Andrew McQuillan

Died of Wounds on the 21/09/1916. Wounds received on the 15/09/1916 on the opening day of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette (part of the Battles of the Somme)

The Battalion arrived in France in July 1915 and were part of the 45th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. Andrew set out for France on the 04/08/1915. He Died of Wounds on the 21/09/1916. They were received 6 days earlier on the opening day of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, 15th - 22nd September 1916 (the 15th (Scottish) Division captured Martinpuich) : This was a large-scale general renewal of the offensive after the weeks of attritional fighting for the third German system at Pozieres, High Wood, Delville Wood, Guillemont and Ginchy. It is historically noteworthy for being the first time that tanks were used in battle. Few in number, mechanically unreliable and as yet without proven tactics for their best use, the small numbers of tanks that actually went into action had an important positive effect. High Wood and Delville Wood were finally cleared and a deep advance was made to Flers and towards Combles. The Canadian Corps entered the Somme fighting for the first time. This was part of the Battles of the Somme, 1st July - 18th November 1916 : A Franco-British offensive that was undertaken after Allied strategic conferences in late 1915, but which changed its nature due to the German attack against the French in the epic Battle of Verdun, which lasted from late February to November. Huge British losses on the first day and a series of fiercely-contested steps that became attritional in nature. For all armies on the Western Front it was becoming what the Germans would call "materialschlacht" : a war not of morale, will or even manpower, but of sheer industrial material might. The 15/091916 saw the first-ever use of tanks in the step known as the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. The British army in France is now approaching its maximum strength in numbers but is still developing in terms of tactics, technology, command and control. Andrew received a loss of privileges for 3 days in April 1916 for losing by neglect his steel helmet. He is also remembered on the Dundyvan Parish Church Roll of Honour (see photos) and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Andrew's 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 x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, another photo of Andrew's Grave, St. Pierre Cemetery, Andrew's Service Records x 10. his Pension Records x 3 and the Royal Scots Cap Badge.