This month we are commemorating the men we lost in the third Battle of Ypres, 31st July to 6th November 1917, often known as Passchendaele however Passchendaele was the last phase (of 9) of this Battle. It became infamous not only for the scale of casualties, but also for the mud.
Queensferry Memorial – 4 men
Private James Henderson Grieve, 13th Battalion Royal Scots. Killed in Ypres on the first day of the Battle, during the phase-the Battle of Pilckem (31st July - 2nd August), on 31.7.1917 aged 40. After several weeks of changeable weather, heavy rainfall began in the afternoon of 31 July and had a serious effect on operations in August, causing more problems for the British who were advancing into the area devastated by artillery fire and which was partly flooded.
Private Melville Christie, 2nd Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers. Killed in Ypres on 7.11.1917 aged 30. The West Lothian Courier of 30.11.1917 states that he was one of a party trying to help a man from another regiment who had been stuck in mud up to his chest for more than 36 hours. This was near a pillbox which was a target for enemy shelling. He was looking for planks of wood to help the man get out of the marsh when a shell landed on top of the pillbox. A large piece of shrapnel hit him in the back and killed him. He had only been 9 days in the fighting line when he met his death.
Private Alfred Hunter, 1st Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers, died from wounds received in Ypres during the phase-the Battle of Poelcapelle (9th October) on 14.10.1917 aged 30.
Private John Murray, 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, died from wounds received in Ypres during the phase-the Battle of Langemark (16th - 8th August) on 22.8.1917 aged 39.
Dalmeny Memorial – 3 men
2nd Lieutenant William Campbell, 9th Battalion Royal Scots, killed in Ypres during the phase-the Battle of Pilkem (31st July - 2nd August) on 31.7.1917 aged 21. He was awarded the Military Cross Campbell for an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy.
Gunner Henry John Iorns, 3rd Battery, 7th (London) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, died from wounds in Ypres on 10.10.1917 aged 31. Reported ‘missing’ then died of wounds.
Sergeant Robert Robertson, 9th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), died from wounds in Ypres after the phase–the Battle of Langemark (26th – 18th august), on 26.8.1917 aged 39. Robert also served in South Africa in 1902 and in India from 1904 – 1908.
Private James Henderson Grieve, 13th Battalion Royal Scots. Killed in Ypres on the first day of the Battle, during the phase-the Battle of Pilckem (31st July - 2nd August), on 31.7.1917 aged 40. After several weeks of changeable weather, heavy rainfall began in the afternoon of 31 July and had a serious effect on operations in August, causing more problems for the British who were advancing into the area devastated by artillery fire and which was partly flooded.
Private Melville Christie, 2nd Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers. Killed in Ypres on 7.11.1917 aged 30. The West Lothian Courier of 30.11.1917 states that he was one of a party trying to help a man from another regiment who had been stuck in mud up to his chest for more than 36 hours. This was near a pillbox which was a target for enemy shelling. He was looking for planks of wood to help the man get out of the marsh when a shell landed on top of the pillbox. A large piece of shrapnel hit him in the back and killed him. He had only been 9 days in the fighting line when he met his death.
Private Alfred Hunter, 1st Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers, died from wounds received in Ypres during the phase-the Battle of Poelcapelle (9th October) on 14.10.1917 aged 30.
Private John Murray, 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, died from wounds received in Ypres during the phase-the Battle of Langemark (16th - 8th August) on 22.8.1917 aged 39.
Dalmeny Memorial – 3 men
2nd Lieutenant William Campbell, 9th Battalion Royal Scots, killed in Ypres during the phase-the Battle of Pilkem (31st July - 2nd August) on 31.7.1917 aged 21. He was awarded the Military Cross Campbell for an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy.
Gunner Henry John Iorns, 3rd Battery, 7th (London) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, died from wounds in Ypres on 10.10.1917 aged 31. Reported ‘missing’ then died of wounds.
Sergeant Robert Robertson, 9th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), died from wounds in Ypres after the phase–the Battle of Langemark (26th – 18th august), on 26.8.1917 aged 39. Robert also served in South Africa in 1902 and in India from 1904 – 1908.
© Queensferry History Group 2016