THE BLACK WATCH

[caig]

I was dismayed ( being polite about it) to see this afternoon that the UK Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, is to scarp the famous Black Watch Regiment in a major reform of the British armed forces.

To remove such a glorious regiment, started in 1715 during the first Stewart rebellion, is just unbelievable.

The Black Watch tartan is one which many of our members wear and is probably the most popular and famous tartan in the world.

Perhaps some of our members may wish to express their support for a campaign to stop this monstrous act from happening.

[bubba]

I read that Blair and Hoon are meeting great resistance and Blair is backing away from the consolidation. They'll probably drop it for the sake of their political lives. There was a counterproposal that will possibly be accepted instead. Each Regiment would keep their individuality if enlistments permit, but would just be shifted to a common headquarters unit rather than individual HQs.

[macwilkin]

Besides the Black Watch, the Royal Scots Regiment, the oldest infantry regiment in the British Army -- raised in 1633 by Sir John Hepburn under royal warrant from King Charles I -- is being amalgamated with the King's Own Scottish Borderers, raised in 1689.

Other units affected:

The Royal Highland Fusiliers
The Highlanders
The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

Plus a number of English & Welsh Regiments -- from my understanding, the Royal Welch Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Wales are to be merged.

I think Bubba's assesment of the situation is correct.

I am very sad this morning to read this news.

Todd

[bubba]

As I understand it, Hoon and the General Staff are after more uniformity. They want to be easily able to transfer troops from any given unit to any other unit without complication. For most units that isn't a problem, but it won't work with assault units or the more elite. Even the US Army knows better than that. Units with real battle traditions and unit pride shouldn't be messed with. It only destroys morale and reduces the effectiveness of the units in question and combat effectiveness should never be sacrificed for command convenience if you want true military professionalism. I would consider the Highland regiments to be assault and elite units given their long battle histories and overall effectiveness in combat.

[macwilkin]

I would consider the Highland regiments to be assault and elite units given their long battle histories and overall effectiveness in combat.

The Officer Commanding of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Iraq praised the Black Watch as one of the most professional units he has ever worked with.

T.

[phil h]

well I spoze it kinda sux.
but its a fact of life,cutbacks.
my friend in the RAF says a lot of them have been offered a buyout, I think they have spent far too much over the past 10 or so years, with the gulf etc.
same with big companys, cutbacks all over, it's no different in the forces, no room for romantic notions.

[Muddy]

That does suck Acaig. I read about it somewhere
else the other day. By the way....I was peeking
into your gallery and noticed you are also a
Farquharson. Good shot of you at Invercauld House.
I'm Farquharson on my fathers side (Finley) and
an Elliott on mom's side (her maiden name).
Yours aye,
Muddy
(Russ Finley)

[James]

Of course it is of regret to lose a famous named regiment: however that has always been the lot of the infantry, from names to numbers and then back to names.

What is more important is the fact that the British infantry is already too small in numbers and instead of losing units, it should be being increased.

My son had been going to follow me into my own regiment, but in view of how the army is being mistreated, underfunded and undermanned he will not now be so doing. I say my regiment, but it too changed it's name upon an earlier review.


James

[macwilkin]

I say my regiment, but it too changed it's name upon an earlier review.

James: which one, if I may be so bold to ask?

Cheers,

T.

[Doc Hudson]

Of course it is of regret to lose a famous named regiment: however that has always been the lot of the infantry, from names to numbers and then back to names.

What is more important is the fact that the British infantry is already too small in numbers and instead of losing units, it should be being increased.

My son had been going to follow me into my own regiment, but in view of how the army is being mistreated, underfunded and undermanned he will not now be so doing. I say my regiment, but it too changed it's name upon an earlier review.


James

Ain't it always that way James?

It's bad enough that the soldier gets screwed on a daily basis, now they go and screw with tradition.

If there was any doubt that the Empire has passed, the disbandment of the Black Watch is a certain proof.

TOMMY

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!