Casualty List : 1st/5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Names in Blue also appear on Battalion Roll
From War Diaries(and other sources) May - October 1915. Includes recommendations for awards - September 1915
Disposition of the Battalion May-June 1915. Source: Ray Westlake, British battalions on the Western Front January to June 1915 : Neuve Chapelle, Ypres, Aubers Ridge and Festubert London : Leo Cooper, 2001.
From Bedford to Folkstone and arrived Boulogne 4th May. Moved by train to Berguete and from there marched to billets at L'Ecteme. To Paradis 5th, returning to L'Ecteme 12th. Moved to Caestre 14th, Vieux-Berquin 17th, Pont Riqueul 18th. Took over trenches near Indian Village 20th. Relieved 25th and moved into billets near Bois de Pacauet. Moved into trenches near Festubert 31st May. Occupied positions in The Orchard. Relieved 4th June and to Cornet Malo. To Riez-du-Vinage 6th and took over breastworks at Le Tournet 16th. Moved into reserve trenches near La Cinque Rue later. Withdrew to billets on canal west of Les Caudrons 19th then into trenches east of Festubert 22nd. Relieved 27th and to La Tombe Willot 27th, Pont du Hem 28th, Le Drumez 29th June.
Click her to view War Diary for June 1915
| Place | Date | Number | Rank | Name | Nature of Casualty | Notes |
| Richebourg | 22 May 1915 | 1952 | Pte | Taylor, John | Died of wounds | Age 29. Son of John and Bella Taylor, 16 Broad St Lane, Fraserburgh. (BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY). Born Fraserburgh |
| 30 May 1915 | Major | Fowlie, Charles W.L | Killed by a shell | Son of John and Elizabeth Lawson Fowlie, of Udny, Aberdeenshire. (PONT-DU-HEM MILITARY CEMETERY, LA GORGUE) Major Fowlie was killed by a shell while inspecting the trenches of 4th Canadian Bn, prior to relieving them. The incident was mentioned in Canadian War Diary and in a letter from a Canadian soldier, Willis Adcock, to his father. (Information kindly supplied by a relative of L.Cpl Adcock, Michael Sharpe) | ||
| War Diary for June does not name casualties - except officers. Shows 2 officers killed; 4 wounded; 14 other ranks killed ; 69 wounded. Details of killed come from SDGW and CWGC. There are 16 listed. The Diary was compiled on 30th June and one man died of wounds on 28th and was possibly not included in the count. | ||||||
| June : Festubert Sector (from 31st May) | 1 June 1915 | 1117 | Pte | Knox, Fred | Died of wounds | "A" Coy. Killed in action 1/6/1915. Age 24. Son of Elsie Simpson (formerly Knox), of 66 Main St., New Deer, and the late John Knox. (LE TOURET MEMORIAL) |
| 2 June 1915 | Lieut. | Forbes-Sempill, Hon Robert. A. | Died of wounds | Age. 45. Fourth son of The Rt. Hon. William Forbes-Sempill, 17th Baron Sempill. LE TOURET MILITARY CEMETERY, RICHEBOURG-L'AVOUE | ||
| 2 June 1915 | 1497 | Pte | Whyte, Alexander | Died of Wounds | Born New Aberdour. Enlisted Strichen. (CHOCQUES MILITARY CEMETERY ) | |
| 3 June 1915 | 2475 | Pte | McLean, Alexander | Killed in action | Scotsman 12/6/1915 "Pte Alexander McLean. 1/5 GH, 40 Merchant St, officially reported killed. His captain, in a letter to his mother, stated that McLean met his death nobly. He was killed on June 3. He was holding, along with others, an important section of the trench, when a shrapnel shell burst on the parapet, killing him and two others instantaneously. He was buried behind the firing trench. He was 32 years of age, and a labourer at the Admiralty works, Peterhead. He went through the Boer War, where he was made a prisoner." (LE TOURET MEMORIAL) | |
| 3 June 1915 | 2392 | Pte | Burnett, Robert | Killed in action | Enlisted in Ellon. (LE TOURET MEMORIAL) | |
| 3 June 1915 | 1156 | Piper | Graham, William | Killed in action | "Killed at Festubert". Born in Peterhead. (PONT-DU-HEM, LA GORGUE) (See additional information) | |
| 3 June 1915 | 1198 | Drummer | Watt, George | Killed in action | (PONT-DU-HEM MILITARY CEMETERY, LA GORGUE) | |
| 3 June 1915 | 1430 | L.Cpl | Park, John | Died of wounds | Born Tyrie. (CHOCQUES MILITARY CEMETERY ) See additional information | |
