Northumbrian Gunner: October 2022

Monday, 31 October 2022

Edinburgh - Ensign Ewart

Ensign Charles Ewart was a soldier in the Scots Greys (Royal North British Dragoons) who captured the regimental eagle of the French 45e Regiment de Ligne at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Ensign Charles Ewart

He enlisted into the Royal North British Dragoons in 1789, aged 20. He fought during the French Revolutionary Wars rising to the rank of Sergeant.

On the 18th of June 1815, the Scots Greys were part of the Union Brigade, heavy cavalry part of General Picton's 5th Division, held in reserve behind a ridge.

The 5th Division was committed to move forward to the crest of the hill to cover the withdrawal of Belgians. Whilst the infantry held firm, the cavalry passed through the ranks and the Union Brigade charged the French infantry.

Scots Greys charge at Waterloo

The Scots Greys broke through the centre of the French 45th Regiment of the Line, breaking them up as an effective fighting unit. During the fighting, Sergeant Ewart engaging in close combat, captured the 45th's regimental eagle.

Sergeant Ewart captures French 45th Eagle

To prevent recapture, he was ordered to take to safety.

Sergeant Ewart returns with the French 45th Eagle

The Eagle became the cap badge of the Scot's Greys, and is worn today be the successor Regiment, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

Charles Ewart was given a commission as an ensign (second lieutenant) in the 5th Veteran Battalion in 1816, leaving the Army in 1821 when the unit was disbanded.

After the Army he lived in Manchester, dying in 1846, where he was buried. His grave was forgotten; however it was rediscovered in the 1930's and in 1938 he was reburied on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in 1938.

Ensign Ewart grave

The Regimental Eagle and Standard of the 45e Regiment de Ligne is located in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum.

Scots Dragoon Guards Museum
Ensign Ewart
Cravat Eagle Standard 45e Regiment de Ligne

Scots Dragoon Guards Museum
45e Regiment de Ligne Eagle

A pub named after Ensign Ewart is located just of the Esplanade on the Royal Mile.

Ensign Ewart Royal Mile

Ensign Ewart Royal Mile
Charge of the Scots Greys

Ensign Ewart Royal Mile
45e Regiment de Ligne Eagle

Ensign Ewart Royal Mile VM

Edinburgh - Scottish Horse Boer War Memorial

On the North side of the Esplanade in front of Edinburgh Castle is a memorial to the soldiers of the Scottish Horse who lost their lives during the Boer War. It records the names 14 officers and 123 men who were killed.

Esplanade Edinburgh Castle
Scottish Horse Boer War Memorial

In November 1900, Lord Kitchener authorised the raising of Regiment of Scotsmen in South Africa to support the British Army fighting the Boers. The Scotish Horse Regiment of three squadrons became operational on 4th February. Recruiting continued and the Regiment became six squadrons strong.

Recruiting was extended beyond South Africa with Volunteers from the United Kingdom and Australia making their way to South Africa. A second Regiment of five squadrons was formed.

Scottish Horse South Africa

The Scottish Horse engaged in a guerrilla campaign launching raids on the Boers and destroying their farms.

Scottish Horse attack at Rooiwal

Scottish Horse
Boer War Medal

During the Campaign Lieutenant William John English of the 2nd Scottish Horse was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Vlakfontein.

His citation read;

This officer, with five men, was holding the position at Vlakfontein on 3 July 1901 during an attack by the Boers. Two of his men were killed and two wounded, but the position was still held, largely owing to the lieutenant's personal pluck. When the ammunition ran short, he went over to the next party and obtained more; to do so he had to cross some 15 yards of open ground, under a heavy fire at a range of from 20 to 30 yards

Lieutenant W.J. English VC
2nd Scottish Horse

Anglo Boer War - Scottish Horse

The Scottish Horse was disbanded at Edinburgh Castle on 1 September 1902, after repatriating Australians and discharging South Africans.

Edinburgh - Norwegian Brigade Memorial

Norwegian Brigade Memorial
Edinburgh Princess Street Gardens

On 9th April 1940 German forces invaded Norway.

German Invasion of Norway 1940

The French and British sent an expeditionary force to assist the Norwegians. Despite moderate successes in northern Norway, the Allied Powers were ultimately compelled to withdraw.

On the 10th 1940, a treaty of capitulation for the Norwegian Army was signed. The Germans occupied Norway until 8 May 1945.

German Occupation of Norway

The majority of the Norwegian Army were captured by the Germans. Some evaded capture and became part of the resistance.

Those that were evacuated to the United Kingdom were formed into free Norwegian units. This included the Norwegian Independent Company 1 and 5 Troop, No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando.

Norwegians 5 Troop No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando.

The bulk of the Norwegian Army during the years in exile in Britain consisted of a brigade in Dumfries.

Norwegian troops training at Dumfries 27-Jun-1941

Norwegian Brigade mortar team Dumfries 27 Jun 1941

Norwegian Reconnaissance Squadron Scottland

Norwegian King and the Prince
inspecting Norwegian troops
Scotland 1943

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To commemorate the soldiers from Norway who were in Scotland during the Second World War, a boulder from Norway was presented by the Norwegian Army on the 18th September 1978 and mounted in Princess Street Gardens.

An inscription on the rear of the memorial records This boulder was brought here from Norway where it was worn and shaped for thousands of years by force of nature- frost, running water, rock, sand and ice- until it obtained its present shape.

Norwegian Brigade Memorial
Edinburgh Princess Street Gardens