Museum devoted to the history of Glasgow and Ayrshire's local regiment and its people. We are small, local museum devoted to passing on knowledge on The Royal Highland Fusiliers, its history (their predecessors Highland Light Infantry and Royal Scots Fusiliers), people and impact.
As well as sustaining memory of British troops all over the world, including regiment successors 2nd Bn The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Operating as usual
Sadly, one of our shop ladies has been "pinged" as having been in contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus and, even though, her test was negative, she will still have to isolate for a few days.
We will, therefore, closing the Museum tomorrow (Friday) and Monday 30 August (Bank Holiday Monday) due to staff shortages.
I am extremely sorry for any inconvenience caused and I am really hopeful that the "ping-demic" does not strike again anytime soon!
Sadly, our Summer Kids’ Club at the Royal Highland Fusiliers had its last session on Wednesday; however, it certainly went out with the proverbial bang!
Paige, our postgraduate student, who has been organising and thinking up all the exciting things for the Kids to do, excelled herself with a super Victory in Europe (VE) Day Party!
The Kids were transported back to the 1940s, complete with songs and dances from that era; and no party would be complete with food, drink and balloons. Paige also showed them how to make bunting to hang in their bedrooms at home! The whole thing was a huge success – well done, Paige!
On behalf of the Museum, I would like to thank everyone involved: first of all, a huge thank you to Paige, without whom, the whole thing would not have happened at all. Also, thank you to our own veteran, Willie McKinlay, who gave Paige invaluable support and provided delicious muffins for the party. We must also remember our shop ladies, who handled all the registration and ensured that everyone adhered to coronavirus guidance.
Finally, we must thank all the Kids and our mascots (Bugle & Fusilier) for coming to our very first Summer Kids Club!
There will be a Victory in Japan (VJ) Day Parade at the Veterans Monument, Knightswood, on Saturday 14 August 2021.
This will take the form of a service at the Monument, followed by wreath-laying.
All Veterans are welcome to attend.
The service will begin at 11 am; however, veterans are asked to arrive at the Monument c1040 am.
Sadly, there will be no parade down the Great Western Road; however, everyone is invited to attend the Lincoln Inn (Great Western Road) afterwards for refreshments.
The Veterans Monument is located at Knightswood Cross (Holy Corner) at the junction of Baldwin Avenue and Fulton Street.
Postcode: G13 2QU.
Hope to see you all on Saturday!
On 6 August 1921, Lady Ileene Campbell unveiled the War Memorial at Tarbert on the hillside above Tarbert, which is located on the beautiful banks of Loch Fyne.
It was not unusual for fishing villages to locate their war memorials on the side or top of a local hill, where they would be visible from the sea, providing fishermen with an accurate bearing when navigating their boats home – a nice and fitting idea for a memorial.
The grey, granite obelisk, with a flag winding around three sides, standing on a tapering pedestal and low rustic granite base, surrounded by an iron railing, bears the names of 91 men, including civilians, from Tarbert and the local area who fell in both world wars.
Sadly, 100 years of Argyllshire weather had taken its toll on the memorial and the locals have lovingly restored and refurbished the memorial for its rededication on the centenary of its original dedication.
Unsurprisingly, the local Territorial Force (WWI)/Territorial Army (WWII) unit for this area of Argyllshire was the 8th Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (8 A and SH) and although, the war memorial has many of their names for the two wars, there were also names from members of the Royal and Merchant Navies, the Royal Air Force and many other regiments and corps. Of course, this scenario was replicated throughout the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.
And so it was, that on Saturday, that a parade consisting of representatives from many of the services listed on the war memorial, wound its way from Fish Quay in Tarbert up the steep hill to the War Memorial for its rededication. Soldiers of the 6th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (6 SCOTS) and veterans from The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and The Royal Highland Fusiliers participated in this memorable procession.
The dedication at the base of the memorial reads:
“Twas for us they died
Keep we their memory green”
The people of Tarbert have certainly fulfilled this promise and have ensured that their memories will continue for at least another 100 years.
Below are members of the Regiment remembered on the Tarbert War Memorial
WWI:
Captain Dugald Smith – MA, MC – Royal Scots Fusiliers
Died in Northern France 8th October 1918. Awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and skilful leadership in the face of the enemy.
Sergeant Archibald MacAlpine – Royal Scots Fusiliers
Died in Greece October 1918. Inscription on his war grave – ‘One of the best’
Private Donald Black – Highland Light Infantry
Died in service of his country.
Private Angus Carmichael – Royal Scots Fusiliers
Killed in action at Flanders 31st October 1918. Buried at Vichte, Belgium.
Private Duncan McDougall – Royal Scots Fusiliers
Died of his wounds in Palestine 10th October 1917. Commemorated at Deir El Belah
Private James McDougall – Highland Light Infantry
Killed in action at Passchendaele October 1917.
