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{{Short description|British military unit}}
{{about|the historical Scottish regiment|the Canadian regiment|The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Seaforth Highlanders
| unit_name = Seaforth Highlanders
|image=[[Image:Seaforth.gif]]
| image = Seaforth Highland Cap badge.png
|caption= Regimental [[cap badge]] of the Seaforth Highlanders.
| caption = [[Cap badge]] of the Seaforth Highlanders.
| dates = 1881–1961
|dates= 1881–1961
|country= {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| country = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| branch = {{army|United Kingdom}}
|allegiance=
| type = [[Line Infantry]]
|branch={{army|United Kingdom}}
| command_structure = [[Highland Brigade (United Kingdom)|Highland Brigade]]
|type= [[Infantry]]
| garrison = [[Fort George, Highland|Fort George]], [[Inverness]]
|role=[[Line infantry]]
<!-- Commanders -->| colonel_of_the_regiment = [[Edward VIII|Edward, Prince of Wales]] (1920–36)
|size=
| notable_commanders = <!-- Insignia -->
|command_structure= [[Highland Brigade (United Kingdom)|Highland Brigade]]
| identification_symbol_2 = [[Image:Mackenzie (and Seaforth Highlander) tartan.png|120px]]
|garrison= [[Fort George, Highland|Fort George]], [[Inverness]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = Tartan<br />(Mackenzie)
<!-- Commanders -->
<!-- Culture and history -->| motto = ''Cuidich 'n Righ'' (Aid the King)
|current_commander= N/A
| battle_honours = See below
|ceremonial_chief= N/A
|colonel_of_the_regiment= [[Edward VIII|The Duke of Windsor]]
|notable_commanders=
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol_2=[[Image:Mackenzie (and Seaforth Highlander) tartan.png|120px]]
|identification_symbol_2_label=Tartan
<!-- Culture and history -->
|nickname=
|patron=
|motto= ''Cuidich 'n Righ'' (Aid the King)
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours= See below
}}
}}
The '''Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, the Duke of Albany's)''' was a [[line infantry]] [[regiment]] of the [[British Army]], mainly associated with large areas of the northern Highlands of [[Scotland]]. The regiment existed from 1881 to 1961, and saw service in [[World War I]] and [[World War II]], along with many smaller conflicts. In 1961 the regiment was amalgamated with the [[Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders]] to form the [[Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)]], which merged, in 1994, with the [[Gordon Highlanders]] to form the [[Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)]]. This later joined the [[Royal Scots Borderers]], the [[Black Watch]], the [[Royal Highland Fusiliers]] and the [[Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]] to create the present [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]].
::''This page is for the historical Scottish regiment. For the Canadian regiment of the same name see [[The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada]].

The '''Seaforth Highlanders (Ross&ndash;shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's)''' was a historic [[line infantry]] [[regiment]] of the [[British Army]], mainly associated with large areas of the northern Highlands of [[Scotland]]. The regiment existed from 1881 to 1961, and saw service in [[World War I]] and [[World War II]], along with many numerous smaller conflicts. In 1961 the regiment was amalgamated with the [[Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders]] to form the [[Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)]], which merged, in 1994, with the [[Gordon Highlanders]] to form the [[Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)]]. This, however, later joined the [[Royal Scots Borderers]], the [[Black Watch]], the [[Royal Highland Fusiliers|Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment)]] and the [[Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]] to create the present [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]].


==History==
==History==
===Creation===
===Formation===
The regiment was created through the amalgamation of the [[72nd Regiment, Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders|72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) Regiment of Foot]] and the [[78th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot|78th (Highlanders) (Ross-shire Buffs) Regiment of Foot]], as part of the [[Childers Reforms]] of the British Army in 1881.<ref name=regiments>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/072Seaf.htm |title=Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's) |publisher=Regiments.org |accessdate=15 May 2016 |deadurl=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051229185548/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/072Seaf.htm |archivedate=December 29, 2005 }}</ref> It was named after [[Kenneth Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Seaforth]], who had originally raised the 72nd Regiment.<ref>{{cite book|last=Paul|first =James Balfour|authorlink=James Balfour Paul|title=[[The Scots Peerage]]| volume=7 |publisher=David Douglas, Edinburgh|year=1910|pages= 512–513}}</ref> Originally named '''Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs)''' [[Queen Victoria]] approved on 22 November 1881 to style the regiment forthwith '''Seaforth Highlanders (Ross–shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's)'''.<ref name="London Gazette">{{cite news|last1=The London Gazette|first1=Page 5713|title=War Office Memorandum|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/25040/page/5713|accessdate=27 October 2016|issue=25040|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|date=22 November 1881}}</ref> The 1st battalion saw action at the [[Battle of Tel el-Kebir]] in September 1882 during the [[Anglo-Egyptian War]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishbattles.com/egypt-1882/tel-el-kebir-1882.htm|title=Battle of Tel-El-Kebir 1882|publisher=British Battles|accessdate=15 May 2016}}</ref> and again at the [[Battle of Atbara]] in April 1898 during the [[Mahdist War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishbattles.com/egypt-1882/battle-atbara.htm|title=Battle of Atbara 1898|publisher=British Battles|accessdate=15 May 2016}}</ref>
The regiment was created in 1881 through the amalgamation of the [[72nd Regiment, Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders|72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) Regiment of Foot]] and the [[78th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot|78th (Highlanders) (Ross-shire Buffs) Regiment of Foot]], which became the 1st and 2nd battalions of the new regiment, and was part of the [[Childers Reforms]] of the British Army.<ref name=regiments>{{cite web |url= http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/072Seaf.htm |title= Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's) |publisher= Regiments.org |access-date=15 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20051229185548/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/072Seaf.htm |archive-date= December 29, 2005 }}</ref> It was named after [[Kenneth Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Seaforth]], and his cousin [[Francis Mackenzie, 1st Baron Seaforth]], who originally raised respectively the 72nd<ref>{{cite book |last=Paul |first=James Balfour |author-link= James Balfour Paul |title= [[The Scots Peerage]] |volume=7 |publisher= David Douglas, Edinburgh |year=1910 |pages= 512–513}}</ref> and 78th regiments.{{sfn|Fairrie|1983|p=13}} Originally named "Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs)", on 22 November 1881 [[Queen Victoria]] approved the regiment's style as "Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's)".<ref name="London Gazette">{{cite news |work= The London Gazette |page= 5713 |title= War Office Memorandum |url= https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/25040/page/5713 |access-date= 27 October 2016 |issue=25040 |publisher= Government of the United Kingdom |date= 22 November 1881}}</ref>

The 1st battalion saw action at the [[Battle of Tel el-Kebir]] in September 1882 during the [[Anglo-Egyptian War]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.britishbattles.com/egypt-1882/tel-el-kebir-1882.htm |title= Battle of Tel-El-Kebir 1882 |publisher=British Battles |access-date= 15 May 2016}}</ref> After returning home, the battalion again went abroad in 1896, taking part in the [[International Squadron (Cretan intervention, 1897–1898)|International Occupation of Crete in 1897]]{{sfn|Sym|1962|p=104}} and the [[Anglo-Egyptian invasion of Sudan 1896–1899|reconquest of the Sudan]], being present at the [[Battle of Atbara]] in April<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.britishbattles.com/egypt-1882/battle-atbara.htm |title= Battle of Atbara 1898 |publisher= British Battles |access-date= 15 May 2016}}</ref> and the [[Battle of Omdurman]] in September 1898.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.britishbattles.com/egypt-1882/battle-omdurman.htm |title= Battle of Omdurman 1898 |publisher= British Battles |access-date= 15 May 2016}}</ref> It then moved to [[Cairo]],{{sfn|Sym|1962|p=329}} and from late 1902 was posted to India, where it was stationed at [[Nasirabad, Ajmer]].<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Naval & Military intelligence - The Army in India|date=11 October 1902 |page=12 |issue=36896}}</ref>

In 1881, the 2nd battalion was stationed in India. It saw service on the [[Military history of the North-West Frontier|North West Frontier]], taking part in the [[Hazara Expedition of 1888|Hazara Expeditions]] in the summer 1888 and the spring of 1891,{{sfn|Sym|1962|pp=114–115}} and the [[Chitral Expedition]] in spring 1895.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.britishbattles.com/north-west-frontier-india/seige-relief-chitral.htm |title= The Siege and Relief of Chitral |publisher= British Battles |access-date=15 May 2016}}</ref> Returning home in 1897, the outbreak of the [[Second Boer War]] saw the 2nd Battalion travel to South Africa in November 1899, suffering heavy losses at the [[Battle of Magersfontein]] in December 1899 and at the [[Battle of Paardeberg]] in February 1900.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/imperial-units/661-seaforth-highlanders |title= Seaforth Highlanders (Duke of Albany's Ross-shire Buffs) |publisher= Anglo-Boer War |access-date=8 May 2016}}</ref>


The 3rd, [[Militia (United Kingdom)|Militia]] battalion (formerly the Highland Rifle Militia), was embodied in late 1899, and embarked in February 1900 for service in [[Egypt]] alongside the 1st battalion.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The War - embarkation of troops |date= 15 February 1900 |page=4 |issue=36066 }}</ref>
Meanwhile, the 2nd battalion was deployed on the [[Chitral Expedition]] in Spring 1895.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishbattles.com/north-west-frontier-india/seige-relief-chitral.htm|title=The Siege and Relief of Chitral|publisher=British Battles|accessdate=15 May 2016}}</ref> The 2nd Battalion suffered heavy losses at the [[Battle of Magersfontein]] in December 1899 and also at the [[Battle of Paardeberg]] in February 1900 during the [[Second Boer War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/imperial-units/661-seaforth-highlanders|title=Seaforth Highlanders (Duke of Albany's Ross-shire Buffs)|publisher=Anglo-Boer War|accessdate=8 May 2016}}</ref>


In 1908, the [[Volunteer Force]] and Militia were reorganised nationally, with the former becoming the [[Territorial Force]] and the latter the [[Special Reserve (militia)|Special Reserve]];<ref>{{cite web|url= https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1908/mar/31/territorial-and-reserve-forces-act-1907|title=Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|date=31 March 1908|access-date=20 June 2017}}</ref> the regiment now had one Reserve and three Territorial battalions.<ref>These were the 3rd Battalion (Special Reserve), with the 4th (Ross-shire) Battalion at [[Ferry Road drill hall, Dingwall|Ferry Road]] in [[Dingwall]], the 5th (Sutherland and Caithness Highland) Battalion at [[Old Bank Road drill hall, Golspie|Old Bank Road]] in [[Golspie]] and the 6th (Morayshire) Battalion at [[Cooper Park drill hall, Elgin|Cooper Park]] in [[Elgin, Moray|Elgin]] (all Territorial Force)</ref><ref name=regiments/>
A 3rd, [[Militia (United Kingdom)|Militia]] battalion (formerly the Highland Rifle Militia), was embodied in late 1899, and embarked in February 1900 for service in [[Egypt]] together with the 1st battalion.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |articlename=The War - embarkation of troops|day_of_week=Thursday |date=15 February 1900 |page_number=4 |issue=36066| }}</ref>


===First World War===
===First World War===
[[File:Seaforth Highlanders recruiting poster.JPG|thumb|Seaforth Highlanders recruiting poster]]
[[File:Seaforth Highlanders recruiting poster.JPG |thumb|Seaforth Highlanders recruiting poster]]
[[File:John Peter Fabius Fane de Salis, (NSW, 1897-†Bouchavesnes, 22.1.1917, aged 19).jpg|thumbnail|<sub>John Peter Fabius Fane de Salis, Lt. 3rd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, attached to 2nd Batt. Killed in action near trenches at [[Bouchavesnes-Bergen|Bouchavesnes]], 22.1.1917, aged 19.<ref>Buried (CWGC) Péronne Communal Cemetery Plot V Row P Grave 17, Somme, Picardie.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hambo.org/lancing/view_man.php?id=117|title=
2nd Lieutenant John Peter Fabius Fane De Salis|publisher=Lancing College|accessdate=15 May 2016}}</ref></sub>]]


====Regular Army====
====Regular Army====
The 1st Battalion, which had been serving in [[India]], landed at [[Marseilles]] as part of the Dehra Dun Brigade in the [[7th Meerut Divisional Area|Meerut Division]] in October 1914 for service on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]].<ref name=trail>{{cite web|url=http://www.1914-1918.net/seaforth.htm|title=Seaforth Highlanders|publisher=The Long, Long Trail|accessdate=15 May 2016}}</ref> It saw action at the [[Battle of Aubers Ridge]] in May 1915.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/battalion.php?pid=6997|title=Seaforth Highlanders 1st Btn during the Great War|publisher=The Wartime Memories Project|accessdate=15 May 2016}}</ref> The battalion then moved to [[Mesopotamian campaign|Mesopotamia]] in December 1915, where it took part in the [[Siege of Kut]] later that month and the [[Fall of Baghdad (1917)|Fall of Baghdad]] in March 1917 before moving to [[Sinai and Palestine Campaign|Palestine]] in January 1918.<ref name=trail/>
Commanded by [[Archibald Ritchie (British Army officer)|Archibald Ritchie]], the 1st Battalion, which had been serving in [[British Raj|India]], landed at [[Marseilles]] as part of the Dehra Dun Brigade in the [[7th Meerut Divisional Area|Meerut Division]] in October 1914 for service on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]].<ref name=trail>{{cite web |url=http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/seaforth-highlanders-ross-shire-buffs-the-duke-of-albanys/ |title= Seaforth Highlanders |publisher= The Long, Long Trail |access-date=15 May 2016}}</ref> It saw action at the [[Battle of Aubers Ridge]] in May 1915.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/battalion.php?pid=6997 |title= Seaforth Highlanders 1st Btn during the Great War |publisher= The Wartime Memories Project |access-date= 15 May 2016}}</ref> The battalion then moved to [[Mesopotamian campaign|Mesopotamia]] in December 1915, where it took part in the [[Siege of Kut]] later that month and the [[Fall of Baghdad (1917)|Fall of Baghdad]] in March 1917, before moving to [[Sinai and Palestine Campaign|Palestine]] in January 1918.<ref name=trail/>


The 2nd Battalion, which had been stationed at [[Shorncliffe Army Camp|Shorncliffe Camp]], landed at [[Boulogne-sur-Mer]] as part of the [[10th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|10th Brigade]] in the [[4th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|4th Division]] in August 1914.<ref name=trail/> It took part in the retreat from [[Battle of Le Cateau|Le Cateau]] later that month, the [[First Battle of the Marne|Battle of the Marne]] in September 1914, the [[First Battle of the Aisne|Battle of the Aisne]] also in September 1914 and the [[Battle of Messines (1914)|Battle of Messines]] in October 1914.<ref name=wartime>{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/battalion.php?pid=6998|title=Seaforth Highlanders 2nd Btn during the Great War|publisher=The Wartime Memories Project|accessdate=15 May 2016}}</ref> It went on to fight in the [[Second Battle of Ypres]] in April 1915, the [[Battle of the Somme]] in Autumn 1916 and the [[Battle of Arras (1917)|Battle of Arras]] in April 1917.<ref name=wartime/> The battalion also saw action at the [[Battle of Passchendaele]] in Autumn 1917, the [[Battle of the Lys (1918)|Battle of the Lys]] in April 1918, the battles of the [[Hindenburg Line]] and the final advance in Picardy.<ref name=wartime/>
The 2nd Battalion, which had been stationed at [[Shorncliffe Army Camp|Shorncliffe Camp]], landed at [[Boulogne-sur-Mer]] as part of the [[10th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|10th Brigade]] in the [[4th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|4th Division]] in August 1914.<ref name=trail/> It took part in the retreat from [[Battle of Le Cateau|Le Cateau]] later that month, the [[First Battle of the Marne|Battle of the Marne]] in September 1914, the [[First Battle of the Aisne|Battle of the Aisne]] also in September 1914 and the [[Battle of Messines (1914)|Battle of Messines]] in October 1914.<ref name=wartime>{{cite web |url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/battalion.php?pid=6998 |title= Seaforth Highlanders 2nd Btn during the Great War |work= The Wartime Memories Project |access-date= 15 May 2016}}</ref> It went on to fight in the [[Second Battle of Ypres]] in April 1915, the [[Battle of the Somme]] in Autumn 1916 and the [[Battle of Arras (1917)|Battle of Arras]] in April 1917.<ref name=wartime/> The battalion also saw action at the [[Battle of Passchendaele]] in Autumn 1917, the [[Battle of the Lys (1918)|Battle of the Lys]] in April 1918, the battles of the [[Hindenburg Line]] and the final advance in Picardy.<ref name=wartime/>


