William Fairfull

Killed in Action on the 09/04/1918 at the Battle of Estaires (opening phase of the Battles of the Lys)

The 10th and 11th Battalions arrived at Boulogne on the 12/05/1915. On the 14/05/1916 the Battalions transferred to 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division and amalgamated to form the 10/11th Battalion. The Battalion were part of the 120th Brigade, 40th Division when William fell at he Battle of Estaires on the 09/04/1918. This was the opening phase of the the Battles of the Lys from the 9th April - 29th April 1918 : The third German offensive Operation Georgette takes place in Flanders with the objective of capturing key railway and supply roads and cutting off British Second Army at Ypres. After initial successes the German attack is once again held after British and French reserves are somehow found and deployed. SEE PHOTOS x 18 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY MARCH 1918. This includes the Battle of St Quentin 21st - 23rd March 1918 when the Highland Light Infantry was part of a allied defensive formation attacked by vastly superior numbers of German storm-troopers. ALSO SEE PHOTOS x 10 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY APRIL 1918. The Battalion War Diary states casualties during the Battle of Estaires, 9th - 11th April 1918 were - "14 Officers and 410 Other Ranks". SEE PHOTOS x 41 for the 40th DIVISION BOOK 09/04/1918. William is listed as 15th BATTALION on the Coatbridge Memorial. He is also listed as FAIRFIELD on his Medal Index Card and Service Medal and Award Rolls. William is also remembered on the St. Andrew's Parish Church, Baillieston Roll of Honour (see photo) and United Collieries Roll of Honour and the Family Plot in Old Monkland Cemetery (see photo). Also See photos for William's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his name on the Ploegsteert Memorial x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Ploegsteert Memorial Panel List, William's Pension Record, the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge and a map of the German break-in on the 9th April 1918. German forces cross the Lys at Bac St Maur and the Lawe near Pont-Riqueul. 55th (West Lancashire) Division fights a magnificent defence at Givenchy; 2nd Portuguese and British 40th Divisions are all but lost ; 34th Division holds northern flank at Armentieres. Finally, see photos for the 40th Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died).