Corporal Archibald McMillan – Highland Light Infantry
Killed in action 1st July 1916. Buried at Theipval Memorial.
Private William Shaw – Highland Light Infantry
Killed in action in Belgium 13th April 1915. Buried in Ploegsteert.
Calling All Kids!
It is hard to believe, but Wednesday 4 August will be the last Kids' Club at the Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum for the Summer of 2021.
Just a recap of last week's Kids' Club, Paige looked at military bands and music - the kids had a great time making their own drums, maracas and harmonicas to take home. They also formed their own band: The Pokemon Band!
For the final session this year, though, Paige is planning a VE Day party, with traditional recipes, some 1940s dancing and making bunting to take home to hang in your bedrooms - what is not to like?
The Kids' Club is from 1030-1130 and takes place at the Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, 518 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3LW.
If you have not been before, please come at least 30 minutes early for registration.
Hope to see you all there!
News About the Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum!
As you will be aware, when we re-opened the Museum, we ran a pilot scheme to ensure that all the changes put in place to adhere to the Scottish Government guidance would work and to iron out any "kinks".
So, the Museum has been open three days a week and reduced opening hours.
I am delighted to report that, due to the dedication of our Museum Attendants, the pilot scheme has been a complete success!
So, with effect from Monday 2 August 2021, the Museum will return to opening 5 days a week i.e. Monday to Friday; however, for the moment, we will retain the reduced opening hours:
10 am - 12 noon & 1 pm - 3 pm
Thank you all for your patience and I hope to see you in the Museum again soon.
Calling all Kids!
Did you guess that last week's Kids' Club was all about medals?
Just for a change - tomorrow's subject is going to be a secret - so you will have to come to the Club to find out what it is all about! I can assure you that Paige has something exciting in store for you and something even more exciting to make!
Bugle & Fusilier are really excited and are hoping to see you at the Club!
So, don't forget:
The next Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum Kids' Club will be tomorrow (Wednesday 28 July) from 1030-1130 - if it is your first time - please come 30 minutes early for registration.
The Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum is at 518 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3LW - hope to see you there!
Calling all Kids!
Did you guess that last week's Kids' Club was all about medals?
Just for a change - tomorrow's subject is going to be a secret - so you will have to come to the Club to find out what it is all about! I can assure you that Paige has something exciting in store for you and something even more exciting to make!
Bugle & Fusilier are really excited and are hoping to see you at the Club!
So, don't forget:
The next Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum Kids' Club will be tomorrow (Wednesday 28 July) from 1030-1130 - if it is your first time - please come 30 minutes early for registration.
The Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum is at 518 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3LW - hope to see you there!
Calling all Kids!
Look at all the fun that everyone at the Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum last Wednesday - they learned all about how soldiers lived in trenches in WWI and made a box to take home.
During the Great War, Princess Mary, one of Queen Victoria's daughters, arranged for every British & Commonwealth soldier to receive a special box with chocolate + other goodies.
Paige, Bugle and Fusilier are waiting to welcome you to this week's Kids' Club on Wednesday 21 July - from 10.30 - 1130 - although, if it is your first visit, please come at least 30 minutes early for registration.
And, what is Paige going to do at Kids' Club on Wednesday? Well, it is all about something that soldiers wear on the upper part of their uniforms!
The Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum is located at 518 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3LW - look forward to seeing you - everyone is welcome!
Calling all Kids!
Don't forget that tomorrow will be our second Kids' Club at the Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum - and it is Free!
Paige, Bugle & Fusilier are ready to welcome you and to have a really exciting activity for you to make and take home with you - a wee clue: a royal princess was involved with this!
So, make a date: tomorrow (Wednesday 14 July) - 1030-1130; although, if it is your first visit to Kids' Club, please come 30 minutes early for registration!
The Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, 518 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3LW.
The inscription on the Victoria Cross is “For Valour”, a traditional word for bravery. It was personally chosen by Queen Victoria, after whom the medal was named. The Queen turned down the first
suggestion, “For the Brave”, explaining that all her solders were brave.
This epithet described Frank Gerald Blaker VC MC, who already held the Military Cross before being awarded the Victoria Cross, the UK's highest award for gallantry.
Frank was born in Kasauli, Punjab, India in 1920, the son of Captain Blaker, a WWI surgeon in The Royal Army Medical Corps, serving in Mesopotamia, later settling down as an officer in the Indian Medical Department with postings to Burma. On his retirement, the family moved to Kenya - so Frank had already had a pretty interesting life before completing his education as a boarder at Taunton School.
Frank was already a natural and accomplished sportsman, interested in the jungle and wildlife; as well as being fond of shooting.
