Norman McLeod Pirret M.M.

Norman arrived in France on the 25/08/1814 and was based at the 11th General Hospital, Boulogne. The 1st Field Ambulance were part of the 1st Division. It was warned to prepare for an operation along the Belgian coast in summer 1917. It moved to the Dunkirk area for specialist training and occupied part of the front line east of Nieuport. Several mobile units were attached in readiness. The operation was cancelled when the initial assaults in the Third Battle of Ypres failed to progress as expected. Norman was awarded the Military Medal in October 1916 for rescuing a party of wounded Officers. He Died of Wounds received rescuing his comrades under heavy shell fire. The Division took part in the following Battles up to Norman's death - 1914 : The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, including the Rearguard Affair of Etreux (August), The Battle of the Marne (September), The Battle of the Aisne including participation in the Actions on the Aisne heights and the Action of Chivy (September) and First Battle of Ypres (October-November). 1915 : Winter Operations 1914-15, The Battle of Aubers (9 May), The Battle of Loos (September-October). 1916 : The Battles of the Somme 1916 - The Battle of Albert (July), The Battle of Bazentin (July), The Battle of Pozieres (July-September), The Battle of Flers-Courcelette (September), The Battle of Morval (September). 1917 : The British pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line (March-April). Norman was once the Deacon of Coats Parish Church and is remembered on their Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for Norman's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 3, 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 Norman's grave, Coxyde Military Cemetery, Norman's Pension Records x 2 and the Royal Army Medical Corps Cap Badge. Norman's grave inscription reads "DEARLY BELOVED HUSBAND OF TINA SCOTT COATBRIDGE TILL HE COME".