James and the Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 12/05/1915 and were part of the 27th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division when James fell. James was killed alongside 38 of his Battalion during a major offensive at Bazentin Ridge during the Battles of the Somme. By the 13th of July the British advance had taken it to a point where it was now facing the second German defensive system. A well planned and novel night attack on the 14th July took British troops through that system in the area of Bazentin. There was a fleeting but lost opportunity to capture High Wood beyond it. The objective of the Battle was to take the high ground of Bazentin Ridge, between Bazentin le Grant and Longueval. This also included taking control of the ridge road, and Deville Wood behind Longueval village. By doing so, the British forces would occupy the high ground on the ridge and expose German positions to our artillery. In detail, the objective was : To advance from the British front lines to Longueval village 2.5 miles away. To continue into and through Deville Wood a further 0.3 miles and to then extend the line eastwards a further 0.35 miles along the ridge road. The 8th Black Watch, alongside with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, was with the 26th Brigade of the 9th (Scottish) Division, on the east flank. Also with the 9th was the 27th Brigade, including the Royal Scots, on the west flank. At 0300 hours on the 14th July 1916, under cover of darkness 26th Brigade move through "No Man's Land" to within 400 yards of the German first line in front of Longueval. At 03.25a.m the attack begins and by 10.00a.m Longueval village is taken. The southeast corner holds out until 17.00p.m. At 13.00p.m patrols of Delville Wood are met with resistance (the second line) and fall back to the village. German bombardment of the village continues throughout the night. SEE PHOTOS x 25 FOR THE 9th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION 1st - 14th JULY 1916 and PHOTOS x 4 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY JULY 1916. The War Diary states casualties on the 14/07/1916 were 8 Officers and over 200 Other Ranks. See photos of Newspaper clipping for message to James' mother from a comrade. James is also remembered on the St. Patrick's Church and the Stewarts and Lloyds Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Thiepval Memorial Panel List, his name on the Thiepval Memorial, the Cameronians (Scottish) Rifles Cap Badge and James' Pension Records x 3. Finally, see photos for the Stewarts and Lloyds Roll of Honour plaque, James' name on the Clyde Tube Works panel on the Stewarts and Lloyds Roll of Honour plaque and James' name on the Thiepval Memorial taken by myself in July 2023. The History of the 9th (Scottish) Division book is available to read online
here