====Territorial Force====
====Territorial Force====
{{multiple image |align=right |image1=5th (Caithness and Sutherland) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders cap badge. 1908-1920.jpg |width1=131 |image2=5th (Sutherland and Caithness) Battalion Seaforth Highlanders cap badge. 1921-1946.jpg |width2= 150 |footer=5th (Sutherland and Caithness) Battalion had its own badge: other ranks type: 1908–20; 1921–46 }}
The 1/4th (Ross Highland) Battalion landed at [[Le Havre]] as part of the [[152nd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|152nd Brigade]] in the [[51st (Highland) Division]] in November 1914 for service on the Western Front.<ref name=trail/> The 1/5th (The Sutherland and Caithness) Battalion and the 1/6th (Morayshire) Battalion both landed in France as part of the 152nd Brigade in the 51st (Highland) Division in May 1915 for service on the Western Front.<ref name=trail/>
The 1/4th (Ross Highland) Battalion landed at [[Le Havre]] as part of the [[152nd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|152nd Brigade]] in the [[51st (Highland) Division]] in November 1914. The 1/5th (Sutherland and Caithness) Battalion and the 1/6th (Morayshire) Battalion both landed in France as part of the 152nd Brigade in the 51st (Highland) Division in May 1915. All three battalions continued to serve on the Western Front until the end of the war.<ref name=trail/>

{{clear left}}


====New Armies====
====New Armies====
[[File:Seaforth highlander in glengarry bonnet (3774135).jpg|thumb|A Seaforth highlander in a Glengarry bonnet during WWI]]
The 7th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-mer as part of the [[26th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|26th Brigade]] in the [[9th (Scottish) Division]] in May 1915 for service on the Western Front.<ref name=trail/> The 8th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-mer as part of the [[44th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|44th Brigade]] in the [[15th (Scottish) Infantry Division|15th (Scottish) Division]] in July 1915 for service on the Western Front.<ref name=trail/> The 9th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-mer as part of the pioneer battalion for the [[9th (Scottish) Division]] in May 1915 for service on the Western Front.<ref name=trail/>
The 7th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the [[26th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|26th Brigade]] in the [[9th (Scottish) Division]] in May 1915.<ref name=trail/> The 8th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the [[44th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|44th Brigade]] in the [[15th (Scottish) Infantry Division|15th (Scottish) Division]] in July 1915.<ref name=trail/> The 9th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the pioneer battalion for the [[9th (Scottish) Division]] in May 1915. All three battalions continued to serve on the Western Front until the end of the war.<ref name=trail/>


The 1st Garrison Battalion landed in [[Thessaloniki|Salonika]] as part of the [[228th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|228th Brigade]] in the [[28th Division (United Kingdom)|28th Division]] in August 1916 for service on the [[Salonika Front]].<ref name=trail/>
The 1st Garrison Battalion landed in [[Thessaloniki|Salonika]] as part of the [[228th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|228th Brigade]] in the [[28th Division (United Kingdom)|28th Division]] in August 1916 for service on the [[Salonika front]].<ref name=trail/>


===Interwar years===
===Interwar years===
In 1921, the 1st Battalion was deployed to [[Cowdenbeath]] and to [[Bridge of Allan]] to maintain order during strike action by the miners.<ref>Sym, p. 330</ref> It moved to Palestine in 1933 and to [[Hong Kong]] in 1937.<ref name=nam>{{cite web|url=http://www.nam.ac.uk/research/famous-units/seaforth-highlanders-ross-shire-buffs-duke-albanys|title=Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany’s)|publisher=National Army Museum|accessdate=16 May 2016}}</ref> Meanwhile, the 2nd Battalion went to India in 1918 and saw action on the [[Afridi Redshirt Rebellion, Indian North West Frontier 1930–31.|North-West Frontier]] in 1930 before moving moved to Palestine in 1932.<ref name=nam/>
The 1st Battalion returned from Egypt in 1919,{{sfn|Sym|1962|p=223}} and in 1921 was deployed to [[Cowdenbeath]] and to [[Bridge of Allan]] to maintain order during strike action by the miners.{{sfn|Sym|1962|p=330}} It moved to Palestine in 1933 and to [[Hong Kong]] in 1937.<ref name=nam>{{cite web |url=http://www.nam.ac.uk/research/famous-units/seaforth-highlanders-ross-shire-buffs-duke-albanys |title=Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's) |publisher=National Army Museum |access-date=26 October 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160824023921/http://www.nam.ac.uk/research/famous-units/seaforth-highlanders-ross-shire-buffs-duke-albanys/ |archive-date=24 August 2016 }}</ref> In March 1938, the 1st Battalion was deployed to [[Shanghai International Settlement|Shanghai]].<ref>China Press, 3 April 1938, A4. There are photos of the battalion in this report.</ref> Meanwhile, the 2nd Battalion went to India in 1918 and saw action on the [[Afridi Redshirt Rebellion, Indian North West Frontier 1930–31.|North-West Frontier]] in 1930–31 before moving to Palestine in 1932 and returning to Britain in 1934.<ref name=nam/>

In 1921, the Seaforth's contribution to the [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] was reorganised to comprise a now amalgamated 4/5 battalion, and the 6th battalion. The increase in the size of the Territorials in 1939 led to an expansion to four Seaforth units – the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Territorial battalions.{{sfn|Fairrie|1983|p=87}}


===Second World War===
===Second World War===
[[File:5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders plaque.jpg|thumb|right|5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders plaque.]]
[[File:5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders plaque.jpg|thumb|right|5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders plaque. [[Dornoch Cathedral]], Sutherland]]


The 1st Battalion, which was in [[China]] when war broke out, was deployed to [[British Malaya|Malaya]] in November 1940, for service in the [[Burma Campaign]].<ref name=nam/> It joined the [[1st Indian Infantry Brigade|1st Indian Brigade]] in the [[23rd Infantry Division (India)|23rd Indian Division]] in May 1942.<ref name=nam/>
The 1st Battalion, which was stationed in Shanghai when war broke out, was deployed to [[British Malaya|Malaya]] in November 1940, and then to India. It joined the [[1st Indian Infantry Brigade|1st Indian Brigade]] in the [[23rd Infantry Division (India)|23rd Indian Division]] in May 1942, and served in the [[Burma Campaign]] until 1945.<ref name=nam/>


[[File:The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 B14458.jpg|thumb|left|[[Universal Carrier]]s of the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders during [[Operation Veritable]] in the [[Klever Reichswald|Reichswald forest]], Germany, 10 February 1945.]]
[[File:The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 B14458.jpg|thumb|left|[[Universal Carrier]]s of the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders during [[Operation Veritable]] in the [[Klever Reichswald|Reichswald forest]], Germany, 10 February 1945]]


