Lieutenant-Colonel C.F. Cathcart
7th Battalion, Black Watch

Lying flat on the hard gravelly desert, with shells falling all around and whizzing over one, was one of the nastiest sensations I have ever had. Never have I made myself so flat, never have I prayed so hard that one would not land on me.

(Quoted in Tess Monteith, “From the Moon to Kirkcaldy,” Red Hackle, 22)

Born on 26 March 1912 in Annan, Dumfries-shire, Scotland, Charles Frederick Cathcart was educated at Sedbergh School in Cumbria, North West England and commissioned in the Black Watch. His heroism at Second Battle of El Alamein in October earned a Distinguished Service Order although he was only an acting captain with the 7th Battalion. Leading two companies, Cathcart stormed Miteiriya Ridge and held the position despite heavy casualties and suffering terrible wounds himself. After being evacuated to hospital, he later reflected of the battle: “It’s a bit hard, having had three of the worst days of the battle, to miss the smashing up of the German army.”

Cathcart returned to duty in January 1943, by which time he had been awarded the D.S.O.:

Her personally led his force in a succession of attacks against enemy posns, and notwithstanding the fact that he was twice wounded during this stage of the attack, he finally reorganised his force on the objective and insisted on remaining with them until they could be all relieved 36 hrs later. During the whole course of this action he displayed outstanding powers of leadership, determination and courage.

By April 1943, out of forty original officers in the 7th Black Watch in 1939, Cathcart was one of only five still serving with the unit. When Lieutenant-Colonel J.A. Oliver was promoted to 154th Brigade in September 1943, Cathcart succeeded him in command of the 7th Battalion. At this time, the entire 51st Division returned to the United Kingdom to prepare for the invasion of France.

Cathcart led the 7th Black Watch throughout the campaign in Normandy and Northwest Europe, earning a D.S.O. Bar for actions at the Maas River in October 1944:

Throughout the operation Colonel Cathcart showed quite exceptional skill and determination of purpose and there is no doubt at all that the manner in which his Bn fought its way forward with such remarkable success was very largely due to his inspiring example and leadership and the extremely capable manner in which he controlled the operation.

After a long tenure in command of eighteen months, Cathcart was relieved in April 1945. He was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel B.A. Innes, whose son and Cathcart’s daughter would marry in 1961.

Cathcart died in Newburgh, Fife, Scotland on 15 March 1971.