He enlisted into The Somerset Light Infantry in 1940 and was commissioned into The Highland Light Infantry (HLI) in 1941. However, with Frank's exceptional knowledge of India and Burma, he was almost immediately (May 1942) deployed to India and attached to the 3rd Battalion, The 9th Gurkha Rifles(3/9 GR), which then formed part of the 4th Indian Infantry Brigade of 26th Indian Division.
3/9 GR was operating at the time in the Arakan region of Burma, aiming to contain any Japanese advance into India from the region. Frank commanded C Company and in July 1943, Frank led his company in a search for Japanese activity in a small village five miles to the south of the town of Taung Bazaar. They found a number of Japanese soldiers and engaged in a fierce engagement and two-mile chase, at the end of which sixteen enemy soldiers had been killed and three taken prisoner, one of which was the first Japanese officer to be captured in the Arakan. For these actions Frank was awarded the Military Cross.
By July 1944 the war had shifted dramatically, with Japanese forces on the retreat and defensive. On 5 July, 3/9GR was marching under the western slopes of a feature named Hill 2171 near Taunghi in the Arakan, when they encountered a force of Japanese soldiers determined to make a stand. By 9 July, the path to the summit was cleared; B and C companies were ordered to take the hill, with B Company making a frontal attack and C Company to attack from the rear. The initial plan was that B Company would attack when they heard C Company engage; however B company found themselves amongst outlying Japanese positions too early and lost over 30 soldiers in just a few minutes. C Company, hearing this engagement, raced almost to the top of the hill when they found themselves under heavy machine gun fire, pinned down, with no room to manoeuvre. But Frank stood and ordered his men to charge, leading from the front. He received a gr***de wound to the left wrist, but got within seven yards of the machine gun post before being cut down by a long burst of fire. His men pressed on and too the machine gun position, heartened by Frank's bravery and his cheers to them, even when wounded.. This weakened resistance on the rest of Hill 2171, allowing the two companies to link up and capture the position.
Frank's second-in-command found Frank with wounds to his stomach, chest and shoulder; but, although clearly close to death, he ordered Captain Sweetman to get back to the business of the running the Company. A company Havildar Major stayed with Frank, who remained lucid and recommended two of his soldiers for gallantry. Frank's last words were recorded as: “Thank ‘C’ Company for all they have done for me. Tell them that I have gone from them, but they must go on fighting to the end”.
Temporary Major Frank Blaker was immediately recommended for a posthumous Victoria Cross, and is buried at Taukkyan Military Cemetery on the outskirts of Rangoon, Burma.
Truly, a perfect example of one of Queen Victoria's valiant soldiers!
Yesterday, the RHF Museum held our first-ever Kids' Club - Paige, Bugle & Fusilier welcomed some great children into the Museum and they had a great time.
They learned all about regimental tartan and then made their own tartan - fortunately, one of the parents took some amazing action photographs to record the scene.
So, what has Paige in store for the Kids next Wednesday?
Well, here are a few hints: soldiers were living in holes in the ground and they received a present from a royal lady! Of course, our Kids will also make a little something to take home with them.
So, why not come & join the Kids who have already tried the Kids' Club and are coming back next Wednesday (14 July)? Everyone is welcome - even parents & guardians!
Kids' Club is from 10.30-11.30, but if you are new, please come at least 30 minutes early to register - it is free and it is fun!
Many thanks again to Natasha for her amazing actions photographs!
Just one more sleep till Kids' Club at the RHF Museum!
Hot off the press: all kids will receive a smart Kids' Club badge when they attend the Club!
Bugle and Fusilier are wearing their badges - so come and join them tomorrow and for four Wednesdays afterwards!
Kids' Club at the Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, 518 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3LW on Wed 7 Jul: 10.30 - 11.30 am - please come at least 30 minutes early for registration.
Look forward to seeing you tomorrow!
KIDS' CLUB AT THE RHF MUSEUM!
Only 2 sleeps to the first ever Kids' Club at the RHF Museum!
Meet Paige, who has been really busy finding exciting things for you all to do - sadly, I don't think that Ruby the dog will be coming to Kids' Club; even though Bugle & Fusilier might be a bit disappointed!
And, it is all free!
As you can see in the second photograph, Paige is all ready to go with the first activity on Wednesday 7 July; but, she is keeping everything under wraps until the big day!
So look forward to seeing you all: Wednesday 7 July from 10.30-11.30 am - please come at least 30 minutes early for registration.
Kids' Club will run for 5 Wednesdays - so why not make a date to come to them all?
The Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, 518 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G3 2LW.
518 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow
G2 3LW
| Monday | 10am - 12pm |
| 1pm - 3pm | |
| Wednesday | 10am - 12pm |
| 1pm - 3pm | |
| Friday | 10am - 12pm |
| 1pm - 3pm |
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