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Andrew Meek

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Updated: Nov 3, 2024

11822 L/Cpl Signaller


11th Battalion Royal Scots, 27 Infantry Brigade, 9 (Scottish) Division

Age: 24

Date of Death: 28 September 1918

Buried: Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 11 to 14 & 162


Family history: Son of Mr William and Mrs Annabelle Meek, 9 Almond Cottages, Muiravonside. Andrew resided at Causewayend, Linlithgow. He was employed as a miner at Manuelrigg Colliery, Maddiston, before he enlisted on 18 August 1914.

He was the brother of Sergeant William Meek M.M., Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, and Sapper John Meek. Sergeant William Meek M.M. was killed in action on 30 October 1916 and is buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Albert on the Somme. John survived the war. He also had two sisters, Mary and Isabelle.

Andrew received a wound to the left hand in April 1917. He was hospitalized from 21 November 1917 to 8 January 1918 from the effects of gas. His conduct sheet also makes for interesting reading. Being fined for drunkenness on three occasions. Arrested by the Military Police on Waverly Steps, Edinburgh for drunkenness.


The action that led to his death

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. Stern opposition was encountered immediately, mainly by the 11th Battalion and increased as they went forward towards Becelaere. Just north of the village three hostile batteries came into action in the open, and it was only after strenuous combat that the 11th Battalion, assisted by a section of ‘B’ Company of the machine-gun battalion, took possession of one of these batteries and silenced the others. The 11th Battalion captured the Molenhoek Ridge, and the high ground north of the village of Becelaere was taken by 12th battalion at 4pm. The 27th Brigade, was in touch at Judge Crossroads with the 26th Brigade, which was linked with the Belgians east of Broodseinde Cross Roads. This was the position at the end of the 28 September.

Linesman map

Andrew Meek was attached to the signal section and L/Cpl Russell of the signal section wrote to Mrs Meek: ‘He was always a cheery lad, and was the life and soul of the section, and we can’t really say how much we miss him. He was struck by a shell, but he suffered no pain, his death came almost at once.’


Andrew had already been wounded twice before he was killed during the fighting on 28 September 1918. His body was subsequently lost.


Medals Awarded

1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal


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