Dumbartonshire Rifle Volunteers

1st Dumbartonshire RVC 9th (Dumbartonshire) Btn, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 54th (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) LAA Regt, RA 554th (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) LAA Regt, RA
Active	1860—1916 1920—1946 1947—1955
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Royal Artillery
Type	Infantry Light anti-aircraft artillery
Size	Battalion World War I—3 Battalions World War II—2 Regiments
Garrison/HQ	Dumbarton
Engagements	Second Battle of Ypres Battle of France Battle of Normandy

The 1st Dumbartonshire Rifle Volunteer Corps later the 9th (Dumbartonshire) Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders was an infantry later artillery unit of Britain's part-time force, the Territorial Army. The battalion was formed in 1860 as a battalion and later consolidated as a corps in 1880 before being transferred to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. In 1938 the battalion was transferred to the Royal Artillery, served in World War II, and was later absorbed into the 402nd (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Light Regiment, Royal Artillery. Although the regiment and battalion lineage was ended in 1955, the location of the original unit and highland links were continued through 102 (Clyde) Field Squadron, Royal Engineers.

Origins

First Volunteers

In 1793, much before the first rifle volunteer corps of Dumbartonshire were formed, the county managed many local units which included; Dumbartonshire Fencibles, Dumbartonshire Fencible Cavalry (later the Dumbartonshire Yeomanry Cavalry), Stirling, Dumbarton, Clackmannan and Kinross Militia, as well as many local militias.

Rifle Volunteers

Sergeant A. Lawrence of the Dumbartonshire Volunteer Rifle Corps with Dumbarton Castle in the background.

In 1859 the threat of another war with France led to the creation of local volunteer forces under the direction of the War Office. 7th May 1860 saw the formation of the Dumbartonshire Rifle Volunteers (the “DRV”), who had their first head-quarters at Balloch. All corps raised within Dumbartonshire joined the 1st Administrative Battalion which eventually became consolidated in 1880 as the 1st corps of that county. On 7 May 1860, the 1st Administrative Battalion, Dumbartonshire Rifle Volunteers was formed in Balloch and organised as;

• Battalion Headquarters under Officers; Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, J. M. Gartshore & Adjutant, Captain Henry Currie
• 1st (Row) Dumbartonshire Rifle Volunteer Corps (DRVC) — raised 18 February 1860, HQ changed 1 January 1873 to Helensburgh. Commanded by Captain Alex H. Denistoun
• 2nd (East Kilpatrick) DRVC — raised 8 February 1860, HQ changed to Maryhill and corps increased to one and a half companies in 1868, Uniform — slate-grey tunics with black collars, black braid all round and on the cuff, grey trousers and cap, both with black braid, and brown belts. Commanded by Captain Archibald Campbell Colquhoun
• 3rd (Bonhill) DRVC, — raised 8 February 1860. Commanded by Captain Mathew Gray
• 4th (Jamestown) DRVC — raised 8 February 1860. Commanded by Captain Archibald Orb Ewing
• 5th (Alexandria) DRVC — raised 8 February 1860 (recruits mostly from the Argyll Motor Works in West Dumbartonshire). Commanded by Captain Mathew Clark
• 6th (Dumbarton) DRVC — raised 8 February 1860, Increased to one a half companies in 1878, Uniform — slate-grey tunics with double black braid all round and in four rows on the breast, black collar with red piping, black braid with red piping on the cuff, grey trousers with red piping, grey cap with red-and-grey diced band, and brown belts. Commanded by Captain John Macausland
• 7th (Cardross) DRVC — services accepted 11 November 1858; officers commissioned 15 March 1860. Commanded by Captain Tucker Geils
• 8th (Gare Loch) DRVC — raised 16 February 1860, as one subdivision. Increased to one company 1863, and amalgamated with the 1st Corps on 24 June 1865. Commanded by Lieutenant John Cabbell
• 9th (Luss) DRVC — raised 8 February 1860, as one subdivision. Increased to one company on 28 August 1868. Commanded by Lieutenant Montagu J. Martin (clothed in green doublets and Colquhoun tartan kilts, discriminated by the commanding officers and the other corps for this reason, see uniforms tab)
• 10th (Kirkintilloch) DRVC — raised 5 March 1860. Increased to one and a half companies 1874. Uniform - slate-grey, facings scarlet. Commanded by Captain John M. Gartshore
• 11th (Cumbernauld) DRVC — raised 13 June 1860. Commanded by Captain James Mackenzie
• 12th (Tarbet) DRVC — (with a detachment at Arrochar), raised as one subdivision 7 March 1861; disbanded 1869. Commanded by Lieutenant Thomas Shedden
• 13th (Milngavie) DRVC — services accepted 9 August 1867; officers commissioned 23 August 1867. Commanded by Captain Hugh Kirkwood
• 14th (Clydebank) DRVC — services accepted 18 May 1875; officers commissioned 23 June 1875. (Most recruits from the shipbuilding yards in Clydebank, notably John Brown & Company) Commanded by Captain James R. Thomson

