Roderick Angus

Killed in Action on the 09/05/1915 near Rue de Bois, Richebourg on the opening day of the Battle of Aubers

The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 14/08/1914 and were part of the 1st Brigade,1st Division when Roderick fell. Roderick arrived in France on the 27/01/1915. Roderick was Killed in Action on the opening day of the unsuccessful British offensive at Aubers on the 9th - 10th May 1915 : the Battle of Aubers. A disastrous attack that cost 11,000 British casualties for no material gain : it was a minor supporting operation to a much larger French attack in an action known as the Second Battle of Artois. The Battle : The Southern attack was to be made in easterly direction by the 1st and Meerut Divisions, on a 2400-yard front between Chocolat Menier Corner and Port Arthur (1st Division would have an attack frontage of 1600 yards; Meerut 800 yards), with the objective Rue du Marais ' Lorgies ' Ligny le Grand, incorporating La Cliqueterie (a heavily defended German strongpoint). The 2nd Division was moved up into reserve, from the La Bassée canal sector, leaving behind 4th (Guards) Brigade and receiving in exchange the 5th (London) Brigade of the London Division who moved to the canal in their place. At 3.57pm : The leading companies of the 1st Battalion Black Watch, 1st Brigade, brought in to replace the shattered 2nd Brigade, went over the top despite the 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders being late to arrive and moved at the double across No Man's Land. Some reached the German breastwork just as the bombardment lifted; most were however killed or captured in the German firing trench although a small party reached the second position. The two lead companies of the Camerons, coming up on the left of the Black Watch a few minutes later, suffered heavy machine-gun casualties in crossing between the front lines. British casualties in the Southern pincer on the 09/05/1915 : 1st Division : 3,968 of which 160 Officers, 7th (Meerut) Division : 2,629 of which 94 Officers, 47th (2nd London) Division : 79 of which 2 Officers, 2nd Division : 20 of which no Officers. Worst infantry casualties in the Southern attack, by Battalion : 1st Battalion Northamptonshire 560, of which 17 Officers, 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex 551, of which 14 Officers, 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders 509, of which 21 Officers, 1st BATTALION BLACK WATCH 475, OF WHICH 14 OFFICERS. SEE PHOTOS x 11 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM 1st MAY - 12th MAY 1915. Roderick is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Roderick's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects (daughters Annie and Violet listed), his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Le Touret Memorial Panel List, his name on the Le Touret Memorial, the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) Cap Badge and Roderick's Pension Records x 6 (see for information regarding Roderick and Annie). Finally, see photos x 2 for Poppy placed by myself at Roderick's name on the Le Touret Memorial in July 2023, the 1st Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died), the 1901 England Census, a Newspaper clipping from the Dundee People's Journal 13/05/1916 and another 2 photos of Roderick's name on the Le Touret Memorial kindly donated by my friend in France, Thierry Dericbourg.