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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.
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William Younger
Private William Younger, Machine Gun Corps, Muiravonside, On the 13th April 1918, the BEF was engaged in the Battle of the Lys or what the Germans termed Operation Georgette. the battlefield stretched some thirty seven kilometres from La Bassee Canal northwards past Armentieres and to the very gates of Ypres. It was during this battle that Field Marshal Haig issued his famous backs to the wall order of the day. British and Commonwealth casualties totalled some 82,000 dead, wo
Feb 19, 20212 min read
Samuel Wilson
Private Samuel Wilson, Royal Scots Fusiliers, Bellewaarde Ridge, 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, led the attack on the Bellewaarde Spur, known as the Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge, on 16 June 1915. They had been given the task of reducing the salient which had developed by the capture of the German positions between the southwest corner of Bellewaarde Lake and Roulers railway to the north of Railway Wood. The 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers were in the centre of the first wave.
Feb 19, 20212 min read
William Williamson
Guardsman William Williamson, Scots Guards, Muiravonside, the battalion was involved in a major action on 11 November 1914, in stopping the Prussian Guard attack at Veldhoek. On the 11th at around 6am the Germans began to shell the British lines. there was a slight breeze blowing from the west and this blew the smoke from the German shelling over the British lines and obscured their observation. The Germans attacked on a broad front along the Gheluvelt Plateau and using a spe
Feb 19, 20212 min read
John Turner
Private John Turner, Black Watch, Muiravonside, Gas attack, There is no record of any accidents or of gas activity from the Germans. However, we have to conclude that an accident did occur and he was ‘gassed’ as a result. By 1916, the British soldier was now carrying three types of anti-gas protection, the Smoke Helmet, gas goggles and the PH Helmet. On the 17th September 1916, the War Diary indicates the gas equipment to be carried by officers and other ranks
Feb 17, 20213 min read
Neil Thomson
L/Cpl Neil Thomson, Royal Scots, Zillebeke Churchyard, One of the most visited in Ypres Salient it is known to some as 'The Aristocrats' Cemetery', due to the number of landed gentry, titled and aristocrats buried here. Many of those buried here were casualties of First Ypres being Guards and Cavalry officers.
Feb 15, 20211 min read
Robert Stirling
Lieutenant Robert Stirling, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Muiravonside, 19 February 1915, found the Argyll’s in the line at St Eloi, located at Shelley Farm in Trench 21 opposite the Mound. Lieutenant Robert Stirling was shot through the head and killed instantly while he was bandaging a wounded man.
Feb 15, 20212 min read
John Spence
Private John Spence, Cameron Highlanders, Muiravonside, Falkirk, The Bluff, Cameron Highlanders, Interestingly, his father enlisted in Dec 1914 and was discharged under Kings Regulation Para. 392 (iii) 'Not being likely to become an efficient soldier.' on 8 December 1915. His father had previously served for three years in the 8 Battalion Royal Scots.
Feb 15, 20211 min read
Alexander Sneddon
Private Alexander Sneddon, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Muiravonside, Falkirk On the 31 July 1917, the 15th (Scottish Division) was leading the attack on Frezenberg Ridge on the opening day of Third Ypres. The Division had three objectives the Black, Blue and Green Lines. The Division had achieved its first two objectives and now the third phase of the battle was about to begin, the attack on the Green Line by the 45th Brigade. At about 9am the Brigade began its advance f
Feb 14, 20212 min read
James Small
Private James Small, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Muiravonside, Falkirk, The Battalion was in the line with the Lekkerbotterbeek on the left and in touch with the 55th Brigade, 18th Division, and to the right in touch with 8th Battalion, Black Watch of the 26th Brigade. The forming-up positions were heavily barraged with gas and H.E. by the enemy’s guns. At 5.35am the British barrage opened, but was thin and ragged. The ground in front of the Argyll’s was in places impass
Feb 14, 20212 min read
John Shorthouse (served as Anderson)
Private John Shorthouse, K.O.S.B., Muiravonside, Falkirk, The Battalion was in the line at Hooge. The War Diary entry indicates that they had been subjected to heavy shell fire since 8am from Trench Mortars.
Feb 14, 20211 min read
Peter Gentlemen Russell
Sgt Peter gentlemen Russell, Royal Field Artillery, Muiravonside, Falkirk, The Battery was located in the area between the Menin Road at Birr Crossroads and Zillibeke Village. The War Dairy reported that the battery was being harassed by low flying enemy aircraft. On the day after his death the diary reported that two machine guns had been posted to protect the battery from the aircraft.