Localisation

Uniform variations of the DRVC as from Grierson's book, Plate XLIV

The Cardwell Reforms were a series of reforms of the British Army undertaken by Secretary of State for War Edward Cardwell between 1868 and 1874 with the support of Liberal prime minister William Ewart Gladstone. Gladstone paid little attention to military affairs but he was keen on efficiency. In 1870, he pushed through Parliament major changes in Army organisation. Germany's stunning triumph over France in the Franco-Prussian War proved that the Prussian system of professional soldiers with up-to-date weapons was far superior to the traditional system of gentlemen-soldiers that Britain used. Under Cardwell's localisation scheme, the country was divided into 66 Brigade Districts (later renamed Regimental Districts), based on county boundaries and population density. But, there were limitations to the extent that localisation could be implemented.

One of these 'brigade districts' was No.58 which maintained a brigade depot in Stirling which covered the counties of; Kinross-shire, Clackmannanshire, Stirlingshire, Dumbartonshire, Argyllshire, Buteshire, and Renfrewshire. No.58 brigade district was linked with two well known Scottish regiments; 72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) Regiment of Foot and the 91st (Argyllshire Highlanders) Regiment of Foot. Within this brigade, the militia and volunteers of these counties were grouped as to provide a simple 'organisational system' of control.

on 28 April 1880, the mass consolidations of the Rifle Volunteers occurred, as a result of these changes, all of the former corps were moved under command of the 1st Dumbartonshire Rifle Volunteer Corps based in Helensburgh which was expanded to battalion size, and subsequently organised as;

• Corps Headquarters in Helensburgh (from former 1st Corps HQ)
• A Company in Helensburgh (former 1st Corps)
• B Company in Cardross (former 7th)
• C Company in Dumbarton (former 6th)
• D Company in Bonhill (former 3rd)
• E Company in Jamestown (former 4th)
• F Company in Alexandria (former 5th)
• G Company in Clydebank (former 14th)
• H Company in Maryhill (former 2nd)
• I Company in Milngavie (former 13th)
• K Company in Kirkintilloch (former 10th)
• L Company in Cumbernauld (former 11th)
• M Company in Luss (former 9th, dressed in kilts and discriminated against due to this, therefore placed at 'end of the line') — disbanded 1882 due to reluctance to change dress and discrimination (see Uniform notes)

Royal Review

Many times throughout the 9th Corps (later M co.) history, discrimination occurred. For some time, the new commanding officer of the corps in 1881 (Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, H. Currier) was not satisfied with the conduct of the 'Luss Volunteers'. When the 1st Dumbartonshire RVC was called upon for the royal review in 1881, the company was not invited and told to 'remain at home' due to their dress because the commandant thought they 'spoilt the corp's reputation and style'. In typical Scottish style, the corps instead embarked for Edinburgh to arrive and march with another corps right next to the Dumbartonshire RVC in direct defiance of the commandant. This is one of the reasons why this company was later disbanded and reformed in Renton on 12 February 1882. (see uniform notes)

Regimentation

On 7 January 1881 following the Cardwell Reforms, the corps was attached to Princess Louises's Regiment (The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders), due to location of recruitment, of which Dunbartonshire fell within. The battalion (as it was now referred to as) was entitled to wear the uniform and badges of the regiment, although it insisted in retaining the elephant and castle emblem in the Argyll badge. After moving under control of the Argylls, the battalion was in-fact not re-titled as the 6th (Dumbartonshire) Volunteer Btn, but instead referred to as the [6th Volunteer Btn] 1st Dumbartonshire Rifle Volunteer Corps. In 1884, 'L' company based in Cumbernauld was reduced to a detachment in 'K' Company, and a new 'L' company was raised on 1 April 1884 in Yoker. In 1900 just before the battalion sent volunteers to South Africa, the battalion formed two specialist companies 'O' (Mounted) in Maryhill and 'Q' (Cyclists) in Dumbarton. In 1891, the corps had a small name to change to become the 1st Dumbartonshire Volunteer Rifle Corps. The years 1881-1908 saw a marked improvement in the organisation, training and equipment of the local volunteers as the government attempted to increase the fighting value of these forces. Funding in the form of grants to the units was considerably improved as well as the financial position of the volunteers.

