James Curran

Killed in Action on the 31/07/1917 at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge (phase of the 3rd Battles of Ypres / Passendaele)

The 6th Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 11/05/1915 and the 7th Battalion arrived on the 09/07/1915. On the 07/05/1916 the 2 Battalions amalgamated to become the 6/7th Battalion and were part of the 45th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. James was Killed in Action at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, 31st July - 2nd August. This was the opening phase of the Battles of Ypres (3rd Ypres), 31st July - 10th November 1917 : The British finally got what they had wanted since 1914 : the opportunity to attack at Ypres and breakout of the confines of the salient of trenches around it. Often known as the 3rd Battle of Ypres or Passchendaele, the offensive began with encouraging gains but terrible summer weather soon bogged it down. By August the offensive was clearly failing in its objectives and had descended into attritional fighting. New techniques by both sides led to agonisingly slow forward movement for the British, at enormous cost in casualties to both sides. Bad weather in October led to the battlefield becoming an impossible quagmire. According to the 15th (Scottish) Division book the Battalion Casualties from 29/07/1917 - 04/08/1917 were : 2 Officers Killed, 43 Other Ranks Killed, 10 Officers Wounded, 205 Other Ranks Wounded, 28 Other Ranks Missing. TOTAL = 288. The 15th (Scottish) Division Casualties from 29/07/1917 - 04/08/1917 were : 46 Officers Killed, 349 Other Ranks Killed, 107 Officers Wounded, 2363 Other Ranks Wounded, 21 Officers Missing, 694 Other Ranks Missing. TOTAL = 3580 (see 15th (Scottish) Division book photo number 35 for information on ALL Battalions). SEE PHOTOS x 6 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY JULY 1917 (Diary states July 31st operations attached to August Diary. This wasn't found). James originally enlisted in the Royal Scots Fusiliers (15837) on the 04/12/1914 but was discharged on the 30/04/1915 (see Pension Records x 5). 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 Menin Gate Memorial Panel List, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial, his Service Record x 7, his Pension Record x 5, the Royal Scots Fusiliers Cap Badge, map showing the gradual eastwards advance from Ypres and the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. An advanced British 18 pounder RFA gun battery taking up new positions close to a communication trench near Boesinghe, 31 July 1917. Finally, SEE PHOTOS x 35 FOR THE 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION BOOK 16th JUNE - 3rd AUGUST 1917, the 15th (Scottish) Division Order of Battle x 13 (the Division he was with when he died) and photos x 7 from the History of the Royal Scots Fusiliers regarding the day James fell.