Lieutenant
1st Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 81st Infantry Brigade, 27th Division
Age: 22
Date of death: 19 February 1915
Buried: Dickebusch New Military Cemetery, A.15
Family history: Son of Commander Thomas Willing Stirling, RN, and Mabel Marie Stirling of Muiravonside. He was educated at Loretto School, Musselburgh. He entered Sandhurst in 1910 and joined the Regiment in 1912 as a 2nd Lieutenant. The 1st Battalion arrived on the Western Front from India in December 1914.
Mine Warfare
The village of St Eloi, three miles south of Ypres, is principally remembered today for its wartime history of underground mine warfare. Within the small confines of the area some 30 mines were detonated by both British and German forces. The British exploded six of these at one time (27 March 1916 see the map below). On 7th June 1917, the largest - of 95,600 lbs see pic - being exploded by 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company, along with 18 other mines to mark the start of the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917. Known as 'cratering the ridge' Read more here about the mine craters and cratering the ridge https://www.theypressalient.com/home/categories/craters
This particular mine resulted in the capture of St Eloi by the British 41st Division. Two of the largest St Eloi craters - both detonated on 27 March 1916 - remain today and straddle the old German lines of 1916-17. Both of these are on private land and are used for fishing. A third, smaller, mine crater also lies nearby.
The action that led to his death
19 February 1915, found the Argyll’s in the line at St Eloi, located at Shelley Farm in Trench 21 opposite the Mound. Lieutenant Robert Stirling was shot through the head and killed instantly while he was bandaging a wounded man.
(Linesman Map. The map shows the level of mine warfare at St Eloi from 1915 to 1917)
Medals awarded
1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
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