Derek Robertson
@redlichtie.bsky.social
Reside in Arbroath
Iinterested in the Great War, history in general, good music and cats.
My main research project that of the experience of those who were awarded the 1914 & 1914/15 star for initially serving abroad with the Black Watch.
Iinterested in the Great War, history in general, good music and cats.
My main research project that of the experience of those who were awarded the 1914 & 1914/15 star for initially serving abroad with the Black Watch.
2 postcards, taken within minutes of each other, of British prisoners of war being put to work by the Germans in spring 1915.
Soft caps all round.
One card is postmarked early June 1915.
It looks like they’re putting in fence posts.
#ww1 #fww #pow #postcard #prisoners #war #milhist #greatwar
Soft caps all round.
One card is postmarked early June 1915.
It looks like they’re putting in fence posts.
#ww1 #fww #pow #postcard #prisoners #war #milhist #greatwar
July 27, 2026 at 2:15 PM
A memorial plaque commemorating when the U.K. and USA still worked together towards a common goal.
#ww2 #sww #ukusa #liverpool
#ww2 #sww #ukusa #liverpool
July 18, 2026 at 12:41 PM
A memorial plaque commemorating when the U.K. and USA still worked together towards a common goal.
#ww2 #sww #ukusa #liverpool
#ww2 #sww #ukusa #liverpool
In this instance the widow claimed her husband’s war service caused his death 29 years later.
June 6, 2026 at 12:28 PM
In this instance the widow claimed her husband’s war service caused his death 29 years later.
The 5th Bn Black Watch landed 02/11/14 the first Scottish Territorials to arrive in France.
Of 817 Officers and Men, 171 were dead by wars end 21%
The Bn was used on arrival for trench digging and were a pioneer unit for a time, later amalgamated with the 4th Bn in 1916.
#ww1 #fww #milhist
Of 817 Officers and Men, 171 were dead by wars end 21%
The Bn was used on arrival for trench digging and were a pioneer unit for a time, later amalgamated with the 4th Bn in 1916.
#ww1 #fww #milhist
June 5, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Compared with the 2nd Bn, the 1st Bn Black Watch had twice as many men awarded the 1914 star.
They were in the field earlier and received reinforcement drafts.
Officers: 65
Other Ranks: 1,874
Total 1,939
KIA & Died: 779
Officers: 31
Other Ranks: 748
40% dead by wars end.
#ww1 #fww #milhist
They were in the field earlier and received reinforcement drafts.
Officers: 65
Other Ranks: 1,874
Total 1,939
KIA & Died: 779
Officers: 31
Other Ranks: 748
40% dead by wars end.
#ww1 #fww #milhist
May 31, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Been tidying up my research of the 1914 star roll men of the Black Watch.
Of the 944 officers and men of the original cohort of the 2nd Battalion, 385 were dead by war’s end, 40%
There’s no reason to think this isn’t comparable to other 1914 infantry battalions.
#ww1 #fww #blackwatch #milhist
Of the 944 officers and men of the original cohort of the 2nd Battalion, 385 were dead by war’s end, 40%
There’s no reason to think this isn’t comparable to other 1914 infantry battalions.
#ww1 #fww #blackwatch #milhist
May 24, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Been tidying up my research of the 1914 star roll men of the Black Watch.
Of the 944 officers and men of the original cohort of the 2nd Battalion, 385 were dead by war’s end, 40%
There’s no reason to think this isn’t comparable to other 1914 infantry battalions.
#ww1 #fww #blackwatch #milhist
Of the 944 officers and men of the original cohort of the 2nd Battalion, 385 were dead by war’s end, 40%
There’s no reason to think this isn’t comparable to other 1914 infantry battalions.
#ww1 #fww #blackwatch #milhist
The warm sunshine makes the long queueing worth it for those keen to pick up free comics on comic book day 2026.
#comicbookday #comics #dunfermline #cbd26 #comicbook
#comicbookday #comics #dunfermline #cbd26 #comicbook
May 2, 2026 at 10:39 AM
The warm sunshine makes the long queueing worth it for those keen to pick up free comics on comic book day 2026.
#comicbookday #comics #dunfermline #cbd26 #comicbook
#comicbookday #comics #dunfermline #cbd26 #comicbook
May 2, 2026 at 10:19 AM
The 1931 Scottish Census will be released in 5 years and 4 days.
This should be the midpoint between Census releases, but 1921 was released a year late.
Those of us with Scottish ancestors should could ourselves lucky, as the England & Wales one burned 🔥
#census #genealogy #history #scotlamd
This should be the midpoint between Census releases, but 1921 was released a year late.