South African War

The Argyll and Sutherland's Boer War Memorial at Stirling Castle

During the South African War the battalion contributed 98 of its members to the various new formations. Of these, Lieutenant R. L. Stevenson and 24 non-commissioned officers and men served in the 1st Service Company, 24 men in the 2nd Service Co, and 19 men in 3rd Volunteer Service Company, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Of the 1st company, privates J. C. Morrison, W. R. Kelly, and D. W. Moore died of disease in South Africa, and Lance Corporal W. L. L. Fitzwilliam and Private R. M. Duncan after being invalided home, and of the 2nd company, Lance Corporal T. Stevenson died of disease in South Africa. One man joined the Scottish Cyclist Company, and 29 men the Imperial Yeomanry, of whom private Nielson died of disease Captain R. L. Stevenson also served a second period with the Imperial Yeomanry. 107 men of the battalion, in addition, joined the regular army and militia during the war, and 28 non-commissioned officers and men (including Staff Serjeant Cumming, who was Mentioned in Despatches) of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Brigade Bearer Company, attached to the battalion, served with the Royal Army Medical Corps in South Africa. As a reward for their service, the battalion was granted the battle honour, "South Africa 1900-2".

End of the Force

By 1905 the battalion strength was 50 officers and 1,271 other ranks in the 14 companies which made up the battalion. In 1906 the battalion was placed in the 31st Field Army Brigade, 16th Division, and attended camp for 15 days. The battalion had a central rife-range at Auchin-carroch, in the Vale of Leven, up to 900 yards, and A, I, and K Companies had also ranged near their headquarters, that of the latter being held in conjunction with E Company, 4th Volunteer Battalion. In 1908, the battalion was reduced and transferred to the Territorial Force (see below).

Prewar

Background

Under the army reforms introduced by Secretary of State for War Richard Haldane in 1907, the existing auxiliary forces (the Imperial Yeomanry and Volunteer Forces) were to be combined (with effect from 1 April 1908) as a new organisation to be known as the Territorial Force (TF). In his 'Territorial and Reserve Forces Bill', Mr Haldane set up an establishment of fourteen divisions (infantry), fourteen mounted brigades (yeomanry), army troops, and troops for coastal defence. These to be raised and administered locally by a number of Territorial Force Associations. Under these reforms, the structure of infantry units were also altered, with each containing a peace establishment of 1,009 of all ranks in 8 companies 'A' to 'H', all under command of a Lieutenant Colonel.

Prewar

A 1914 recruiting poster for the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

When the Territorial Force was formed, the corps was transferred and redesignated as the 9th Battalion, Princess Louise's Regiment (The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) but in March 1909 it was renamed to represent the county designation to become the 9th (The Dumbartonshire) Btn. Following their movement to the new TF the battalion was reduced in size by relegating 17 officers to the supernumerary list and struck 640 other ranks off the strength and went into the new Territorial Force with 29 officers and 840 men in 8 companies. When the battalion was transferred they adopted the kilt, hose, and sporran took the place of trews. The battalion was also re-organised as;

• Battalion Headquarters in Helensburgh — HQ moving to Hartfield, Dumbarton in 1911
• A Company in Helensburgh with detachment in Cardross
• B Company in Kirkintilloch with detachments in Cumbernauld and Lenzie
• C Company in Dumbarton (many recruits from William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton)
• D Company in Milngavie
• E Company in Jamestown with detachment in Bonhill
• F Company in Alexandria and detachment in Renton
• G & H Companies in Clydebank and Yoker (many recruits from John Brown & Company (shipping company, which later launched the famed RMS Lusitania which drew the United States of America into World War I)

After transferring to the TF, great efforts were made to stimulate recruitment helped by eminent people such as John George Edward Henry Douglas Sutherland Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll speaking at public meetings in support of the new battalion throughout the county. New colours, paid for by Lady Inverclyde wife of the Lord Lieutenant, were presented by HRH Louise, Princess Royal and Duchess of Fife, Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment, in the grounds of Ardencaple House. Two years later these colours were brought back to Dumbarton and placed in the County Council buildings.

In July 1914 as the international situation worsened, the British Armed Forces were on high alert as the Imperial German Army moving towards the neutral nation of the Kingdom of Belgium, of which the UK protected. When German forces crossed into Belgium, the United Kingdom declared war on Germany and later the rest of the Central Powers. During this period, the battalion along with the 6th (Renfrewshire), 7th, and 8th (The Argyllshire) Btns was part of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Brigade in the Highland Division.

World War I

1/9th (The Dumbartonshire) Btn

The declaration of war in 1914 found the local TF at camp in Kintyre, and the battalion was embodied on 4 August 1914. The Battalion assembled at Dumbarton and many were billeted in local schools. On the morning of Tuesday 11th August the Battalion mustered on the Common before leaving for Bedford by train. The men took with them a number of carts and repainted them in military colours, as well as some horses which they had commandeered in the district. The CO, Colonel Leith-Buchanan was not passed fit for service overseas and was replaced by Lt Colonel James Clark. On 22 October the Highland Division was given a visit by the King and inspected there before departing to France.

In early 1915 the Highland Division was broken up mostly with many battalions moving independently to France in the coming months. On 19/20 February the battalion landed in Le Havre (north France) and on 23 February 1915 the battalion came under orders of the newly formed 81st Brigade within the also newly formed 27th Division. By 14 March 1915 the battalion was in St Eloi and on the front line, just east of the town. During this period the battalion saw constant attack and subsequent counter-attacks.

