Lawrence Heenan

Menin Gate Memorial. Authors image

S/6222 Private

‘B’ Company, 10th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 27th Infantry Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division

Age: 29

Date of Death: 15.10.15

Buried: Menin Gate Memorial Panel 42 & 44

Family history: Son of Lawrence Heenan, 19 Herbertshire Street, Denny. He had four brothers and three sisters. Prior to enlisting on 27 October 1914, he was employed as a miner. He was unmarried.

The action leading to his death

The 10th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders was in the line at The Bluff and a 4am on 15 October the Germans blew a mine under the old crater in trench 29. Although the front line trenches had been cleared in view of the known existence of enemy mines the explosion caused heavy casualties in the support and communication trenches with 15 killed and 50 wounded. All the dugouts were blown in causing the men in them to be buried.

Sketch from the War Diary 10th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders showing the trench positions at The Bluff

Trench map showing the trench positions at The Bluff

Medals Awarded:

1915 Star, The British War Medal, Victory Medal

Private Laurence Heenan, 10th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Medal Index Card