I’ve just had an amazing revelation about the Argylls.

Whilst looking for further website info on 5th A&SH (WW2) with a view to their mid-war history, I came across a website called “francefightson.org”. I arrived at Chapter 40, entitled “January 20, 1942: British Order of Battle in Malaya and Borneo - To Chief of the Imperial General Staff General Sir Alan Brooke K.C.B., - Report on the status of His Majesty’s Armies in the field and in fortresses as of 0.600 hours 20th day of January in the year of Our Lord 1942”. It was prepared by General Sir John Standish Surtees Prendergast Vereker, V.C; K.C.B; D.S.O; M.C; 6th Viscount Gort, Peerage of Ireland, G.O.C. Malaya Command.

It is a very detailed list of all British, Commonwealth and Empire military units, including non-coms and ad-hoc units, in Malaya and Borneo, where stationed at that time, their equipment on hand etc during the Japanese offensive. It lists such as the SOE “Stay-Behind” units, as well as the Aussie/British raiding “Rose Force” commanded by Major Lloyd A.I.F. & Major Rose 2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (founder & observer attached from Malaya).

The 2nd A&SH is listed of course, it’s CO, (now) Brigadier I. Stewart - commanding 12th Bde (Rengam). Of course, the 2nd Argylls are forever linked with the Malaya Campaign of 1941-42.

However, I was very surprised to find that the 5th and 6th Battalions A&SH, both still MG units, were also in Malaya at this time. They were part of 11th Indian Division based at Gurun. Up to this moment, I never knew Argylls units, other than the 2nd, were in Malaya too at this time ! I have never seen it referred to in books on the Argylls or even on the Argylls’ own website.

It warrants further research to see what became of them. Did they end up in Singapore ? Did they cease to exist like the 2nd Battalion ? Were they withdrawn before the campaign ended ? Does this help to explain why the 5th and 6th Battalions were merged in the UK under the name of the 6th and were converted to SP artillery ? I will find out !

BTW, Scottish units listed as being in Malaya at this time are:-

5th (M.G. Bn) Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (11th Indian Div - Gurun)

6th (M.G. Bn) Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (11th Indian Div - Gurun)

2nd (M.G.) Liverpool Scottish (King’s Regiment); (13th Lancashire Div. -ex Krohcol)

10th Highland Light Infantry; (16th Indian Division; Kahang & R.A.F. Kahang)

5th Cameronians & City of Glasgow (Highland Light Infantry) (16th Indian Division; Kahang & R.A.F. Kahang)

8th Cameronians & City of Glasgow (Highland Light Infantry) (16th Indian Division; Kahang & R.A.F. Kahang)

2nd Gordon Highlanders; (9th Indian Division; R.A.F. Kluang Air Field & Kluang)

2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (12th Indian Bde; Rengam)