GORDON HIGHLANDERS

The Gordon Highlanders was a British Army infantry regiment from 1881 until 1994. The regiment took its name from the Clan Gordon and recruited principally from Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland. It was formed on 1 July 1881 by the amalgamation of the 75th Stirlingshire Regiment - which became the 1st battalion of the new regiment - and the 92nd Gordon Highlanders, which became the 2nd. The 75th Highlanders were raised in 1787 by Coloner Robert Abercromby of Tullibody for service in India, where they saw a great deal of action. They went on to serve in South Africa, the Indian Mutiny, Egypt and on the North-West Frontier. In 1809 they lost their kilt and their Highland identity but the title Stirlingshire was introduced in 1862. The 92nd were raised as the 100th Highlanders by the Duke of Gordon in 1794 being renumbered 92nd in 1798. Their early service included the Low Countries and Egypt, followed by Corunna, the Peninsula, Waterloo, Afghanistan and South Africa

Their efforts in India continued to be the preservation of the Northwest Frontier. The storming of the Heights of Dargai rings out in the Regimental history as one of the finest hours. In October, 1897, the 1st/Gordon, part of the Tirah Field Force, approached the town of Dargai, situated on a rocky spur which dominated the road along which the British force had to march. The town had been cleared on the 18th, but in perhaps not the best example of military judgement, the British forces were removed from it. Two days later, the natives had re-occupied the town and it had to be again cleared. The terrain provided the natives with a wide "fire zone" which offered attackers no protection whatsoever. In turn, the Dorsetshire and Derbyshire regiments tried to rush the town, but could not cross the fire zone. The 1st /Gordon was called for, and the Commanding Officer, Col Mathias told them, "The General says this hill must be taken at all costs. The Gordon Highlanders will take it." In 40 minutes, the battalion had crossed the fire zone and won the heights. During the charge, Piper George Findlater was shot through both ankles while in the fire zone. He propped himself up and played his pipes while exposed to murderous fire, encouraging his comrades up the hill; he was awarded the Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria herself. The 2nd/Gordon was far from inactive during this time. With the eruption of the Boer War, they were posted to South Africa. The Boer tactics were far from the 'normal' military tactics, exposing British troops to near constant action and harassment. After initial engagements, the 2nd/Gordon moved to protect the town of Ladysmith. The Boers laid siege; when a relief force arrived three months later, they were welcomed by the sound of the 2nd Battalion's Drums & Pipes! By this time, the 1st/Gordon had been transferred to South Africa as well, and there was much celebrating on the night when, for the first time, the two battalions came together in the field. When the war was concluded, the 1st/Gordon returned to the United Kingdom, while the 2nd Battalion returned to India.

SCOTLAND'S FAMILY TREE (SFT)