| 3 June 1915 | 1693 | Pte | Mackie, John | Killed in action | (LE TOURET MEMORIAL ) | |
| 4 June 1915 | 1167 | Sergt | Mair, Alexander | Killed in action | "Killed at Festubert." (LE TOURET MEMORIAL) Printer in civilian life. | |
| 6 June 1915 | 1222 | Pte | Trail, Edward | Killed in action | (LE TOURET MEMORIAL ) | |
| 16 June 1915 | Lieut | Scott, William Leslie | Killed in action | Age 22. Son of Willian Leslie Scott and Elizabeth Campbell Lowe Scott of Willowbank, Peterhead.(See additional information) | ||
| 16 June 1915 | 2018 |
Pte
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Gray, Charles Forbes | Missing (Presumed killed) | Age 19. Carter for Wisely & Co Fraserburgh. Son of the late James and Mary Gray, of 3, Castlehill, Turriff (LE TOURET MEMORIAL) Reported missing at Festubert while in a bombing attack, and death presumed. (WBT) | |
| 17 June 1915 | 1760 | Pte | Wight, Patrick | Killed in action | Born Tyrie. Enlisted Strichen. Age 20. Son of Elizabeth Grant (formerly Wight), of Alpine Cottage, St. Fergus, Peterhead, and the late James Wight. (LE TOURET MEMORIAL ) | |
| 17 June1915 | 2609 | Pte | Minty, John | Killed in action | "B" Coy . Age 21. Son of George and Elizabeth Minty, of Sandhaven, Fraserburgh. Enlisted Stricken.(LE TOURET MEMORIAL) | |
| 17 June 1915 | 2065 | Pte | McArthur, Alexander | Killed in action | (LE TOURET MEMORIAL) | |
| 17 June 1915 | 2583 | Pte | Craib, James | Killed in action | (LE TOURET MEMORIAL) (CWGC shows date of 17th January 1915. Btn wasn't in France then.) Report in The Scotsman: "New Byth-Turriff - an elder son of Mrs Milne, Meldrum Bldgs New Byth, has been killed. He is survived by a widow and one child who reside in St Peter Street, Peterhead. After enlisting in 2/5 Gordons November [1914] last, he was, on going to France in May, transferred to the 1/5th Bn. He was 22 years of age and was a farm servant in the New Byth district." | |
| 17 June 1915 | 510 | L.Cpl | Mackie, William | Killed in action | Born Banff. (LE TOURET MEMORIAL ) | |
| 28 June 1915 | 2448 | Pte | McCurrach, W | Died of wounds | Son of Alexander McCurrach, of 3, Gilcomston Place, Aberdeen. (BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY) | |
| 4 June 1915 | Captain | Runcieman, F.S | Wounded | Severely wounded in back and neck by a shell, and buried among sandbags while under way to help a wounded brother officer, and dug out by the Company Sergeant Major | ||
| date unknown | 2nd Lieut | Fuller, L.C.H | Wounded | (War Diary) | ||
| 18 June 1915 | Lieut Col | Grant. A | Wounded | Wounded in arm by a shell (War Diary) | ||
| date unknown | Lieut | Cowie, R | Wounded | (War Diary) | ||
| War Diary not held for July and August. Details of killed come from SDGW and CWGC | ||||||
| 5 July 1915 | 1902 | Pte | Barclay, William M | Died of wounds | Born and enlisted in Methlick. Son of Charles and Lizzie Barclay, of Haddow Methlick. (AUBERS RIDGE BRITISH CEMETERY, AUBERS) Commemorated on Methlick War Memorial. | |
| 7 July 1915 | 2184 | Pte | Gibson, James | Died of wounds | Born Savoch. Enlisted Peterhead. (MERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY ) | |
| 8 July 1915 | 1462 | Pte | Milne, Thomas | Killed in action |
Age 19. "A" Coy. Son of Mrs. Jessie Benange, of 148, High St., Newpitsligo AUBERS RIDGE BRITISH CEMETERY | |
| 8 July 1915 | 2041 | Pte | Taylor, Peter Frank | Killed in action | Age 21. "D" Coy. Son of Adam Taylor, of Bogs, Kininmonth, Mintlaw. (Mentioned in letters of Alex Copland.) See Soldiers' Wills | |
| 15 July 1915 | 1930 | Pte | Sim, James | Died of wounds | Age 25. Son of James and Ann Sim, of 72, Broadsea. (LONGUENESSE (ST. OMER) SOUVENIR CEMETERY) Died of wounds received on 4th June 1915 near Festubert. Occupation cooper employed with James Cheyne, fishcurer Fraserburgh. (Biography in De Ruvigny's R o H v4) | |
| Bercourt/Hamel Sector | 8 Aug 1915 | 2913 | Pte | Cowie, William | Killed in action | Age 19. Son of the late George and Mary Cowie. Enlisted Strichen. (BECOURT MILITARY CEMETERY) |
