Casualty List : 1st/5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Names in Blue also appear on Battalion Roll
Casualties for May 1917 (Battle of Arras - Chemical Works - page 1)
| Date | Number | Rank | Name |
Nature of Casualty |
Notes |
| 16th-17th May 1917 |
2/Lt | Emslie, Alexander | Killed in action | Age 28. Son of Jane Emslie, of 235, Westburn Rd., Aberdeen, and the late Alexander Emslie, of Keith, Banflshire. (ARRAS MEMORIAL) 6th Bn. attd. 1st/5th Bn. | |
| 16th-17th May 1917 |
2/Lt | MacCormac, Meriotte Campbell | Killed in action | Age 26. Son of Thomas Campbell MacCormac, and Eliza MacCormac, of 28, St. John's St., York. Went to France Sept., 1914 with 1st Bn. London Scottish. (BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX ) 7th Bn attd. 1st/5th Bn. | |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 2/Lt | Moodie, Ralph Wilson | Killed in action | 6th Bn. attd. 1st/5th Bn. (ARRAS MEMORIAL) | |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 2/Lt | Anton, E.V | Killed in action | Age 32 Son of Mrs. Annie Anton, of 3, Church St., Huntly (ARRAS MEMORIAL) 6th Bn. attd. 5th Bn | |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | Major | Skae, E.T | Wounded | Second in command was wounded on the Railway Embankment while battalion HQ were moving. | |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | Capt | Hutcheon, Albert | Wounded | Officer commanding "B" Coy. Farmer. Commissioned from ranks 9/4/1915. Military Cross "For conspicuous gallantry" at Vimy 9/10 April 1917. Totally blinded by shrapnel 16/5/17. " War Book of Turriff p.71 - mentioned in War Diary 9th April 1917- leading "A" Coy. Also mentioned in "Century of Remembrance" at opening of Aberdeen War memorial. See his Military Cross citation | |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | Capt | Kelly, A | Wounded | Awarded M.C for his actions on 16th May. See his citation. POW from 21/3/1918. Repatriated 29/11/1918 | |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 2/Lt | Glennie, J.O.T | Wounded | "B" Coy | |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 2/Lt | Duthie, W.S | Wounded | ||
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 2/Lt | Smart, J | Wounded | ||
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 2/Lt | Smellie, R.McD | Wounded | ||
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 241082 | Pte | Rearie, John | Killed in action | Born Daviot. Enlisted Ellon (ARRAS MEMORIAL) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242513 | Pte | Munro, Robert | Killed in action |
Age 32 Son of William and Isabella Grant Munro; husband of Margaret McWilliam Munro, Linsharnie Cottages, Cairnie, Huntly (ARRAS MEMORIAL) MM |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 240735 | Pte | Ingram, George | Killed in action | Enlisted Peterhead. (ARRAS MEMORIAL) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242098 | Pte | McGee, William | Killed in action | Born Dundee. Enlisted Aberdeen. (ARRAS MEMORIAL) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 240493 | Pte | Chalmers, George | Killed in action | Enlisted Peterhead. (ARRAS MEMORIAL) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 241627 | Pte | Turner, Augustus | Killed in action | Enlisted Northampton (MM) On Red Cross Missing list August 1917 "B" Coy VIII platoon. (Stretcher bearer) Killed 16/17 May 1917. Details of death and burial requested. (ARRAS MEMORIAL) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 241313 | Pte | Ross, Charles George | Killed in action | Age 34 Son of Hugh and Margaret Ross, of Flour Mills, Tynet, Buckie, Banffshire (BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 241101 | Pte | Burnett, Robert | Killed in action | Born Pitsligo. Enlisted Peterhead. (BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242156 | Pte | Innes, Arthur | Killed in action | Born Aberdeen (BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242021 | Pte | McGregor, Robert | Killed in action | Enlisted Inverurie. (BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 240428 | Pte | Coutts, George A | Killed in action | Enlisted Aberdeen. (BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242208 | Pte | Howison, James W | Killed in action | Enlisted Elgin. Age 34. "B" Coy. Son of John and Jane Howison, of Knockando, Morayshire.(ARRAS MEMORIAL) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 240690 | L.Cpl | Clyne, James | Killed in action | Enlisted Peterhead. (ARRAS MEMORIAL) MM |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242133 | L.Cpl | Stewart, John W | Killed in action | Age 19 Son of John W. and Mary Stewart, of 3, Montrose Rd., Arbroath. Born at Aberdeen.(BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242074 | Pte | Chalmers, George | Killed in action | Enlisted Aberdeen. Age 33. Son of James and Elspet Chalmers, 34, Esslemont, Avenue, Aberdeen. (BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242129 | Pte | Lawrence, George | Killed in action | Age 26. Son of William and Margaret Lawrence. Born at Hillfoot, Stricken (BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 260034 | Pte | Walker, John | Killed in action | Born Ellangowan. Enlisted Rothesay. (ARRAS MEMORIAL) Originally 4833 A&SH |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242167 | Pte | Stewart, (Stuart) Charles | Killed in action | Enlisted Keith. (LEVEL CROSSING CEMETERY, FAMPOUX) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 240111 | Sgt | Mackie, Peter | Killed in action | Born and enlisted Peterhead. (ARRAS MEMORIAL) Previously: Scotsman 23/6/1915 casualty list - wounded-"Peterhead- Pte Peter Mackie of the 5th GH, residing at 2 Tanfield Place, is wounded in the left ear and the right shoulder amd wrist. He said in a letter he is progressing well and is in hospital. He is 24 years of age and a sawyer to trade". Also wounded 26/3/1916; 28/4/1916; 31/7/1916. |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 240419 | L.Cpl | Wiseman, William W | Killed in action | Age 23. Son of Joseph Wiseman, of 22, Backgate, Peterhead (ARRAS MEMORIAL) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 241137 | L.Cpl | Grant, James | Killed in action | Age 19 Son of William and Janet Grant, of Millbank, Longside (ST. NICOLAS BRITISH CEMETERY) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 241226 | Pte | Cadger, William | Killed in action | Age 22 Son of Andrew and Annie Cadger, of Cruden Bay (BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | S/17466 | Pte | Muckhart, (Muckart) Richard | Killed in action |
N/T CWGC. Service & War Returns show died 1917 age 22. Born St Vigeans. Enlisted Perth. Son of James Muckart (ploughman) and Mary Ann Steel. (Note: Medals & death plaque on ebay April 2006. ) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | S/40898 | Pte | Cormack, John | Killed in action | Age 26. Son of Mrs. J. Cormack, of Riskalain, Latheronwheel, Caithness (ARRAS MEMORIAL) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242381 | Pte | Gilmour, Hugh | Killed in action | Age 21 Son of William Gilmour, of Greenbank, Darvel, Ayrshire. (ST. NICOLAS BRITISH CEMETERY) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | S/17463 | Pte | McAlonan, James | Killed in action | Age 20 and 3 days. Born Dalry Ayrshire 14th. May 1897. He was the only son of Janet McAlonan who died July 9th. 1899. He was brought up near Falkirk where he enlisted as did his uncle Gunner William McAlonan Royal FieldArtillery, K.I.A. 20th. March 1916. Both men are remembered on the Dalry War memorial (ST. NICOLAS BRITISH CEMETERY). (Information kindly supplied by a relative, Baird Ferguson) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 241465 | Pte | Wallace, Albert W | Killed in action | Enlisted Peterhead. Brother of F. Wallace, of 28, Castle Street, Fraserburgh. (ST. NICOLAS BRITISH CEMETERY) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 209198 | Pte | Brebner, William | Killed in action | Age 21 Son of the late William and Esther Brebner, of Aberdeen; husband of Elizabeth Clapperton Brebner, of 13, Granton Place, Aberdeen. (ST. NICOLAS BRITISH CEMETERY) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 240181 | Pte | Souter, George C | Wounded | Longhill, Kininmonth. Previously wounded 26/3/1916. POW in March 1918. Disembodied 7/4/1919. Later (possibly post-war) Scottish Rifles served Kurdistan - 3235145 |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242217 | A/Cpl | Ogg, Thomas P | Wounded |
Later Killed July 1917: Enlisted Aberdeen. (NEW IRISH FARM CEMETERY) MM 40 Union Grove ABD. Husband of Isabella, and eldest son of the late George and Mrs Ogg 171 Skene St West, ABD ( 'Peoples Journal' 1/9/1917) Originally 3897 - To France 1/8/1915 |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 40884 | A/Cpl | McDonald, J | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917 - casualty lists - wounded (Tain) (N/T TNA) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242354 | Cpl | Muir, Robert | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Glasgow ) Originally S/10565 GH. To France 1/9/1915. Discharged to Class Z 25/2/1919 |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 241976 | L.Cpl | Hay, George | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Aberdeen ) (3537) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 240966 | L.Cpl | Brown, James | Wounded (Later died of wounds) | Scotsman 18/6/1917 - casualty lists - wounded " Brown, 240966, L-Cpl. J (Lonmay)". - (3182) Died of wounds 7/7/1917. To France 5/12/1915. |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242186 | L.Cpl | Conway, John | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded- (Dunbarton) - (5144) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242516 | L.Cpl | McLeod, A.C | Wounded (Later died) |
16/5/1917 . Age 27 Son of Mrs. E. McLeod, of 47, Delburn St., Parkhead, Glasgow. (ARRAS MEMORIAL) Scotsman 23/7/1917 casualty lists -Wounded and missing - "McLeod, 242516, L-Cpl (Inverness)". |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242322 | L.Cpl | McSavaney, Walter | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Airdrie ). Later Killed in action, July 1917. Born New Monkland. Enlisted Coatbridge. (YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 240305 | L.Cpl | Thom, William | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Tarves ) - (1840) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 202455 | L.Cpl | Elrick, J | Wounded | Second son of Mr William Elrick , The Square Mintlaw. Later POW March 1918. |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242191 | Pte | Thomson, J | Wounded | GSW to shoulder. Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded - shown as G Thomson, (Strichen ) Incorrectly shown as "J" Thomson in War Diary. Real name is George. Later transferred to RFC which confirms his name and details of his wounds on 16th May. |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 241990 | Pte | Rankine, (Rankin) Adam | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Glasgow ). - (4946) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | S/15856 | Pte | Murray, John H | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Aberdeen ) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 40858 | Pte | Allen, (Allan) D | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Govan ) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | S/17565 | Pte | McGlugash, (McLugash), Donald | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Bowmore) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242216 | Pte | Watt, William | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Insch ) - (4619) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 240611 | Pte | Watson, Alexander | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917 - casualty lists - wounded (Udny) - (2473) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242432 | Pte | Thornton, Patrick | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Braemar ) - (5720) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | S/17484 | Pte | Anderson, Archibald | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Greenock) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 263001 | Pte | Beveridge, Gerald H.S | Wounded (Later Killed) | 16/5/1917. Enlisted London. On Red Cross list August 1917 "A" Coy 263001. Wounded and missing since 16/17 May 1917. (ARRAS MEMORIAL) SDGW=Killed in action not died of wounds. |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 240882 | Pte | Bruce, James A | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917 - casualty lists - wounded "Bruce, 240822, J.A. (Strichen)". - (2866) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 241291 | Pte | Scott, A. (George T ) | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Macduff ) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242515 | Pte | Smith, James | Wounded (Later died of wounds) | 16/5/1917. Son of Mrs. M. Smith, of Muirton Cottage, Lenkwood, New Elgin, Elgin.