THE COVENANTER
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Sir, along Margaret Ballantyne who enjoyed
Further to your email thank you for allowing the service of dedication too. The hosts
me to place this small memorial in The Millport RBLS Branch arranged transport
Covenanter. and hospitality for the service.
In memory of Private John Dallas 290888 Yours etc
1st/8th Bn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Andy McArthur
who died on 2/11/1917 at Umbrella Hill, Gaza
Remembered with honour Granddaughter Sir
Agnes and Great Granddaughter Sarah 9th Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish
Rifles) at Moyland Wood, Germany:
Yours etc Operation Veritable Feb/March 1945
Sarah Rogers In September 2008, I have been asked to
accompany a study group of the Officers of
Editors Note: About 2am on the 2nd 2nd (Infantry) Brigade to Germany. This is
November 1917 the 4th Royal Scots together a repeat of a previous battlefield study of
with X and Z Company 8th Battalion, this operation and also of the subsequent
climbed out of the trenches and deployed Operation Blockbuster.
in four waves on tapes already laid out nine Part of the study includes the action of the
hundred yards from EL Arish Redoubt. The Canadian Army in the attack at Moyland
deployment was observed by the enemy, who Wood near the Dutch/German Border. This
immediately opened fire causing casualties. was initiated on 14th February 1945 by 15th
With magnificent steadiness the 4th Royal (Scottish) Division ñ then under command
Scots, followed by the two companies of the of the Canadian Army. The 9th Battalion of
8th Battalion advanced on a front of three the Regiment was a member of 15th Scottish,
hundred yards … when the barrage lifted and was heavily involved. Being personally
the leading ranks swept over the trenches to concerned with Veritable and Blockbuster
the third and fourth lines; the succeeding in another sector, I have little detail of the
waves cleared up the first and second lines. Moyland Battle other than from the War
The Turks resisted stubbornly in dug-outs Diary and the Regimental History. While
and saps and for sometime prevented the the main presentation about Moyland will
capture of the final objective known as relate to the Canadian side of the attack
Little Devil Trench, but by 3.15 am all had this will be given by a Canadian Colonel
been gained. The casualties suffered by the and Military Historian have been asked to
Regiment between the 31stOctober and the deal with the 15th (Scottish) Division, and
7th November were, 7th Battalion 37 all particularly the 9th Battalions attack on the
ranks killed, 126 wounded - 8th Battalion 35 wood itself.
all ranks killed and one hundred and four I would be most grateful if any reader who
wounded. (The History of the Cameronians served with 9th Battalion in and around
(Scottish Rifles) 1910 – 1933) that time, and who can recall the operating
conditions, or any particular incidents
Sir, relating to the action would contact me? I
I attended the Dedication of the Plaque to will have any lengthy telephone call charges
Serjeant Hugh Gavin of the 9th Battalion reversed to my account!
Cameronian (Scottish Rifles) who was killed Yours etc
at Paschendale on the 29th of September Cliff Pettit,
1917. His name is remembered on the Tel: 01665 602401
Tyne Cot Memorial. His son Hugh T H
Gavin never knew his late father. Hugh is Sir,
a Normandy Veteran and wished his late Two 19th Century Cameronian Knives.
father to be remembered. The Standard I wonder if anyone can help. The knives
Bearers Bill Gough, Robert Gracie and Eddie and sheaths - illustrated here- were found
Wallace represented the Organisation by by a widow friend in her attic. They were
parading the Organisation Standard. I took alongside a tulwar which she knew had
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