John Cruickshanks

Died of Dysentery on the 10/10/1918 in Iraq

In 1916 the Brigade was renamed as 221st Brigade Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force) and the Batteries were lettered A, B and C. During 1917 the Batteries were re-armed with the modern 18-pounder field gun and were renamed as 1067, 1068 and 1069 Batteries. Two-gun sections of 1069 were then moved to bring 1067 and 1068 up to six guns each.1069 Battery was then disbanded. At some point, the Brigade was provided with an ammunition column. The Brigade moved to Mesopotamia, landing at Basra on the 18th-25th October 1917 and placed under command of 17th (Indian) Division. .John died of dysentery in Mesopotamia 20 days before an Armistice was signed on this front. He is also remembered on the Dunbeth Parish Church Roll of Honour and on his hometown Memorial in Strichen, Aberdeenshire (see photos x 2). See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 4, the Royal Field Artillery Cap Badge, John's Pension Records x 3, the CWGC Iraq Roll of Honour x 4, John's name in the Iraq Roll of Honour, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects x 2, his Service Medal and Award Rolls and Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery. John's Grave inscription reads "SHATTERED HOPES". Finally, see photos for Newspaper clippings from the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 2.