James McKenzie Martyn Calder D.C.M.

Killed in Action on the 03/06/1915 by a stray shell whilst on listening patrol duty northwest of Wieltje (Crossroads Farm), Ypres

The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 23/08/1914 and were part of the 10th Brigade, 4th Division. James arrived on the 05/12/1914. James enlisted when he was 19 years old. He was wounded and frostbitten at La Bassee on the 20th December that year. He returned to France in May 1915 and it was on the 24th of that month he won his Distinguished Conduct Medal - "For great gallantry on the 24th May 1915 near Wieltje. After an Officer had been killed and another wounded, he took command of the few men left in his part of the trench and although the enemy occupied a trench on his left he continued to hold on and prevented them from advancing" (see photos for James' citation for the D.C.M.). At this time the Division took part in the Battle of Bellewaarde, 24th - 25th May 1915 which was part of the Battles of Ypres, 1915 (Second Ypres), 22nd April - 25th May 1915 : Often known as the Second Battle of Ypres, this began with surprise German attack using poison gas against French North African forces holding defences near Ypres. Both sides rushed reserves in and the battle developed into the second epic in that area. British Second Army withdraws to a shorter line near Ypres. The Division also took part in the Battle of St. Julien, 24th April - 4th May 1915 and the Battle of Frezenberg, 8th - 13th May 1915 (also part of the Battles of Ypres). James was promoted to Sergeant the day before he went into the trenches for the last time. James and a comrade whilst on listening patrol duty northwest of Wieltje were killed by a stray shell (see Newspaper clippings and War Diary). SEE PHOTOS x 30 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM APRIL 1915 (including when James earned his D.C.M.) UNTIL THE DAY IN JUNE WHEN JAMES FELL. I personally laid a cross at this brave young man's grave in 2010 (see photos x 2). James is also remembered on the East United Free Church and Maxwell Parish Churches Rolls of Honour (see Newspaper clippings). See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects x 2, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his Pension Records x 3, his Citation for Distinguished Conduct Medal, his CWGC Grave Registration x 3, his Headstone Report, La Brique Military Cemetery No.2, the Seaforth Highlanders Cap Badge, Newspaper clippings (Coatbridge Express x 3, Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 3), James remembered by his family in the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser 10/06/1916 and the 4th Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died). James' grave inscription reads "UNTIL THE DAY BREAKS AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY".