The Cameronians in the First World War
The First World War was one of the most devastating conflicts in human history. Great Britain entered the war on 4 August 1914, following Germany’s invasion of Belgium.
The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), Lanarkshire’s local infantry regiment, was heavily involved in the conflict. Regular professional soldiers, men of the Territorial Force, volunteers and conscripted men all served in the regiment during the War. As the War progressed and the British Army expanded, men from all over Great Britain could be found among the ranks of The Cameronians.
Three Battalions of the regiment went to France in 1914, with a total of 11 Battalions serving overseas in theatres of war such as Gallipoli, Salonika, Egypt and Palestine, while many more served in the UK, Ireland and India.
By the end of the War, three men of The Cameronians had been awarded the Victoria Cross and hundreds more awarded other medals and honours for bravery and exceptional service. The human cost of the War for The Cameronians was high; 7106 Cameronian soldiers who died are commemorated on the regiment’s First World War roll of honour, and it has been estimated that at least a further 10,000 Cameronians had been wounded.
The Regiment was awarded a total of 55 battle honours for its service in the First World War.