Regimental History

The Argyll and Sutherland Regiment traces its history to fine regiments that have served His Majesty for more than 200 years. That service includes such highlights as the Napoleonic Wars, the Battle of New Orleans, India, the "Thin Red Line" at Balaclava and distinguished service during WWII in Malaya, North Africa and Europe.

The 91st 

In1793 the 5th Duke of Argyll raised a kilted regiment of 1,100 men. On July 9, 1794 the regiment was formally gazetted into the British Army as the 98th Argyllshire Highlanders, renumbered later in October 1798, as the 91st.

 The 93rd 

Serving proudly, the 93^rd saw service from the Cape Colony to the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. After New Orleans the 93rd spent 10 years in Britain and Ireland 11 years in the West Indies, and a further 13 at home and in Canada

 In 1854 they went to the Crimea, took part in the storming of the heights above the Alma and then moved on to Sevastopol

On the October 24 they routed the Russian Cavalry charge at Balaklava earning themselves the nickname of "The Thin Red Line".

In 1857 they played a key role in the relief of Lucknow and saw ten years of service in India

.The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Amalgamation-much like the British Army of today, the Ministry of Defense  decided to combine the two highland regiments and in 1881 they became Princess Louise's Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

The 91st became the 1st Battalion,  the 93rd -  the 2nd Battalion. and Stirling Castle became the home of the Regiment

From 1881 to 1914 one of the battalions served abroad, the other remaining at home. The 1st Battalion served in South Africa, Ceylon and Hong Kong. They returned to Britain in 1892 before taking part in the Boer War -- 1899 - 1902.

When the First World War broke out in 1914 the Regiment had two Regular Battalions (1st and 2nd), two Militia Battalions. Seven more Service Battalions were raised during the war, gaining 65 Battle Honors. Four served in the Mediterranean area gaining a further 13 Battle Honours.

431 Officers and 6475 Other Ranks of the Regiment lost their lives during the war. Six Victoria Crosses were awarded to members of the Regiment.

Service in World War II

.The 7th Bn. Argylls were asigned to 154 Brigade in the 51st Highland Division. The brigade included the 1st and 7th battalions of the Black Watch and the Argylls. A

The 7th battalion of the Argylls saw more combat than any other battalion in the British Army and served throughout the entire war as part of the 51st. As a component of 154 Brigade they saw action with the British Expeditionary Force in France before the Dunkirk evacuation.

154 Bde was reconstitute along with the 51st in 1940. They were soon joined by their sister battalions 1st and 7th Black Watch and sailed for North Africa on 20 June 1942 fighting at El Alamein, El Agheila and capturing Tripoli. They then participated in Operation Husky, invading Sicily.

In October of 43 the 7th returned to England to take place in Operation Overlord, the liberation of Western Europe. Fighting throughout the Normandy Campaign, the battalion participated in the capture of LeHavre and the channel ports of Boulogne, Calais and Dunkirk. Throughout the bitter fall of 1944 they fought throughout Holland. In the spring of 1945 they fought to clear the Reichswald, eventually crossing the Rhine River and ending the war in Northern Germany, where they received the surrender of the 15th PzgrDiv in the town of Lintig, at the conclusion of the European War.

. The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders continue to have a distinguished record. They served throughout the Mid East during the establishment of Israel, they have been on service in Ireland and recently had a company deployed in Iraq.

  References:

Fighting Highlanders, the story of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, by P.J.R. Mileham, Arms & Armour Press, 1993

Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Osprey Man at War series, by William McElwee and Michael Roffe, 1972