Some photos of Seaforth Highlanders

I thought it might be interesting to post up some photos that were in my Dads belongings. You never know, somebody might recognise themselves, or a family member....and if you do I'd be very happy to hear about them.

So, firstly a photo taken somewhere in Germany (I think, judging by the style of the buildings)

Then one of my Dad on his own in a bren carrier. Not sure where this is! Maybe somebody will recognise it...but I guess all depots look the same.

 

I dont have the best internet connection here, so rather than try and upload all the photos to one post, I've split them in to 2, so....

A photo of the Army Champions Tug O' War team...2nd Batt, Seaforth Highlanders. There is a list of names on the reverse of the photo...

Lt. McGregor
Q.M. Capt. Scobie
C.O. Lt. Col. Roberts (front row, centre)
R.S.M. 'Granny' Tait
P.M. Sgt. Lipton
A. Sergeant Jackson.
A. Sergeant Robinson (my Dad, 3rd from left, back row.)
Cpl. Irvine
Cpl. Stone
L/Cpl. Latham
Pte. Jones
Pte. Finch
Pte. Campbell

Finally a much worn and torn photo, I can make my dad out in it though...

 

The Tug O war team were at the Royal Tournament in 1947, and won. There was a silver commemerative medal issued to the winners, all the team got one, including my Dad.

This went missing between my Dad dying and my mother dying. We never got to the bottom of it, but if anybody has a photo of one of these medals, I'd love to see it, and show it to my children.

I really wanted to take this to the Museum at Fort George, along with a copy of the team photo (I'm about 130 miles from Fort George) but I would like to be able to present a 'whole' package.

 

Thank you to the moderator who moved my thread here...I wasnt sure of the best place to put it!

I have a couple of other photos, but I'll need to scan them in. I never scanned these to the computer as my dad wasnt in them, but now I have good reason!

 

Very interesting pictures. The 2nd Seaforth Highlanders was in 51st Highland Division. Was your dad involved in all the battles of this Division?

 

Sandy, if some of your photos are a bit worn I and several other members here can recommend Pristine Images for a bit of sympathetic and great value restoration:
Pristine Image

Mike

 

To be honest stolpi, I really don't know. he did say he should have had the Italy star along with the France and Germany star, but I just don't know. I'm going to have to dig for records I think. he never really talked about what he did or where he was. I do know he crossed the Rhine, and was at Nijmegan (Spelling, sorry). He also mentioned Cuxhaven (again, spelling). He was wounded, shot by a sniper I think, towards the very end of the war. I reacll him pulling a lump of shrapnel out of his leg one day, a very shiny piece of metal, about an 1/8 of an inch..he threw it out of the Land Rover window with a curse, and I told him really he should have kept it as he had carried it around for 30 odd years.

Thanks for the link Mike, well worth a look.

I have some more photos, I just upgraded to windoze 7 (my old hdd died) and am still trying to get the scanner working. Will post soon.

 

2nd Seaforth were part of 152nd brigade, 51st Highland Division, along with 5th Seaforth and 5th Camerons. 2nd Seaforth were re-constitued after the original 2nd battalion were captured at St Valery in 1940.The new 2nd Seaforth landed in Egypt August 1942 and fought through out the North African campaign, Sicily, returned to UK and landed in Normandy and fought through to Germany.

 

My problem is, I don't know when he joined up! He'd be 18 in '43 I think.

 

Sandy - it would be wonderful if you could dig up some records.

I'll certainly be doing that. Its about time, to be honest.

In the meantime, some more photos.

Firstly, the Tug o' war, at Aldershot Tattoo. Seaforths versus the Grenadier Guards. Seaforths won... My dad is the anchor. Would be about '47 again I think.

The 3" Mortar Platoon, 2 Btn, at Netheravon, again, 1947. Dads not in this pic.

I have some more, which I think I'll have to post during the day as my linespeed is very slow at the moment. (one problem with living in the middle of nowhere!)

 

nice photos & interesting read, i just found out one of my family served in this regiment and am starting to look for imformation

 

Broadband is up to speed here this morning, so some more pics.

A couple of photos of the pipe band, must be wintertime as there is snow on the ground in one of the photos. These are press photos I think, probably again in or around the '47 area.

Finally for now a photo of Montgomery doing an inspection. This is also a press photo, and I'm not sure entirely, but I think that may be Dad 8th down the line. (or 7th if you dont count the guy who's leaning back, you can only just see him)

I have some other items which I can scan in if anybody is interested.A Christmas card from the Rhine at the end of the war, the order of service for the Church parade to celebrate the end of hostilities, discharge paperwork, and Passbook...An SA Urkunde (Sports certificate/awards book) and some personal paperwork to go with that, and someting I like to hold from time to time, as it makes me a millionaire...some Reichmarks, and a couple of the allied 'replacement currency'.

I do hope somebody might recognise a family member in one or more of the photographs. It would be good if that happens, especially if its a photo that they dont have..

 

nice photos & interesting read, i just found out one of my family served in this regiment and am starting to look for imformation

I'm glad you like the pics! Fascinating subject once you start looking isnt it!?

 

Great pictures - If you find out when he joined up click the red link below in my signature if you are interested in getting copies of his units war diaries.

 

I think that will be very interesting Drew, I was just looking at your thread, post#48 onwards is handy, good to know whats available.

 

Hello Sandy,

If your dad believed he should have had the Italy Star this suggests he served in Sicily with the 51st (Highland) Division; Operation Husky commenced on the 10 July 1943. This also fits with his age profile.

You really need his service records to confirm matters and I know from your Intro thread that you have the necessary link for requesting these... But make sure you ask for his FULL service records!

Best,

Steve.

 

Hi Steve,

Yes, I am going to have to do that. (full records. Will remember!)

The thing thats holding me back (and this might sound daft to some) is that I know I'm going to have to request a death certificate first. I've been putting that off.

I was looking at the relevant application forms yesterday, as PDFs. It looks pretty straightforward.

Heres what may be a silly question.... What age would a young man actually be allowed to sign up? I am assuming 18. Although, I know people signed up at 16...

 

If he was 18 in 1943 he wouldn't have gone overseas until he was 19 unless he lied about his age when he joined up. This isn't really my area but I'm sure by 1943 no one, or very few, were joining up at this stage of the war - I believe chaps were told to go home and wait for a letter.

 

Here's the three diaries that maybe of interest to you:

WO 169/10291 2 Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's) 1943 Jan.- Dec.

WO 171/1369 2 Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's) 1944 Jan.- Dec.

WO 171/5267 2 Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's) 1945 Jan.-Dec.

 

Knowing dad, thats highly possible. He was a bit of a loveable rogue.

His elder brother was in the Tank Corps, and married a Flemish girl after the war...I think there might have been a bit of rivalry. I don't know much about him either.

I'm going to have a good look through all the stuff I have got, do some scans where possible, or photos if not. Things are spread around a bit, it all needs to be copied and then put safe in one place.