Robert G Smith

The Battalion were in Bareilly, India in August 1914 and were part of the Bareilly Brigade, Meerut Division. On the 21/09/1914 they moved to France, landing at Marseilles on the 12/10/1914. Robert arrived in France on the 08/04/1915. Robert was Killed in Action on the opening day of the British attack at Aubers Ridge a month after his arrival in France. The Battle on the 09/05/1915 : The Southern attack was to be made in easterly direction by the 1st and Meerut Divisions, on a 2400-yard front between Chocolat Menier Corner and Port Arthur (1st Division would have an attack frontage of 1600 yards; Meerut 800 yards), with the objective Rue du Marais - Lorgies - Ligny le Grand, incorporating La Cliqueterie (a heavily defended German strongpoint). Southern pincer - 3.45pm : Bareilly Brigade, moving up to relieve the Dehra Dun, loses more than 200 men due to enemy shelling. 3.57pm : Meerut Division orders Bareilly Brigade to advance, even though it is clear that conditions are unchanged : few men even reached a small ditch 20 yards in front of their own front line, and the Brigade suffered more than 1000 casualties within minutes. More than 11,000 British casualties were sustained on the 9th of May 1915, the vast majority within yards of their own front-line trench. Mile for mile, Division for Division, this was one of the highest rates of loss during the entire war. Robert's Battalion had 234 casualties on this day including 8 Officers. He'd been at the front for 4 weeks. Robert is listed as PRIVATE on the Coatbridge Memorial. He is also remembered on the Clifton Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for Robert's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Le Touret Memorial Panel List, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his name on the Le Touret Memorial, another photo of Robert and the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) Cap Badge.