I was up in Aberdeen today for work. After finishing just before lunch, I decided to visit the Gordon Highlanders Museum, a short bus ride from the city centre.
The Gordon Highlanders were one of the British Army's most famous infantry regiments. Their identity was closely tied to northeast Scotland, particularly Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, and to the distinctive Highland kilt and pipers. The regiment existed as the Gordon Highlanders from 1881 to 1994, when it amalgamated with the Queen's Own Highlanders to form the Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons), which later became part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The regiment was raised in 1794. Its early service included the Napoleonic Wars, famously attaching themselves to the stirrups of the Scots Greys at Waterloo.
During the nineteenth century, the regiment's predecessors served in several important British campaigns overseas, including the Indian Mutiny, the Second Anglo-Afghan War, and the Battle of Dargai Heights, 1897. This became one of the regiment's most celebrated actions, and a fabulous painting hangs in the dining hall.
Nine battalions fought in the First World War with 50,000 recruits; 29,000 became casualties, including 9,000 dead. The Second World War started badly for two battalions, the 1st and 5th, of the 51st (Highland) Division, which were surrounded and forced to surrender at Saint-Valery-en-Caux in June 1940.
The regiment fought in North Africa and Italy, and later in North-West Europe, 1944–1945. Another battalion was captured in Singapore and suffered horrendous losses as prisoners of the Japanese.
It isn't a large museum, but the exhibits are well presented with some excellent dioramas. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful. The cafe also has decent cake! Well worth a look.
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