Additional Information
The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 14/08/1914 and were part of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Division. Edward arrived in France on the 26/05/1915 and was Killed in Action just over 4 months later 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. From the 1st to the 3rd October 1915 : Close fighting is renewed in the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and all but Big Willie Trench is lost to the enemy. 12th (Eastern) Division relieves 1st and 2nd Guards Brigades in area of the Chalk Pit. They are put to work on completing preparations of new trenches, roads and positions in preparation for the assault. Heavy enemy shelling causes many casualties among the working parties. The Battalion spent the opening day at Givenchy. SEE PHOTOS x 10 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 1915. The War Diary for the day Edward fell states - "Brigade was ordered to take part of GUN TRENCH held by enemy. A preliminary bombardment was started at 4 pm and lasted until 8.30 pm when assault was timed to take place. The assault was undertaken by A and D companies. These companies got into the trench and stayed there for some considerable time in spite of a heavy counterattack by the enemy, but eventually were compelled to the original line". 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. THE 2nd HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY 358, of which 8 Officers. They were part of the first wave of 5th Brigade near Givenchy. Edward was 1 of 99 men from the Coatbridge Memorial who fell during and from injuries from the Battle of Loos. At 48 years old he is one of the oldest men to fall from the Memorial the oldest being Private William Ashwood aged 51. Edward is listed as 10th BATTALION on the Coatbridge Memorial. He is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour and on the Workington Roll of Honour-Civic Memorial. There are no names on the Workington Memorial (see photos). See photos for Edward's Medal Index Card, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Loos Memorial Panel List, his name on the Loos Memorial, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, Edward's Pension Records x 2 and the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge. Finally, see photos for Newspaper clipping from the Coatbridge Express 20/10/1915 (Edward stated as being Killed in Action on the 25/09/1915), wreath placed by myself remembering the men on the Loos Memorial in July 2023 x 2, the men of the Highland Light Infantry remembered (Edward listed top left) in July 2023, PHOTOS FOR 21 PAGES FROM THE MOST UNFAVOURABLE GROUND BOOK REGARDING THE 2nd BATTALION and 2nd DIVISION ON THE OPENING DAY OF THE BATTLE OF LOOS 25/09/1915 (fantastic book on the Battle of Loos kindly signed by the author Niall Cherry), PHOTOS x 30 FOR THE 2nd DIVISION BOOK FROM 25/09/1915 UNTIL EARLY NOVEMBER 1915 and the 2nd Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was serving with when he died).
