec Cheers Andy
Soldiers get a number when they are enlisted (nowadays an Army number; in earlier times it was a regimental number - one of a block of numbers issued to that regiment). If commissioned, the old number is relinquished and a new officer's number is issued instead. Until recently (and maybe still but I doubt it) Officers of the Royal Navy did not have a number. Chris
