South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture

The Dutch Don't Forget – The Cameronians in the British Liberation Army Exhibition

Standing outside the entrance to Low Parks Museum is a simple, bronze memorial plaque on a polished granite plinth that bears the words “The Dutch Don’t Forget”. The plaque was presented to veterans of the 52nd (Lowland) Division, a Scottish, Territorial Army formation that played a vital part in the liberation of the Netherlands in the final stages of the Second World War. The message is simple, the Dutch will never forget the sacrifices made by the men of the 52nd (Lowland) Division in freeing them from Nazi oppression.

Two battalions of The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) proudly fought in the Dutch campaign in the Second World War. The 6th Battalion, historically covering the county of Lanarkshire, and the 7th Battalion, drawn mainly from the south side of the city of Glasgow.

This commemorative exhibition highlights the part played by these two battalions, as part of the 52nd (Lowland) Division, in this pivotal stage of the Second World War.

Free entry, open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm.

The Battle of The Scheldt 1944 Talk

Thursday 22 August 2024, 7:00pm (doors open 6:30pm), £7.00

Join us for an illustrated talk on this pivotal battle of the Second World War, delivered by Colonel Allan Downie. 

The talk will explore the background, build-up and objectives of the campaign, and take us through the operations of 1st Canadian Army and the 52nd (Lowland) Division from October 1944 onwards. The talk helps put into context our commemorative exhibition, The Dutch Don’t Forget, which highlights the parts played by 6th and 7th Cameronians in operations on South Beveland and Walcheren as part of the Battle of the Scheldt.

Colonel Downie, a respected authority on the Scottish regiments in the Second World War, is a retired Reserve Officer and former Commandant of the Glasgow and Lanarkshire Battalion, Army Cadet Force. Allan was the last commanding officer of the Cameronian TA Company in Hamilton, after which he went on to command the Glasgow Highlanders Company. He was later appointed Commanding Officer of 3rd Battalion The Royal Highland Fusiliers. In civilian life, Allan was a Mathematics teacher in Edinburgh. Allan’s interest in the Battle of the Scheldt began in 1985, when the drill hall in Maryhill was refurbished and renamed Walcheren Barracks and he was tasked by his Commanding Officer to prepare an Officers' Study Day on the battle.

Price includes tea / coffee on arrival. Visitors will be given the opportunity to visit The Dutch Don’t Forget exhibition on conclusion of Colonel Downie’s talk.

Tickets can be booked via the online box office.