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The Claymore

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Tuesday, 14th February 2006

  Is there any evidence to support a mith that some Scots officers took claymores into the trenches during the First World War. I can see the logic, it would make a perfect tranch clearing weapon.
  Fred

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Sabre-Wulf (U2142937) on Wednesday, 15th February 2006

  I've never heard about this, and to be honest in the confines of a trench the claymore wouldn't be an ideal weapon given the amount of room needed to swing it. Have seen plenty of pictures of some pretty vicious hand to hand weapons used in the trenches in WW1 - the Osprey book has some good pictures.
  
  I know there's a famous picture of one of the Commando officers (Churchill?) wading ashore with a claymore in one hand in WW2 though.
  
  

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• Message 3

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  Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Wednesday, 15th February 2006

  I think that was Lord Lovet. Thanks anyway, it came up on another group (Writers) I am with. I can see the logic. I know that trench spades were sharpened, but this was story one of the group had had passed down. The usual someone knew a man who knew a man who. and so it goes on. Again, officers used to carry swords at one time while leading the troops over the top, so possibly Scots officers did the same.
  Fred

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• Message 4

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  Posted by arnaldalmaric (U1756653) on Wednesday, 15th February 2006

  There is evidence to support a Scots officer carrying a claymore during the 2nd Boer War against orders (a Brigadier General if I remember correctly, but can't recall his name).
  
  So, although I have no idea for WW1 I would not dismiss the idea out of hand. I suspect that tradition would prove too strong for some officers.
  
  Cheers AA.

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• Message 5

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  Posted by Anglo-Norman (U1965016) on Wednesday, 15th February 2006

  Are you sure you mean a claymore -which is a two-handed sword about 5 foot long (like Mel Gibson was waving about in 'Braveheart'). I suspect you mean a Highland Broadsword, which is the single-handed, basket-hilted sword still carried by Scottish officers on ceremonial occasions and often but wrongly called a claymore.
  
  If you mean the Broadsword rather than the claymore, it would be more plausible that some officers might have carried them in the trenches.

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• Message 6

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  Posted by arnaldalmaric (U1756653) on Wednesday, 15th February 2006

  Anglo-Norman, I certainly meant the latter, i.e. the Highland Broadsword.
  
  You learn something every day (I didn't realise till just now it was incorrect to call it a claymore).
  
  Cheers AA.

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• Message 7

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  Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Wednesday, 15th February 2006

  That makes two of us. A broadsword would make better sense.
  Fred

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• Message 8

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  Posted by Backtothedarkplace (U2955180) on Wednesday, 15th February 2006

  in lynne mcdonalds book 1915. she quotes a letter from a family asking for the return of their sons sword Im fairly sure that he was from a highland regiment. They thought it would have been picked up by one of his soldiers.

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