James McLurg

Died of Erysipelas to the face and head on the 19/09/1916 at Home

The Battalion were in Ambala, India in August 1914 and were part of the 9th Sirhind Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division. They moved to France via Egypt, landing at Marseilles on the 01/12/1914 (some weeks after the other Brigades of the Division). In December 1915 they moved to Mesopotamia. James arrived in France on the 06/03/1915. In 1915 the Battalion fought at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, 10th - 23rd March, the Battle of St. Julien (a phase of the Second Battle of Ypres) on the 24th April - 4th May, the Battle of Aubers on the 9th May and the Battle of Festubert on the 15th - 25th May. With increasing difficulties of replacing Indian casualties, a decision was taken to withdraw the Division from France and move it to Mesopotamia. Movement began on the 8th December 1915. In 1916 the Battalion were involved in the first attack on the Hanna (7th and 9th Brigades only) on the 21/01/1916, the Attack on the Dujaila Redoubt on the 08/03/1916 and the Action of Bait Aisa on the 17th - 18th April. James' Medal Index Card states he was discharged on the 16/06/1916. His Service Record 9 states he was discharged as 'no longer physically fit for War Service' (see photos for Service Record 2 and 9). He Died at home on the 19/09/1916. His Pension Record states he died from Erysipelas to his face and head due to active service (This is an intense red rash which develops on the face, arms and legs which is caused by the streptococcus A bacteria). James is also listed as being Wounded on the Casualty Lists from the War Office and his Service Record 3 on the 21/03/1915 (see photos). He was wounded in both legs by shrapnel or bomb and was home in the 4th Scottish General Hospital in Glasgow (see Service Records 6, 7 and 8). The wounds were received at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, 10th - 23rd March 1915. James is listed as McLURE on the Coatbridge Memorial. He is also remembered on the Gartsherrie Works Roll of Honour (Gartsherrie Bowling Club - Baird's Scottish Steel Works), East United Free Church (McLurg) and Maxwell Parish Churches (McLurge) Rolls of Honour (see photos) and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, his Service Records x 10, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, James' Pension Records x 3, Old Monkland Cemetery, and the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge. James' grave inscription reads "HE DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE". Finally, see photos for the 3rd (Lahore) Division Battles and Engagements and a Newspaper clipping from the Coatbridge Express 27/01/1915 (listed on the East United Free Church Roll of Honour).