Adam McLaren

The Battalion arrived at Boulogne as Lines of Communication troops on the 14/08/1914. The Battalion were part of the 98th Brigade, 33rd Division when Adam fell at the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe, 23rd - 24th April 1917. Adam was last seen carrying his Lewis gun into action during a successful action by his Company. This Battle was part of the The Arras offensive (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 First 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. Adam was previously wounded by shrapnel on the 13/08/1916 and was sent to the nearest Casualty Clearing Station. See Newspaper clippings for a letter sent to Adam's mother by Captain McEwen. Also see Newspaper clippings for a poem written to his mother by Adam and published in the Coatbridge Express on the 11/08/1915 and a message from Adam's mother asking about Adam's wristwatch, rosary and prayer book (Service Record 10). He is also remembered on the St. Mary's Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for Adam's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 4, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, the 1911 Census, another photo of Adam's Grave, his Service Records x 17, Adam's Pension Record, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Cap Badge and the Heninel-Croisilles Road Cemetery.