Walter Thompson Diver

Killed in Action on the 01/08/1917 near Frezenberg Line at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge (phase of the 3rd Battles of Ypres / Passchendaele)

Walter was formerly with the 3rd/1st Lanarkshire Yeomanry (1592) in May 1916. He transferred to the 13th (Service) Battalion Royal Scots after going to France in April 1916. The Battalion were part of the 45th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. 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 Third 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. The Battalion took part in the opening battle at Pilckem Ridge from the 31/07/1917 until the 02/08/1917. Walter was Killed in Action just after his 20th Birthday near the Frezenberg Line. This was a phase in the 3rd Battles of Ypres / Passchendaele. SEE PHOTOS x 70 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY 1st JULY - 3rd AUGUST 1917. Walter is also remembered at the Family Plot in Old Monkland Cemetery (see photos). See photos for Walter's Medal Index Card, his name on the 1914 Glasgow Electoral Register, 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 x 2, his Service Record x 6, Walter's former Regiment the Lanarkshire Yeomanry Cap Badge, the Royal Scots Cap Badge and Walter's Pension Record. Finally, see photos for Newspaper clippings x 5 (Coatbridge Express x 1, Coatbridge Leader x 1 and Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 3), a map showing the gradual eastwards advance from Ypres, 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, PHOTOS x 35 FOR THE 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION BOOK 16th JUNE - 3rd AUGUST 1917 and the 15th (Scottish) Division Order of Battle x 13 (the Division he was with when he died).