Facing obstructions on their way to closing the gap created by the gas attack, the Canadian 10th Battalion executed an impromptu bayonet charge at Kitcheners' Wood.

Second Battle of Ypres

Main article: Second Battle of Ypres

On 21 May the battalion was transferred to the 10th Brigade of the 4th Division. On 22 May 1915 the battalion participated in the famed, although not for good reason, Second Battle of Ypres, this would be the first engagement where poison gas was used in warfare. When the battalion arrived in the Ypres area, German forces attacked the north flank of the solient using poison gas and forced the defending French forces to retire 3-4km. During this retreat, British forces advancing behind them were required to shoot those who failed to turn around, leading to many allied deaths. As a result of the rapid German advance, many men of the battalion were killed, which caused the battalion to be reduced to just company strength of 2 officers and 85 men, these men would later be transferred to the 8th Btn.

Disbandment

Because of the massive losses inflicted during the recent battle, the battalion was instructed to amalgamate with the 6th Btn who also suffered heavy losses, this new unit was designated as The Composite Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The amalgamation was intended as a temporary measure and would exist until such times as reinforcements could come from 2/9th Battalion. Six months after the terrible losses of May 1915, the Battalion had been brought up to a strength of 25 Officers and 461 other ranks.

But the Battalion could not be brought up to its required strength. Because of the great demands of industry in the county, the problem of obtaining new recruits in Dumbartonshire was apparent to all. Eventually the Battalion had to be disbanded. Everything was done to preserve the local identity of the Dumbartonshire Territorials but sentimental feelings could not be allowed to stand in the way of the efficiency of the Army as a whole.

File:Lawson Wood - Parliamentary Recruiting Committee - Your King & Country Need You.jpg

A 1914 recruitment poster shows a Scottish soldier in Belgium, in response to Germany describing the Treaty of London, which protected Belgium's independence and neutrality, as a "scrap of paper" when they invaded in August 1914.

The Battalion no longer existed but the Officers and Men of the 1/9th continued to serve in other battalions and other regiments. In its short time in France it was mentioned in dispatches 3 times and personally complimented by Field Marshall Sir John French. By July 1917 the 2/9th and the 3/9th ceased to exist as well.

2/9th (The Dumbartonshire) Btn

When the Territorial Force was mobilised and embodied in August 1914, there was a quick movement to form a 'second line' of which those not volunteering for overseas duties could join. The second line also had the task of taking over the role of home defence while at the same time providing and training reinforcements for the original units (1st line). The second line battalion later had the role of providing coastal defence.

On 21 September 1914 the 2nd line battalion was formed in Dumbarton (Temporarily re-designated for period from 11 August 1915 – 11 January 1916 as No.12 Btn, 62nd Division). The battalion was later disbanded on 10 May 1917 at Farnham.

9th (The Dumbartonshire) (Reserve) Btn

In Mid-1915 more duplicates were added, which were designated as 'Third line' units, most of these being absorbed into the senior 3rd line battalions as 'Reserve battalions'.

In April 1915 the 3rd line battalion was raised in Dumbarton and on 8 April 1916 was re-designated as a reserve battalion before being absorbed into the 5th (Renfrewshire) (Reserve) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on 1 September 1916.

Interwar Period

File:British Army Recruitment poster.JPG

Inter-war period recruitment poster

By 10 May 1917 all of the former battalions were either disbanded or merged into other units, placing it in an unofficial suspended animation. When the Territorial Force was disbanded in 1919, Dumbartonshire was left with no TF affiliation at all due to their battalion (9th) being disbanded during the middle of the last war.

On 1 January 1920 the new Territorial Army (TA) was designated as the successor to the former TF, and most of the units of the later were reformed. Just a year before, the War Office informed the Dumbartonshire Territorial Force Association that a cadre was to be sponsored in Dumbarton. When the TA was reformed, the cadre was expanded to form the nucleus of the new 9th (The Dumbartonshire) Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) which was reconstituted on 7 February 1920. When the new battalion was formed, it was not grouped as eight companies, but rather the new 'four company establishment' of which all infantry were now based on. A small name change of the battalion occurred in August 1937 when it became the 9th (Dumbartonshire) Btn, dropping 'The' from the sub-title. By 1938 (just before their change in role) the battalion was organised as;

• Battalion Headquarters at Dumbarton Castle
  • Pipes and Drums of the 9th Btn (acting as stretcher bearers)
• Headquarters Company in Dumbarton
• A Company in Alexandria (from old F Co)
• B Company (same as above) in Kirkintilloch (from old B Co)
• C Company (same as above) in Helensburgh (from old A Co)
• D Company (same as above) in Clydebank (from old G Co)

