34220 Corporal
12th Battalion Royal Scots, 27th Infantry Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division
Age: 38
Date of Death: 11.4.18
Buried: Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 11 to 14
Family history: Son of James & Mary Bain Waugh, Hayfield Cottage, Bankside, Carronshore. He attested in February 1916 and before this was employed as a baker by the Carron Co-operative Society.
The action leading to his death
The Division arrived in Flanders, following their involvement in opposing the German ‘Michael’ offensive further south on the Somme, in early April and took over the front line south east of Ypres, straddling the Comines Canal. Here, south of the canal, they also faced the next phase in the German spring offensive named ‘Georgette’ with their line facing the ruined village of Hollebeke and running from the Stables of the now ruined White Chateau - Delbske Farm - Ravine Wood - southern edge of Denys Wood - Godezonne Farm. They had received large drafts of men to replace the casualties of the earlier fighting and the division was still reorganising when the Germans attacked.
(IWM BOX 178 295 98K 28O 1918 Plotting reference 28O 4 Key feature Y C canal & white Chateau)
(Linesman Map)
On the night of the 8 April the battalion, which was in the line at Belgian Wood, was relieved by 6th King’s Own Scottish Borderers and went into Brigade reserve in dug outs at Hill 60. On the 9 April ‘C’ and ‘D’ company’s were sent down to Tournai Camp near Vierstraat to absorb a draft of replacements and to refit. On the morning of the 10 April the remainder of the battalion moved to the front line at White Chateau with battalion HQ at the Bluff. Here they were heavily shelled and sustained a large number of casualties. They also engaged the Germans advancing on the Seaforths on the battalion right.
On the 11 April two platoons from the battalion advanced and attempted to capture two pillboxes in front of the battalion line. However, owing to the Seaforths being held up on the right and the platoons being enfiladed by machine gun fire they withdrew to their lines.
Medals Awarded
The British War Medal, Victory Medal.
