9492 Private
1st Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 81st Infantry Brigade, 27th Division
Age:
Date of Death: 10.5.15
Buried: Menin Gate Memorial Panel 42 and 44
Family history: Son of Margaret Lawrie, Stevenson Buildings, Hagg, by Bonnybridge
The action leading to his death
The Battalion was involved in the 1915 ‘Battle of Frezenberg Ridge’ in which the Germans tried to flatten the Ypres Salient and capture ground from the Allies. The German tactic on the 9 May, day two of their offensive, was to attack the 27th Division. At 5.30am they shelled the front line from Zwarteleen to the Ypres - Roulers railway an area that covered the entire front held by the division. They targeted the 80th Brigade holding the line straddling the Menin Road and the 81st Brigade which was holding the forward edge of Sanctuary Wood. At dawn on the 10 May the bombardment continued with the focus being on the junction between the 80th and 81st Brigades. At 1.30pm the Germans commenced their attack in the area of the Menin Road which was defended by the 2nd Battalion Cameron Highlanders and supported by the 1st Battalion Royal Scots. The 1st Battalion Argyll’s, ’B’ Company came into the line to support the 4th King’s Royal Rifle Corps of the 80th Brigade. ‘D’ Company and two machine guns were in Railway Wood with ‘B’ and C’ Companies held in reserve. With the Germans now putting severe pressure on the line from Railway Wood to Sanctuary Wood the order was given to hold the line at all costs with the Battalion taking up a position between Bellewaarde Lake and Sanctuary Wood holding the line with the 2nd Cameronians and the 4th KRRC.
(Linesman Map)
Medals Awarded
1915 Star, British Medal, Victory Medal
