William Brand

Died of Wounds on the 10/05/1915 at the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station in Bethune

The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 14/08/1914 and were part of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Division. William arrived on the 25/02/1915. The 2nd Division "Holding Attack" was delivered at Givenchy on the opening day of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle 10/03/1915. William survived less than 3 months in France. After William Died of Wounds on the 10/05/1915 the Battalion / Division were involved in the Battle of Festubert, 15th - 25th May 1915. According to the 2nd (Division book the casualties at the battle were : "Officers Killed 46, Wounded 120 and Missing 12 ; whilst in Other Ranks the Division lost 521 Killed, 3,560 Wounded and 1,187 Missing - a total of 5,446. Some Battalions had lost half their effectives". SEE PHOTOS x 9 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY APRIL - MAY 1915. Also see photos for picture remembering the bravery of Private George Wilson, V.C. 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry. He was awarded the V.C. for gallantry in the First Battle of the Aisne, on September 14, 1914, near Verneuil. He attacked a hostile machine-gun, accompanied by only one man. When the latter was killed, he shot the Officer and six men working on the gun, which he captured. William was a noted junior footballer and enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war. See photos for William's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, Bethune Town Cemetery and the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge. Finally, see photos for another one of William's grave, Bethune Town Cemetery taken by myself in July 2023, another photo of William's grave taken by myself in July 2023, the Poppy Cross I placed at William's grave before I left for France in July 2023, Newspaper clippings x 2 (Coatbridge Express x 1 and Coatbridge Leader x 1), a picture remembering the brave actions of Private George Wilson V.C. of the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry, the 2nd DIVISION BOOK x 30 FROM WILLIAM'S ARRIVAL IN FRANCE UNTIL LATE MAY 1915, the 2nd Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died) and another photo of William's grave kindly donated by my friend in France, Thierry Dericbourg.