Feb 14, 20212 min read
Robert Robertson
Corporal Robert Robertson, Gordon Highlanders, The Battalion was in billets at Locre on 13 December 1914. The War Diary records:
‘The Battalion marched to Kemmel where they arrived at 9pm and went into billets. At 2.30am on the morning of the 14 December the Battalion left Kemmel.’ The Battalion moved to the trenches opposite the German strong point of Maedelstede Farm, near Wytschaete. The War Diary continues: ‘B’ and ‘C’ companies who were to carry out the attack occupied
Feb 14, 20214 min read
Joseph Robertson
L/Cpl Joseph Robertson, Royal Scots Fusiliers, Battle of Bellewaarde June 1915, 9th Brigade, 3 Division, led the attack on the Bellewaarde Spur, known as the Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge, on 16 June 1915. They had been given the task of reducing the salient which had developed by the capture of the German positions between the southwest corner of Bellewaarde Lake and Roulers railway to the north of Railway Wood.
The 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers were in the centre of t
Feb 14, 20212 min read
John Mutter D.C.M.
Trooper John Mutter, DCM, The Royal Scots Greys, Muiravonside, Falkirk, ‘C’ Squadron were in the trenches in front of Wulverghem on 19 November 1914, he was mortally wounded while carrying a comrade on a stretcher from the firing line, having volunteered for the duty saying that he was stronger than the man who had been detailed for the work. He was buried at La Clytte Military Cemetery but his body was subsequently lost in later fighting.
Feb 14, 20212 min read
James Mill
Private James Mill, Royal Scots, Muiravonside, Falkirk, During the night of the 27/28 September 1918 the battalion was at Zillebeke Lake (Canal Sector) and had assembled for the attack in reserve to the 12th and 18th Battalions Highland Light Infantry. One Company continued to hold the front line posts in the vicinity of Manor Farm, the remaining three Company’s being around Belgian Battery Corner. The attack was launched at 5.30am on 28 September and the battalion moved forw
Feb 13, 20212 min read
Andrew Meek
L/Cpl Andrew Meek, Royal Scots, Muiravonside, Falkirk, The 9th (Scottish) Division were in front of the Frezenberg Ridge on 28 September 1918 and awaiting zero hour at 5.25am. The attack was led by 28th and 27th Brigades with 27th Brigade in support. The 27th Brigade moved up from camps west of Ypres early on the 28th, and proceeded steadily over the heavy ground to the Polygon Butt. The 11th and 12th Battalions left their positions at 2.30pm.
Feb 13, 20212 min read
William McCartney
Private William McCartney, Highland Light Infantry, Muiravonside, Falkirk, The battalion was in Brigade support from 16 September to 26 September at Kruisstraat and were engaged in reorganizing and refitting. They experienced some intermittent shelling most of the day and night from heavy guns located in the direction of Gheluvelt. The battalion provided various working and carrying parties.
Feb 13, 20212 min read
Murdoch Mackenzie
Private Murdoch Mackenzie, Gordon Highlanders, Muiravonside, Falkirk, On the night of the 30/31 July 1917, the battalion left Windmill Camp at 9pm and crossed the Yser canal at Bridge 5 without any casualties. Opposed to the 51st Division, and holding a slightly more extended front, was the 23rd (Reserve) Saxon Division, in the process of being relieved by the 3rd Guards Division. As the attack was launched 206 drums of burning oil were projected from mortars on the enemy’s s
Feb 13, 20213 min read
John Lithgow
Private John Lithgow, Royal Scots, Muiravonside, Falkirk, The Battalion was in the line at The Bluff, which is located to the south of Zillebeke. They took over Trench 30 to 32R. The battalion War Diary records that during retaliation fire from a Belgian Artillery Battery against the German lines one of the shells fell short and killed four and wounded two from the battalion. John Lithgow was one of the casualties.
Feb 13, 20211 min read
John Lamond
Private John Lamond, Seaforth Highlanders, Muiravonside, Falkirk, On 20 September 1917, 154 Brigade was allotted the task of carrying out an attack on the German lines at Poelcappelle. The object of the operation was to secure a satisfactory ‘jumping off’ place for an attack against Poelcappelle, and to secure positions in the valley of the Steenbeek from which the artillery could cover the attack. There was a well defined trench line, running across the Divisions front about
Feb 13, 20212 min read
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