Samuel Donnelly

Killed in Action on the 27/02/1917 at Arras

The 7th and 8th (Service) Battalions arrived at Boulogne on the 10/07/1915. In Bethune on the 28/05/1916 the Battalions merged to become the 7/8th (Service) and they were part of the 46th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division when Samuel fell. On the date of his death the 46th Brigade were in the front line at Arras having relieved the 12th Division. SEE PHOTOS x 11 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FEBRUARY 1917. The War Diary for the day Samuel was Killed in Action states - "Morning and afternoon passed quietly, all available men working on trenches occupied by Battalion, and in clearing communication trenches. Notification of relief on the following day by 10/11th H.L.I. received. At 8.10 p.m. South African Brigade, on our left, carried out a raid against hostile trenches, hostile retaliation being received on our lines, but causing little damage. Four casualties were suffered by the Battalion". The 15th (Scottish) Division book states casualties for February 1917 were - 1 Other Ranks Killed, 8 Other Ranks Wounded. IT WOULD APPEAR SAMUEL WAS THE MAN WHO WAS KILLED. ALSO SEE PHOTOS x 10 FOR THE BATTALION BOOK JANUARY - FEBRUARY 1917. For the 27th February it states : "Our first casualties in this sector were suffered in consequence of enemy retaliation upon a raid which was carried out by three platoons of a battalion on our right - the 11th Middlesex. Our right sap, which was occupied by "B" Company, was evacuated by our men and used by the raiding party as one of their jumping-off points. We occupied it immediately afterwards. The raid was a complete success, twenty-six prisoners being captured and the enemy dugouts being damaged. But the enemy retaliated on our trenches". Samuel was formerly with the 16th (Service) Battalion (2nd Glasgow) Highland Light Infantry (25213). A huge thanks to Peter Clermonts and Theo Vervoort for their information regarding Samuel's son Thomas. Samuel is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Samuel's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, Samuel's Pension Records x 2, Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Samuel's former Regiment the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge and the King's Own Scottish Borderers Cap Badge. Also see photos for Samuel's son Thomas' grave and Jonkerbos War Cemetery where Thomas lies (I also took both of these photos in Holland in 2011) and his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report and his Reburial Form x 2. Thomas' Grave inscription reads "HIS KING AND COUNTRY CALLED HIM. ON BRITAIN'S ROLL OF HONOUR YOU'LL FIND OUR DADDY'S NAME". Finally, see photos for another one of Samuel's grave, a personally placed Poppy at Samuel's grave in 2008, his Coatbridge Express Newspaper clipping 21/03/1917, Poppy Cross placed by myself at Samuel's grave in July 2023 x 3, Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery taken by myself in July 2023 x 2 (partner Linda sitting right hand side) and 6 Poppy Crosses placed by myself at Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery before I left for France in July 2023 (Samuel's top middle), PHOTOS x 21 FOR THE 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION BOOK DECEMBER 1916 - FEBRUARY 1917 and the 15th (Scottish) Division Order of Battle x 13 (the Division he was with when he died).