Robert Boyne

Killed in Action on the 04/10/1917 (instantly in the early hours of the morning) at Villers Plouich

The Battalion arrived in France in June 1916 and were part of the 120th Brigade, 40th Division when Robert fell as Lewis Gunner with the 14th (Service) Battalion. Robert originally enlisted in the 10/11th (Service) Battalion Highland Light Infantry. Robert was wounded on the 23/04/1917 near Villers Plouich and had only returned to France on the 02/09/1917. He was "killed without pain" at Villers Plouich (where he was originally wounded) in the early hours of the morning of the 04/10/1917 according to Captain Henderson (see Newspaper clippings). After Robert's death the Battalion / Division took part in the Cambrai Operations, in which they participated in the capture of Bourlon Wood, 23rd - 28th November 1917. On the 22nd November, the 40th Division at Beaumetz-les-Cambrai received orders to relieve the 62nd Division the next day. The 40th was a Division of Bantams, men under regulation height. By now the roads were breaking up under the strain of thousands of men, wagons and lorries. It took 40th Divisional HQ 15 hours to travel the 9 miles to Havrincourt. Over the next few days, further troops were thrown into the battle, including the Guards Division, which advanced into Fontaine. Once his troops had been driven from the wood, the enemy switched all of his artillery onto it. Battalions in the wood were wiped out. Three companies of the 14th Highland Light Infantry miraculously penetrated to the far side of Bourlon but were cut off and gradually annihilated (see War Diary). SEE PHOTOS x 2 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY APRIL 1917 (when Robert was wounded), PHOTOS x 5 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY OCTOBER 1917 and PHOTOS x 4 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY NOVEMBER 1917. Robert's main grave photo kindly donated by my friend in France, Thierry Dericbourg. See photos for Robert's Medal Index Card, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, Fins New British Cemetery, his Headstone Report x 2, the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge and Robert's Pension Records x 2. Robert's grave inscription reads "EVER REMEMBERED". Finally, see photos for Newspaper clippings (Coatbridge Leader x 1 and Coatbridge Express x 2). Both Newspapers mention Captain Henderson's letter to Mrs Boyne, the 40th Division book September - November 1917 x 5, the 40th Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died), another photo of Robert's grave, 4 more Newspaper clippings regarding Robert (Coatbridge Express x 2 and the Coatbridge Leader x 2) and 3 more Newspaper clippings from the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser remembering Robert's parents and brother.