2. Why did scots join the army
• Scots would join the army for various reasons;
• They were persuaded to join by Lord Kitchener, he was quoted
saying:
• “I fell certain that Scotsmen have only to know that their
country urgently needs their service for them to offer with the
same splendid patriotism as they have always shown in the
past”
• Joining the army was seen as an act of heroism, self-sacrifice
honour patriotism and bravery.
• Other minor factors that played a part were boredom of their lives
and work and others simply thought that they would look good in a
kilt.
3. Scots on the Western Front
• Scots on the Western Front joined the army as they wanted to seen
as hero’s, to be seen as brave, patriotic and some of them thought
they would look good in a kilt.
• The impact of the Scots of the fighting of the first World War is
sometimes hard to assess because Scottish soldiers fought as part
of the British army. They had a real impact at the beginning as
regular Scots battalions were part of the BEF who thought with
particular bravery at Mons/Le Cateau.
• Scots were also important as attack troops and they played a
significant role in The Battle of Loos, The Somme, Arras and
Cumbrai.
• Haig was the commander who had the realism and the tenacity
needed to win such a massive industrial war.
