The 2/2nd (Lowland) Field Company were part of the 52nd (Lowland) Division from March 1915. John arrived at Gallipoli on the 22/06/1915. John is listed as Died of Wounds 20 days later aboard H.M.H.S. (His / Her Majesty's Hospital Ship) "Dongola" (see Army Register of Soldiers Effects. Also see photos for H.M.H.S. "Dongola"). John received his wounds at the Battle of Achi Baba Nullah. The Battle, 12th and 13th July 1915 : The order was given to charge the Turkish defences in the late afternoon of the 12th of July 1915. As was the case throughout the campaign, the fighting was conducted at close quarters, with some trenches almost within touching distance. The Battle proved to be an overwhelming disaster. On the 12th July, the 52nd Lowland suffered 2427 casualties, of which 1065 were killed. On the 5th April the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service; on the 7th May this was confirmed, with the destination being Gallipoli. The units embarked at Liverpool and Devonport between the 18th May and 8th June. Disaster struck on the 22nd May when a train carrying the Battalion HQ and two Companies of the 1/7th Royal Scots crashed in an accident at Quntinshill near Gretna. 3 Officers and 207 men died, 5 Officers and 219 were injured. Fewer than 70 men survived this crash unscathed. Two of the Field Artillery Brigades and the heavy battery remained on the Forth defences. The first units landed on Gallipoli (Cape Helles) on the 6th June. John was at one time a popular player with Albion Rovers after starting his footballing career at Derby County before turning out for Albion Rovers at centre forward from 1901 - 1905. This coincided with a successful period for the Rovers. They won the Lanarkshire league in season 1901 - 1902 and the Scottish Combination league in seasons 1901 - 1902 and 1902 - 1903. This success led Rovers to be elected to the Second Division for season 1903 - 1904.That same season Rovers made it to the Scottish Qualifying Cup Final in Dundee losing to Arbroath 4-2 with John scoring Rovers equalising 1st goal to make it 1-1. Photo of John's name on the Helles Memorial kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping (John is listed as Jack, his family name), his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Helles Memorial Panel List, his name on the Helles Memorial, John's Pension Records x 2 and the Royal Engineers Cap Badge. Finally, see photos x 12 for the 52nd (Lowland) Division Order of Battle (the Division he was serving with when he died), PHOTOS x 56 FOR THE 52nd (LOWLAND) DIVISION BOOK 2nd - 13th JULY 1915, Newspaper clippings x 4 (Coatbridge Express x 1, Coatbridge Leader x 1 and the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 2), photos x 5 for the Remembrance Garden opened on the 11/11/2023 at the Albion Rovers stadium. 8 plaques show the names of the players who played for the team and fell in WW1. Rovers chaplain David Shaw led prayers and readings at the poignant service, which was attended by around 60 people, while Salvation Army bugler Captain Scott Garman sounded 'The Last Post' ahead of a two-minute silence and see photos x 2 for the Albion Rovers F.C. match programme in January 2022. John's story is told in 2nd page. Brian Nugent is heavily involved in remembering the men who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Great War and who played for the Wee Rovers. He kindly mentioned myself and the website in the article.