Those of us with Scottish ancestors should could ourselves lucky, as the England & Wales one burned 🔥
#census #genealogy #history #scotlamd
April 22, 2026 at 7:26 PM
The 1931 Scottish Census will be released in 5 years and 4 days.
This should be the midpoint between Census releases, but 1921 was released a year late.
Those of us with Scottish ancestors should could ourselves lucky, as the England & Wales one burned 🔥
#census #genealogy #history #scotlamd
This should be the midpoint between Census releases, but 1921 was released a year late.
Those of us with Scottish ancestors should could ourselves lucky, as the England & Wales one burned 🔥
#census #genealogy #history #scotlamd
A colour postcard of Indian soldiers of the Great War. Produced by the Photochrom company of London & Tunbridge Wells.
They are wearing turbans with their rifles are over their shoulder.
Their great coats are rolled up and strapped into their pack.
#ww1 #fww #greatwar #milhist
They are wearing turbans with their rifles are over their shoulder.
Their great coats are rolled up and strapped into their pack.
#ww1 #fww #greatwar #milhist
April 14, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Black Watch Territorials at Stobs camp near Hawick, before or during the Great War.
It’s likely a prewar summer camp. Although the 3rd line Bns of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th were there for the first 4 months of 1915.
#blackwatch #milhist #territorials #ww1 #fww #hawick #stobs #greatwar #postcard
It’s likely a prewar summer camp. Although the 3rd line Bns of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th were there for the first 4 months of 1915.
#blackwatch #milhist #territorials #ww1 #fww #hawick #stobs #greatwar #postcard
April 5, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Black Watch Territorials at Stobs camp near Hawick, before or during the Great War.
It’s likely a prewar summer camp. Although the 3rd line Bns of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th were there for the first 4 months of 1915.
#blackwatch #milhist #territorials #ww1 #fww #hawick #stobs #greatwar #postcard
It’s likely a prewar summer camp. Although the 3rd line Bns of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th were there for the first 4 months of 1915.
#blackwatch #milhist #territorials #ww1 #fww #hawick #stobs #greatwar #postcard
Coming from a fishing town, a great many man served during the Great War in the RNR and RNVR on minesweeping and patrol work.
This is apparently among the best accounts on this work.
It’s now at the top of the reading pile.
#ww1 #greatwar #milhist #milbooks #fww #seamines #warbooks
This is apparently among the best accounts on this work.
It’s now at the top of the reading pile.
#ww1 #greatwar #milhist #milbooks #fww #seamines #warbooks
April 2, 2026 at 3:08 PM
A postcard of British soldiers repairing a road in front of a damaged building in France during the First World War.
Most are wearing the leather jerkins and steel helmets. Possibly a Labour corks unit.
The image dates to the 1916-18 period.
#ww1 #fww #milhist #greatwar #labour
Most are wearing the leather jerkins and steel helmets. Possibly a Labour corks unit.
The image dates to the 1916-18 period.
#ww1 #fww #milhist #greatwar #labour
March 14, 2026 at 11:37 PM
As of today, the British Newspaper Archive has over 100 million pages available to search.
An indispensable resource for military history or genealogical research 🤓
#bna #milhist #fww #sww #britishnewspaperarchive #history #newspapers
An indispensable resource for military history or genealogical research 🤓
#bna #milhist #fww #sww #britishnewspaperarchive #history #newspapers
February 16, 2026 at 4:59 PM
As of today, the British Newspaper Archive has over 100 million pages available to search.
An indispensable resource for military history or genealogical research 🤓
#bna #milhist #fww #sww #britishnewspaperarchive #history #newspapers
An indispensable resource for military history or genealogical research 🤓
#bna #milhist #fww #sww #britishnewspaperarchive #history #newspapers
The perfect weather for an afternoon talk by Dr Scrivener-Anderson about Black Watch officers 1902-1918. Their make up by nationality and background, as well as the wartime temporary commission selection process. #ww1 #fww #blackwatch #balhousie #milhist
February 11, 2026 at 3:59 PM
The perfect weather for an afternoon talk by Dr Scrivener-Anderson about Black Watch officers 1902-1918. Their make up by nationality and background, as well as the wartime temporary commission selection process. #ww1 #fww #blackwatch #balhousie #milhist
Like today, some people during the Great War named their children after important people, places or events.
Thomas Smith, a prewar regular of the Black Watch, had a son born mid April 1915 with the middle name Joffre.