54th (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

Main article: Munich Crisis

In 1938, Hitler's Third Reich was in the process of expanding, first the annex of Memel, then the annexation and takeover of Austria during the Anschluss. The last step of this was the annexation of the Sudetenland which was has a strong German presence through the local Nazi party. On 30 September 1938 the 'four great powers' (Kingdom of Italy, Nazi Germany, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Third French Republic) of Europe signed the 'Munich Agreement' which gave the Sudetenland (without the consent of the Czechs) to Germany. Following the Munich Crisis, the anti-aircraft (AA) branch of the Royal Artillery (RA) was rapidly expanded following a report which presented the need for more modern AA defences. The majority, in-fact almost all, AA units were provided by the TA and covered Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

By 1938 the Government was sufficiently sensitive to the air dangers to give the R.A.F., and, to some extent, the anti-aircraft defences, the first claim on available resources. This meant rejecting the earlier doctrine of a 'balanced' allocation of resources between the three Services⁶ and allowing a clear priority to the air arm. The priority was becoming more pronounced as the crisis over Czechoslovakia approached, and at the time of Munich, all obstacles to air defences were swept away and nothing but industrial capacity limited the rate of rearmament in the air.

Bofors 40 mm LAA gun equipped with 'Stiffkey Stick' sights

Due to this expansion, the battalion was transferred to the Royal Artillery, re-organised into three batteries, and re-named as the 54th (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, this was started on 28 November 1938. When the battalion was converted, unlike their other AA counterparts, the regiment was assigned directly to 'Home Forces', which meant it could be deployed at short notice, much like the later TAVR I formed in 1967. As a result of this organisational change, the regiment's new command was Highland Area, Scottish Command.

By the time war broke out in September 1939, the regiment was organised as (not at full establishment):

• Regimental Headquarters at Dumbarton Castle
  • Including the battalion pipes and drums which acted as stretcher bearers — Scarlet uniform with Yellow facings and 42nd (Black Watch) Tartan
• 160 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery (LAA Bty) in Dumbarton under command of Major W. R. McElroy, TD (24/4/36)
• 161 LAA Bty in Alexandria under command of Major W. S. Watson (5/6/38)
• 162 LAA Bty in Clydebank under command of Major R. A. Wedgwood (26/10/38)

When the battalion was re-organised, 'B' and 'D' Companies were not slated to be disbanded, but rather be re-roled. 'B' Company was reduced to 216 (Clyde) Anti-Tank Bty and joined the 54th (The Queen's Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, RA (TA). 'D' Company was placed in suspended animation, in-order to be used to form a duplicate regiment later if needed.

World War II

Main article: World War II

For duplicate, see: 58th (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery and separated battery: 106 (Clyde) Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Artillery.

Mobilisation

When the Territorial Army was mobilised on 3 September 1939, the regiment was brought up to strength and moved to Manchester, later joining the 44th Anti-Aircraft Brigade. In October as the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) began forming, and the regiment prepared to move to France and join the 1st Anti-Aircraft Brigade. Before moving to France, the regiment controlled 12 40mm Bofors which was well below their establishment. Therefore like other regiments, of which this would prove fatal for these units, the regiment was equipped with a further 24 AA Machine-guns.

A 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun and crew near Douai, France, November 1939

Battle of France

Main article: Battle of France

When the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) began to come up to strength in November 1939, the regiment was based in Arras, France where it was placed under command of the 1st Anti-Aircraft Brigade which was headquartered there. Although the regiment was based in Arras, 162 LAA Bty was detached to 3rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade in Le Havre, which was a strategically important supply port for the BEF. To make matters worse, by this time the only AA guns the regiment had were now stuck in Le Havre, while the rest of the regiment only manned 12 machine-guns in each battery.

Shortly thereafter, III Corps had formed up in France, and the regiment was re-assigned to Commander Corps RA, III Corps. After joining IIIrd corps, the regiment was joined by the 162nd LAA bty again which had been detached for a short time. Following the beginning of the Battle of Belgium, the BEF and many allied forces moved into Belgium, to take defensive positions near the Scheldt river ('Escaut' in french). As part of this new 'Escaut Front', the II and III Corps were assigned to defend the area, and the regiment became III Corps' 'Escaut LAA regiment'.

By the 25th, the corps was tasked with defending the 'Canal Line' which oversaw the Scheldt–Rhine Canal, which was by this time coming under heavy attack by the Germans. When the Germans made their surprise attack through the Ardennes, the entire BEF along with the Belgian Army and two french armies were cut off from France, and forced to retreat towards Calais. This operation had in-fact been planned by the British high command, and was to be a last resort move, this operation was code-named 'Operation Dynamo'. When the operation was announced to commence, the regiment began to turn towards Calais in support of the III Corps which was now tasked to guard the routes for the final withdrawal to Dunkirk.