The 2nd Battalion went to France as part of the [[152nd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|152nd Brigade]] in the 51st Highland Division with the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]] (BEF) in October 1939 but was captured at [[Saint-Valery-en-Caux]] during the [[Battle of France]] in June 1940.<ref name=nam/> The 2nd Battalion was reconstituted, as part of a reconstituted 152nd Brigade in a reconstituted 51st (Highland) Division, and served in the Middle East, fighting in the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]], and the subsequent [[Tunisia Campaign]], in the [[Allied invasion of Sicily]].<ref name=nam/> In late 1943 the 51st Division returned to the United Kingdom and then took part in [[Operation Overlord]], the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] [[invasion of Normandy]], taking part in [[Operation Totalize]] and [[Operation Astonia]], the capture of the French port of [[Le Havre]].<ref name=nam/> The battalion later participated in [[Operation Veritable]], [[Operation Plunder]] and the [[Western Allied invasion of Germany]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://51hd.co.uk/history/goch|title=Goch: the final objective|publisher=51st Highland Division|accessdate=26 September 2016}}</ref>
The 2nd Battalion went to France as part of the [[152nd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|152nd Brigade]] in the 51st Highland Division with the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]] (BEF) in October 1939 but was captured at [[Saint-Valery-en-Caux]] during the [[Battle of France]] in June 1940.<ref name=nam/> The 2nd Battalion was reconstituted, as part of the reconstituted 152nd Brigade, 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, and served in the Middle East, fighting in the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]], and the subsequent [[Tunisia Campaign]], and in the [[Allied invasion of Sicily]].<ref name=nam/> In late 1943 the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division returned to the United Kingdom and then took part in [[Operation Overlord]], the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] [[invasion of Normandy]], taking part in [[Operation Totalize]] and [[Operation Astonia]], the capture of the French port of [[Le Havre]].<ref name=nam/> The battalion later participated in [[Operation Veritable]], [[Operation Plunder]] and the [[Western Allied invasion of Germany|invasion of Germany]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://51hd.co.uk/history/goch|title=Goch: the final objective|publisher=51st Highland Division|access-date=26 September 2016}}</ref>


The 4th Battalion also went to France as part of the 152nd Brigade in the 51st Highland Division with the BEF in January 1940 and was also captured at Saint-Valery-en-Caux in June 1940.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/ww2/allied/battalion.php?pid=1309|title=Seaforth Highlanders 4th Bn|publisher=Wartime Memories|accessdate=21 May 2016}}</ref>
The 4th Battalion also went to France as part of the 152nd Brigade in the 51st Highland Infantry Division with the BEF in January 1940 and was captured at Saint-Valery-en-Caux in June 1940.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/ww2/allied/battalion.php?pid=1309|title=Seaforth Highlanders 4th Bn|publisher=Wartime Memories|access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref>


The 5th Battalion formed part of the reconstituted 152nd Brigade in the reconstituted 51st Highland Division,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=7DGRBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA59&lpg=PA59&dq=%22Seaforth+Highlanders%22+%225th+Battalion%22&source=bl&ots=NKrD2nLF9O&sig=oaABY42rejXACEiKGviBU_Vzn2I&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwii2dKu-erMAhWrCsAKHXCvDc44FBDoAQhFMAg#v=onepage&q=%22Seaforth%20Highlanders%22%20%225th%20Battalion%22&f=false|title=Ardennes 1944: Hitler's Last Gamble|first= Antony |last=Beevor|publisher=Penguin|year=2005|isbn=978-0670918645}}</ref> and served in the Middle East, in the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943, in the Allied invasion of Italy in September 1943 and then in North-West Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1443193/Alastair-Borthwick.html|title=Alastair Borthwick|date=4 October 2003|publisher=The Telegraph|accessdate=21 May 2016}}</ref>
After home service with the [[9th (Highland) Infantry Division]],{{sfn|Fairrie|1983|p=95}} in 1940 the 5th Battalion joined the reconstituted 152nd Brigade, 51st Highland Division,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7DGRBQAAQBAJ&q=%22Seaforth+Highlanders%22+%225th+Battalion%22&pg=PA59|title=Ardennes 1944: Hitler's Last Gamble|first= Antony |last=Beevor|publisher=Penguin|year=2005|isbn=978-0670918645}}</ref> and served in the Middle East, in the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943, in the Allied invasion of Italy in September 1943 and then in North-West Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1443193/Alastair-Borthwick.html|title=Alastair Borthwick|date=4 October 2003|publisher=The Telegraph|access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref>


[[File:The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 B11368.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kangaroo (armoured personnel carrier)|Kangaroos]] carrying men of the 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders in [[Moergestel]], [[Netherlands]], 26 October 1944.]]
[[File:The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 B11368.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kangaroo (armoured personnel carrier)|Kangaroos]] carrying men of the 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders in [[Moergestel]], [[Netherlands]], 26 October 1944.]]


The 7th Battalion was a 2nd Line TA unit that was originally serving with the [[26th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|26th Infantry Brigade]], part of the [[9th (Highland) Infantry Division]], and later transferred to the [[46th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|46th (Highland) Infantry Brigade]] in the [[15th (Scottish) Infantry Division]] and deployed to France in June 1944: it saw action in [[Operation Epsom]] and then served in North-West Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.warcemeteries.nl/7SH.html|title=7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders|publisher=War Cemeteries|accessdate=20 May 2016}}</ref>
The 6th Battalion was a 2nd Line TA unit that was transferred to the [[17th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|17th Infantry Brigade]], part of the [[5th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|5th Infantry Division]]. It served with the division throughout the war in Sicily, Italy, and finally in Northwest Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ordersofbattle.com/units/unitsubordinates?unix=1450 |title= 17th Brigade Order of Battle |website= OrdersOfBattle.com |access-date= 11 April 2017}}</ref>


The 7th Battalion was a 2nd Line TA unit that originally served with the [[26th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|26th Infantry Brigade]], part of the 9th (Highland) Infantry Division, and later transferred to the [[46th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|46th (Highland) Infantry Brigade]] in the [[15th (Scottish) Infantry Division]] and deployed to France in June 1944: it saw action in [[Operation Epsom]] and then served in North-West Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.warcemeteries.nl/7SH.html |title= 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders |work= WarCemeteries.nl |access-date= 20 May 2016}}</ref>
===Postwar and amalgamation===
The regiment amalgamated with the [[Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders]] on 7 February 1961 at [[Redford Barracks]] to form the [[Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/072QOH.htm |title=Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) |publisher=Regiments.org |accessdate=15 May 2016 |deadurl=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051230130301/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/072QOH.htm |archivedate=December 30, 2005 }}</ref>


The 8th and 9th battalions were raised early in the war, and served in a home defence and reserve role. In December 1941, the 8th was redesignated the 30th battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.{{sfn|Sym|1962|p=313}}
==Battle Honours==
This list contains all [[battle honour]]s awarded to the Seaforth Highlanders (Duke of Albany's, Ross-shire Buffs) [[72nd Regiment of Foot|72nd Highlanders]] and [[78th Regiment of Foot|78th Highlanders]] together with:<ref name=regiments/>


