Cameronians

The Cameronians were a sect of Scottish Presbyterians, originating in the latter part of the 17th century and deriving their name from their chief leader, Richard Cameron, who, along with his colleagues, John Semple, Alexander Peden, and John Welwood separated themselves from the Presbyterians of Scotland on the question of the spiritual independence of the Church. They were supressed by the government, and a party were surprised at Aird's Moss by a group of dragoons who killed Richard Cameron and his brother.

The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed in 1881 from the merger between the Cameronians (26th Regiment - raised 1689) and the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry (raised 1794 and nicknamed "The Perthshire Greybreeks"). The Cameronians was the only regiment in the British Army to have a religious origin and the only regiment who were allowed to take weapons into church.

In 1946-48 the 1st Battalion was reduced to nil strength in Malaya. The remnants joined the 2nd Battalion at Gibraltar where on 19 September 1948 they were officially redesignated as the new 1st Battalion (2nd Bn ceased to exist). The last posting of the new 1st Bn was to Aden.

They returned to Edinburgh in Feb. 1967 (ten months before the final British withdrawal from Aden). Faced with the threat of merger in the 1968 reductions in the British Army, The Cameronians considered it beneath their dignity to merge with other infantry regiments, Scottish or otherwise, as it was considered impossible for the traditions of The Cameronians to be maintained under such conditions. The regiment chose to go into suspended animation, ready to return should Scotland and its Church ever need them. The disbandment parade, or "conventicle" as the Cameronians called their church parade, was held at Castle Dangerous, Douglas on 14th May 1968 (the regiment (26th Foot) had been formed at that place and date in 1689). They marched to church, posted sentries, and after a final service, marched off into history.

The regiment held the unique honour of having given to its country two Commanders-in-Chief, Lord Hill and Viscount Wolseley, and two Field Marshals, Viscount Wolseley and Sir Evelyn Wood, V.C. In the 1939-45 war it could boast of having produced seven General Officers, including General Sir Thomas Riddell - Webster and General Sir Richard O'Connor.

Meanwhile the Territorial element, the 6th/7th Battalion (which had merged as such in 1950), was subjected to the massive reorganisation of the T.A. on 1 Apr. 1967, which reduced it to a TAVRII company in 52nd Lowland Volunteers and a TAVRIII company in The Royal Scots and Cameronians Territorials. The government had never intended for there to be a TAVRIII since it defeated their purposes of streamlining and cost reductions. The whole TAVRIII disbanded on 1 Jan. 1969, and the Cameronians company reduced to a cadre in case they should ever re-form. They did, in fact, re-form on 1 Apr. 1971 as a company in the new 2nd Bn, 52nd Lowland Volunteers. The Cameronians T.A. ceased to exist officially as of 1 Apr. 1992.

Useful references:

Mountain and Flood. The history of the 52nd Lowland Division 1939-1946 by George Blake.
The History of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in 4 Volumes: Vol I 1689-1910 by Prof S.H.F. Johnston. Vol II 1910-1933 by Col H.H. Story. Vol III 1933-1947 by Brig C.N. Barclay. Vol IV 1948-1968 by John Baynes. Published by Cassell, London 1971.
John Baynes, Morale, A Study of Men and Courage, published by Leo Cooper, London, 1967.
Roll of Honour: The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), Scottish National War Memorial, The Castle, Edinburgh.
Battalion War Diaries in the Public Record Office, Kew, London.