Additional Information
The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 08/07/1915 and were part of the 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. Lewis arrived in France on the 14/07/1915. The Battle of Loos, 25th September - 15th October 1915 : The first genuinely large scale British offensive action but once again only in a supporting role to a larger French attack in the Third Battle of Artois. British appeals that the ground over which they were being called upon to advance was wholly unsuitable were rejected. The battle is historically noteworthy for the first British use of poison gas. The Order of Battle : Gas release to be made along Divisional Front from 5.50am with Zero hour set for 6.30am. In the first instance, Brigade to secure the German front-line area known as, 'The Jews Nose', and then press on to secure the enemy's second-line east of Loos village. Once these objectives had been captured, surviving troops were to press on and secure Hill 70. The Brigade was to attack with 9th Black Watch right and the 8th Seaforth Highlanders left, both supported by the 7th Cameron Highlanders. The 10th Gordon Highlanders were to be held in reserve. On the 24/9/1915 Brigade to assembly trenches. "A" Company vanguard. On the 25/9/1915 at 5.50am Gas release commenced followed by smoke release. Germany artillery responded immediately fearful of a British attack. At that time the wind changed, and the lethal gas blew back on the troops mustering to go 'over the top' at 6.30am, causing significant casualties and confusion. At the appointed time, the Battalion went into the attack and carried its initial objectives under heavy fire, suffering further significant casualties. By 8.30am, troops had begun to assault Hill 70, and later in the day attempts were made to press on to Cite St. Auguste and Dinamentiere. On the 26/09/1915 the Battalion relieved at 1am, and fell back on Mazingarbe, where the roll was called. Twenty-two officers and six hundred and eighty other-ranks failed to answer, having been either killed, wounded or taken prisoner. Lewis was badly wounded and lay in no-mans land on the opening day of the battle. His platoon Serjeant Robert Munro came to his aid and as he was bandaging Lewis' wounds he himself was riddled with 5 or 6 bullets, killing him instantly. Lewis also died here but his death was not confirmed until September 1916 (see Newspaper clippings for more information). SEE PHOTOS x 12 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY SEPTEMBER 1915. Scottish Regiments lost a huge amount of brave men at Loos. Here is a list of Infantry Battalions who lost more than 500 men at the Battle of Loos from 25/09/1915 to 16/10/1915 - 7th Cameron Highlanders 687, of which 19 Officers, 9TH BLACK WATCH 680, OF WHICH 22 OFFICERS, 6th King's Own Scottish Borderers 650, of which 20 Officers, 10th Highland Light Infantry 648, of which 20 Officers, 7th King's Own Scottish Borderers 631, of which 20 Officers, 8th Devons 619, of which 19 Officers, 8th Royal West Kents 580, of which 24 Officers, 8th Buffs 558, of which 24 Officers, 12th Highland Light Infantry 553, of which 23 Officers, 8th Black Watch 511, of which 19 Officers, 5th North Staffordshire 505, of which 20 Officers, 8th Seaforth Highlanders 502, of which 23 Officers. Lewis was 1 of 99 men from the Coatbridge Memorial who fell during and from injuries from the Battle of Loos. Lewis is also remembered on the Christian Mission, Coatbridge Technical College Roll of Honour, Stewarts and Lloyds Roll of Honour and at the Family Plot in Old Monkland Cemetery where he is listed as aged 22 (see photos). Also see photos for a letter to Lewis' father from the young soldiers friend. Lewis is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Lewis' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 4, another photo of Lewis, his Pension Records x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Loos Memorial Panel List, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his name on the Loos Memorial x 4 and the Black Watch Cap Badge. Finally, see photos of a wreath placed at Loos Memorial in July 2023 remembering ALL the men who left from the Iron Burgh who are named there, one of myself at the Black Watch Panel with Lewis' name on my right, Newspaper clippings x 7 (Coatbridge Express x 2, Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 3 and Coatbridge Leader x 2), PHOTOS x 13 FOR THE 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION BOOK ON THE 25/09/1915, PHOTOS FOR 33 PAGES FROM THE MOST UNFAVOURABLE GROUND BOOK REGARDING THE BATTALION and DIVISION 25/09/1915 (fantastic book on the Battle of Loos kindly signed by the author Niall Cherry) and the 15th (Scottish) Division Order of Battle x 13 (the Division he was with when he died).
