15th Scottish Division

Lt-Col. J.R. Sinclair

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Lieutenant-Colonel J. Roderick Sinclair
2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders

During the whole of this period he carried out his duties in the most gallant manner. He visited the companies frequently on foot, assisted in re-organisation and was always to be found where enemy fire was heaviest encouraging his men and exercising complete control over the most difficult situations.

(D.S.O. citation, 21 Dec 1944)

Born on 29 September 1906 in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, James Roderick Sinclair was commissioned into the Gordon Highlanders in 1926 and was promoted to captain in 1938. He served as second-in-command of the 2nd Battalion when it deployed to France with the rest of the 15th Scottish Division in late June 1944.

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Lt-Col. E.C. Colville

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Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Colville
2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders

There can be no doubt that the rapidity with which he assumed control in what might have been a most dangerous situation not only saved the lives of many men in his own Brigade but also ensured the success of the whole situation at a critical period in the battle.

(D.S.O. citation, 19 Oct 1944)

Born on 1 September 1905 in London, Edward Charles Colville was the son of Admiral Sir Stanley Colville (1861–1939). He was commissioned into the Gordon Highlanders in 1925 and was promoted to captain and adjutant in 1938. From 1932 to 1934 he posted to Ottawa where he served as aide-de-camp to Vere Ponsonby, 9th Earl of Bessborough, governor general of Canada.

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Lt-Col. H.C. Baker-Baker

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Lieutenant-Colonel H.C. Baker-Baker
2nd Battalion, Glasgow Highlanders

On returning to his Battalion Headquarters he suddenly found himself faced by two German Officers. He promptly shot one with his revolver and the other disappeared in the dark. As he entered his Headquarters a German Self-Propelled Gun which had entered the farmyard fired at the house at point blank range and set it on fire … Lt-Col Baker Baker led his [HQ] staff out through the opposite side of the house.

(D.S.O. citation, 7 June 1945)

Born on 11 November 1912 in Romsey, Hampshire, Henry Conyers Baker-Baker was the son of a Royal Navy admiral and educated at Eton College. After graduating from RMC, Sandhurst in 1933, he was commissioned into the Black Watch. In 1939, he was aide-de-camp to General Archibald Wavell. During the Western Desert and North African campaigns, he was a staff officer in the 51st Highland Division.

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Lt-Col. P.U. Campbell

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Lieutenant-Colonel P.U. Campbell
2nd Battalion, Glasgow Highlanders

He has at all times been an inspiration to the unit which he has now commanded for twenty months, and it has been due to his drive and persistence, at no small cost to himself, that the success of the Second Glasgow Highlanders has been such a notable one.

(D.S.O. citation, 29 Mar 1945)

Born on 7 September 1905 in British India, Patrick Usmar Campbell was commissioned with the Highland Light Infantry in 1925. He was attached to the King’s African Rifles from 1928 to 1931, served as staff captain in Egypt in 1936 and was promoted to captain in 1938. By 1940, he had risen to acting major and by early 1943, he had been appointed commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, Glasgow Highlanders. As part of the 46th (Highland) Infantry Brigade in the 15th Scottish Division, the battalion deployed to Normandy on 13 June 1944.

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Lt-Col. D.R. Morgan

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Lieutenant-Colonel D. Russell Morgan
10th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry
2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Throughout the campaign this offr’s conduct in battle has been of the highest order. His personal example is magnificent and ensures the confidence of his offrs and men at all times. Whenever the situation is most difficult he is to be found encouraging and leading his soldiers who would follow him anywhere.

(D.S.O. citation, 11 Oct 1945)

Born on 26 October 1907 in British India, David Russell Morgan was commissioned into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1928 and was promoted to captain in 1938. He became second-in-command of the 2nd Battalion in December 1942, shortly before his cousin Lieutenant-Colonel J.W. Tweedie was appointed commanding officer. As part of the 15th Scottish Division the battalion went into action in Normandy in June 1944.

