top of page
Welcome to the Ypres Salient
This site presents the story of the First World War in the West Flanders region. The various categories provide a wealth of information about a range of subjects.
The Roll of Honour category is where you will find the details of all the men from Falkirk District who are buried or commemorated in the Immortal Salient.
Sharing history Sharing knowledge Learn more
Search
Jeffrey Wood McLay
Able Seaman Jeffrey Wood McLay, Nelson Battalion, 189th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, Camelon, Falkirk, The Royal Naval Division, 188th and 189th Brigades, was to take part in what became known as the Second Battle of Passchendaele with the planned advance to go beyond Poelcappelle and towards Westroosebeke. The Division was to attack along a 1,500 yard front, across ground which got gradually worse towards the north and being virtually impassable near the Lekkerbote
May 15, 20222 min read
Duncan MacLachlan
Private Duncan MacLachlan, 1/7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 10th Brigade, Camelon, Falkirk
May 15, 20221 min read
James Kerr
Able Seaman James Kerr, Drake Battalion, 189th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, Camelon, Falkirk, Prior to enlisting on 2 June 1915, he was employed as a range fitter by R & A Main, Falkirk. He saw service at Gallipoli and was wounded in France in 1917, gun shot wound to the right arm on 4 February 1917, and evacuated to the UK on 10 February. He rejoined Drake Battalion on 23 August 1917. His brother William was serving in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.
May 14, 20222 min read
Thomas Jackson
Private Thomas Jackson, 1st Battalion Scots Guards, Camelon, Falkirk, On the 11 November 1914 the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards were in the line at Veldhoek and on this day the Germans launched a major attack on a 9 mile front with 12 Divisions with the aim of breaking the British line and taking Ypres.
May 14, 20222 min read
Peter Graham Harrison
L/Cpl Peter Graham Harrison, 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, Camelon, Falkirk, The 4th Gordons, who had already lost five officers and 60 other ranks before forming up under the British barrage, had their first engagement with the enemy at Pheasant Farm Cemetery. Here a lance-corporal was responsible for capturing two machine-guns and twenty-eight prisoners. Malta House, Rose House, and Delta House were all captured after stiff resistance.
May 9, 20222 min read
Cameron Gilchrist
Private Cameron Gilchrist, 9th Battalion Black Watch, Camelon, Falkirk, The Division covered a front that included Hill 35 and Gallipoli Farm. For the initial attack the 9th Black Watch were to be in support. During the night of 21 August the battalion moved up to their reserve positions in the old German front line trenches between Rupert Farm and Oder House. Hardly had it reached this when the Germans launched a heavy gas shell bombardment which caused some 30 casualties ,
May 1, 20222 min read
James Fleming
Private James Fleming, 10th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Camelon, Falkirk, He was employed as an apprentice grate fitter at the Port Downie Iron Works before he enlisted, age 16, on 2 September 1914. James went to France on 2 October 1915 and received a wound to the chin on the 15 July 1916. As a result of this wound he was at home from 18 July to 16 November 1916. On recovering from his wound he was posted to France on 17 November 1916 and was again hospitalis
May 1, 20224 min read
John Ballantyne
Private John Ballantyne, 11th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Camelon, Falkirk, At 3.50am on the 31 July 1917 the Third Battle of Ypres began with the British offensive. The 15th (Scottish) Division was leading the attack on Frezenberg Ridge. The 44th and 46th Brigades, supported by the 45th Brigade, led the attack. At 7.30am the 45th Brigade commenced filing up the tracks to Cambridge Road and took up position.
Apr 30, 20222 min read
George Gardner
Private George Gardner, 2nd Battalion Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, Camelon, Falkirk, The War Diary recorded that it was fairly quiet up to 10am when the Germans launched a barrage with Minenwerfer (trench mortar) and howitzers on the right ands centre of the line with the British replying with intermittent artillery fire. There were many casualties and damage to the trench lines from the German fire. The fire died down and in the evening bombers (grenade throwers) from t
Jan 13, 20222 min read
John Cruickshanks
Private John Cruickshanks, 75th Field Ambulance, Camelon, Falkirk, On the 25 April 1918 the Field Ambulance, as part of 25th Division, received orders to move from Godewaersvelde to positions north west of Reninghelst around La Clytte and had set up an Advanced Dressing Station at Vansohier Farm on the Reninghelst - La Clytte road. A stretcher bearer relay post was established at La Clytte.
Aug 20, 20211 min read
David Burt
Private David Burt, 1oth Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Camelon, Falkirk, On the 10 October 1915, the Battalion held the trenches numbered 27, 28 and 29 at The Bluff. This was one of the best places in the Salient for observation and was therefore one of the first places that mine warfare developed.
Aug 20, 20213 min read
Robert John Gemmell
Gunner Robert John Gemmell, ‘A’ Battalion, 2nd Tank Brigade, Royal Tank Corps, Camelon, Falkirk, Second Tank Brigade, ‘A’ and ‘B’ Battalions, were with II Corps, comprising 8th Division and 30th Division between the Ypres - Roulers Railway and astride the Menin Road and south as far as Kleine Zillibeke. The tanks faced an impossible situation. The woods precluded any movement by the tanks and the Menin road was dominated by a massive fortification at Clapham Junction.
Feb 27, 20212 min read
Thomas Beattie
Thomas had a checkered military career. He was fined 2/6 for drunkenness on 30 September 1914. On the 19 October, he was fined 10/- for drunkenness and again on 26 October. On this occasion he was sentenced not just to a 10/- fine but also 15 days detention. From the 11 to 15 July 1915 he was absent and forfeited 4 days pay. On 10 August 1915, he was awaiting trial by General Divisional Court Martial for desertion. He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and this was commu
Feb 25, 20213 min read
Herbert Richmond
Private Herbert Richmond, 1/7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Camelon, Falkirk, The 25 April 1915, is a day that brought catastrophe to 7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and to the towns and villages of Falkirk District. The 7th Battalion were seen as Falkirk District’s Battalion. The men were all serving Territorials, work mates and friends.
Feb 13, 20211 min read
Alexander Gourlay Abbot
On the 20 September 1917, the 51st (Highland) Division were in the line opposite the German positions at Pheasant Trench, near Poelcappelle. The 154th Brigade, which was to lead the attack, had two objectives of the Blue dotted line, the line of the Stroombeek continued in a northwest direction to Delta Huts. The final objective, the Blue line, through Quebec Farm, Bavaroise House, Church Trench, Delta House (see the map below).
Feb 7, 20213 min read
01:18
06:47
06:59
15:41
41:28
32:27
37:27
51:26
02:10
bottom of page