James Easton

Tyne Cot Memorial. Authors image

43301 Private

11th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 4th Division.

Age: 20

Date of Death: 4.10.17

Buried: Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 154 to 159

Family history: Son of Alexander and Elizabeth Easton, Wellstrand, Denny. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a miner at the Woodyet Colliery, Denny.

The action leading to his death

The 4th Division were involved in the attack on Eagle Trench, the 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. The 11th Machine Gun Company were providing machine gun barrage support. The Company War Diary records that the Germans opened a barrage at 5.45am that grew in intensity so that by 6.00am it was extremely heavy in the vicinity of White House and White Trench. The machine gun barrage suffered heavily with three guns put out of action and eight men killed and sixteen wounded.

Trench map showing White House and the trench lines

Medals Awarded:

The British War Medal, Victory Medal

Private James Easton, 11th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 4th Division, Medal Index Card