George Wylie

Private George Wylie

202729 Private

4/5th Battalion Black Watch, 118th Infantry Brigade, 39th Division

Age: U/K

Date of Death: 27.9.17

Buried: Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 94 to 96

Family history: Husband of Mary Ann they lived at 15 Bute Street, Falkirk with their four children.

The action leading to his death

The Battalion was involved in the fighting during the Third Battle of Ypres. in what was known as the Battle of Polygon Wood (26 September to 3 October). On the morning of 26 September the 118th Brigade attacked the ridge to the left of Tower Hamlets, the 4/5th Battalion Black Watch being on the right of the Brigade attack. The attack was not successful with no definite advance being made, since the state of the ground made the maintenance of communications under heavy hostile artillery fire extremely difficult. The result of thirty six hours of fighting was that the British line was pushed forward a little in some places, but it was found impossible to form a definite line on the positions won.

Trench map with the British front line the blue dotted line

The 4/5th Battalion Black Watch casualties were Officers: 1 killed, four wounded and three missing. Other Ranks: 19 killed, 114 wounded, and 95 missing. A total of eight officers and 228 other ranks. George would have known Private William Nicoll from Camelon who was killed in the same action

War Diary 4/5th Battalion Black Watch - Table showing casualties by company during the action at Tower Hamlets

Medals Awarded:

The British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Medal Index Card. Private George Wylie