Patrick was originally with the 11th (Service) Battalion Highland Light Infantry and arrived in France on the 13/05/1915. The 1/5th Highland Light Infantry Battalion sailed from Devonport on the 26/05/1915 for Gallipoli, going via Egypt (5th - 28th June) and Mudros (1st July), landing at Cape Helles on the 03/07/1915. On the 08/01/1916 they were evacuated from Gallipoli to Mudros and arrived in Egypt in February and were part of the 157th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. The Capture of Wadi el Hesi and the associated Sausage Ridge, began during the evening of the 07/11/1917 and was fiercely fought for during the 8th of November and not cleared until the early hours of the 9th of November, at the beginning of the pursuit phase of the Southern Palestine Offensive in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign during World War I. The advancing British Empire units of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) were held by rear-guard units of the withdrawing Ottoman Empire units of the Yildirim Army Group, holding a strategically strong position to the north of Gaza. After the Egyptian Expeditionary Force victory at the Battle of Beersheba, the Beersheba to Gaza line was broken in consequence of a series of attacks, at Tel el Khuweilfe, Hareira and Sheria and Gaza. The Ottoman 7th Division, one of the retreating Ottoman Army units, established a defensive line on the northern side of the Wadi el Hesi which included Sausage Ridge. After the wadi was fairly quickly crossed late on the 7th of November, Sausage Ridge protecting the road and railway along which the retreating Ottoman columns were traveling, was attacked on the 8th of November by the Egyptian Expeditionary Force's 52nd (Lowland) Division. SEE PHOTOS x 10 FROM THE BATTALION HISTORY BOOK NOVEMBER 1917. Patrick is listed as CROALL on the Coatbridge Memorial but CROAL on his Headstone, by the CWGC, his Medal Index Card and his Pension Records. He is also listed as 10th BATTALION on the Memorial and 11th BATTALION on his Medal Index Card (his original Battalion). Patrick was awarded the Military Medal for outstanding bravery in the field in early 1917. He received his award whilst in hospital in Aberdeen suffering from severe wounds to his back. He was given his award by the Baillie of Aberdeen whilst there. A huge thank you to Jim Millar for an extract from a letter Corporal Peter O'Hare wrote to his Mum on Boxing Day 1917 which mentions the death of his "old pal" Pat Croal (see photos and Directory for Peter O'Hare's page). Grave photo kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. See Newspaper clipping stating a Distinguished Conduct Medal was awarded (should be Military Medal). This was the second time this brave man was injured. Patrick is also remembered on the St. Patrick's and St. Augustine's Churches Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for Patrick's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls X 2, Gaza War Cemetery, the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge, Patrick's Pension Records x 3 and a photo of the 1/5th Battalion Highland Light Infantry encamped near Berfylia in Palestine in November 1917. Finally, see photos for Newspaper clipping x 4 (Coatbridge Express x 2 and Coatbridge Leader x 2), Patrick's CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, PHOTOS x 23 FOR THE 52nd (LOWLAND) DIVISION BOOK AT WADI HESI 8th - 9th NOVEMBER 1917 and the 52nd (Lowland) Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division Patrick was with when he fell). Patrick's great, great niece wrote a very poignant essay for her Higher English that you can find
Here
