John Balfour Ireland

Killed in Action on the 08/09/1916 after he led an attack on an enemy trench, Martinpuich (part of the Battles of the Somme)

The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 08/07/1915 and were part of the 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. John was a Rubber Planter in Malay for 4 years and served with the Malay State Rifles before returning home to enlist in September 1915. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th (Service) Battalion Black Watch in November and left for France in May 1916. John's Company carried out an attack on German trenches on the 08/09/1916 at Martinpuich (part of the Battles of the Somme). He led his Platoon over the top and was last seen 10 yards ahead of them disappearing into the enemies trench. He was apparently hit and collapsed into the trench. See Newspaper clippings for letter dated 16/09/1916 sent home to John's father from the Commanding Officer of his Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S. A. Innes. SEE PHOTOS x 17 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 1916 and PHOTOS x 17 FOR THE 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION BOOK 27th JUNE - 8th SEPTEMBER 1916. From the 15th (Scottish) Division book - "Preparations for the attack on Martinpuich, August 1916 - From just beyond the crest of the rising ground south of Martinpuich all enemy positions in the neighbourhood of Martinpuich were bombarded by every available gun. To this the enemy replied as High Wood was still in their possession. On the 08/09/1916 "B" and "D" Companies of the 9th Black Watch under Captains Stirling and Bruce made a very successful local attack from Bethell Sap on the enemy trench running from the north-west corner of High Wood in conjunction with an attack by the 1st Division on High Wood. Thirty prisoners of the 18th Bavarian Regiment and one of the 193rd Machine-Gun Company were captured and a heavy enemy counter-attack was driven off. The party were unable to retain possession of the enemy trench and returned to their original trenches as the 1st Division were unable to maintain their gains in High Wood. The casualties on the occasion were severe. Both Company Commanders were wounded, 2nd Lieutenant J. B. Ireland was reported missing, 24 other ranks were Killed, 59 Wounded and 14 Missing". John is also remembered on the Gartsherrie Parish Church Roll of Honour (see photos) and at the Family Plot in Old Monkland Cemetery (see photos x 2). See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, his Reburial Form, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, John listed in the Scotland National Probate Index, Information on the Reverend John Alexander Ireland (John's father), Delville Wood Cemetery and the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) Cap Badge. John's grave inscription reads "FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH". Finally, see photos x 13 for the 15th (Scottish) Division Order of Battle (the Division he was with when he died) and Newspaper clippings x 5 (Coatbridge Express x 3 and Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 2).