James Reilly

ADDITIONAL FAMILY INFORMATION - About noon on the 29/03/1916 James' youngest daughter Mary aged 1 year 4 months was fatally burned at the family home. James was Killed in Action 4 weeks later. The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 10/07/1915 and were part of the 46th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. James arrived in France on the 28/07/1915. On the 24/04/1916 the Division moved into the line, this time in relief of the 12th Division, then holding the Hohenzollern sector. The move was completed by 10a.m. on the 26/04/1916. The sector extended from the Vermelles-Hulloch road on the right to the Mud Trench on the Vermelles-Auchy road. It was subdivided into two sections, the one on the right being known as "the Quarries" and that on the left as the "Hohenzollern" sections respectively. At the start the 44th Brigade occupied the Quarries section, the 46th Brigade the Hohenzollern, with the 45th Brigade in Divisional reserve at Annequin, Sailly Labourse, and Bethune. From its experience during the previous tour the Division knew well what to expect in this particular section. Along almost its entire length No Man's Land was a mass of mine craters, for the possession of which there was daily fighting. In several places the enemy had already tunnelled underneath portions of the British trenches. Listening posts were established in the front line and on the near lips of the craters. In areas where enemy mining was known to exist the number of men occupying the front line was reduced to a minimum, the main garrison being kept in the support line a few yards in rear of the danger area. Quarry Cemetery was used from July 1915 to June 1916, and (for two burials) in August 1917. Its existence is due chiefly to the fighting at Fosse 8 and at the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and it contains many graves of the dismounted Cavalry who occupied this sector in 1915-16. The Cemetery was severely damaged by shell fire. There are now over 100, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, 10 are unidentified and many of the graves, identified as a whole but not individually, are marked by headstones bearing the additional words "BURIED NEAR THIS SPOT". James' headstone is one of these. James is also remembered on the St. Augustine's Church and St. Patrick's Churches Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 3, his Headstone Report x 3, Quarry Cemetery, James' Pension Records x 2 and the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge. James' grave inscription reads "THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT".