James Wilson Mason

The Battalion were in Ambala, India in August 1914 and were part of the 9th (Sirhind) Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division. On the 01/12/1914 (some weeks after the other Brigades of the Division) they moved to France via Egypt arriving at Marseilles. In December 1915 they moved to Mesopotamia. James arrived in France on the 06/03/1915. Mesopotamia 1916 - The Turks pursued the retreating 6th (Poona) Division to Kut, and soon surrounded and cut it off. British forces in Mesopotamia were now growing, the arrival of the experienced 3rd (Lahore), 7th (Meerut) and 13th (Western) Divisions bringing a significant increase in strength. These formations were ordered to advance north along the Tigris to relieve Kut. They ran into strong and stoutly defended lines and suffered some hard knocks. Although they got close to Kut, they failed to break through and relieve it and the garrison there was surrendered on the 29/04/1916. It was an enormous blow to British prestige and a morale-booster for the Ottoman Empire. The Division - On the 21st January : The first attack on the Hanna (7th and 9th Brigades only), the 8th March : Attack on the Dujaila Redoubt, 17th - 18th April : Action of Bait Aisa. In the reorganisation of the Mesopotamia force after the fall of Kut, the Division was moved into I Corps. James' parents had only just received a letter from him saying he was in the pink when news came through of his death. James was a member of the Burnbank Mission and is also remembered on the Gartsherrie Church Roll of Honour (see photos). He is listed as PRIVATE on the Coatbridge Memorial and Service Medal and Index Card, as both Private and Acting/Corporal on his Army Register of Soldiers Effects and Corporal with the CWGC and Newspaper clippings. See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Basra Memorial Panel List, James' Pension Records x 3, the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge, the CWGC Basra Memorial Roll of Honour x 3 and James' name in the CWGC Basra Memorial Roll of Honour.