(DUISANS BRITISH CEMETERY, ETRUN) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 240573 | Sgt | McIntosh, Alexander W | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917 - casualty lists - wounded 16/5/1917 (St Combs) . Later: Buchan Observer 30/4/1918: "It is announced that Q.M. Sergt Alex McIntosh, grandson of the late Mr Jonathan McIntosh, Low St., New Pitsligo has been killed. (13/4/1918 -A Coy. Age 23. Croix-de-Guerre -Belgium). PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL (2396) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 240182 | L.Cpl | Fippen, Ernest | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Peterhead) - (Name given as Tippen in error) - (1582) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242313 | L.Cpl | Innes, J. McK | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Keith ) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242051 | L.Cpl | McRae, George McC | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Bucksburn) - (5007) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242157 | L.Cpl | Walker, John M | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Aberdeen) - (4028) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 260038 | Pte | Ainslie, James | Wounded | Formerley A&SH Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Linlithgow) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 240509 | Pte | Barron, Alexander | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Banff) - (2274) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 241315 | Pte | Burnie, William (or Birnie) | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Aberdeen) - (3482) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242022 | Pte | Craig, W.J.J | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Aberdeen) . Also wounded April 1917. |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242123 | Pte | Cruickshank, James | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Aberdeen ) - (5881) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242546 | Pte | Duncan, Samuel | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Aberdeen ) - (5734) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | 242365 | Pte | Devlin, John | Wounded | Previously wounded 25/8/1916. (S/12020) .Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Glasgow) |
| 16th-17th May 1917 | S/17474 | Pte | Forbes, J | Wounded | Scotsman 18/6/1917- casualty list - wounded (Montrose) |
DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION 16th May 1917 (From unit War Diaries) "The enemy barrage throughout was very heavy and before our arrival in CRASH TRENCH there had been three officer casualties:- [The companies continued their advance] The companies suffered severely in passing this [emeny] barrage losing about 20% of their effectiveness. They were now clear of the enemy barrage and as they advanced came under rifle and machine gun fire. The enemy ... was now falling back on to CROW and CUPID, pursued by our men. At this point the leading companies were held up by very heavy machine gun and rifle fire from CUPID and CURLY TRENCHES and ...were unable to advance. This was about 1pm. The casualties up to this point had not been excessive but 2/Lts Anton, O C "A" Coy and Emslie "D" Coy were killed, and 2/Lts Smellie "C" Coy and Smart "B" Coy were wounded about this time. Capt Kelly OC "D" Coy and 2/Lt Moodie Acting O C "B" Coy were slightly wounded but remained at duty. [The attack continued into the evening with heavy barrages from both sides.] During the attack on CUPID TRENCH the following officers became casualties: All four companies and the 2 platoons of the 6th Black Watch, numbering 180 all told, fell back and took up the line of CROW and CROOK TRENCHES, where they consolidated and were relieved on the night of 16/17th by the 6th Black Watch.
Major E T Skae 2nd in Command
Capt A Hutcheon O.C. "B" Coy
2/Lt J O T Glennie "B" Coy
and about 10 other ranks, and before the attack started 2/Lt C McCormack "C" Coy was killed on the road behind CRASH TRENCH.
At 8am all four companies advanced in extended order in two waves to CARDIGAN TRENCH which was reached without much difficulty and without many casualties.
At 9.30am they advanced to the houses north of the Station and were caught by a very heavy enemy barrage from which "B" Company suffered heavily, and the four companies fell back into CALIBAR and CARDIGAN TRENCHES.
2/Lt R W Moodie "B" Coy Wounded (Died of wounds)
Capt A Kelly "D" Coy Wounded
2/Lt W S Duthie "B" Coy Wounded.
and it was about this time that most of the other rank casualties occurred.
Note on information supplied from the Scotsman newspaper : "The town shown against a soldier's name is the home of his next-of-kin, except when followed by the abbreviation 'enlt', when it is his place of enlistment."
SWB=Silver War Badge (for men discharged due to wounds or illness)
| War Diary May 1917 | May 1917 page 2 | May 1917 page 3 | Awards and Decorations for this action |