John Roberts

The Battalion were in Ambala, India in August 1914 and were part of the 9th (Sirhind) Brigade in the 3rd (Lahore) Division. They moved to France via Egypt, landing at Marseilles on the 01/12/1914 (some weeks after the other Brigades of the Division). In December 1915 they moved to Mesopotamia. John arrived in France on the 24/03/1915. John spent 9 months in France before being moved to Mesopotamia (Iraq). He was wounded there and taken to India. John was Killed in Action during the British advance on Baghdad at the capture of Khudaira Bend (Battle of Mohammed Abdul Hassan) 09/01/1917 : Early in 1917 the Division was involved in an offensive to retake Kut-al-Amara, a strategically important town on the Tigris river, 100 miles southeast of Baghdad. Turkish forces had inflicted a humiliating defeat on the British there in April 1916 and now, under new command British forces launched an offensive at Khadairi Bend, where the Tigris river turns sharply eastwards just north of Kut; it was an area that was heavily fortified by the Turks. After an artillery bombardment on Turkish defences, an infantry assault commenced on the morning of the 09/01/1917, becoming known as the battle of Khadairi Bend (or battle of Mohammed Abdul Hassan). It was extremely hard fought, in awful conditions resulting from previous torrential rain and the day itself was shrouded in mist. John was last seen within 150 yards of the Turkish trenches. John never returned home in 28 months of service. He was reported as wounded and missing on the 09/01/1917 but the family did not receive official information until July 1918 that he was presumed killed on the original date (see Newspaper clippings). See photos for John'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, his name on the Basra Memorial, John's Pension Records x 2, the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge, the CWGC Basra Memorial Roll of Honour x 3 and John's name in the CWGC Basra Memorial Roll of Honour.