Dalmeny’s War Memorial

Listed below are the names of the men commemorated on Dalmeny’s World War I War Memorial, with information about them. If you are related to the men – or want to share additional information about them – please get in touch. Email: queensferryhg@gmail.com

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Private Peter Anderson, of 12th Royal Scots, was born in Selkirk in 1893. His brother was later a Baker in Queensferry. Peter married in Edinburgh in 1915 and did not live to see his only child, born 8 days after his death. He was killed in action on 5th June 1917 aged 23, during the Arras Offensive and is remembered on Bays 1 & 2 on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Peter was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War, and Victory Medals.

Lance Corporal James Beveridge, of 2nd Royal Scots,was born on 22nd November 1886 in Uphall. He enlisted in 1903 and married in Queensferry in 1907, while employed as a Miner. In 1911 his siblings were living in Dalmeny. James was killed in action on 18th July 1916, aged 29, during the Battle of Delville Wood, a phase of the Somme Offensive. He is buried in Grave Ref I.E.2. Quarry Cemetery, Muntauban, France and was awarded the 1914 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

Private Robert Phorson Brown, of 14th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps,was born in 1895 in Edinburgh. (No evidence of a Dalmeny connection found as yet but we believe this to be the correct person.) The Field Ambulance was a mobile front line medical unit. Most came under command of a Division, and had special responsibility for the care of casualties of one of the Brigades in the Division. Each Division had three Field Ambulances. The theoretical capacity of the Field Ambulance was 150 casualties, but in battle many would simply be overwhelmed by numbers. The Second Battle of Ypres was a battle of the First World War fought for control of the strategic Flemish town of Ypres in Western Belgium. It marked the first mass use by Germany of poison gas on the Western Front. Robert was killed on 19th May 1915 aged 20, during this battle. He is buried in Grave Ref: 11.L.35. Perth Cemetery, (China Wall), West Vlaanderen, Belgium and was awarded the British War and Victory Medals. He is wrongly recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as Robert Polson Brown. (Birth Certificate says Robert Phorson Brown).

Private James Cameron, of 6th Queens Own Cameron Highlanders,was born in 1897 in Dalmeny. His father was a Mason on Dalmeny Estate. James enlisted in Edinburgh and died on 14th June 1916, aged 19, possibly during the Actions of Spring (14th February – 13th June 1916) in the Western Front. James is buried in V.C.22. Lillers Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France and was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

Private Andrew Campbell, of 8th Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)was born in 1890 in Blair Athol. In 1911, aged 20, Andrew is a Gardener in Dalmeny Park, boarding with a Thomas Wilberforce. The 8th Black Watch served under command of the 9th Division. It was likely that Andrew was killed in action on 24th March 1918, aged 27, during the First Battle of Bapaume, Somme, in the German Spring Offensive, part of the Final Conflicts that ended the War. The 9th Division served on the Western Front throughout the war, and was regarded by many as one of the best fighting formations of 1914-18. Andrew is Commemorated on Panel 49 & 50 –Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France and was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

R Campbell – We are unable to confidently identify this man. Research is still ongoing. If you think you know anything that may help us with this, please contact us at queensferryhg@gmail.com

2nd Lieutenant William Campbell, of 9th Royal Scots,was born in 1895 in Edinburgh. Williams Grandparents lived in Cramond, in the Parish of Dalmeny and William is commemorated on both the Cramond and Dalmeny War Memorials. He was in George Heriots Cadet Corps for a year before enlisting into the 9th Royal Scots Reserves in 1910, and continued on in the regular army from 1914. He landed in France in 1916 as part of the 51st Highland Division. William participated in the Battle of Pilem, 31st July – 2nd August 1917, a phase of The 3rd Battle of Ypres. It was here he was killed in action on 31.7.1917, aged 22. William is buried in Grave Ref: lll. K. 34. Essex Farm Cemetery, Leper, West Vlaanderen, Belgium. He was awarded the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the Military Cross. This decoration was awarded to William Campbell for an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy.

