Lépine's latest post offers a fascinating dive into a vintage timepiece with a rich, interwoven history. This article explores the watch's connection to the legendary Scottish Black Watch Regiment of WWI and the remarkable life of Lt. Col. F. F. MacCabe, a medical officer whose contributions to sanitation and rehabilitation were revolutionary for his era. Lépine masterfully brings to light the untold stories behind this horological artifact, making it a compelling read for collectors and history enthusiasts alike.
I don't remember if I talked about this watch. It's got quite an amazing history.
It was awarded to a member of the WW1 Black Watch Regiment. Now if you
know a bit of WW1 and WW2 history, you will know that the Black Watch is
one of the most famous Scottish Regiments in history. The Germans in WW1 and
WW2 called them the "Ladies From Hell". They were one of the only regiments
that fought with kilts. Well that won't make you famous. But imagine that you are
in a trench war against the Imperial German Kaiser and your mates are apparently
from a distance looking like they are falling off their steps one after another.
Common sense would say take cover. The Black Watch does not seek cover or
safety. Brave ? Or, just stupid ? Not cowards for sure.
There are some details that I can't be certain of. For example the person the watch was awarded to may or may not have been Black Watch, but he was in a Black Watch camp and his last name is listed as amoung the soldiers recovering at the Scottish Command Depot (Hospital). What is certain is the highest ranking Medical Officer for the Scottish Command Depot was Lt. Col F. F. MacCabe S.M.O.
Fredrick Faber MacCabe was in his time revolutionary for get this, explaing the concept of sterilization and sanitation for hospitals and taking care of ourselves for longer lifespan.
This was still an age when flies carried many deseases and people thought nothing of them. MacCabe hired people to exterminate flies at the hospital.
Now you might get a few looks after saying out loud the name of where the Black Watch camp was located. Nigg is in Scottand I believe near Tain.
MacCabe also started or was one of many that started in 1918 the idea of sports as a way to quickly rehabilitate injured soldiers so they can go back out and get shot again,... well maybe not what he wanted.
The records show that it was very common for the Black Watch soldiers to get shot repeatedly, remember they don't run and hide. It's their Scottish culture to walk up to the enemy shooting and smiling as they do it.
Also, if you are into equestrian or horse races in general, you will recognize Fredrick Faber MacCabe as the founder of the Cork Race Course. It's the same person that created the steeple case course along the original steeple case course that started the whole sport. You can look him up, MacCabe was also a doctor and trainer of horses.
This should be him when he was camped at Curragh. He organized the games at that time.
And I suppose you would want to see the front of the watch
It still has the original band from over a hundred years ago.
Unfortunately, I came up short or getting his uniform.
