Steel and Tartan: The 4th Cameron Highlanders in the Great War

In the summer of 1914, Scotland prepared for war, and Steel and Tartan chronicles the adventures of the 4th Battalion, Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, from their training in Bedford to five major engagements in France. Over 250 men were killed, and their names are etched on memorials to the missing.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 22 February 2024
Publisher: The History Press Ltd

In the summer of 1914, Scotland prepared for war, and Steel and Tartan charts the adventures of the 4th Battalion, Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. The Battalion, consisting of 1,500 men, trained in Bedford with the Highland Division and participated in five major engagements in France, including the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and the Battle of Loos. However, their journey came to an end in March 1916 when the British Army administrators disbanded the Battalion.

Over 250 men from the Battalion were killed and either buried in one of the many British war cemeteries in France or left where they fell. Their names are etched on memorials to the missing, serving as a testament to their bravery and sacrifice.

Patrick Watt, in his book, uses previously unpublished diaries, letters, and memoirs, along with original photographs and newspaper accounts, to tell the story of the gallant officers and men of the 4th Camerons. These men, known as the "Saturday night soldiers," eagerly enlisted in the war in August 1914, eager to serve their country and fight for their beliefs.

The book explores the experiences of these soldiers, from their training and deployment to the battles they fought and the hardships they endured. It sheds light on the camaraderie and teamwork that characterized the Battalion, as well as the individual stories of the men who served.

Steel and Tartan is a valuable contribution to the history of World War I, providing a detailed account of the actions of the 4th Battalion, Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. It pays tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of these men and serves as a reminder of the immense cost of war.

Dimension: 198 x 129 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803995892
Edition number: New ed