John Smellie

Died of Wounds on the 03/04/1918. Wounds received at the 1st Battle of Arras 1918 (part of the 1st Battles of the Somme 1918)

John was formerly with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (7833) and he arrived in France on the 14/10/1915. The 9th (Service) Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) arrived at Boulogne on the 08/07/1915 and were part of the 46th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division when John received his wounds. John received his injuries at the First Battle of Arras, 28th March 1918. This was part of the 1st Battles of the Somme, 21st March - 5th April 1918 : After transferring very large forces from the now-collapsed Eastern Front, the German Army commits to a series of large-scale offensives. The first, Operation Michael, strikes the British Fifth and Third Armies. A deep advance is made and inflicts large losses, although the second phase, Operation Mars, at Arras on the 28th March, is soon held. In the crisis, the Allies decide at Doullens to appoint French General Foch as co-ordinator, and soon enough, as Generalissimo. Before enough French and British reserves are finally assembled to hold the German advance before it captures the critical railway junctions at Amiens. See photos for John and his sons Marriage Certificates, his Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, Duisans British Cemetery and the Black Watch Cap Badge, John's former Regiment the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Cap Badge and John's Pension Records x 2. Huge thanks to Johnny Smillie and family for the photos of John's Medals, Medallion Plaque (Dead Man's Penny) and John's Memorial Scroll.