===Post-war and amalgamation===
* ''Early Wars'': '''Carnatic''', '''Mysore''', '''South Africa 1835''', '''Egypt 1882''', '''Tel-El-Kebir''', '''Chitral''', '''Khartoum''', '''Atbara''', '''Paardeberg''', '''South Africa 1899-1902'''
After the end of war, the 1st battalion served in [[Indonesian National Revolution#Allied occupation|Java]] before moving to Malaya where, from 1948 until 1951, it took part in internal security operations during the [[Malayan Emergency]]. The battalion's postings then included Edinburgh (1951–2), Germany (1952–4), Suez Canal Zone, then Aden (1954–5), Gibraltar (1955–7), and Germany (1957–61).{{sfn|Royale|2007|pp=194–198}}
* ''The Great War'': Le Cateau, Retreat from Mons, '''Marne 1914 '18''' Aisne 1914, La Bassée 1914, Armentières 1914, Festubert 1914 '15, Givenchy 1914, Neuve Chapelle, '''Ypres 1915 '17 '18''', St. Julien, Frezenberg, Bellewaarde, Aubers, '''Loos''', '''Somme 1916''' '18, Albert 1916, Bazentin, Delville Wood, Pozières, Flers-Courcelette, Le Transloy, Ancre Heights, Ancre 1916, '''Arras 1917 '18''', '''Vimy 1917''', Scarpe 1917 '18, Arleux, Pilckem, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcapelle, Passchendaele, '''Cambrai 1917 '18,''' St. Quentin, Bapaume 1918, Lys, Estaires, Messines 1918, Hazebrouck, Bailleul, Kemmel, Béthune, Soissonnais-Ourcq, Tardenois, Drocourt-Quéant, Hindenburg Line, Courtrai, Selle, '''Valenciennes''', France and Flanders 1914-18, Macedonia 1917-18, Megiddo, Sharon, '''Palestine 1918''', Tigris 1916, Kut al Amara 1917, '''Baghdad''', Mesopotamia 1915-18
* ''The Second World War'': Ypres-Comines Canal, Somme 1940, Withdrawal to Seine, '''St. Valery-en-Caux''', Odon, Cheux, '''Caen''', Troarn, Mont Pincon, Quarry Hill, Falaise, Falaise Road, Dives Crossing, La Vie Crossing, Lisieux, Nederrijn, Best, Le Havre, Lower Maas, Meijel, Venlo Pocket, Ourthe, '''Rhineland''', Reichswald, Goch, Moyland, Rhine, Uelzen, Artlenberg, North-West Europe 1940 '44-45, '''El Alamein''', Advance to Tripoli, Mareth, Wadi Zigzaou, Akarit, Djebel Roumana, North Africa 1942-43, Landing in Sicily, Augusta, Francoforte, Adrano, Sferro Hills, '''Sicily 1943''', Garigliano Crossing, '''Anzio''', Italy 1943-44, '''Madagascar''', Middle East 1942, '''Imphal''', Shenam Pass, Litan, Tengnoupal, '''Burma 1942-44'''


In 1946 the 2nd battalion moved from Germany to England, where in 1948 it was disbanded, its personnel joining the 1st Battalion.{{sfn|Fairrie|1983|p=103}}
(Those borne on the Colours are in bold type)

Post-war, the regiment had one Territorial Army (TA) unit – the 11th battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.{{sfn|Fairrie|1983|p=116}}

The 1st battalions of the Seaforth and [[Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders]] were amalgamated on 7 February 1961 at [[Redford Barracks]] to form the 1st battalion [[Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/072QOH.htm |title= Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) |publisher= Regiments.org |access-date= 15 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20051230130301/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/072QOH.htm |archive-date= December 30, 2005 }}</ref> The TA battalions of both regiments amalgamated in 1967 to form the 3rd (Territorial) battalion Queen's Own Highlanders.{{sfn|Fairrie|1983|p=116–117}}

==Battle honours==
These are the [[battle honour]]s awarded to the Seaforth Highlanders, together with those of the [[72nd Regiment of Foot|72nd]] and [[78th Regiment of Foot|78th Highlanders]]. Those borne on the [[Military colours, standards and guidons|Colours]] are in bold type.{{sfn|Fairrie|1983|p=129}}
* ''72nd Highlanders'': '''Carnatic''', '''Hindoostan''', '''Mysore''', '''[[Battle of Blaauwberg|Cape of Good Hope (1806)]]''', '''[[Xhosa Wars#Sixth war (1834–1836)|South Africa 1835]]''', '''[[Siege of Sevastopol (1854–1855)|Sevastopol]]''', '''[[Central Indian campaign of 1858|Central India]]''', '''[[Battle of Peiwar Kotal|Peiwar Kotal]]''', '''[[Battle of Charasiab|Charasiah]]''', '''[[Siege of the Sherpur Cantonment|Kabul 1879]]''', '''[[Battle of Kandahar (1880)|Kandahar 1880]]''', '''[[Second Anglo-Afghan War|Afghanistan 1878–80]]'''
*''78th Highlanders'': '''[[Battle of Assaye|Assaye]]''', '''[[Battle of Maida|Maida]]''', '''[[Invasion of Java (1811)|Java]]''', '''[[Battle of Khushab|Koosh-Ab]]''', '''[[Anglo–Persian War|Persia]]''', '''[[Siege of Lucknow|Lucknow]]''', '''[[Second Anglo-Afghan War#Second phase|Afghanistan. 1879–80]]'''
* ''Seaforth Highlanders (1881–1902)'': '''[[Battle of Tel el-Kebir|Tel-El-Kebir]]''', '''[[Anglo-Egyptian War|Egypt 1882]]''', '''[[Chitral Expedition|Chitral]]''', '''[[Battle of Atbara|Atbara]]''', '''[[Battle of Omdurman|Khartoum]]''', '''[[Battle of Paardeberg|Paardeberg]]''', '''[[Second Boer War|South Africa 1899-1902]]'''
* ''The Great War'': Le Cateau, Retreat from Mons, '''[[First Battle of the Marne|Marne 1914]] '18''', Aisne 1914, La Bassée 1914, Armentières 1914, Festubert 1914 '15, Givenchy 1914, Neuve Chapelle, '''[[Second Battle of Ypres|Ypres 1915]] [[Battle of Passchendaele|'17]] [[Fifth Battle of Ypres|'18]]''', St. Julien, Frezenberg, Bellewaarde, Aubers, '''Loos''', '''[[Battle of the Somme|Somme 1916 '18]]''', Albert 1916, Bazentin, Delville Wood, Pozières, Flers-Courcelette, Le Transloy, Ancre Heights, Ancre 1916, '''Arras 1917 '18''', '''[[Battle of Vimy Ridge|Vimy 1917]]''', Scarpe 1917 '18, Arleux, Pilckem, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcapelle, Passchendaele, '''[[Battle of Cambrai (1917)|Cambrai 1917]] [[Battle of Cambrai (1918)|'18]],''' St. Quentin, Bapaume 1918, Lys, Estaires, Messines 1918, Hazebrouck, Bailleul, Kemmel, Béthune, Soissonnais-Ourcq, Tardenois, Drocourt-Quéant, Hindenburg Line, Courtrai, Selle, '''Valenciennes''', France and Flanders 1914–18, Macedonia 1917–18, Megiddo, Sharon, '''[[Sinai and Palestine campaign|Palestine 1918]]''', Tigris 1916, Kut al Amara 1917, '''Baghdad''', Mesopotamia 1915–18
* ''The Second World War'': Ypres-Comines Canal, Somme 1940, Withdrawal to Seine, '''St. Valery-en-Caux''', Odon, Cheux, '''Caen''', Troarn, Mont Pincon, Quarry Hill, Falaise, Falaise Road, Dives Crossing, La Vie Crossing, Lisieux, Nederrijn, Best, Le Havre, Lower Maas, Meijel, Venlo Pocket, Ourthe, '''Rhineland''', Reichswald, Goch, Moyland, Rhine, Uelzen, Artlenberg, North-West Europe 1940 '44-45, '''El Alamein''', Advance to Tripoli, Mareth, Wadi Zigzaou, '''Akarit''', Djebel Roumana, North Africa 1942–43, Landing in Sicily, Augusta, Francoforte, Adrano, Sferro Hills, '''[[Allied invasion of Sicily|Sicily 1943]]''', Garigliano Crossing, '''Anzio''', Italy 1943–44, '''Madagascar''', Middle East 1942, '''Imphal''', Shenam Pass, Litan, Tengnoupal, '''Burma 1942-44'''


