S/10312 Private
8/10th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, 44th Infantry Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division
Age: 21
Date of Death: 24.8.17
Buried: White House Cemetery III.L.23
Family history: The youngest son of Mr and Mrs James Keigan, Smallburn Cottages, Polmont. James was employed as a farm labourer before he enlisted in May 1915 and went to France in October 1915. He had spent a period of time convalescing at home as a result of trench foot and returned to the front line in November 1916. His elder brother was serving in Egypt and was on the troop ship ‘Invernia’ when that ship was torpedoed on New Years Day 1917.
The action leading to his death
The Battalion was in the line at Verlorenhoek on the Frezenberg Ridge and were involved in the fighting around the German strong point known at Iberian Farm. On the night of the 23 August the battalion was relieved by the 10th Scottish Rifles and went into the support trenches at Verlorenhoek.
The trenches were subjected to German artillery fire and the War Diary records that: ‘.. subjected to intermittent heavy shell fire but, we were fortunate in having few casualties’. James was one of those ‘few causalities’.
(Linesman Map showing the trench positions at 8 September 1917)
Medals Awarded:
1915 Star, The British War Medal, Victory Medal.
