The London Scottish at Messines - 1914
Packed into 34 London buses, the First Battalion of the London Scottish Regiment arrived at Ypres at 3 am on October 29, 1914. Together with their commanding officer Sir Douglas Haig and Colonel Malcolm, their battlefield commander, they had a brief rest and breakfast, before marching on to Geluvelt to build trenches.
After a hard day's work, the battalion marched back to Ypres for rest. This was not to be, however. When they arrived at the Cloth Hall, more buses were waiting to take them on to another destination - Armentières - where they were to support the 2nd Division Cavalry at St Elooi. Again they began the day by digging trenches but at 8am received new orders. The London Scottish set off for Messines Ridge where an opening had been forced in the Allied frontline.
Closing the line
Their task was to reinforce the Allied line and close the opening near what were known as Hun's Farm and Middle Farm. At the time, Messines Ridge was occupied by the British infantry, which was under heavy artillery fire.
Twice the London Scottish not only halted German attacks but forced the Germans back from the ridge, despite the fact that the Scots themselves were in an open position, faced overwhelming odds in numbers and were forced to make do with malfunctioning weapons and ammunition.
A third attack saw the German troops break through the London Scottish defences, leaving the Battalion with heavy casualties and cut off from headquarters. To avoid total destruction of the Battalion, orders were given for a retreat towards Wulvergem. German forces had also suffered severe losses, however, and unable to hinder the retreat. Later in the day the Battalion regrouped at Kemmel and moved on to the Clytte.
Heavy losses
Further attacks on German positions on the ridge were continued by the British infantry and the French Brigade. Although the ridge was captured by the German Army, the efforts of the London Scottish had won time and ultimately prevented a far superior force breaking through to Ypres.
The Scots had lost 394 of their 700 officers and men in their short time on the ridge. Today there is a Scottish Memorial close to Wytschaete.