1. Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front

2. Scots Recruitment in WW1
Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front
Scots Recruitment in WW1
All young men aged were asked to volunteer and it was a huge success.
By 1915 almost 1¼ million men volunteered.
However more Scots volunteered in proportion to the population than any other part of Britain e.g. by the end of August 1914 over 20,000 had volunteered to fight from Glasgow alone.

3. Why did so many Scots volunteer?
Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front
Why did so many Scots volunteer?
Patriotism
Belgian atrocities
Peer pressure – friends volunteered, girl friends etc.
Guilt - fear of white feather
Sense of adventure – get away from mundane lives.

4. Why did so many Scots volunteer?
Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front
Why did so many Scots volunteer?
Along with standard reasons, there were also particular reasons for Scottish soldiers:
Scottish martial (fighting) tradition inspired many.
Scotland suffered higher unemployment and more widespread poverty than most areas in Britain. The army was a chance for a regular job and wage.
Unlike England, there were no official ‘pals battalions’ but many Scots rushed to join up together to fight alongside friends.

5. Why did so many Scots volunteer?
Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front
Why did so many Scots volunteer?
There were two famous ‘pals’ battalions’
the 15th battalion of the Highland Light Infantry (the HLI were Glasgow’s regiment) called the ‘Tramway Battalion’ as it was made up mainly of tram drivers and workers.
McCrae’s Battalion who were made up of the Heart of Midlothian football team.

6. Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front
Tramway Battalion
The ‘Tramway Battalion’ were the Glasgow regiment of the Highland Light Infantry.
The ‘Tramway Battalion’ were the fastest recruited battalion in the history of the British Army – some 1100 recruits in 16 hours.
The ‘Tramway Battalion’ fought at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

7. Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front
McCrae’s Battalion
The footballers of Heart of Midlothian football team continued to play football once the war had started and they were accused of cowardice for continuing with the “awful farce of football”.
The Edinburgh Evening News suggested that they should be renamed “The White Feathers of Midlothian”.
Sir George McCrae launched an appeal for recruits and within 7 days, 13 professional footballers and 100s of supporters had signed up.
McCrae’s suffered massive losses at the Battle of the Somme and 3 players were killed.

8. Why did so many Scots volunteer?
Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front
Why did so many Scots volunteer?
The pals’ battalions were soon discouraged when it became clear the disastrous effect it could have on communities.
As pal’s battalions fought together, in battles where there were heavy losses, there were communities where large numbers of men were killed.
Memorial built in 1922 to the soldiers of McCrae’s battalion who were killed.