William Dillon

Died of Wounds on the 31/10/1914 (reported wounded and missing on that date, Battle of Gheluvelt)

William and the Battalion arrived at Zeebrugge on the 06/10/1914 and were part of the 21st Brigade, 7th Division. William Died of Wounds just 25 days after arriving in Belgium aged 18. By the 18th October 1914 the British 7th Division, originally sent to Belgium to assist in the defence of Antwerp, has moved westwards and has now taken up a line just outside the city of Ypres (Ieper). To their north, the six Belgian Divisions hold the canal and the River Yser, assisted by a Brigade of French Marins Fusiliers at Dixmude (Diksmuide). The situation is still fluid. British intelligence does not reveal the full extent of German forces which are now advancing towards Menin and Ypres. The rest of the British Expeditionary Force is now moving northwards from the Aisne and is beginning to deploy in French Flanders, with the Cavalry Division taking up positions south east of Ypres. The Battles of Ypres (First Ypres),19th October - 22nd November 1914 : Often known as the First Battle of Ypres, this is a series of named battles that also form part of the outflanking encounter. It becomes a desperate epic fight east of the city of Ypres which finally results in stalemate and entrenched warfare. It takes place at the same time as the Battle of the Yser, fought nearby by the Belgian Army against the Germans, and the battles to the south at Messines, Armentieres and La Bassee. The 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers were part of the Battle of Langemarck, 21st - 24th October 1914 and the Battle of Gheluvelt, 29th - 31st October 1914. These were phases of the Battles of Ypres and William received his wounds at Gheluvelt. SEE PHOTOS x 15 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY OCTOBER 1914. William joined the Special Reserve in 1911. His death was not confirmed to his family till 1916. His brother James of the King's Own Scottish Borderers was wounded at Loos on the 26/09/1915. See Directory for William's cousins Private David Dillon of the Highland Light Infantry and Private William Dillon on the Seaforth Highlanders who both fell. William and his brother James are remembered on the St. Mary's Church Roll of Honour (see photos). William is also remembered in the St. Patrick's (book) (see photos for more Family information x 2). A huge thank you to Robert D Corrins for sending me a copy of his St. Patrick's and the Great War book. See photos for William's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel List, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial, the Royal Scots Fusiliers Cap Badge and William's Pension Records x 2. Finally, see photos for Newspaper clippings x 3 (Coatbridge Express x 2 and Coatbridge Leader x 1), PHOTOS x 43 FOR THE 7th DIVISION BOOK 24th - 31st OCTOBER 1914, PHOTOS x 15 FROM THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS BOOK (2nd BATTALION) OCTOBER 1914 and PHOTOS x 12 FOR THE 7th DIVISION ORDER OF BATTLE (the Division William was with when he fell).