The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 14/08/1914 as Army Troops. On the 05/09/1914 they joined the 1st Brigade, 1st Division. John arrived in Belgium on the 13/09/1914. One of the first British formations to move to France, the 1st Division remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. From John's arrival in France the Division took part in the Battle of the Aisne (including participation in the Actions on the Aisne Heights and the Action of Chivy), 12th – 15th September 1914, the Battle of Langemarck, 21st - 24th October 1914 and the Battle of Gheluvelt, 29th - 31st October 1914. John received his wounds at the Battle of Nonne Bosschen, 11th November 1914 (exactly 4 years before Armistice Day). All 4 of these battles were phases of the Battles of Ypres, 1914 (First Ypres) : 19th October - 22nd November 1914 : Often known as the First Battle of Ypres, this is a series of named battles that also form part of the outflanking encounter. It becomes a desperate epic fight east of the city of Ypres which finally results in stalemate and entrenched warfare. It takes place at the same time as the Battle of the Yser, fought nearby by the Belgian Army against the Germans, and the Battles to the south at Messines, Armentieres and La Bassee. SEE PHOTOS x 16 FOR THE 1st BATTALION CAMERON HIGHLANDERS WAR DIARY OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 1914 and PHOTOS X 38 FOR THE HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE CAMERON HIGHLANDERS BOOK (1st Battalion) 17th OCTOBER - 17th NOVEMBER 1914 (see Book photos 31, 32 and 33 for the Battle of Nonne Bosschen on the 11th November, the day John was wounded). John's Grave photo kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. John is also remembered on the East United Free Church Roll of Honour and the Maxwell Parish Church Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Headstone Report x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, John's Pension Records x 2, the Cameron Highlanders Cap Badge. John's grave inscription reads "FONDLY REMEMBERED BY HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN COATBRIDGE, SCOTLAND". Finally, see photos x 12 for the 1st Division Order of Battle x (the Division John was with when he was wounded).