Thomas died at Aubers Ridge three weeks later.
#ww1 #fww #greatwar #milhist
Thomas Smith, a prewar regular of the Black Watch, had a son born mid April 1915 with the middle name Joffre.
Thomas died at Aubers Ridge three weeks later.
#ww1 #fww #greatwar #milhist
November 15, 2025 at 12:22 PM
The Friockheim men of the 5th Bn Black Watch, in 1912.
Most of these men went to France, with the first Scottish Territorial unit to arrive, on 2/11/1914.
Sgt Victor Glass, 3rd from right, died after being shot while on trench digging duty at night, in December 1914.
#ww1 #fww #greatwar #milhist
Most of these men went to France, with the first Scottish Territorial unit to arrive, on 2/11/1914.
Sgt Victor Glass, 3rd from right, died after being shot while on trench digging duty at night, in December 1914.
#ww1 #fww #greatwar #milhist
November 13, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The brass band of the 1st Bn Black Watch at the White City, Manchester in 1908.
Many are wearing their Boer War medal(s).
This was originally posted to the USA and recently acquired from Turkey!
It’s a high quality image, so men may be identifiable.
#ww1 #fww #greatwar #blackwatch #milhist
Many are wearing their Boer War medal(s).
This was originally posted to the USA and recently acquired from Turkey!
It’s a high quality image, so men may be identifiable.
#ww1 #fww #greatwar #blackwatch #milhist
November 8, 2025 at 11:57 AM
The brass band of the 1st Bn Black Watch at the White City, Manchester in 1908.
Many are wearing their Boer War medal(s).
This was originally posted to the USA and recently acquired from Turkey!
It’s a high quality image, so men may be identifiable.
#ww1 #fww #greatwar #blackwatch #milhist
Many are wearing their Boer War medal(s).
This was originally posted to the USA and recently acquired from Turkey!
It’s a high quality image, so men may be identifiable.
#ww1 #fww #greatwar #blackwatch #milhist
I think a good time was had by all at the WFA Scotland Conference, hosted by @wfatayside.bsky.social yesterday in Dundee.
Five excellent speakers.
Nick Hewitt’s talk on the Grand Fleet, post Jutland, was a highlight.
#ww1 #fww #greatwar #milhist #WFA #westernfrontassociation
Five excellent speakers.
Nick Hewitt’s talk on the Grand Fleet, post Jutland, was a highlight.
#ww1 #fww #greatwar #milhist #WFA #westernfrontassociation
September 21, 2025 at 11:41 AM
I think a good time was had by all at the WFA Scotland Conference, hosted by @wfatayside.bsky.social yesterday in Dundee.
Five excellent speakers.
Nick Hewitt’s talk on the Grand Fleet, post Jutland, was a highlight.
#ww1 #fww #greatwar #milhist #WFA #westernfrontassociation
Five excellent speakers.
Nick Hewitt’s talk on the Grand Fleet, post Jutland, was a highlight.
#ww1 #fww #greatwar #milhist #WFA #westernfrontassociation
Hon Lt & Quartermaster William Fowler of the 1st Black Watch during the Great War.
He features on several postcards in varying uniforms between the Boer War and Great War.
He’s one of the few to serve continuously from start to end of the Great War in the battalion.
#ww1 #fww #milhist #greatwar
He features on several postcards in varying uniforms between the Boer War and Great War.
He’s one of the few to serve continuously from start to end of the Great War in the battalion.
#ww1 #fww #milhist #greatwar
September 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Yet another oddly high price for a military postcard.
This time £88.08. The Scots Greys on horseback during the Liverpool railway strike of 1911.
What was the appeal? Rail strikes or Liverpool history?
Four bidders chased each other up.
#milhist #scotsgreys #Liverpool #railway #strike
This time £88.08. The Scots Greys on horseback during the Liverpool railway strike of 1911.
What was the appeal? Rail strikes or Liverpool history?
Four bidders chased each other up.
#milhist #scotsgreys #Liverpool #railway #strike
September 15, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Yet another oddly high price for a military postcard.
This time £88.08. The Scots Greys on horseback during the Liverpool railway strike of 1911.
What was the appeal? Rail strikes or Liverpool history?
Four bidders chased each other up.
#milhist #scotsgreys #Liverpool #railway #strike
This time £88.08. The Scots Greys on horseback during the Liverpool railway strike of 1911.
What was the appeal? Rail strikes or Liverpool history?
Four bidders chased each other up.
#milhist #scotsgreys #Liverpool #railway #strike