William Cunningham

Killed in Action on the 12/07/1915 at the Battle of Achi Baba Nullah, Gallipoli

William arrived in France on the 16/12/1914. His Field Company were part of the 52nd (Lowland) Division from March 1915. On the 5th of April the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service ; on the 7th of May this was confirmed, with the destination being Gallipoli. The units embarked at Liverpool and Devonport between the 18th May and the 8th June. Disaster struck on the 22nd of May when a train carrying the Battalion HQ and two Companies of the 1/7th Royal Scots crashed in an accident at Quntinshill near Gretna. 3 Officers and 207 men died, 5 Officers and 219 were injured. Fewer than 70 men survived this crash unscathed. The Division landed in Gallipoli in June 1915. William fell at the Battle of Achi Baba Nullah. The Battle (12th and 13th July 1915) : The order was given to charge the Turkish defences in the late afternoon of the 12th of July 1915. As was the case throughout the campaign, the fighting was conducted at close quarters, with some trenches almost within touching distance. The Battle proved to be an overwhelming disaster. On the 12th July, the 52nd (Lowland) suffered 2427 casualties, of which 1065 were killed. William was reported missing after an attack on the Turkish lines at Gallipoli. See Newspaper clipping for a letter sent home to William's mother from Major Spence after she had enquired about what happened to her son on the 12/09/1915. William is also remembered on the Clifton Church and Clyde Tube Works Rolls of Honour x 2 (see photos). See photos for William's Medal Index Card, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Helles Memorial Panel List, another photo of William, William's fathers Death Certificate, Williams Service Medal and Award Rolls, the Royal Engineers Cap Badge and William's Pension Records x 2. Finally, see photos for the Stewarts and Lloyds Roll of Honour plaque and Newspaper clippings from the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 2, photos x 12 for the 52nd (Lowland) Division Order of Battle (the Division he was serving with when he died) and PHOTOS x 56 FOR THE 52nd (LOWLAND) DIVISION BOOK 2nd - 13th JULY 1915.