Black Watch - 7th Battalion (TF) - 1908-1914

This post will look at regimental numbering in the 7th (Fife) Battalion (TF), The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) between 1908 and 1914.

The 7th Battalion was formed on the 1st April 1908 and prior to this had been the 6th (Fifeshire) Volunteer Battalion of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). The Territorial Year Book for 1909 recorded that the battalion strength was 38 officers and 701 men. Sergeant A Wilkie of H Company was the best shot of the unit. 524 men attended camp in 1908 for 8 days and 139 attended for 15 days.

The following year, The Territorial Year Book for 1910 recorded that the strength was 34 officers and 1002 men and at the annual camp at Largoward in 1909, 675 officers and men had attended for eight days whilst 167 officers and men had attended for 15 days. Private H Dexter of C Company was the best shot of the unit. Camp in 1910 was scheduled from the 16th July at Kinghorn.

By August 1914 the battalion was headquartered at St Andrews with recruits drawn from the following areas:

A Company: Dunfermline

B Company: Lochgelly

C Company: Kircaldy

D Company: Cowdenbeath

E Company: Cupar, with drill stations at Newburgh, Auchtermucht and Abernethy

F Company: Leven with drill stations at Colinsburgh and Largoward

G Company: St Andrews, with drill stations at Guardbridge, Anstruther and Crail

H Company: Leslie, with drill stations at Markinch and Thornton

The battalion formed part of the Black Watch Infantry Brigade with Scottish Coast Defences.

Here are some sample regimental numbers and joining dates for the the 7th Battalion (TF), The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).

61 joined on the 2nd April 1908
746 joined on the 27th January 1909

1294 joined on the 31st March 1910

1397 joined on the 25th January 1911
1655 joined on the 11th April 1912
1786 joined on the 14th January 1913
2025 joined on the 30th April 1914
2083 joined on the 6th August 1914

Use the regimental numbers above to estimate when a man would have joined this battalion between 1908 and August 1914. For example if your man's number was 1500 he would have joined the battalion between January 1911 and April 1912.

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To search for photos of your Black Watch ancestors, check my British Army Ancestors website.

Black Watch - 6th Battalion (TF) - 1908-1914

This post will look at regimental numbering in the 6th (Perthshire) Battalion (TF), The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) between 1908 and 1914.

The 6th Battalion was formed on the 1st April 1908 and prior to this had been the 4th Volunteer Battalion of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). The Territorial Year Book for 1909 recorded that the battalion strength was 17 officers and 354 men. 109 men attended camp in 1908 for 8 days and 133 attended for 15 days.

The following year, The Territorial Year Book for 1910 recorded that the strength was 23 officers and 752 men and at the annual camp in 1909, 349 officers and men had attended for eight days whilst 392 officers and men had attended for 15 days. Camp in 1910 was scheduled from the 16th July at Annsmuir.

By August 1914 the battalion was headquartered at Tay Street in Perth with recruits drawn from the following areas:

A Company: Perth

B Company: Perth

C Company: Dunblane, with drill stations at Bridge of Allan, Doune and Callander

D Company: Grieff, with a drill station at Comrie

E Company: Balirgowrie, with drill stations at Coupar, Angus and Alyth

F Company: Auchterarder with drill stations at Blackford and Dunning

G Company: Birnam, with drill stations at Pitlochry, Ballinluig, Stanley, Luncarty and Blair Atholl

H Company: Aberfeldy, with drill stations at Kenmore, Fortingall, Grandtully and Killin

The battalion formed part of the Black Watch Infantry Brigade with Scottish Coast Defences.

Here are some sample regimental numbers and joining dates for the the 6th Battalion (TF), The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).

331 joined on the 9th April 1908
499 joined on the 23rd March 1909

867 joined on the 28th February 1910

990 joined on the 14th February 1911
1113 joined on the 16th February 1912
1369 joined on the 12th February 1913
1492 joined on the 5th February 1914
1827 joined on the 10th August 1914

Use the regimental numbers above to estimate when a man would have joined this battalion between 1908 and August 1914. For example if your man's number was 1000 he would have joined the battalion between February 1911 and February 1912.

Remember. I research soldiers!

Drop me a line 

To search for photos of your Black Watch ancestors, check my British Army Ancestors website.