George Boyd Foulkes

Killed in Action on the 12/08/1916 (13th on the Family Plot headstone) at Martinpuich during the Battle of Pozieres (part of the Battle of the Somme)

George and the 6th (Service) Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 11/05/1915 and were part of the 27th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. On the 07/05/1916 they amalgamated with the 7th (Service) Battalion to become the 6/7th Battalion and were part of the 45th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. The Division was involved in the Battle of Pozieres from the 23rd July to the 3rd September 1916 : Pozieres was a small, straggling village on the main Albert-Bapaume road. It is situated on high ground that gives the occupier observation southwards along the road towards Ovillers, La Boisselle, Albert and beyond; to the east across to High Wood, Delville Wood and beyond; and westwards to Thiepval. Possession of Pozieres was key to making possible any further advances towards Bapaume, the capture of the Thiepval ridge and the breaking of resistance at High and Delville Woods. The Battle for Pozieres and nearby Mouquet Farm became an epic in its own right, with tenacious German defence keeping determined British-Australian attack at bay for several weeks. This was the first large-scale Australian battle in France and proved to be its costliest in terms of total casualties. The objectives for the 15th (Scottish) Division, August 1916 - The Division had to capture that part of the German front known as the Switch Line from the Bazentin - Martinpuich road to Muster Alley. The Division did not gain all its objectives but those won were of great importance. On the 13th and 14th of August local operations were continued ; bombing attacks were made by the 45th Brigade on that portion of the Switch Line still in enemy hands but little progress was made. SEE PHOTOS x 12 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY 1st JULY - 14th AUGUST 1916 and PHOTOS x 13 FOR THE 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION 27th JUNE - 17th AUGUST 1916. George was posted missing on the 13/08/1916 (see War Diary 12). The Battalion casualties for this time were : 12 Officers and 141 Other Ranks (approx). George's death was not confirmed until November 1916. George had a Master of Arts degree gained at Edinburgh University. He also won a prize for New Testament Greek there. George obtained his Lieutenancy in May 1915. When George was with the 9th (Scottish) Division he was wounded on the opening day of the Battle of Loos after which he was promoted to Captain. SEE PHOTOS x 21 FOR THE 9th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION BOOK 25/09/1915 and PHOTOS FOR 20 PAGES FROM THE MOST UNFAVOURABLE GROUND BOOK REGARDING THE BATTALION and DIVISION 25/09/1915 (fantastic book on the Battle of Loos kindly signed by the author Niall Cherry). ALSO SEE PHOTOS x 4 FOR AN EXTRACT FROM THE PRIVATE DIARY OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL H.H. NORTHEY CMG (George is mentioned as being wounded along with Lieutenant Dingwall). George had 2 brothers serving, 1 in the Navy and brother James who fell on the 21/09/1917 (James is NOT listed on the Memorial as he left from his hometown in Sunderland. I have James' Service Records x 14, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his Pension Records x 4 and his name on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Please contact me if you'd like this information). George is also remembered on the St. Augustine's Parish Roll of Honour (book) and at the Family Plot in Old Monkland Cemetery (see photos x 2). See photos for George's Medal Index Card, the 1901 England Census, the 1911 England Census, his name on the Thiepval Memorial, his listing on the National Probate Calendar of Wills, his name on the University of Edinburgh Roll of the Fallen WW1, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Thiepval Memorial Panel List, his Pension Record and the Royal Scots Fusiliers Cap Badge. Finally, see photos for the 15th (Scottish) Division Order of Battle x 13 (the Division George was with when he died), George and his brother James on the Memorial Plaque in Venerable Bede Church, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland x 2, Book of Remembrance, Church of St. Peter, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland x 4 and Newspaper clippings from the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 2.