J Cullen – We are unable to confidently identify this man. Research is ongoing. If you think you know anything that may help us with this, please contact us at queensferryhg@gmail.com

Sergeant Richard John Dickson, of 7th Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, was born in Dalmeny. His Father was a Shepherd. Richard enlisted in Glasgow in 1914, employed as a Bank Clerk in Queensferry at the time. He was posted to France in 1915 -16, wounded in 1916 and after recovery in Aberdeen Hospital, returned to France at the end of 1916. As part of the 15th Division, the Battalion were involved in Phases of the Arras Offensive, 9 April – 16 June 1917 -including The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe. During the Second Battle of the Scarpe, the Division captured Guemappe.This is when Richard was killed in action, on 28.4.1917, aged 22. He is buried in Grave Ref: F.1., Tank Cemetery, Guemappe, Pas De Calais, France, and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

Private Alexander Hallyburton, of 6th Black Watch (Royal Highlanders),was born in 1888 in Perth. Alexander married in Edinburgh in 1908, both were living and working in Dalmeny, Alexander an Oil House Worker. As part of the 51st Highland Division, his battalion took part in the allied 100 Days Offensive, which led to the end of the War, in phases of the 1st Battles of the Somme and the Battles of the Marne 20th July – 2nd August. Tardenoise is located between the Marne in Champagne-Ardenne, and the Aisne, in Picardy. This is where Alexander was killed in action on 24.7.1918 aged 30. Alexander is buried in Grave Ref: 477. Sedan (St Charles) Communal Cemetery, Ardennes, France and was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

Gunner Henry John Iorns, of 3/7th (London) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, was born in 1885 in Surrey. Henry married a Queensferry girl, in Queensferry, in 1912, while serving as a Sick Bay Steward on board HMS (or RFA) Maine. They then moved to Dalmeny. (The RFA Maine ran aground in June 1914 on the Isle of Mull and was declared a total loss). Henry enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery in 1914. After being transferred several times he was serving with the 3/7th Brigade when in 1916 he went with the Expeditionary Force to France, landing in Havre. They were involved in the Third Battle of Ypres and this is where Henry was listed as missing, on the same day it was reported he died of wounds in France, on 10th October 1917, aged 31. Henry is buried in Grave Ref: X1.J.8, in Dozinghem, Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium and was awarded the British War and Victory Medals,

Gunner Cummings Johnston, of 64th Royal Field Artillery,was born in 1890 in Musselburgh. Having moved to Corstorphine, by 1915 the family had moved to Cramond Bridge in the Parish of Dalmeny. Cummings enlisted in Edinburgh. This Brigade was put under command of the 12th (Eastern) Division. There was much dividing and reorganizing of this Division during the War years, making it difficult to trace exactly what battles Cummings was involved in. He was killed in Action, in Ypres on 14th July 1917, aged 26. Cummings is remembered on the Dalmeny, Corstorphine and Cramond War Memorials. He is buried in Grave Ref: 111.C.19. Ypres Town Cemetery Extension, Belgium, and was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

Corporal John Kennie, of 8thSeaforth Highlanders, was born in 1891 in Lasswade. The family later moved to Kirkliston then Queensferry. John was killed in action during the Battle of Loos, France on 25th September 1915, aged 24. He is commemorated on Panel Ref: 112 -115, Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. John was awarded the 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medals.

Corporal John Livingston, of 2/10th (Cyclist Battalion) Royal Scots, was born in Glasgow. By 1911 the family had moved to Dalmeny where he, his father and a sibling all worked in the Dalmeny Oil Works. John enlisted in 1914 and married in January 1918. Originally in the 2nd Battalion, he was wounded during the Ypres Offensive. A year later he was transferred to the 2/10th Battalion and embarked to Russia October 1918. “On 11th November 1918 whilst the cease fire took place on the Western Front the 2/10th Royal Scots Battalion from Linlithgow was fighting a bitter battle against the Communist Bolsheviks in the snow of North Russia. On November 11th 1918, Armistice Day on the Western Front, the Royal Scots of ‘C’ Force were attacked by 1,000 Bolsheviks at Toulgas. Their target was the Canadian Artillery of the Force and bitter hand to hand fighting developed as the Royal Scots struggled to repulse the attacks. On the day the people of the Lothians celebrated the end of the Great War for Civilisation the 2/10th Royal Scots suffered casualties of 19 men killed and 34 more men wounded.” ( Source -The Scottish Military Research Group). This is where John was killed in action on 11.11.1918, aged 23, in Archangel, Russia. John is commemorated on Stone Number 3, Archangel Memorial, Russian Federation. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