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Lt-Col. J.W. Tweedie

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Lieutenant-Colonel J.W. Tweedie
2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

His explosions of wrath, like squalls of rain soon blew over. A devout Catholic, he was in fact a sensitive and very kind-hearted man … a worrier, prone to periods of self-doubt.

(Quoted in Ian Daglish, Operation Epsom)

Born on 5 June 1907 in British India, John William Tweedie was commissioned with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders after graduating from RMC, Sandhurst in 1926. He was aide-de-camp to the governor-general of New Zealand in 1931 and was battalion adjutant from 1936 to 1939. He attended staff college and became staff, captain, brigade major, then general staff officer for higher formations.

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Lt-Col. F.B.B. Noble

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Lieutenant-Colonel F.B.B. Noble
10th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry

… his duties have frequently placed him in dangerous situations where his conduct was inspiring. In spite of previous recommendations he has not yet received recognition, which he richly deserves.

(O.B.E. citation, 8 Feb 1945)

Born on 20 February 1913 Havant, Hampshire, Frederick Babington Bridgeman Noble was commissioned into the Highland Light Infantry in 1933. He was stationed on the North West Frontier in India before the Second World War. He served in the Western Desert as a liaison and general staff officer for the 5th Indian Division. When it moved to the campaign Burma theatre in 1943, he became as GSO 1, for which he was awarded Order of the British Empire.

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Lt-Col. R.A. Bramwell-Davis

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Lieutenant-Colonel R.A. Bramwell-Davis
10th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry

These successful operations were due to the magnificent leadership determination and courage of Lt-Col Bramwell Davis. He was always seen wherever there was trouble, quietly giving orders and encouragement. During the fight for the village, he twice organized and personally led attacks against enemy strong points holding up his advance. When organizing a section stalk to eliminate a SP gun, he was wounded. He refused to be evacuated until such time as the Battalion was consolidated and he had hand over to his Second in Command who had to be brought forward.

(D.S.O. citation, 7 Jun 1945)

Born on 8 October 1905 in Scotland, Ronald Albert Bramwell-Davis was commissioned into the Highland Light Infantry after graduating from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst in 1925. In addition to army service, he played cricket and polo. He served in Hong Kong and in India on the North West Frontier. From 1941 to 1942 and 1943 to 1944, he was attached to the British Joint Staff Mission in Washington, D.C.

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Lt-Col. H.P. Mackley

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Lieutenant-Colonel H.P. Mackley
10th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry

Lieutenant-Colonel Mackley accepted responsibility for any casualties that the concentration might cause. Down it came—on scale 5 from every gun in the Division— and it was repeated more than once. There was not a loose round or a British casualty, but the wood was so thoroughly plastered that the enemy ever after gave it a wide berth.

(H.G. Martin, The History of the Fifteenth Scottish Division 1939–1945, 198)

Born on 22 July 1903 in Woodford, Cheshire, Hugh Pelham Mackley was educated at RMC, Sandhurst and commissioned into the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in 1924. He served overseas in Hong Kong. He was promoted to captain in 1936, and the next year posted to the War Office as general staff officer for physical training. In February 1942, he was appointed commanding officer of the 12th Battalion, Cameronians. The unit took up garrison duty in British occupation of the Faroe Islands in May 1942.

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Lt-Col. J.D.S. Young

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Lieutenant-Colonel J.D.S. Young
10th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry

Captain Young remained with the Battalion to the end of the fighting and celebrated his twentieth birthday on 27th December 1918 after 4½ years in the front line! He enlisted at the commencement of the War when fifteen years of age, but as he stood 6 feet 4 inches he doubtless had little trouble in hoodwinking the doctors as to his real age.

(Herbert G. Sotheby, The 10th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 1914-1919 [1931], 104)

Born in 1899 in Troon, Ayrshire, John Douglas Starforth Young was a highly decorated First World War veteran. Although still underage, he had enlisted in August 1914 and was commissioned with the 10th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. While only a lieutenant, in 1918, he earned the Military Cross and the Distinguished Service Order, rare honours for a junior officer.

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