On this day, we honour and remember the 4th Battalion of the Black Watch, proudly known as "Dundee's Own."
These brave men, many of whom hailed from Dundee, were part of one of Scotland’s most storied regiments.
Their courage and sacrifice during the Great War, particularly at the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915, stand as a testament to their strength and loyalty.
The 4th Battalion, originally a Territorial Force unit, was composed of local volunteers—men who answered the call to serve their country.
They became known as Dundee’s Own due to the large number of officers and soldiers drawn from the city.
Dundee, an industrial hub at the time, saw many of its sons leave their factories, homes, and families to join the battalion and fight for their country as part of the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment).
The Battle of Loos, one of the largest British offensives of World War I, began on 25 September 1915.
It was part of a larger strategy to break through German lines on the Western Front.
The 4th Black Watch was at the heart of this assault, facing heavy machine gun fire and shelling as they advanced across open ground towards the German positions.
For the men of Dundee’s Own, the day became a dark chapter in the city’s history. Of the 20 officers and 420 men who marched into battle, only one officer and less than half of the men returned.
Nineteen officers and 230 men never made it home, their lives cut short in the hellish conditions of the battlefield.
Their bravery, despite facing overwhelming odds, is forever etched into the history of Dundee.
The sacrifice of Dundee’s Own at Loos left a deep scar on the city, as so many families lost fathers, sons, and brothers. However, it also forged a lasting legacy of heroism.
The people of Dundee continue to honour the 4th Battalion, ensuring that their deeds and sacrifice are not forgotten.
Memorials and remembrances of the Battle of Loos still resonate today, reminding us of the cost of freedom and the courage of those who fought for it.
The 4th Battalion of the Black Watch embodied the spirit of Dundee: resilient, brave, and loyal.
Their actions at Loos, though tragic, serve as a powerful reminder of the strength and determination of ordinary men placed in extraordinary circumstances.
On this anniversary of the Battle of Loos, we pay tribute to Dundee’s Own—the men who gave their lives so that others might live in peace.
The sacrifice they made for their comrades, their city, and their country will never be forgotten.
Let us remember them, today and always.
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