William Anderson

The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 14/08/1914 and were part of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Division. William arrived in France on the 04/01/1915. William Died of Wounds on the 07/11/1915. During the month of October the Battalion were at Vermelles, billets in Beuvry, Cambrin then billets in Beuvry and finally near Cambrin. In November, until William died, it was similar. The Battalion fought at Givenchy (25th - 29th) during 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 BATTALION LOST 358 MEN, OF WHICH 8 OFFICERS at this Battle. SEE PHOTOS x 16 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM 1st SEPTEMBER UNTIL WILLIAM'S DEATH. 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. William is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) and Stewarts and Lloyds Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for William's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medals and Award Rolls x 2, CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, Chocques Military Cemetery and the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge. Finally, William and the Battalion / Division fought at the Battle of Loos on the 25/09/1915. SEE PHOTOS FOR 21 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), SEE PHOTOS x 30 FOR THE 2nd DIVISION BOOK FROM 25/09/1915 UNTIL EARLY NOVEMBER 1915 and photos for 2nd Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was serving with when he died).