The Red Watch

The Canadian Highlanders in the trenches

The Scots are a much travelled nation. They have spread across the world often accompanying the expansion of the British Empire in its earliest of phases, always maintaining their unique identity by taking with them the traditions of their native country. They have found homes in every corner of the globe, but rarely have they found a country to colonise more suited to them than Canada. Furthermore, the regiments of Scotland have served in North America with distinction particularly during the 18th century in the French and Indian War and afterwards, where the kilt, the hackle and pipe was found upon many a bloodily contested ground. There are few more renowned highland regiments than the Black Watch of Ticonderoga fame and the subject of this book, 'The Red Watch' or the 48th Highlanders of Canada, formed in 1891, is its equal in heritage and spirit. This book concerns the actions of the Canadian Highlanders during the First World War on the Western Front. The author, colonel of the regiment, takes his readers to war in company with this famous regiment of the 1st Canadian Division as it fought at Neuve Chapelle, the Ypres Salient, and St Julien among many other pivotal actions. At St Julien the men of the Red Watch in the forward trenches were practically annihilated as they stubbornly held their positions against overwhelming German assaults and this account of the action is essential reading for students of the Great War. Full of military detail and interesting anecdotal material this book is an essential source work by someone who took part in the events described and who was in a position to overview them comprehensively.
Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.