Thomas Andrews

Died of Wounds on the 13/01/1917 received at the advance to the Hai and the capture of Khudaira Bend

The Battalion arrived in Marseilles via Egypt on the 01/12/1914 and were part of the 9th (Sirhind) Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division. Thomas received his wounds at the advance to the Hai and the capture of Khudaira Bend (14th December 1916 - 19th January 1917) : The Turks have described the bombardment delivered to them on the 9th January 1917 as 'most violent', it caused heavy losses so as to the point that when the infantry moved up, they occupied the Turkish front lines within minutes with minimal injuries. SEE PHOTOS x 7 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM 1st JANUARY - 13th JANUARY 1917. Thomas' brother was called up and left for the army just as news reached home of Thomas' death. Thomas is also remembered on the Coatbridge High School, Dunbeth Parish Church and Coatbridge Technical Colleges Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for Thomas' name on the Memorial Screen Wall at the Amara War Cemetery. In 1933, all of the headstones were removed from this cemetery when it was discovered that salts in the soil were causing them to deteriorate. Instead, a screen wall was erected with the names of those buried in the cemetery engraved upon it (see photo). See photos for Thomas' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his name on the Amara Panel List, the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge, Thomas' Pension Record, the CWGC Iraq Roll of Honour x 4, Thomas' name in the CWGC Iraq Roll of Honour, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects x 2 and his Service Medal and Award Rolls.