Alexander Paterson

The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 26/02/1915 and were part of the 46th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division when Alexander was killed. Alexander arrived in France on the 30/11/1914. Alexander was serving in India when war broke out and was later transferred to Egypt then France where he was wounded. On recovery he went to Mesopotamia where he contracted fever and was invalided home. When he returned to action again this brave man was 3 times wounded before being killed on the 01/08/1918. Two of his wounds (when part of the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry) were concussion from a shell on the 02/04/1917 and gunshot wounds to his hand and face on the 30/11/1917. He was decorated with the Dartar Medal in India for being a bodyguard at the crowning of King George in December 1911. Alexander was killed at the Battle of the Soissonais and of the Ourcq, 23rd July - 2nd August 1918. The 15th (Scottish) Division attacked Buzancy. The 46th Brigade were to attack the 2 wooded hills west of the Soissons road and go forward as far as Taux. On the right the 9th Royal Scots and the 7/8th King's Own Scottish Borderers were to lead the attack of the 46th Brigade, with the 10th Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in close support. Before dawn on the 1st August all troops were in position. At 9 a.m. the troops left their positions but from the very start they came under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. By far the worst came from machine-guns in several derelict tanks in front of the Brigade. The fire from these was so intense that progress forward was impossible. "C" and "D" Companies of the 9th Royal Scots, leading the attack, suffered heavily after advancing with the greatest gallantry barely 250 yards. Of the many acts of gallantry performed that day one may be mentioned. When the attack of the 9th Royal Scots and 10th Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was brought to a standstill by terrific machine-gun fire a number of men of both Battalions lay wounded in full view of the enemy. Seeing this, Private R. Owenson of the Cameronians went out to help them and in defence of the intense fire his action drew on him, he crawled from one to another, bandaging their wounds until his supply of dressings was finished. He returned to his Company and got a further supply and went back through the barrage to the wounded men. Private Owenson received the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the Military Medal and the Croix de Guerre (with palms) for this bravery. This Battle was part of the Battles of the Marne, 20th July - 2nd August 1918 : A British force takes part in Foch's very large scale and highly successful counter offensive of the Marne, which proves to be the start of an unbroken series of Allied successes. See Directory for Alexander's brother John's page. Alexander is listed as 1st BATTALION HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY on the Coatbridge Memorial. This was his previous Regiment. Alexander was transferred to the Royal Scots on the 03/04/1918. He is also remembered on the Gartsherrie Works Roll of Honour x 2 (see photos). Alexander was reburied in Raperie British Cemetery (see photos). See photos for Alexander's Medal Index Card, Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report. another photo of Alexander's Grave, Raperie British Cemetery, his Pension Records x 2, Service Records x 24, Alexander's previous Regiment the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge and the Royal Scots Cap Badge.