| 8 Aug 1915 | 473 | Pte | Wisely, Charles | Killed in action | Age 24. Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Wisely, of 98, High St., Fraserburgh. (BECOURT MILITARY CEMETERY, BECORDEL-BECOURT) | |
| 9 Aug 1915 | 679 | Sergt | Mitchell, Edward | Died of wounds | Born/Enlisted Fraserburgh. (BECOURT MILITARY CEMETERY, BECORDEL-BECOURT ) | |
| 20 Aug 1915 | 2198 | Pte | Will, George | Killed in action | Born Turriff. Enlisted Fraserburgh. (BECOURT MILITARY CEMETERY, BECORDEL-BECOURT ) Farm servant. | |
| 21 Aug 1915 | 2nd Lieut | Roberts, Philip Hugh Gore | Died of wounds | Age 19. Son of Ann S. Roberts, of Milton House, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, Middx., and the late Rev. W. W. Roberts. (MILLENCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION) See Additional information | ||
| 1 Sept 1915 | 2205 | Pte | Shepherd, James | Died of wounds | Age 21. Son of Henry and Margaret Shepherd, of Perth; husband of Charlotte Shepherd, of 9, Albert St., Fraserburgh. Native of Perth. (ETAPLES) | |
| Albert | 4 Sept 1915 | 2438 | Pte | Wallace, Henry | Wounded | Bullet in biceps of right arm |
| 5 Sept 1915 | 928 | Sgt | Morrison, John S | Wounded | Cut in right wrist - Trench Mortar (Later Killed in Action 31/7/1916) | |
| 6 Sept 1915 | 1625 | Pte | Robb, Alexander | Killed |
Rifle bullet through head. Age 18. (BECOURT MILITARY CEMETERY, BECORDEL-BECOURT ) Born Ellon | |
| 11 Sept 1915 | 1645 | L.Cpl | Murison, F | Wounded | Bullet wound in left shoulder | |
| Trenches Sector G3 Authuille-Hamel | 17 Sept 1915 | 2317 | Pte | Watt, William | Killed by Shrapnel |
Age 19. Son of Samuel & Jane Montgomerie Watt of 20 Constitution St Peterhead. ( PERRONNE RD CEMETERY,MARICOURT) |
| 2993 | Pte | Birnie, George A | Wounded | Shrapnel in neck | ||
| 23 Sept 1915 | 2nd Lieut | Stearns, H.G | Wounded | Scalp wound from rifle grenade | ||
| 2232 | Sgt |
Macintosh, James R |
Wounded | Wounds to left side of face and right arm - r. grenade | ||
| 2532 | Cpl | Davidson, William | Wounded | Wound to left hand - accidently, while cleaning rifle. (Killed in action 31/7/16) | ||
| 1933 | Pte | Livingstone, Forbes | Wounded | Wound to scalp - caused by shrapnel | ||
| 25 Sept 1915 | Lieut | Troup, R.J | Slightly Wounded | Knees and side - barbed wire | ||
| 3145 | Pte | Fraser, Thomas | Wounded | Compound fracture of left arm - caused by a bomb | ||
| 2744 | Pte | Anderson, A.F | Wounded | Left hand and knees - barbed wire | ||
| 30 Sept 1915 | 1767 | L.Cpl | Dunbar, John | Wounded | Wounds to left arm - rifle bullet (Wounded again July 1916) | |
| October 1915 | 1995 | Pte | McAllister, Archibald | Wounded | (Later killed in action 31/7/16. Born Banff) | |
| 1569 | Pte | Brown, J | Wounded | |||
| 1597 | Pte | Strath, George | Wounded | |||
| 2291 | Pte | Stewart, William T | Wounded | |||
| Record of Officers, NCOs and Men recommended for Honours and Awards, September 1915. NOTE: These awards may not have been granted. | ||||||
| Major | McDonald | DSO | ||||
| Capt & Adj | Cruden, J.W.F | MC | ||||
| Lieut & QM | Marr, J | Mentioned in Despatches | ||||
| Capt | Low, J.L | Mentioned in Despatches | ||||
| Capt | Lyall, W | Mentioned in Despatches | ||||
| Capt | Robertson, C.T.A | Mentioned in Despatches | (Later Killed in action 23/3/1918, aged 32. Major) | |||
| 1613 | Pte | Souter, William M | DCM | D Coy | ||
| 1829 | Pte | Jaffray, Alexander M | DCM | D Coy (Later awarded MM- London Gazette 3/6/16. Killed in action 25/7/16) | ||
| 115 | CSM | Chalmers, James | DCM | D Coy | ||
| 2275 | Sgt | Dickie, Charles | DCM | C Coy (Later awarded MM. Commissioned from ranks.) | ||
| 2350 | Cpl | Stuart, James | DCM | C Coy | ||
| 544 | Sgt |
Matthew, J |
DCM | B Coy | ||
| 838 | Sgt | Taylor, James S | DCM | Machine Gunner | ||
| 1604 | Pte | Park, James C | DCM | Machine Gunner | ||
| 2587 | L.Sgt | Sinclair, Alexander Skinner | DCM | B Coy (Later Commissioned) | ||
| 1273 | Sgt | Murison, Alfred | DCM | A Coy (Died of wounds 21/3/16) | ||
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