The Royal Scots from Nederweert and a visit from Edinburgh

A brief history

The Royal Scots Dragoons date from 1681, although some would dispute that date to 1678 .

The name "Royal Scots Greys" has its origins in the unit's history and its distinctive uniform, which included a grey or "steel grey" color for their horses' coats and certain elements of their own dress. 

Before World War II, The Royal Scots Greys, 2nd Dragoons, participated in various military campaigns and conflicts. Some of the notable campaigns they were involved in include:

• Battle of Dettingen (1743)  (present-day Federal Republic of Germany)

• Battle of Waterloo (1815) (At the time located in the Southern Netherlands, now in Belgium)

• Crimean War (1853-1856) (In the former Russian Empire)

• Boer War (1899-1902) (South Africa)

• World War I (1914-1918) (France) 

These campaigns showcased the regiment's gallantry and battlefield prowess, building their reputation as a distinguished cavalry unit with a rich history before their involvement in World War II.

2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) training in a field in France. Based on the helmets being worn by the men in the photograph, it is probable that the photograph was taken after March 1916 when the Scots Greys received their helmets. This photograph is probably a picture of the regiment training in mounted tactics after being used in a dismounted role in 1914 and 1915 and the first part of 1916. (wikipedia)

During the 1930s, the Royal Scots Greys underwent a transition from being a mounted cavalry regiment to a mechanized one. They traded their horses for tanks and became part of the Royal Armoured Corps, focusing on armored warfare.

Deployment to Egypt: In the late 1930s, the regiment was stationed in Egypt as part of the British forces responsible for safeguarding the Suez Canal and the strategic interests in the region.

By the time World War II broke out in 1939, the Royal Scots Greys had completed their transition to a mechanized unit, and they would go on to play a significant role in the conflict, including their involvement in the North African and European theaters of war.

The Grant was an American tank, officially known as the Medium Tank M3, first operational in late 1941. The main gun was 75mm and sponson mounted on the right side rather than central. This prevented the tank from taking a hull-down position. Overall it was not a satisfactory tank and was later replaced by the Sherman. However the Germans considered it superior to the Panzer IV at the time. The Lee tanks were basically Grants with a different turret. This photo of the Greys on a Grant in North Africa was taken near Alamein in July 1942 (britishempire.co.uk)

1942–1943: Egypt, Libya, Tunisia

Although combat ready, the Scots Greys did not participate in the fighting around Tobruk in the late spring and summer of 1942.

Because so many other armoured units were mauled in the fighting, the Scots Greys had to turn over their tanks to other units. In July 1942, the Scots Greys finally were committed to the fighting, equipped with a mixture of Grant and Stuart tanks. A month later, the Scots Greys were in action again at the Second Battle of El Alamein. Now attached to the 22nd Armoured Brigade, part of the 7th Armoured Division, as part of the 4th Armoured Brigade.

1943: Italy

The Royal Scots Greys were re-equipped as an all-Sherman regiment, with Sherman II tanks. The regiment continued to refit through the short Sicilian campaign, not seeing action until it was part of the Salerno landings (Operation Avalanche). After landing, the Royal Scots Greys were in action against the German forces during the advance to Naples under command of the 23rd Armoured Brigade. In January 1943 the regiment turned over its tanks to other units needing replacements and was transferred back to England. Just before the regiment sailed, they were transferred back to the 4th Armoured Brigade.

Normandy 1944 

The regiment spent the first half of the year refitting and training in preparation for the invasion of Europe. On 7 June 1944, the first three tanks of the regiment landed on Juno Beach. As part of the Battle of Caen, the Scots Greys took part in the fighting for Hill 112.

Once the breakthrough was achieved, the Scots Greys took part in the pursuit of the retreating German forces. The Scots Greys saw action at the Falaise pocket, the crossing of the Seine, and was one of the first regiments to cross the Somme River at the beginning of September 1944. After crossing the Somme, the Scots Greys, along with the rest of the 4th Armoured Brigade, moved north into Belgium, near Oudenarde.

Sep 1944

When Operation Market Garden was launched the Scots Greys were in support, posted along the Meuse-Escaut Canal. (Maas-Scheldt Canal)

Part of 4th Amoured Brigade arrived in the morning of September 26 in the town of Weert .  The 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment was relieved, they had liberated the town a few days earlier and the 4th Amoured Brigade were ordered to occupy the front line between the village of Ell and Nederweert. The units assigned to this mission were 3/4 County of London Yeomanry, 2nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifles (for infantry support) and the Royal Scots Greys.

From October 4, the unit would be relieved  by the 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards  and they would be redeployed to the vicinity of Nijmegen. During October the Greys were engaged in the Nijmegen area for two weeks, the waterlogged ground in this highly irrigated area with tanks was exceedingly difficult to fight in, and faced with a determined enemy, the troops suffered heavy casualties.

The regiment later took part in the liberation of Tilburg. In mid-November they joined in clearing the area west of the River Maas opposite Roermond.

For about three months the regiment were guarding part of the river line. To later participate in the advance towards the Rhine.

Visitors from Edinburgh

On Sunday, July 23, relatives of Lewis Begg Cameron visited his grave in Nederweert. Accompanied by the adopter of the grave, Wiel Mackus and family, chairman Niek Hendrix and board member Peter William Schreuders of the Adoption Graves Foundation Nederweert, they were received at the British cemetery. During the ceremony, a wreath was laid at his grave by daughter Lewise named after Lewis and her granddaughters Victoria and Caroline.

On September 28, some Shermans of the Greys were stationed in Schoor and shelled positions of the Germans near a farm on the east side of the Wessem Nederweert canal near the bridge. Sergeant Cameron of C Squadron went to the canal bank at about 12:30u to see the effect of the shelling.                                        Here he was killed by a gunshot. 

He was temporarily buried at the Heijsterstraat in Nederweert along with Thomas Hall, Thomas Jeffries, and John Perkins. The field was then plowed by the family who adopted the grave of Lewis Cameron. After the decoration by the Commenwelt War Graves Commission, the cross that now stands on the Heijsterstraat was placed on 'Macus field' with the inscription ''that we do not forget, to the Royal Scots Greys''. The Cross first served temporarily at the current cemetery and was later placed at this location by the residents of Nederweert, where it still stands today.

Son of William and Mary Cameron of Edinburgh; Husband of Annie Wallace Cameron of Edinburgh