As the regiment started to move towards Dunkirk they were forced to leave behind much of their heavy equipment including many AA guns and ammunition stores. As the III Corps retreated, the new commanded Major General S. R. Watson was appointed as command of III Corps and began making quick arrangements for the British withdrawal in the midst of the German onslaught. Finally, on 28 May 1940 the III corps was ordered to evacuate, and was the first to do so.

Home Defence

During the retreat from Dunkirk, the regiment was forced to leave behind some of their heavy equipment including trucks, tractors, and some guns. When the rest of the regiment, or at-least what was left of it, returned, the BEF lost or had to leave almost 500 Anti-aircraft guns behind, not to mention a lot of ammunition and supplies.

Between the outbreak of war in September 1939 to late 1942, the British Army started to create experimental 'armoured formations', which later became known as 'armoured divisions'. One of these new divisions was the 9th Armoured Division which started to form up on 1 December 1940. On 14 April 1940, the HQ Staff of the Royal Armoured Corps published order 20/RAC/44 SD7 which expanded the size and roles of the new armoured divisions. For the Royal Artillery, very little was changed though. On 12 June 1941, the regiment joined the 9th Support Group which, as the name suggests, was the supporting group of the 9th Armoured Division. During this period, the regiment was designated as the 'divisional LAA regiment'. On 11 June 1942 the support group was disbanded, and the regiment was moved under command of CRA, 9th Armoured Division in the same role.

Battle of Normandy

Bofors gun of 319 Bty, 92nd (Loyals) LAA Rgt in ground support role east of the Rhine, 26 Mar 1945.

By 3 February 1944, the regiment was moved out of the 9th Armoured Division and un brigaded for a short time before joining the Major General Royal Artillery, Second Army. When Operation Overlord was launched on 6 June 1944, the regiment was placed under the command of the 106th Air Field Defence Brigade, which was tasked with defending the RAF bases which were to be quickly constructed in France after the initial invasion.

On D+4, the regiment with the brigade landed in France to undertake airfield defence tasks in support of the (RAF) 2nd Tactical Air Force. Until late 1944, the regiment didn't see any front-line combat. In late 1944, the regiment moved to an area around Antwerp, and with four troops (units, not soldiers) with support of an armoured car regiment, and some mortar teams were able to hold off attacks on a six-mile front on the Antwerp-Turnhout Canal.

Scheldt South 'X' Deployment

Background

AA Command had plenty of warning that the Germans were developing V-1 flying bombs to use against the UK, and had detailed plans in place (Operation Diver), these plans also covered the strategically important ports of Antwerp (Netherlands) and Brussels (Belgium). These cities provided rear lines of communication and maintained the supply depôts for the 21st Army Group which was preparing to cross the Rhine into the Rhineland and Westphalia. As a result of these increasing threats from the V-1, Operation Diver was put into effect. As far as the mainland Europe theatre was concerned, the allies were to try and take over all, or most, of the launch sites or air bases from which they were launched. Once 21st Army Group had captured Brussels and Antwerp, these cities became targets for V-1s launched from within Germany, and anti-Diver or 'X' defences had to be established.

V-1 flying bomb slung underneath a Heinkel He 111

To deal not only with conventional air raids but also the threat of V-1 flying bombs (code-named 'Divers'), the planners envisaged a large Gun Defence Area (GDA) integrated into a system ('Brussels X' ) of warning stations and observation posts, supported by radar and searchlights. On 21 October the first bombs were launched against Brussels.

Organisation

By the time the 'X' deployment was put in place, the regiment was organised as:

• Regimental Headquarters
  • Battalion Pipes & Drums (acting as stretcher bearers)
• 2 Light Warning Signal Sections provided by the Royal Corps of Signals, equipped with Radar, AA, No. 4 Mk III
• 160 Light AA Bty (BHQ and 3 Troops)
• 161 Light AA Bty (BHQ and 3 Troops)
• 162 Light AA Bty (BHQ and 3 Troops)
• 54th LAA Rgt Service Platoon, Royal Army Service Corps
• 54th LAA Rgt Workshop, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (each section attached to battery and signal sections)

Deployment

The crew of a twin-Browning light anti-aircraft gun keep watch for V-1 flying bombs, 19 June 1944.

As the 21st Army Group began moving farther east into Germany, the regiment continued to move east towards the Scheldt. On 20 September 1944, the regiment was placed under command of the 74th AA Bde which had been tasked with covering Schledt South along with the 76th AA Bde in the north. On this day, the regiment began to replace the 106th AA Bde. The regiment was then deployed in the area and saw constant action against both the Luftwaffe and V-1s. By mid-December, the regiment was moved under command of the 105th AA Bde, but remained in their position and role.

As the V-1 threat diminished, the regiment moved across the Rhine and into Germany where it remained on garrison duty until 4 February 1946 when it began the process of being placed into suspended animation (S/A) in the British Army of the Rhine, on 15 March this process was complete.

