Larbert
31981 L/Cpl
2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, 28th Infantry Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division
Age: 33
Date of Death: 25.10.18
Buried: Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 60 to 61
Family history: Son of John & Mary Carmichael, The South Lodge, Handley, Ratho Station, Midlothian. Husband of Janet Carmichael, The Gardens, Cochns, Duntocher. They married on 4 October 1912 in Larbert. Peter worked in a market garden in Duntocher before he enlisted on 12 January 1917 and on his death Janet returned to her parents house at North Lodge Larbert House, Larbert. They had two children John, born on 28 July 1913, and Rachel, born on 11 April 1916. Peter had a sister, Janet, who lived in Arbroath.
On 23 July 1917, he passed the class to become a Regimental Bomber, he was qualified to throw hand grenades. He was wounded in action twice, on 10 April 1918 and again on 8 August 1918.
The action leading to his death
The Battalion was part of the advance of the 9th (Scottish) Division from Ledgehem to the Scheldt from 14 to 27 October 1918. At 9am on the 25 October the 26th and 28th Brigades, prepared to resume operations against the Ooteghem - Ingoyghem Ridge in conjunction with the 41st and 36th Divisions. The attack was made under the cover of a creeping barrage of HE and smoke and this was supported by two companies of the 9th Machine gun Battalion and the 104th Machine gun Battalion by providing concentration fire support on the rear of the German positions.
The attack went ahead behind the barrage however, the Germans put down effective counter-barrage fire on the leading troops and swept the ranks of the 28th Brigade with accurate machine-gun fire resulting in heavy casualties. Despite this stubborn resistance they achieved the objective from Klein Ronsse Hill to the Chapel near Ingoyghem. However, the 36th Division on the left and the 41st Division on the left had been checked in their advance and so it was decided to consolidate the ground that had been taken. The Battalions of the 9th (Scottish) Division could barely muster 200 men and they were relieved on the 27 October going into reserve in the area of Harlebeke and Cuerne.
The army returned items of personal property to his wife, not an uncommon event.
Medals Awarded
British War Medal, Victory Medal
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