Alexander Clelland

Killed in Action on the 25/09/1915 on the opening day of the Battle of Loos

Alexander and the Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 09/071915 and were part of the 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. Alexander was Killed in Action just 2 months and 16 days later on the opening day of the Battle of Loos. Alexander was reported as being "missing" since 25/09/1915. One year later the family were officially informed that Alexander is supposed to have been killed on that date. The Battle of Loos, 25th September - 15th October 1915 : The first genuinely large scale British offensive action but once again only in a supporting role to a larger French attack in the Third Battle of Artois. British appeals that the ground over which they were being called upon to advance was wholly unsuitable were rejected. The battle is historically noteworthy for the first British use of poison gas. The Order of Battle - Battle of Loos 25th September - 8th October 1915. Gas release to be made along Divisional Front from 5.50am with Zero hour set for 6.30am. In the first instance, Brigade to secure the German front-line area known as, "The Jews Nose", and then press on to secure the enemy's second-line east of Loos village. Once these objectives had been captured, surviving troops were to press on and secure Hill 70. The Brigade was to attack with 9th Black Watch right and 8th Seaforth Highlanders left, both supported by 7th Cameron Highlanders. 10th Gordon Highlanders were to be held in reserve. On the 24/9/1915 Brigade to assembly trenches. "A" Company vanguard. On the 25/9/1915 at 5.50am gas release commenced followed by smoke release. Germany artillery responded immediately fearful of a British attack. At that time the wind changed, and the lethal gas blew back on the troops mustering to go 'over the top' at 6.30am, causing significant casualties and confusion. At the appointed time, the 9th Black Watch went into the attack and carried its initial objectives under heavy fire, suffering further significant casualties. By 8.30am, troops had begun to assault Hill 70, and later in the day attempts were made to press on to Cite St. Auguste and Dinamentiere. FROM THE 10th (SERVICE) BATTALION WAR DIARY 25/09/1915 : 5.50am - From this time there was a discharge of gas and smoke candles lasting nearly 40 minutes. It was accompanied by a heavy shrapnel bombardment by the enemy first and second lines. At 6.30am the assaulting columns went over the parapet. At 6.40 our leading companies left the trenches and reached LOOS with slight loss at 7am. Here they had some street fighting and the bombers did some good work in the cellars. All units got mixed up in the village but formed into line again when clear of it. They then advanced on to HILL 70 where they established themselves in the reverse slope with the 7th CAMERONS at about 11.30am. "I" and "M" companies advanced along with parties of several other units over the crest of HILL 70. They were however held up by strong barbed wire, and a scathing machine gun and rifle fire was opened on them. After holding this position for over four hours they were forced to retire over the crest and re-join the other line late in the afternoon. The position was held on HILL 70 all through the night against constant counter attacks. Two of the machine guns did excellent work on the left of the line. The other two had followed their companies over the crest, one was lost and the other damaged". SEE PHOTOS x 9 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY SEPTEMBER 1915 and REPORTS OF OPERATIONS 25th/26th SEPTEMBER x 18. Scottish Regiments lost a huge amount of brave men at Loos. Here is a list of Infantry Battalions who lost more than 500 men at the Battle of Loos from 25/09/1915 to 16/10/1915 - 7th Cameron Highlanders 687, of which 19 Officers, 9th Black Watch 680, of which 20 Officers, 6th King's Own Scottish Borderers 650, of which 20 Officers, 10th Highland Light Infantry 648, of which 20 Officers, 7th King's Own Scottish Borderers 631, of which 20 Officers, 8th Devons 619, of which 19 Officers, 8th Royal West Kents 580, of which 24 Officers, 8th Buffs 558, of which 24 Officers, 12th Highland Light Infantry 553, of which 23 Officers, 8th Black Watch 511, of which 19 Officers, 5th North Staffordshire 505, of which 20 Officers, 8th Seaforth Highlanders 502, of which 23 Officers. The 10TH BATTALION GORDON HIGHLANDERS LOST 381, OF WHICH 7 OFFICERS. Alexander was 1 of 99 men from the Coatbridge Memorial who fell during and from injuries from the Battle of Loos. Alexander is also remembered on the Dunbeth Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for Alexander's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Loos Memorial, his name on the Loos Memorial Panel List, the Gordon Highlanders Cap Badge. Alexander and his brother Robert's Pension Records x 4. Finally, see photos of a wreath x 2 placed by myself at Loos Memorial in July 2023 remembering ALL the men who left from the Iron Burgh who are named there, myself at the Gordon Highlanders Panel at Loos Memorial in July 2023 (Alexander listed bottom right), Newspaper clippings x 7 (Coatbridge Express x 2, Coatbridge Leader x 3 and Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 2), SEE PHOTOS x 13 FOR THE 15th (DIVISION) BOOK 25/09/1915, PHOTOS FOR 33 PAGES FROM THE MOST UNFAVOURABLE GROUND BOOK REGARDING THE BATTALION and DIVISION 25/09/1915 (fantastic book on the Battle of Loos kindly signed by the author Niall Cherry) and the 15th (Scottish) Division Order of Battle x 13 (the Division Alexander was with when he died).