Postwar

Following the end of hostilities, by 1946 most territorial artillery regiments had been either disbanded or placed in suspended animation. On 1 January 1947 many of these regiments were reconstituted and many new regiments were formed as part of the reformed and re-organised Territorial Army (TA), with new numbers according to the renumbering plan for the complete re-designation of all Royal Artillery units, both regular and territorial. There were at that time several territorial artillery units still on operational deployments in various theatres overseas. Following reformation the TA regiments of the Royal Artillery adopted a 'standard' organisation which consisted of; RHQ, P, Q, and R Batteries all of which were based in Dumbarton.

Following the Royal Artillery's renumbering system, light anti-aircraft regiments were granted numbers between 512 and 558, and granted 554th (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery as a result. On 1 April 1947, the TA was reformed, and subsequently moved under command of the local 68th Anti-Aircraft Brigade (TA), headquartered in Glasgow. Finally on 10 March 1955, Anti-Aircraft Command was disbanded and the regiment was absorbed into the 402nd (5th/6th Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Light Regiment, Royal Artillery in Greenock. The regiment's successors can be traced to the modern 102 (Clyde) Field Squadron, Royal Engineers which is based in Clydebank, Scotland under the 71st Engineer Regiment.

Uniform

As a Rifle Corps

The uniforms of the first twelve corps were all slate grey, and shortly after the formation of the battalion they were dressed uniformly in tunics, trousers, and skaos of that colour with scarlet facings and piping, grey-and-scarlet diced band and scarlet ball-tuft on the shakos, and brown waist and pouch belts. This uniform was worn till 1864, when it was replaced by a rifle-green one with scarlet collars and piping, and black braid on the cuffs, green shakos with black ball-tuft and red-and-black diced band, and black belts. Busbies with black and light green plumes replaced the shakos in 1874 (when also a double red piping was added to the cuffs) and were worn till 17 November 1881, when helmets with bronze ornaments took their place. The 9th Corps in Luss (later M Company) was in 1864 clothed in green doublets and Colquhoun tartan kilts, and continued to wear this uniform till its disbandment in 1882.

Under the Argylls

On 8 March 1887, sanction was given for the battalion to adopt the scarlet doublet with yellow facings and the glengarry with red-and-white diced border of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, to be worn with Sutherland trews. The belts were changed to white. Officers and staff-serjeants wore blackcocks' tails in the glengarries in review order, and all ranks white spats in review and black leggings in marching order. Sashes were not worn. On 29 March 1904, a drab service dress with red piping on the trousers was authorised, and this was the sole uniform of the mounted and cyclist companies, which worse brown felt hats with it.

Under the Royal Artillery

Upon conversion to artillery, the regiment retained the right to wear the Argyll's bonnet and cap badge. They also wore the regimental flash like the converted 5th and 6th Btns. This custom was carried on after 1947 in the 554th LAA Rgt.

The regiment along with all other regiments of the Royal Artillery wore the grenade collar badge and Royal Artillery cannon cap badge on a dark blue beret. While the members of the regiment wore the Royal Artillery's 'gun' cap badge, but in addition they wore the RA's 'grenade' collar badge as a special badge above the left breast pocket of the tunic. Also wearing the white RA lanyard on the right shoulder.

Rifle Volunteers Era Cap-badge

The cap badge of the Dumbartonshire Rifle Volunteer Corp(s) featured an elephant with a castle on its back. This device was taken from the civic arms of the county, the elephant being chosen, it is said, because its shape resembled that of the massive Dumbarton Rock (Dumbarton Castle), which towers over the Firth of Clyde.

Officers

Honorary Colonels of the corps and later battalion/regiment included;

• Honorary Colonel, J. McA. Denny, VD (7 February 1903)
• Honorary Colonel, Sir George Home Murray Stirling, 9th Baronet, CBE, DSO, 20 February 1931

Commanding officers of the corps and later battalion/regiment included;

• Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, J. M. Gartshore, 7 May 1860
• Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, John Findlay of Boturich (commanded at the same time the Highland Borders Militia), 13 October 1862
• Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, Colin J. Campbell, 2 December 1876
• Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, H. Currier, former adjutant of the battalion (hon. col.), 13 September 1879
• Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, James R. Thomson (hon. col.), 8 December 1888
• Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, John McA. Denny (hon. col.), 20 March 1895
• Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, Henry Brock, VD (hon. col.), 17 January 1903
• Lieutenant Colonel, Sir Alexander Wellesley Leith Buchanan of Ross Priory, 1909

1/9th Btn

• Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Wellesley George Thomas Leith-Buchanan, 5th Baronet, 4 August 1914, transferred to 2/9th Btn
• Lieutenant Colonel James Clark 23 September 1914, killed in action
• Lieutenant Colonel William John Bell Tweedie 10 August 1915, to disbandment

2/9th Btn

• Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Wellesley George Thomas Leith-Buchanan, 5th Baronet, 24 September 1914, to disbandment

3/9th (Reserve) Btn

• Major Francis Rorke, 6 May 1915, replaced when absorbed into 5th (Reserve) Btn

Notable Personnel

• (1915) Private J. Coyne 1489, Distinguished Conduct Medal, "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in carrying back into a trench a wounded comrade under heavy fire, after having dressed his wound. He had to cover a distance of 100 yards to reach the trench".