Corporal John Mackay, of 2nd Batallion Cameronians (Scotitish Rifles) was born in 1890 in Auchterarder, Perthshire, his father was an Agricultural Labourer. He is commemorated on the Dalmeny Memorial. By 1911 John was living with his elder Brother in Dalmeny and was employed in the Dalmeny Oil Works as a Shale Miner. The 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles were involved in the German retreat to the Hindenberg Line, March – April 1917, then the Battle of Pilckem on 31st July 1917. It would appear John was killed between the two Battles on 28th July, aged 27. John is commemorated on Panel ref: 22, Menim Gate Memorial, Ypres, Begium and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medals. He was also awarded the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal – second only to the Victoria Cross) for conspicuous gallantry in action.

2nd Lieutenant William Mackie, 3/6th Royal Scots, was born in Queensferry in 1892. Formed in 1915 as a training unit then re-designated as a reserve battalion, it is unlikely they served at the Front. William died of illness in Craigleith Military Hospital on 29th April 1916 aged 23. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave No: 694, Queensferry Cemetery.

Private Hugh MacDairmid, of 1st Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, was born in 1889 in Wicklow, Ireland. In 1911, aged 22, he is a Gamekeeper, Boarding in Dalmeny Park. Hugh took part in the Battles of The Somme, 1st July – 18th November 1916. He was wounded and died from his wounds on 22nd November 1916, aged 27. Hugh is buried in Grave Ref: V11.H.49. Warlencourt British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

Corporal John McKinlay, of 8th Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), was born in 1896 in Edinburgh. By 1904 the family had moved to Queensferry and by 1911 they were living in Dalmeny, where John, aged 14, was an apprentice Blacksmith in Dalmeny Oil Works. John entered the Theatre of War in France, landing at Boulogne on 19th May 1915, going into action in the Battle of Loos -25th September – 18th October 1915. This is where John was killed in action, on 27th September 1915, a month after 19th birthday. John is Commemorated on Panel Ref: 78 – 83 in Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

Private Robert Middleton, of 13th Royal Scots,was born in Newton, West Lothian. The family had moved to Dalmeny by 1901. Robert, a Shale Miner, enlisted in Edinburgh and was mobilised to France as part of the 15th Division, in 1915. On 11.5.1916, aged 30, 8 months after ariving in France, Robert was killed in action during the Actions of Spring, most likely on the defence of the Kink position, where some 500 yards of British trenches were captured by the Germans at the Kink, just south of the Hoenzollern Redoubt, near Loos, on the 11th May. This was a time of German gas attacks. Robert is commemorated on Panel ref: 10 -13, Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, and was awarded the 14/15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

Lance Corporal Charles Moodie, of 1st Royal Scots Fussiliers was born in North Queensferry. The family moved to Queensferry where Charles was raised, then later moved to Dalmeny. Charles was killed in action, on 7.6.1918, aged 23, in France, during the Battle of the Aisne, 21st March – 18th July, in the German Spring Offensive, part of the Final Conflicts which ended the War. Charles is buried in Plot 11.D.3., Sandpits British Cemetery, Fouquereuil, Pas de Calais, France. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

J C Nelson – We have been unable to confidently identify this man. Research is ongoing. If you think you know anything that may help us with this, please contact us at queensferryhg@gmail.com

Lance Corporal Walter Pearson, of 2nd Battalion Royal Scots, was the first War casualty of Queensferry and Dalmeny. He was born in Queensferry in 1886. According to his service records, Walter, a Plumber, was serving as Private in the 3rd Battalion of Royal Scots when he enlisted into the 2nd Battalion in 1903, aged 18. He listed his Aunt in Dalmeny as next of kin. Walter extended his service in 1905 to complete 9 years, serving in Bombay, India until 1912 when he was transferred to the Army Reserve, then as Lance Corporal, in Belgium and France from 10.8.1914 until he was killed in action in France, on 26th August 1914, age 27, during the retreat of the Battle of Mons, at The Battle of Le Cateaue. Walter is commemorated on panel 5 of the La Ferte- Sous-Jouarre Memorial in Sienne, France and was awarded the 1914 Star, The British War and Victory Medals.

