Scotland’s contribution to the First World War is featured at a conference in Dundee organised by the Western Front Association on September 19th 2015.
The event, organised by the WFA Scottish branches, takes place a week Dundee before hosts Scotland’s national commemorations to mark the centenary of the Battle of Loos.
The offensive at Loos in September 1915 will be among the topics covered at the conference, entitled ‘Scotland in the Great War.’
Speakers include:
*Professor Peter Simkins, President of the WFA, on ‘Scotland in Britain’s New Armies in the Great War’.
*Gary Sheffield, Chair of War Studies, University of Wolverhampton, on ‘Douglas Haig: Hero of Scotland, Britain and the Empire’.
Around 30,000 Scottish soldiers fought at Loos, suffering heavy losses. The battle was Britain’s biggest offensive of 1915.
The beacon on top of the Dundee Law War Memorial is lit annually to remember the fallen.
Of the 700,000 Scots who served in the forces during the First World War, more than 100,000 died. Nearly every village, city and town in Scotland has some form of memorial displaying the names of their war dead.
‘Scotland in the Great War’ takes place at the Bonar Hall, University of Dundee, on Saturday September 19th 2015 (10am-4.30pm). More details about the speakers and booking information can be found on the Western Front Association website.
Sources: Western Front Association; Scottish Government (casualty figures)