Robert John Barton

Robert arrived at Calais on the 21/03/918 and transferred to the 11th (Service) Battalion Royal Scots on the 01/04/1918. They were part of the 27th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. Robert was only 5 weeks in France when he died of gunshot wounds. The Division fought at the Battle of Messines, 10th - 11th April 1918. This was a phase of the Battles of the Lys, 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 11 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM MARCH - APRIL 1918 and PHOTOS x 15 FOR THE 9th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION BOOK 27th MARCH - 15th APRIL 1918. Robert is remembered on the St. Patrick's Church Roll of Honour. Robert was formerly with several training Battalions and was part of the Reserve before joining the 4th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (55465). See photos for Robert's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, more information on Robert's family and Service x 2, another photo of Robert's Grave, Etaples Military Cemetery, Robert's former Regiment the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge, the Royal Scots Cap Badge, Robert's Pension Records x 2 and his Service Records x 9. Finally, see photos x 4 for Newspaper clippings (Coatbridge Express x 2, Coatbridge Leader x 1 and the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1), the 9th (Scottish) Division Order of Battle x 12, another photo of Robert's grave and 2 photos (+ main grave photo) of Robert's grave kindly donated by my friend in France, Thierry Dericbourg.