William Cheape

40478 Private

1st Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 19th Infantry Brigade, 33rd Division

Age: 21

Date of Death: Killed in Action 26.11.17

Buried: Tyne Cot Memorial Panels 68 to 70

Family: Son of David and Isabella Cheape, 238 Wallace Street, Falkirk, He had two sisters Margaret and Elizabeth. He was a moulder in Grahamston Iron Works before enlisting in January 1915 age 17. His father was also serving in the Royal Defence Corps.

The action leading to his death

On the 26 November 1917, the battalion occupied the trenches in front of Passchendaele village in what was known as the Passchendaele Salient. The Salient extended to a depth of about three thousand yards and a width of only one thousand yards. The whole area was overlooked by the Germans from Westroosebeke and suffered from shell fire and gas of all descriptions continuously both night and day.

The War Diary indicates that the Battalion were in the line at Crest Farm and Passchendaele. They had been subjected to heavy shelling for several days. The entry on 26th November, states that ‘…. thought the casualties were not heavy’

Medals Awarded

British War Medal , Victory Medal