McCrae's Battalion

McCrae's Battalion was the affectionate name given by the people of Edinburgh to the 16th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Scots, raised from volunteers in 1914 as part of the New Armies called to the Colours by Lord Kitchener. Largely composed of professional and amateur sportsmen, "McCrae's" was the first of the so-called 'footballers' battalions to be raised during the war and was the main inspiration behind the creation of the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment in 1915. Heart of Midlothian comfortably led the First Division at the time the war broke out. Sixteen players from Heart of Midlothian enlisted along with 500 Hearts supporters and ticket-holders, players and 150 followers of Hibernian, seven Raith Rovers players, and a number of professional footballers from Falkirk, Dunfermline, East Fife and St Bernard's, fans being encouraged to follow in their heroes' footsteps and fight alongside the men they cheered on every Saturday afternoon. Rugby players, athletes and a variety of other sportsmen also joined the battalion.

The unit was named after its charismatic colonel, Sir George McCrae, and was the subject of a detailed historical account published in 2003 by Jack Alexander. Shortly after the publication of this book, a memorial cairn was constructed in the village of Contalmaison on the Somme. Designed by Alexander, the McCrae's Battalion Great War Memorial cairn now attracts hundreds of visitors every year to the village.

In October 2014, the battalion was inducted to the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.

See also

• Football Battalion

External links

• McCrae’s Battalion Trust
• Royal Scots article on the induction into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame