A recruiting poster for the Cameron Highlanders in the First World War. The designer had no qualms about using blood red lettering.
Recruitment for Highland regiments was by no means confined to the Highlands. The cities of lowland Scotland were often targeted in a bid to make up the numbers. In a letter published in several newspapers, Cameron of Lochiel wrote: "I must specially appeal to the officials and committees of the different Highland county and clan societies in Glasgow, Edinburgh and elsewhere to assist me in my endeavours by becoming my recruiting agents."
During the first ten weeks of hostilities, Glasgow raised 30,000 men for the armed forces, the equivalent of every able-bodied male from 19 to 24 years of age. The number of dead recorded in the city's official roll of honour is just under 18,000.
Reference: First World War posters drawer
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
armed forces, British Army, First World War, Lochiel's Brigade, posters, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, recruitment