9618 Private
2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, 10th Brigade, 4th Division
Age: 31
Date of Death: 26.4.15
Buried: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery I.H.17
Family history: Son of Mr and Mrs Andrew Porteous, Broomhill, Bonnybridge. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a boiler maker in Leeds.
The action leading to his death
For details of the action on 25 April 1915 see
James died of wounds received during the action of the 10th Brigade on 25 April. The action mentioned above focuses on the 1/7th Argyll’s however, the Seaforth Highlanders also suffered grievously. The War Diary recording 8 officers killed, 2 missing, and 9 wounded. Other ranks 61 killed, 13 died of wounds, 16 missing, and 239 wounded.
Cheddar Villa was the name given by the Army to a farm on the west side of the road from Wieltje to St. Julien. On 25 and 26 April 1915, during the Battle of St. Julien, the trenches were then held by the Seaforth Highlanders who have 101 men buried here. This is a front line cemetery and was originally called Cheddar Villa Cemetery, but at the request of the Officer Commanding the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders its name was changed in 1922.
Medals Awarded
1914 Star & Clasp, The British War Medal, Victory Medal.
