'B' Company 5th Seaforth Highlanders
Date Added: 31 May 2009
Year: 1915
Institution Name: dnhhl
Cat No: ◀ | 2009_040_03 | ▶
Picture No: 7597
Monochrome group photograph of 'B'Company 5th Seaforth Highlanders assembled on tiered benches in front of a pavilion. Lt W A MacDonald is on the left of the officers sitted in front.
Dimensions: jpeg file
5 Comments
This photograph was taken on the playing fields of Bedford School (Bedford Grammar School up to 1919) and the men are assembled on the terraced seating of the school's cricket pavilion. This building features as a backdrop to many photographs of the Highland Division during its time in Bedford (August 1914 - May 1915), particularly group photos of Seaforth units. The School was HQ for the 1/4 & 2/4 Seaforth and was central to the Seaforth & Cameron Brigade's billeting area at the edge of Bedford town centre. The pavilion steps were also used as a vantage point by photographers capturing images of the soldiers on the school playing fields. This pavilion was damaged by fire between the wars and replaced with a more contemporary (for the day) 'art-deco' design which stands to this day having just been renovated and extended. The Grammar School fields were used by the Seaforth as a training ground and also provided the venue for the Divisional Highland Games which were held on Easter Monday 1915. A full programme of events associated with Highland Games was offered and there were 1500 entries from 1000 participants. It's reckoned that 9,000 soldiers and over 4,000 Bedfordians spectated.
Comment left on 23 June 2012 at 17:29 by Richard Galley Many thanks for the identification of the location and your additional information Administrator
Comment left on 23 June 2012 at 17:29 by Richard Galley Many thanks for the identification of the location and your additional information Administrator
I have a copy of this photograph, along with many others, passed on to me by my mother on the death of my grandfather who is one of the soldiers shown. My grandfather's name is Joseph James Kinnaird and he is standing on the penultimate row of the group, seventh from the left. Miraculously, he survived the war and remained immensely proud of his association with the Seaforths, a regiment that he considered to have no equal. I believe he joined up the day war was declared, travelling from his home town of Lancaster, Lancashire all the way to Fort George.
In addition to this photograph, I have quite a collection showing him, and others, in various poses both during training at Bedford and later whilst in France. When questioning one photograph in particular, showing my grandfather on a rather fine-looking pony, my mother told me that he was riding one of the polo ponies that had been taken to France by one of the officers. I am hoping, in the near future, to do some walking in France, following in the footsteps of the 51st; it was research that led me to this site.
Comment left on 20 August 2012 at 17:17 by Sue Smith Many thanks for the identification of your grandfather Administrator
In addition to this photograph, I have quite a collection showing him, and others, in various poses both during training at Bedford and later whilst in France. When questioning one photograph in particular, showing my grandfather on a rather fine-looking pony, my mother told me that he was riding one of the polo ponies that had been taken to France by one of the officers. I am hoping, in the near future, to do some walking in France, following in the footsteps of the 51st; it was research that led me to this site.
Comment left on 20 August 2012 at 17:17 by Sue Smith Many thanks for the identification of your grandfather Administrator
Re: Sue Smith's comment (20/8/12): The Zamindars of Madras presented the British Army with 100 polo ponies shortly after the war began and they were duly shipped from India to England. It appears that other units were a bit 'sniffy' about accepting these animals as remounts. All except the canny Highlanders who appreciated the quality of the animals and as a result, it is said, sent their company commanders and staff officers to France better mounted than any others in the Army at that time.
Comment left on 21 August 2012 at 13:59 by Richard Galley
Comment left on 21 August 2012 at 13:59 by Richard Galley
This picture is taken outside the sports pavilion at Bedford Grammar School in late 1914/early 1915 when the battalion together with other battalions in the 51st Highland Division trained in the town before leaving for the front.
Comment left on 09 December 2014 at 15:13 by Richard Everett
Comment left on 09 December 2014 at 15:13 by Richard Everett
Form Goes Here
Comment left on 16 April 2012 at 19:59 by Gus Mackay We will add the names to the Museum catalogue Administrator