24895 Corporal
20th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 20th Infantry Brigade, 7th Division
Age:
Date of Death: 26.10.17
Buried: Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 154 to 159
Family history: His grandmother, who resided at Haybreck, Lumley Street, Grangemouth, applied for and received the pension awarded on his death of 12/-6 however, she died on 15 April 1919.
He enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders with service number 12435 and landed with them in France on 19 November 1915. He subsequently transferred to the Machine Gun Corps with the service number 24895.
The action leading to his death
The 20th Machine Gun Company was formed in the 7th Division on 24 February 1916 and served with the 20th Infantry Brigade until transferred to the 7th Battalion Machine Gun Corps on 10 February 1918. On the 26 October 1917, the 20th Machine Gun Company was in the line on the Ypres - Menin Road north west of Gheluvelt with advanced company HQ established at Hedge Street Tunnels. They were preparing to support the attack by the 20th Infantry Brigade on Gheluvelt village, a general attack by 7th Division.
(Linesman Map)
Due to the weather, heavy ground and mud the attackers ended back at their start lines. The Divisional casualties were 110 officers and 2.614 other ranks, the great majority in 20th and 91st Brigades. The War Diary of the 20th Machine Gun Company reported casualties of: killed 2 Other Ranks, 3 Officers and 14 Other Ranks wounded, and 3 Other Ranks missing.
Medals Awarded
1915 Star, The British War Medal, Victory Medal.