== Victoria Cross recipients ==
== Victoria Cross recipients ==
[[File:Seaforth Highlanders War Memorial, Tain.JPG|thumb|Seaforth Highlanders Great War Memorial plaque in [[Tain]]. There is an identical plaque above the entrance to the Courthouse in [[Dornoch]]]]
[[File:Seaforth Highlanders War Memorial, Tain.JPG|thumb| Seaforth Highlanders Great War Memorial plaque in [[Tain]]. There are identical plaques above the entrance to the Courthouse in [[Dornoch]], the regiment's former depot at [[Fort George, Highland| Fort George]] near Inverness, and the former Territorial Army centre in [[Elgin, Moray]].]]
The following servicemen from the Seaforth Highlanders were awarded the [[Victoria Cross]]:
The following servicemen from the Seaforth Highlanders were awarded the [[Victoria Cross]]:{{sfn|Fairrie|1983|p=136}}
{{div col|colwidth=32em}}
*[[Andrew Cathcart Bogle|Andrew Bogle]], 78th Highlanders, 1857, Indian Mutiny
'''78th Highlanders'''
*[[Joseph Petrus Hendrik Crowe|Joseph Crowe]], 78th Highlanders, 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[Herbert Taylor MacPherson|Herbert MacPherson]], 78th Highlanders, 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[Andrew Cathcart Bogle|Andrew Bogle]], 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[Joseph Jee]], 78th Highlanders, 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[Joseph Petrus Hendrik Crowe|Joseph Crowe]], 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[Valentine Munbee McMaster|Valentine McMaster]], 78th Highlanders, 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[Herbert Macpherson]], 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[Stewart McPherson (VC)|Stewart McPherson]], 78th Highlanders, 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[Joseph Jee]], 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[Henry Ward (VC)|Henry Ward]], 78th Highlanders, 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[Valentine Munbee McMaster|Valentine McMaster]], 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[James Hollowell]], 78th Highlanders, 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[Stewart McPherson (VC)|Stewart McPherson]], 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[Aylmer Spicer Cameron|Aylmer Cameron]], 72nd Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders, 1858, Indian Mutiny
*[[Henry Ward (VC)|Henry Ward]], 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[James Hollowell]], 1857, Indian Mutiny
*[[George Sellar]], 72nd Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders, 1879, Afghanistan
*[[John Mackenzie (VC)|John MacKenzie]], Seaforth Highlanders, 1900, Ashanti
'''72nd Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders'''
*[[Aylmer Spicer Cameron|Aylmer Cameron]], 1858, Indian Mutiny
*[[Sidney William Ware|Sidney Ware]], 1st Bn Seaforth Highlanders, 1916, First World War
*[[George Sellar]], 1879, Afghanistan
*[[Walter Potter Ritchie|Walter Ritchie]], 2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders, 1916, First World War
*[[Thomas Steele (VC)|Thomas Steele]], 1st Bn Seaforth Highlanders, 1917, First World War
'''Seaforth Highlanders'''
*[[John Mackenzie (VC)|John MacKenzie]], 1900, Ashanti
*[[Donald MacKintosh (VC)|Donald MacKintosh]], 2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders, 1917, First World War
*[[Alexander Edwards]], 6th Bn Seaforth Highlanders, 1917, First World War
*[[Sidney William Ware|Sidney Ware]], 1st Battalion, 1916, First World War
*[[Robert McBeath]], 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders, 1917, First World War
*[[Walter Potter Ritchie|Walter Ritchie]], 2nd Battalion, 1916, First World War
*[[John Meikle]], MM.4th Bn Seaforth Highlanders, 1918, First World War
*[[Thomas Steele (VC)|Thomas Steele]], 1st Battalion, 1917, First World War
*[[Donald MacKintosh (VC)|Donald MacKintosh]], 2nd Battalion, 1917, First World War
*[[Alexander Edwards]], 6th Battalion, 1917, First World War
*[[Robert McBeath]], 5th Battalion, 1917, First World War
*[[John Meikle]], {{post-nominals|MM}}.4th Battalion, 1918, First World War
{{div col end}}


==Colonels-in-Chief==
== See also ==
Colonels-in-chief of the Regiment were:<ref name=regiments/>
*[[Sgt. MacKenzie]]
*1881–1884: [[Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany]], KG, KT, GCSI, GCMG, KJStJ
{{Commons category|Seaforth Highlanders}}
*1905–1917: [[Prince Charles Edward, Duke of Albany]], KG, GCVO (terminated 1917)
*1920–1936: [[King Edward VIII]] (until abdication in 1936){{sfn|Fairrie|1983|p=124}}

==Regimental Colonels==
Colonels of the Regiment were:<ref name=regiments/>
*1881–1893 (1st Battalion): Gen. Sir [[Edward Selby Smyth]], KCMG (ex [[72nd Foot]])
*1881–1885 (2nd Battalion): F.M. Sir [[Patrick Grant (Indian Army officer)|Patrick Grant]], GCB, GCMG (ex [[78th Foot]])
*1893–1897: Gen. Sir [[William Parke (British Army officer)|William Parke]], KCB
*1897–1907: Gen. [[Sir Archibald Alison, 2nd Baronet|Sir Archibald Alison]], Bt., GCB
*1907–1911: Lt-Gen. Mostyn de la Poer Beresford
*1911–1914: Gen. Sir [[George Digby Barker]], GCB
*1914–1924: Maj-Gen. Robert Hunter Murray, CB, CMG
*1924–1931: Maj-Gen. Sir [[Colin Mackenzie (British Army officer)|Colin Mackenzie]], KCB
*1931–1939: Maj-Gen. Sir [[Archibald Ritchie (British Army officer)|Archibald Ritchie]], KBE, CB, CMG
*1939–1947: Lt-Gen. Sir [[William Montgomerie Thomson]], KCMG, CB, MC
*1947–1957: Maj-Gen. Sir [[Sir John Laurie, 6th Baronet]], CBE, DSO
*1957–1961: F.M. Sir [[James Cassels (British Army officer)|James Cassels]], GCB, KBE, DSO (to [[Queen's Own Highlanders]])
*''1961 Regiment amalgamated with [[The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders]] to form the [[Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)]]''


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675028774_International-Battalions-of-Shanghai-Volunteer-Corps-parade_Bayonets_armored-vehicles Clip of military parade in Shanghai in 1938 including 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders]


==Sources==
==Sources==
*{{cite book|last=Sym|first=John M.|title=Seaforth Highlanders|publisher=Gale & Polden|year= 1962}}
{{Commons category|Seaforth Highlanders}}
*{{cite book|last=Fairrie|first=Angus|title="Cuidich'n Righ": A History of the Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)|publisher=Regimental HQ, Queen's Own Highlanders|year= 1983|isbn=0950898600}}
*{{cite book|last=Royale|first=Trevor|title=Queen's Own Highlanders. A concise history|publisher=Mainstream Publishing|year=2007|isbn=9781845960926}}
*{{cite book|last=Sym|first=John M.|title=Seaforth Highlanders|publisher=Gale & Polden|year=1962|oclc=1059816697}}


{{Royal Regiments of Scotland}}
{{Royal Regiments of Scotland}}
{{British Infantry Regiments World War I}}
{{British Infantry Regiments World War I}}
[[Category:1881 establishments in the United Kingdom]]

[[Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army]]
[[Category:1961 disestablishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Seaforth Highlanders| ]]
[[Category:Highland regiments]]
[[Category:Highland regiments]]
[[Category:Military of Scotland]]
[[Category:Military of Scotland]]
[[Category:Regiments of Scotland]]
[[Category:Scottish regiments]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1881]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1881]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1961]]
[[Category:Regiments of the British Army in World War II]]
[[Category:Regiments of the British Army in World War II]]
[[Category:Regiments of the British Army in World War I]]
[[Category:Regiments of the British Army in World War I]]
[[Category:1881 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Burma in World War II|R]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Burma in World War II|R]]
[[Category:Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany]]

Latest revision as of 19:45, 1 June 2024

This article is about the historical Scottish regiment. For the Canadian regiment, see The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.

