William McAleney

The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 26/05/1915 and were part of the 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division when William fell. The Division was part of the 1st Battle of the Scarpe, 9th - 14th April 1917. On the 18th April the front line was extended southwards by the occupation of a portion of sunken road running parallel with the Scarpe about 300 yards east of it. At 3 p.m. on the 21st April the 9th Royal Scots carried out an operation with a view to extending the Divisions hold on this road further southwards. This attack was at first successful, but subsequently a local counter-attack on the right restored the situation for the enemy. This was part of the The Arras offensive, 1917 (Battle of Arras), 9th April - 16th June 1917 : Once again the British are called upon to launch an attack in support to a larger French offensive: the battles of the Chemin des Dames and the hills of Champagne. The opening Battle of Vimy and the 1st Battle of the Scarpe are very encouraging, but once again the offensive - often known as the Battle of Arras - bogs down into an attritional slog. Final attempts to outflank the German lines at Bullecourt prove terribly costly. William is listed as McALANEY on the Coatbridge Memorial. See photos for William's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Arras Memorial Panel List, William's Pension Records x 2, his name on the Arras Memorial and the Royal Scots Cap Badge.