Image of Angus Ramage donated by family.

Private Angus Ramage, of 2nd Scots Guards,was born in 1888 in Dunbar. His Parents moved to Craigie in the parish of Dalmeny, in 1915 and after his Father died, his mother moved to Dalmeny, in 1922. Angus was living in Prestonpans when he enlisted. He first enlisted in the Scots Guards before the War, and family correspondence shows he was with them in 1910, in Caterham and in 1912 in Cairo. He was moved to Army Reserves between 1912-1914 and joined the Linlithgowshire Police. He was recalled to the Scots Guards on the outbreak of War in 1914. The 2nd Battalion of Scots Guards became part of the 7th Division. They fought at the first Battle of Ypres which took place from 19th October to 22nd November 1914. Angus was involved in this and was killed in action in Gheluvelt, Ypres, on the 26th October 1914, aged 26 years. His name is commemorated on Panel 11 of the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium and he was awarded the 1914 Star, The British War and Victory Medals. He died in France, on 26.10.1914 – aged 26.

Sergeant James Reilly, of 8th Prince of Wales – North Staffordshire Regiment, was born in 1897 in Renfrewshire. The family later moved to Dalmeny where his Father was a Plate Layer at Dalmeny Oil Works. James enlisted in Glasgow in 1915 a resident of Dalmeny. He was involved in the allied 100 Days Offensive, the last phase of the Final Conflicts which ended the War with the final advance in Picardy, 17th October – 11th November 1918. (11th November 1918 saw the end of the war in France.) It would appear he was killed in action during the final advance of Picardy, on 4th November 1918, aged 20, 16 days before his 21st birthday and just a week before the end of the war in France. His Mother received a letter from Captain R W Peddar, saying James was lying on top of a ridge firing a machine gun at the enemy, thus preventing them from firing and allowing our troops to come up on the flank. He was killed by a bullet in the head. James was recommended for a decoration, but we can’t find if it was ever awarded. James is buried on the North Boundary, in Wargnies-le-Grand Churchyard, Nord, France. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals. He is also commemorated on the St Margaret’s Church Roll of Honour.

Sergeant Robert Robertson, of 9th Black Watch (Royal Highlanders),was born in Liberton in 1878. (No direct link to Dalmeny has been found but it is possible his father is listed in the Dalmeny 1920 valuation Roll as Foreman in Dalmeny Oil Co.) A career soldier, he served in south Africa in 1902 and in India from 1904 – 1908. In 1912 he was discharged from his period of engagement. He then enlisted with the 9th Black Watch.
He was killed in action on 26th August, 1917, aged 39, during the 3rd battle of Ypres.
Robert is commemorated on Panel 94 -96, Tyne Cot Memorial, West Vlaanderen, Belgium. He was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal, with Orange Free State and South Africa 1902 Bars. Also the British War and Victory Medals. (His Medal Card states the 1914/15 star was given, but returned in 1920 as it was submitted in error). Robert’s Brother Henry- Private, of 1st Battalion Black Watch No: 8340, died 11.11.1914 aged 32, in Belgium. His name is not on the Dalmeny Memorial, but he is commemorated on Panel Ref 37, Menin Gate, Ypres, West Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Private William Macdonald Ronaldson, 2nd Cameron Highlanders, was born in Edinburgh in 1890. The family later moved to Dalmeny. He was killed in action on 23rd April 1915, aged 24, during the 2nd Battle of Ypres. He is buried in Grave REF: I.H.12. – Larch Wood, (Railway Cutting) Cemetery, Leper, Belgium.

