The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 14/08/1914 as Lines of Communication troops and were part of the 19th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Division when William fell. William arrived in France on the 01/10/1915. William was shot through the mouth and ear in the trenches at Cambrin whilst holding an advanced line under German attack. From the Battalion War Diary on the 22/11/1915 : "Mine blown up by the 180th Company Royal Engineers between the trenches of the opposing troops about 30 yards from our fire trench. The crater formed was occupied by Grenadiers and men from our Battalion and held against the enemy". William is listed in the casualties along with 4 others. 16 men were wounded. The crater was named Gibson's Crater. SEE PHOTOS x 3 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY NOVEMBER 1915 and PHOTOS x 2 FOR THE REPORT ON OPERATIONS ON MONDAY 22nd NOVEMBER 1915 (by the Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the 2nd Battalion). A letter written just before William died was forwarded to his father. See Newspaper clipping for letter sent to his father from Lieutenant John McLaren (2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) and Private Harry Gardner. William left for France just 7 weeks before he was Killed (see Service Record 5). See Directory for William's brother-in-law Signaller George T McNab's page. Additional grave photo kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here (see photos). William is also remembered on the Coatbridge Technical College and Gartsherrie Church Rolls of Honour and at the Family Plot in Old Monkland Cemetery (Signaller George T McNab listed on the Family Plot too, see photos). See photos for William's Medal Index Card, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects (William's father and sister listed), his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, Cambrin Churchyard Cemetery Extension, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Cap Badge, William's Pension Records x 2 and his Service Record x 8. William's grave inscription reads "TOO DEARLY LOVED TO BE FORGOTTEN". Finally, see photos for Newspaper clippings x 7 (Coatbridge Express x 4, Coatbridge Leader x 2 and Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1), another photo of William's grave, 6 Poppy Crosses that were placed at Cambrin Churchyard Cemetery Extension before I left for France in July 2023, PHOTOS x 10 FOR THE 2nd DIVISION BOOK OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 1915 and the 2nd Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division William's was with when he died).
