Scots In Great War London


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Scots living in London had long been involved in their local communities, maintaining London-Scottish institutions that had been established soon after the union of the crowns in 1603 and subsequent years. By 1911, the census recorded around 90,000 first generation Scots living in London and the surrounding counties of Middlesex, Surrey, Kent and Essex. During the Great War, many of these London Scots on the Home Front supported and offered succour to their fellow compatriots who were passing through or serving away. Other Scots in the capital suffered during German Zeppelin and aeroplane bombing raids or were otherwise living in hardship and distress, especially the elderly and widows with young children.

Scots in the British forces suffered their fair share of casualties during the Great War and the route of many to the various front lines lay through London. Thousands of Scottish troops spent time here and those fortunate enough to survive returned here on their way back from the battlefields – for a period of leave or to head home for good.

Ten organisations, including churches, charities, clubs and societies, as well as British Army regiments, each with their own focus and with Great War stories to tell, have come together this year to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War, to honour the role that Scots played in the war effort in London.

With chapters written by each of the ten organisations, a new commemorative book has been published by Helion, entitled Scots in Great War London: A Community at Home and on the Front Line 1914-1919,  edited by Paul McFarland with Hugh Pym, and has a Foreword by HRH The Princess Royal.

Scots In Great War London

SiGWL commemorates the end of the First World War and recognises the contribution of London-Scottish organisations during this time. Its programme will feature a series of events throughout the second half of 2018.

SiGWL is an initiative that involves ten organisations in London that represent the breadth of the London Scottish community, which includes churches, charities, clubs and societies, as well as British military regiments.

The launch of the commemorative book, Scots in Great War London: A Community on the Home Front and on the Front Line 1914-1919, will be in June, and events such as a lecture, a theatrical production, a concert, a commemorative rugby fixture, Remembrance Sunday services, and a ceilidh will take place in October and November.

Scots in the British forces suffered a disproportionate share of casualties during the Great War and the route of many to the various front lines lay through London. Thousands of Scottish troops spent time in the capital and those fortunate enough to survive returned here on their way back from the battlefields – for a period of leave or to head home for good. Scots living in London had long been involved in their local communities, maintaining London-Scottish institutions that had been established soon after the union of the crowns in 1603. By 1911, the census recorded around 90,000 first-generation Scots living in London and the surrounding counties of Middlesex, Surrey, Kent and Essex. During the Great War, these London Scots on the Home Front supported and offered succour to their fellow compatriots who were passing through or serving away.

Commemorative Book

With chapters written by each of the ten organisations, a new commemorative book entitled Scots in Great War London: A Community at Home and on the Front Line 1914-1919.


Order your copy here; it will be despatched immediately.

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