Corporal William Russell, of 9th Gordon Highlanders, was born in 1887 in Leith. He married in Prestonpans in 1909. (No Dameny connection found as yet but we believe this to be the correct person.) William entered the Theatre of War on 9th July 1915. He was involved in The Battle of Loos on 25th September 1915 when he died of wounds, aged 27. He is Commemorated on Panel Ref: 115 -119, Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

A Rutherford – We have been unable to confidently identify this man. Research is ongoing. If you think you know anything that may help us with this, please contact us at queensferryhg@gmail.com

Private James Scott, of 12th Highland Light Infantry was born in 1894 in Dalmeny. James was killed in action, on 16th September 1916, aged 22, during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, 15th – 22nd September 1916, a phase of the Battles of the Somme.
Launched on 15 September 1916 the battle went on for one week. Flers–Courcelette began with the objective of cutting a hole in the German line by using massed artillery and infantry attacks. This hole would then be exploited with the use of cavalry. It was the third and final general offensive mounted by the British Army during the Battle of the Somme. The battle is significant for the first use of the tank in warfare. James is commemorated on Panel Ref: Pier and Face 15C, Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France and was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

Gunner John Smith, of the Royal Horse Artillery, attached to the 119th Royal Field Artillery, was born in Liberton. He grew up in Dalmeny, his family having moved there by 1901. In 1911, aged 17, he was employed as a Shale Miner living in Queensferry with the family. The RFA was responsible for light, mobile guns that provided firepower in support of the cavalry. The 119th was part of the 5th Division. As we are unsure when John enlisted, he may have taken part in most of the major actions. Research has not shown conclusively that the 5th Division participated in the Winter Operations, (23rd November – 6th February 1915), however John lost his life during this time. He died in France, on 31st January 1915 aged 21. John is buried in Grave Ref: A. 4. 3. – St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France. He was awarded the 1914 Medal and the British War and Victory Medals. The Royal Horse Artillery: armed with light, mobile, horse-drawn guns that in theory provided firepower in support of the cavalry and in practice supplemented the Royal Field Artillery. The Royal Field Artillery: the most numerous arm of the artillery, the horse-drawn RFA was responsible for the medium calibre guns and howitzers deployed close to the front line and was reasonably mobile. Noted WWI historian John Terraine said in his excellent White Heat – the new warfare 1914-18, “The war of 1914-18 was an artillery war: artillery was the battle-winner, artillery was what caused the greatest loss of life, the most dreadful wounds, and the deepest fear”. (1914-1915.net)

Private John Duthie Swayne, of 7th Seaforth Highlanders,was born in 1899 in Perth. The family later moved to Dalmeny. As part of the 9th Division, the battalion were involved in the Battle of Messines, 10th – 11th April – a phase of the Battle of Lys, Flanders, during the Spring Offensive, part of the Final Conflicts which ended the war. This is where John was killed in action on 11.4.1918, aged 18, a month before his 19th birthday. He is Commemorated on Panel Ref: 132 -135 and 162A, Tyne Cot Memorial, West Vlaanderen, Belgium and was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

Private Robert Todd, of 9th Royal Scots,was born and raised in Peebles. Before enlisting he was a Railway Signalman. Robert married in Edinburgh in 1917, during his war service and his home address was in Dalmeny. Robert was killed in action on 22.3.1918, aged 33, in the 1918 Battles of the Somme, (21 March – 4 July 1918) during the German Spring Offensive part of the Final Conflicts that ended the war. Robert is buried in Grave Ref: A. 15. Marteville Cemeterey, Attilly, Aisne, France, and was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

Private William Trotter, of 8th Scottish Rifles (Cameronians), was born in 1899 in Currie. By 1911 the family had moved to Dalmeny. His Father was a Ploughman. William enlisted in Edinburgh, originally with the Highland Light Infantry, then transferred to the Cameronians. In 1918, his Battalion was part of the 34th Division and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including the allied 100 Days Offensive, last phase of the Final Conflicts which ended the War and included the Battles of the Marne, and phase -The Battle of the Soissonais and of the Ourcq, 23rd July – 2nd August 1918 ( where the 34th Division captured the Bagneux Ridge), is where William was killed in action on the 29.7.1918, aged 18 years, 5 months before his 19th birthday. He is Commemorated on Stone No: 16 A. Soissons Memorial, Aisne, France and was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

