George A Durnion

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

The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 10/11/1914 and were part of the 152nd Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division when George fell. George was Killed in Action at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge on the opening day of the Battles of 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. SEE PHOTOS x 27 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY JULY 1917 and PHOTOS x 27 FOR THE 51st (HIGHLAND) DIVISION BOOK 7th JUNE - 8th AUGUST 1917. Regarding the Battalion the Division book states - "At 3.50 A.M., 31st July, the third battle of Ypres opened. At that hour the sky was covered with clouds, and in consequence there was little natural light. However, the burning oil thrown on the enemy lines by the trench-mortars at zero hour illuminated the whole front. The troops had little difficulty in forming up under the barrage, except that the numerous water-filled shell-holes made the maintenance of direction and of proper extensions no easy matter. The going was also very heavy. The order of battle of the troops detailed for the capture of the Black and Green lines from right to left was as follows : 6th Gordon Highlanders, 6th Seaforth Highlanders, 5th Gordon Highlanders, 6th Black Watch. On the right the 6th Gordon Highlanders reached the Black line with little difficulty. A machine gun in rear of Ascot Cottage checked the advance for a short time; the infantry, however, hailed a passing tank, which joined in the action, the cottage being carried and twelve Germans being killed or captured. On the right the 6th Gordon Highlanders reached the Green line at 7.50 A.M. with little opposition. The battalion had captured in its advance to the Green line 4 officers, 130 other ranks, 3 machine guns, 2 trench mortars and 2 anti-tank guns, its losses being 6 officers and 130 other ranks" (see Division book photos for more information on the Battalion). George was formerly with the 7th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Service Number 277702). George is listed as DURNIAN and ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS (his previous Regiment) on the Coatbridge Memorial. He is also remembered on the Gartsherrie Church Roll of Honour (under Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, see photos). Also see photos for George's Medal Index Card, his sons Birth Registration, his sons National Probate Calendar (Wills and Administrations), his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel List, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, George's Pension Records x 2, his former Regiment the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Cap Badge, the Gordon Highlanders Cap Badge, map of the Advance to the Steenbeek 31/07/1917, a map of the Advance from Ypres and the 51st (Highland) Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died).