Andrew Ewing

Menin Gate Memorial. Authors image

8486 L/Cpl

2nd Battalion Royal Scots, 8th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division

Age: 30

Date of Death: 19.6.15

Buried: Menin Gate Memorial Panel 11

Family history: Husband of Janet, Laurel Bank, Greenhill, Bonnybridge. They had two children Mary and Elizabeth. He was a regular who had enlisted age 18 on 10 August 1903 and signed on for 9 years. Prior to enlisting he was employed as labourer. He was considered unfit to serve in India at a medical on 29 March 1905. On 9 August 1906, he was transferred to the Army Reserve and then registered for civil employment hoping to be employed as a postman in Stirling. He was on the Army Reserve when he was mobilized at Glencorse Barracks on 5 August 1914.

The action leading to his death

The Battalion had taken over the trenches captured from the Germans during 9th Brigade attack on 16 June at Bellewaarde Ridge. On the 19 June officers from the Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry had come to reconnoitre the trenches prior to that Battalion relieving the Royal Scots. During the evening the relief took place and the Germans fired gas shells and continued shelling throughout the night causing a large number of casualties. The War Diary recorded 7 killed and 6 wounded.

Trench map showing the location the trench lines at Bellewaarde Ridge

Medals Awarded

1914 Star and Clasp, The British War Medal, Victory Medal.

L/Cpl Andrew Ewing, Royal Scots, Medal Index Card