Seaforth Highlanders
Cap badge of the Seaforth Highlanders.
Active1881–1961
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeLine Infantry
Part ofHighland Brigade
Garrison/HQFort George, Inverness
Motto(s)Cuidich 'n Righ (Aid the King)
Battle honoursSee below
Commanders
Colonel of
the Regiment		Edward, Prince of Wales (1920–36)
Insignia
Tartan
(Mackenzie)

The Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, the Duke of Albany's) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, mainly associated with large areas of the northern Highlands of Scotland. The regiment existed from 1881 to 1961, and saw service in World War I and World War II, along with many smaller conflicts. In 1961 the regiment was amalgamated with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders to form the Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons), which merged, in 1994, with the Gordon Highlanders to form the Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons). This later joined the Royal Scots Borderers, the Black Watch, the Royal Highland Fusiliers and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders to create the present Royal Regiment of Scotland.

History

[edit]

Formation

[edit]

The regiment was created in 1881 through the amalgamation of the 72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) Regiment of Foot and the 78th (Highlanders) (Ross-shire Buffs) Regiment of Foot, which became the 1st and 2nd battalions of the new regiment, and was part of the Childers Reforms of the British Army.[1] It was named after Kenneth Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Seaforth, and his cousin Francis Mackenzie, 1st Baron Seaforth, who originally raised respectively the 72nd[2] and 78th regiments.[3] Originally named "Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs)", on 22 November 1881 Queen Victoria approved the regiment's style as "Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's)".[4]

The 1st battalion saw action at the Battle of Tel el-Kebir in September 1882 during the Anglo-Egyptian War.[5] After returning home, the battalion again went abroad in 1896, taking part in the International Occupation of Crete in 1897[6] and the reconquest of the Sudan, being present at the Battle of Atbara in April[7] and the Battle of Omdurman in September 1898.[8] It then moved to Cairo,[9] and from late 1902 was posted to India, where it was stationed at Nasirabad, Ajmer.[10]

In 1881, the 2nd battalion was stationed in India. It saw service on the North West Frontier, taking part in the Hazara Expeditions in the summer 1888 and the spring of 1891,[11] and the Chitral Expedition in spring 1895.[12] Returning home in 1897, the outbreak of the Second Boer War saw the 2nd Battalion travel to South Africa in November 1899, suffering heavy losses at the Battle of Magersfontein in December 1899 and at the Battle of Paardeberg in February 1900.[13]

The 3rd, Militia battalion (formerly the Highland Rifle Militia), was embodied in late 1899, and embarked in February 1900 for service in Egypt alongside the 1st battalion.[14]

In 1908, the Volunteer Force and Militia were reorganised nationally, with the former becoming the Territorial Force and the latter the Special Reserve;[15] the regiment now had one Reserve and three Territorial battalions.[16][1]

First World War

[edit]
Seaforth Highlanders recruiting poster

Regular Army

[edit]

Commanded by Archibald Ritchie, the 1st Battalion, which had been serving in India, landed at Marseilles as part of the Dehra Dun Brigade in the Meerut Division in October 1914 for service on the Western Front.[17] It saw action at the Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915.[18] The battalion then moved to Mesopotamia in December 1915, where it took part in the Siege of Kut later that month and the Fall of Baghdad in March 1917, before moving to Palestine in January 1918.[17]

The 2nd Battalion, which had been stationed at Shorncliffe Camp, landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 10th Brigade in the 4th Division in August 1914.[17] It took part in the retreat from Le Cateau later that month, the Battle of the Marne in September 1914, the Battle of the Aisne also in September 1914 and the Battle of Messines in October 1914.[19] It went on to fight in the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915, the Battle of the Somme in Autumn 1916 and the Battle of Arras in April 1917.[19] The battalion also saw action at the Battle of Passchendaele in Autumn 1917, the Battle of the Lys in April 1918, the battles of the Hindenburg Line and the final advance in Picardy.[19]

Territorial Force

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5th (Sutherland and Caithness) Battalion had its own badge: other ranks type: 1908–20; 1921–46

The 1/4th (Ross Highland) Battalion landed at Le Havre as part of the 152nd Brigade in the 51st (Highland) Division in November 1914. The 1/5th (Sutherland and Caithness) Battalion and the 1/6th (Morayshire) Battalion both landed in France as part of the 152nd Brigade in the 51st (Highland) Division in May 1915. All three battalions continued to serve on the Western Front until the end of the war.[17]

New Armies

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A Seaforth highlander in a Glengarry bonnet during WWI

The 7th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 26th Brigade in the 9th (Scottish) Division in May 1915.[17] The 8th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 44th Brigade in the 15th (Scottish) Division in July 1915.[17] The 9th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the pioneer battalion for the 9th (Scottish) Division in May 1915. All three battalions continued to serve on the Western Front until the end of the war.[17]

The 1st Garrison Battalion landed in Salonika as part of the 228th Brigade in the 28th Division in August 1916 for service on the Salonika front.[17]

Interwar years

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The 1st Battalion returned from Egypt in 1919,[20] and in 1921 was deployed to Cowdenbeath and to Bridge of Allan to maintain order during strike action by the miners.[21] It moved to Palestine in 1933 and to Hong Kong in 1937.[22] In March 1938, the 1st Battalion was deployed to Shanghai.[23] Meanwhile, the 2nd Battalion went to India in 1918 and saw action on the North-West Frontier in 1930–31 before moving to Palestine in 1932 and returning to Britain in 1934.[22]

In 1921, the Seaforth's contribution to the Territorial Army was reorganised to comprise a now amalgamated 4/5 battalion, and the 6th battalion. The increase in the size of the Territorials in 1939 led to an expansion to four Seaforth units – the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Territorial battalions.[24]

Second World War

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5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders plaque. Dornoch Cathedral, Sutherland

The 1st Battalion, which was stationed in Shanghai when war broke out, was deployed to Malaya in November 1940, and then to India. It joined the 1st Indian Brigade in the 23rd Indian Division in May 1942, and served in the Burma Campaign until 1945.[22]

Universal Carriers of the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders during Operation Veritable in the Reichswald forest, Germany, 10 February 1945

The 2nd Battalion went to France as part of the 152nd Brigade in the 51st Highland Division with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in October 1939 but was captured at Saint-Valery-en-Caux during the Battle of France in June 1940.[22] The 2nd Battalion was reconstituted, as part of the reconstituted 152nd Brigade, 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, and served in the Middle East, fighting in the Second Battle of El Alamein, and the subsequent Tunisia Campaign, and in the Allied invasion of Sicily.[22] In late 1943 the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division returned to the United Kingdom and then took part in Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy, taking part in Operation Totalize and Operation Astonia, the capture of the French port of Le Havre.[22] The battalion later participated in Operation Veritable, Operation Plunder and the invasion of Germany.[25]

The 4th Battalion also went to France as part of the 152nd Brigade in the 51st Highland Infantry Division with the BEF in January 1940 and was captured at Saint-Valery-en-Caux in June 1940.[26]

After home service with the 9th (Highland) Infantry Division,[27] in 1940 the 5th Battalion joined the reconstituted 152nd Brigade, 51st Highland Division,[28] and served in the Middle East, in the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943, in the Allied invasion of Italy in September 1943 and then in North-West Europe.[29]

Kangaroos carrying men of the 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders in Moergestel, Netherlands, 26 October 1944.