References

• J.B.M. Frederick, Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660-1978, Volume I, 1984: Microform Academic Publishers, Wakfield, United Kingdom. ISBN 1-85117-007-3.
• J.B.M. Frederick, Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660-1978, Volume II, 1984: Microform Academic Publishers, Wakfield, United Kingdom. ISBN 1-85117-008-1.
• Ray Westlake, Tracing the Rifle Volunteers 1859-1908; A Guide for Military and Family Historians, 2010: Pen & Sword Military Books, Barnsley, United Kingdom. ISBN 978-1848842113.
• Ray Westlake, The Territorials 1908-1914; A Guide for Military and Family Historians, 2011: Pen & Sword Military, Barnsley, United Kingdom. ISBN 978-1-84884-360-8.
• Ray Westlake, Men-at-Arms; British Territorial Units 1914-18, Osprey Publishing, Botley, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2001. ISBN 978-1-85532-168-7.
• Charles D. Pettibone, The Organization and Order of Battle of Militaries in World War II, Volume II - The British Commonwealth, Trafford Publishing, Victoria, Canada/Rochester, United States. 2006. ISBN 1-4120-8567-5.
• Martin Brayley, Men-at-Arms, The British Army 1939-45 (1); North-West Europe, Osprey Publishing, Botley, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2001. ISBN 978-1-84176-052-0.
• H. F. Joslen, Orders of Battle; Second World War 1939-1945, Reprinted in Middletown, Delaware by Permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, United Kingdom, (1960 edition), 2009, (re-printed, 2019). ISBN 978-1843424741.
• Brigadier N.W. Routledge, History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: Anti-Aircraft Artillery 1914–55, London: Royal Artillery Institution/Brassey's, 1994, ISBN 1-85753-099-3.
• Jonathan North, An illustrated encyclopedia of Uniforms of World War II. 2015: Lorenz Books. ISBN 978-0754829881.
• Normand E. H. Litchfield, The Territorial Artillery 1908 - 1988, 1992: The Sherwood Press, Nottingham, United Kingdom. ISBN 0-9508205-2-0.
• Major A. F. Becke, MA, History of the Great War; Order of Battle of Divisions, Part I: The Regular British Division, 2007: The Naval & Military Press Ltd, [Reproduced by kind permission of the Central Library, Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst], Uckfield, United Kingdom. ISBN 1-847347-38-X.
• Colin Basil, Official History of the Second World War Series; The Defence of the United Kingdom, 1957: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. ISBN 978-1870423090.
• Major Lionel Frederic Ellis, Official History of the Second World War Series; Victory in the West, Volume I: The Battle of Normandy, [First published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London 1962], Reprinted by the Naval & Military Press; (2009) Uckfield, United Kingdom. ISBN 978-1845740580.
• Major Lionel Frederic Ellis, Official History of the Second World War Series; Victory in the West, Volume II: The Defeat of Germany, [First published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London 1968], Reprinted by the Imperial War Museum and Battery Press; (1994) London. ISBN 978-0898391978.
• Martin Brayley, Men-at-Arms: The British Army 1939-45 (1); North-West Europe, 2001: Osprey Publising, Botley, United Kingdom. ISBN 978-1-84176-052-0.
• Col J.D. Sainsbury, The Hertfordshire Yeomanry Regiments, Royal Artillery, Part 2: The Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment 1938–1945 and the Searchlight Battery 1937–1945; Part 3: The Post-war Units 1947–2002, Welwyn: Hertfordshire Yeomanry and Artillery Trust/Hart Books, 2003,  ISBN 0-948527-06-4.
• Major Lionel Frederic Ellis, History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The War in France and Flanders 1939-1940, 2004: The Naval & Military Press Ltd., Uckfield, United Kingdom [Originally published 1953: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London]. ISBN 9781845740566.
• Sir Michael Moissey Postan, History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Civil Series: British War Production 1952: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.

Online References

• Major General James Moncrieff Grierson, Records of the Scottish Volunteer Force 1859-1908, 1909:William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh and London.
• Gen Sir Frederick Pile's despatch: 'The Anti-Aircraft Defence of the United Kingdom from 28th July, 1939, to 15th April, 1945' London Gazette 18 December 1947.
• The Vale of Leven, Preface to the 9th Argylls and Dumbarton Volunteers.
• The Vale of Leven, Sons of the Rock; The evolution of No.3 (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Company of the 51st Highland Volunteers.