John Cruickshanks

Private John Cruickshanks

32743 Private

75th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, 25th Division

Age: 21

Date of Death: Killed in Action 1.5.18

Buried: Nine Elms British Cemetery XI.B.7

Family history: Son of Robert & Isabella Dickson Cruickshanks, Summerford, Camelon. He was employed in Sunnyside Iron Works before he enlisted in Stenhousemuir.

After his initial training he was posted to Egypt arriving in the area on 27 July 1915. The Field Ambulance was transferred to the Western Front and arrived in France at the port of Le Harve on 25 September 1915 and entrained for Armentieres were they joined the 25th Division at Nieppe on 30 September.

Action leading to his death

On the 25 April 1918 the Field Ambulance, as part of 25th Division, received orders to move from Godewaersvelde to positions north west of Reninghelst around La Clytte and had set up an Advanced Dressing Station at Vansohier Farm on the Reninghelst - La Clytte road. A stretcher bearer relay post was established at La Clytte. The 74th Brigade, 25th Division was involved in a counterattack on the high ground in front of Kemmel Village on 27 April. Despite taking a number of prisoners they had to withdraw. On the 1 May the line of evacuation was now Ouderdom - Hallebast Farm with a Regimental Aid Post at Hellebast.

The War Diary records the casualties on 1 May John was one of the casualties.

Medals Awarded:

1915 Star, The British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Private John Cruickshanks, 75th Field Ambulance, Medal Index Card

Headstone

Private John Cruickshanks. Authors image