The 6th Battalion was a 2nd Line TA unit that was transferred to the 17th Infantry Brigade, part of the 5th Infantry Division. It served with the division throughout the war in Sicily, Italy, and finally in Northwest Europe.[30]

The 7th Battalion was a 2nd Line TA unit that originally served with the 26th Infantry Brigade, part of the 9th (Highland) Infantry Division, and later transferred to the 46th (Highland) Infantry Brigade in the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division and deployed to France in June 1944: it saw action in Operation Epsom and then served in North-West Europe.[31]

The 8th and 9th battalions were raised early in the war, and served in a home defence and reserve role. In December 1941, the 8th was redesignated the 30th battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.[32]

Post-war and amalgamation

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After the end of war, the 1st battalion served in Java before moving to Malaya where, from 1948 until 1951, it took part in internal security operations during the Malayan Emergency. The battalion's postings then included Edinburgh (1951–2), Germany (1952–4), Suez Canal Zone, then Aden (1954–5), Gibraltar (1955–7), and Germany (1957–61).[33]

In 1946 the 2nd battalion moved from Germany to England, where in 1948 it was disbanded, its personnel joining the 1st Battalion.[34]

Post-war, the regiment had one Territorial Army (TA) unit – the 11th battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.[35]

The 1st battalions of the Seaforth and Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders were amalgamated on 7 February 1961 at Redford Barracks to form the 1st battalion Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons).[36] The TA battalions of both regiments amalgamated in 1967 to form the 3rd (Territorial) battalion Queen's Own Highlanders.[37]

Battle honours

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These are the battle honours awarded to the Seaforth Highlanders, together with those of the 72nd and 78th Highlanders. Those borne on the Colours are in bold type.[38]

  • 72nd Highlanders: Carnatic, Hindoostan, Mysore, Cape of Good Hope (1806), South Africa 1835, Sevastopol, Central India, Peiwar Kotal, Charasiah, Kabul 1879, Kandahar 1880, Afghanistan 1878–80
  • 78th Highlanders: Assaye, Maida, Java, Koosh-Ab, Persia, Lucknow, Afghanistan. 1879–80
  • Seaforth Highlanders (1881–1902): Tel-El-Kebir, Egypt 1882, Chitral, Atbara, Khartoum, Paardeberg, South Africa 1899-1902
  • The Great War: Le Cateau, Retreat from Mons, Marne 1914 '18, Aisne 1914, La Bassée 1914, Armentières 1914, Festubert 1914 '15, Givenchy 1914, Neuve Chapelle, Ypres 1915 '17 '18, St. Julien, Frezenberg, Bellewaarde, Aubers, Loos, Somme 1916 '18, Albert 1916, Bazentin, Delville Wood, Pozières, Flers-Courcelette, Le Transloy, Ancre Heights, Ancre 1916, Arras 1917 '18, Vimy 1917, Scarpe 1917 '18, Arleux, Pilckem, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcapelle, Passchendaele, Cambrai 1917 '18, St. Quentin, Bapaume 1918, Lys, Estaires, Messines 1918, Hazebrouck, Bailleul, Kemmel, Béthune, Soissonnais-Ourcq, Tardenois, Drocourt-Quéant, Hindenburg Line, Courtrai, Selle, Valenciennes, France and Flanders 1914–18, Macedonia 1917–18, Megiddo, Sharon, Palestine 1918, Tigris 1916, Kut al Amara 1917, Baghdad, Mesopotamia 1915–18
  • The Second World War: Ypres-Comines Canal, Somme 1940, Withdrawal to Seine, St. Valery-en-Caux, Odon, Cheux, Caen, Troarn, Mont Pincon, Quarry Hill, Falaise, Falaise Road, Dives Crossing, La Vie Crossing, Lisieux, Nederrijn, Best, Le Havre, Lower Maas, Meijel, Venlo Pocket, Ourthe, Rhineland, Reichswald, Goch, Moyland, Rhine, Uelzen, Artlenberg, North-West Europe 1940 '44-45, El Alamein, Advance to Tripoli, Mareth, Wadi Zigzaou, Akarit, Djebel Roumana, North Africa 1942–43, Landing in Sicily, Augusta, Francoforte, Adrano, Sferro Hills, Sicily 1943, Garigliano Crossing, Anzio, Italy 1943–44, Madagascar, Middle East 1942, Imphal, Shenam Pass, Litan, Tengnoupal, Burma 1942-44

Victoria Cross recipients

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Seaforth Highlanders Great War Memorial plaque in Tain. There are identical plaques above the entrance to the Courthouse in Dornoch, the regiment's former depot at Fort George near Inverness, and the former Territorial Army centre in Elgin, Moray.

The following servicemen from the Seaforth Highlanders were awarded the Victoria Cross:[39]

78th Highlanders

72nd Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders

Seaforth Highlanders

Colonels-in-Chief

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Colonels-in-chief of the Regiment were:[1]

Regimental Colonels

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Colonels of the Regiment were:[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's)". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 29 December 2005. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  2. ^ Paul, James Balfour (1910). The Scots Peerage. Vol. 7. David Douglas, Edinburgh. pp. 512–513.
  3. ^ Fairrie 1983, p. 13.
  4. ^ "War Office Memorandum". The London Gazette. No. 25040. Government of the United Kingdom. 22 November 1881. p. 5713. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Battle of Tel-El-Kebir 1882". British Battles. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  6. ^ Sym 1962, p. 104.
  7. ^ "Battle of Atbara 1898". British Battles. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  8. ^ "Battle of Omdurman 1898". British Battles. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  9. ^ Sym 1962, p. 329.
  10. ^ "Naval & Military intelligence - The Army in India". The Times. No. 36896. London. 11 October 1902. p. 12.
  11. ^ Sym 1962, pp. 114–115.
  12. ^ "The Siege and Relief of Chitral". British Battles. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  13. ^ "Seaforth Highlanders (Duke of Albany's Ross-shire Buffs)". Anglo-Boer War. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  14. ^ "The War - embarkation of troops". The Times. No. 36066. London. 15 February 1900. p. 4.
  15. ^ "Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 31 March 1908. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  16. ^ These were the 3rd Battalion (Special Reserve), with the 4th (Ross-shire) Battalion at Ferry Road in Dingwall, the 5th (Sutherland and Caithness Highland) Battalion at Old Bank Road in Golspie and the 6th (Morayshire) Battalion at Cooper Park in Elgin (all Territorial Force)
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h "Seaforth Highlanders". The Long, Long Trail. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  18. ^ "Seaforth Highlanders 1st Btn during the Great War". The Wartime Memories Project. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  19. ^ a b c "Seaforth Highlanders 2nd Btn during the Great War". The Wartime Memories Project. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  20. ^ Sym 1962, p. 223.
  21. ^ Sym 1962, p. 330.
  22. ^ a b c d e f "Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's)". National Army Museum. Archived from the original on 24 August 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  23. ^ China Press, 3 April 1938, A4. There are photos of the battalion in this report.
  24. ^ Fairrie 1983, p. 87.
  25. ^ "Goch: the final objective". 51st Highland Division. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  26. ^ "Seaforth Highlanders 4th Bn". Wartime Memories. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  27. ^ Fairrie 1983, p. 95.
  28. ^ Beevor, Antony (2005). Ardennes 1944: Hitler's Last Gamble. Penguin. ISBN 978-0670918645.
  29. ^ "Alastair Borthwick". The Telegraph. 4 October 2003. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  30. ^ "17th Brigade Order of Battle". OrdersOfBattle.com. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  31. ^ "7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders". WarCemeteries.nl. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  32. ^ Sym 1962, p. 313.
  33. ^ Royale 2007, pp. 194–198.
  34. ^ Fairrie 1983, p. 103.
  35. ^ Fairrie 1983, p. 116.
  36. ^ "Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 30 December 2005. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  37. ^ Fairrie 1983, p. 116–117.
  38. ^ Fairrie 1983, p. 129.
  39. ^ Fairrie 1983, p. 136.
  40. ^ Fairrie 1983, p. 124.
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Sources

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Seaforth Highlanders.
  • Fairrie, Angus (1983). "Cuidich'n Righ": A History of the Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons). Regimental HQ, Queen's Own Highlanders. ISBN 0950898600.
  • Royale, Trevor (2007). Queen's Own Highlanders. A concise history. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 9781845960926.
  • Sym, John M. (1962). Seaforth Highlanders. Gale & Polden. OCLC 1059816697.
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