Private William Currie Turner, of 1st Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, was born in 1889 in Haddington. William enlisted in 1914 while living and employed, as a Shepherd, in Dalmeny. As part of the 1st Division, the Battalion was involved in the Battle of Loos, which took place 25th September – 18th October 1915. It was during the battle of Loos that he was killed in action, on 13th October 1915 aged 26. On 13th October – led by 1st Brigade, the attack of the 1st Division against 1400 yards of enemy positions along the Lens-La Bassée road between Loos and Hulluch was hit by fire of increasing intensity as they approached the German wire 300 yards away. They found that only four passages through the wire had been cleared by the bombardment and despite efforts to cut through, the attack was halted. The survivors withdrew after dark; the Divisions suffered 1,200 casualties. William is commemorated on Panel Ref: 119-124, Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

Gunner William Brown Wales, of 1 /2nd Royal Garrison Artillery,was born in 1876 in Aberdeen. By 1916, his Mother had moved to Dalmeny. William enlisted in Edinburgh as a resident of Dalmeny. The Royal Garrison Artillery was armed with heavy caliber guns and howitzers that were positioned some way behind the front line and had immense destructive power. The 1/2 Lancashire Heavy Battery were initially attached to the 66th East Lancashire Division, however they left them on 5th January 1916. It is difficult to trace where they were after this date. William was deployed to the Western Front and he was killed in action on 12th August 1917, aged 41, in Belgium. William is buried in Grave Ref: V1. D. 6. Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium he was awarded the British War and Victory Medals. His brother, Private Alexander Gordon Wales, 60th Battalion Canadian Infantry died on 15th April 1917 in France. He is commemorated on Liberton Memorial and Vimy Memorial, France. According to the Toronto Star of 2nd May 1917, he had helped to take Vimy Ridge and was about to leave the trenches for a rest. He was sitting on a railway embankment with 2 friends when a shell burst in front of them. Shrapnel pierced his brain and he was killed. His attestation papers say he lived in Toronto. His brother, Private George Brown Wales, of 6th Seaforth Highlanders was killed in action, in the Battles of the Somme, on 25th March 1918. He is commemorated on Liberton Memorial and Arras Memorial, Panel ref: Row 20, Panel 8, Pas de Calais, France.

Private John Wilson, of 1st Coldstream Guards, was born in Queensferry in 1887. He was living in Dalmeny when he enlisted in Rothsey in 1914. In August 1914, the 1st Battalion were in Aldershot as part of the 1st (Guards) Brigade and they landed in France with that Division. The 1st Guards Brigade were involved in the Winter Operations, 23rd November 1914 – 6th February 1915, which included the Defence of Givenchy. Givenchy was taken by the Germans on 20th December, and later in the day, parts to the East and South were recovered. The 1st (Guards) Brigade was ordered south at 5 p.m. on the 20th December, to relieve the Indian Corps who held the British Line before La Bassee. They set off, marching some 20 miles to Bethune and then at 12 noon on the 21st, the Brigade marched East on the Bethune/La Bassee Road to Pont Fixe, Givenchy. At 5.45 a.m. on the 22nd December, they attacked the German trench, along the road leading from Givenchy to Chapelle. They took it, but being without any support on their flanks, they were bombed out of it about 8 a.m. and retired to the North of the ruins of the Church in Givenchy having lost over 50% of their strength. It is more than likely that this is where John Wilson lost his life, 4 months later, at Givenchy, on 22nd December 1914, aged 27. His name is on Panels 2 and 3, at Le Touret Memorial, Pas- de- Calais, in France and he was awarded the 1914 Star, The British War and Victory Medals.

Private George Shearlaw Young, of 1st Scots Guards, was born in 1896 in Haddington. By 1911 the family are living in Cramond where both he, aged 14 and his Father, are employed as Gardeners on the Dalmeny Estate. George was involved in the Cambrai Operations, 20th November 1917 – 30th December 1917 and it was after this that he was killed in action on 27.2.1918, aged 21, as the Germans were preparing to move from the Eastern Front to the Western Front in preparation for the First Battles of the Somme, 1918. George is buried in Grave Ref: C.4., Fampoux British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France and was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

More information to follow.