Felix Donnelly

The Battalion arrived at Marseilles on the 12/10/1914. In December 1915 they moved to Mesopotamia, landing at Basra late in the month. Formation was by now renamed 19th Infantry Brigade, 7th Indian Division. On the 04/02/1916, owing to heavy casualties, they formed the Highland Battalion with the 2nd Battalion Black Watch. According to their War Diary the Battalion casualties in the efforts to relieve Kut in January 1916 were - The Battle of Sheik Sa'ad, 7th January 1916 : 4 Officers Killed, 1 Died of Wounds, 15 Wounded, 61 Other Ranks Killed, 4 Died of Wounds, 227 Wounded, 16 Missing, 6 Sick. The Battle of the Wadi, 13th January 1916 : 1 Officer Severely Wounded, 7 Other Ranks Killed, 20 Wounded, 8 Sick. The Battle of the Hanna, 21st January 1916 : 1 Officer Killed, 7 Other Ranks Killed, 51 Wounded, 3 Missing. Felix was one of the 90 Seaforth Highlanders killed in Mesopotamia in the failed attempt at Sannaiyat to break the siege at Kut which led to the surrender of the garrison on the 29/04/1916. The Battle of Sannaiyat on the 22/04/1916 : Despite the absence of around 5,000 reserves en route to Gorringe from the British HQ at Basra, General Gorringe nevertheless launched a final attempt on the 22nd April, switching his focus back again to Sannaiyat. Weakly composed however - the attack consisted of a single brigade preceded by the usual artillery bombardment (which as ever warned the Turks of impending attack) - it was repulsed after Khalil first evacuated his first two lines and then counter-attacked in force. A further 1,300 British casualties were suffered in this latest setback, bringing the overall total during relief operations to 23,000. This was part of the siege of Kut-al-Amara, 7th December 1915 - 29th April 1916 : The Turks pursued the retreating 6th (Poona) Division to Kut, and soon surrounded and cut it off. British forces in Mesopotamia were now growing, the arrival of the experienced 3rd (Lahore), 7th (Meerut) and 13th (Western) Divisions bringing a significant increase in strength. These formations were ordered to advance north along the Tigris to relieve Kut. They ran into strong and stoutly defended lines and suffered some hard knocks. Although they got close to Kut, they failed to break through and relieve it and the garrison there was surrendered on the 29th April 1916. It was an enormous blow to British prestige and a morale-booster for the Ottoman Empire. Felix was reported WOUNDED and MISSING on the 22/04/1916. His death was not confirmed on that date (or since) until early 1918. Felix was a player in the band of the Glasgow Highlanders for 3 years before the war. See Newspaper clipping for letter sent to the family by Lieutenant Cree. See photos for Felix's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his name on the Basra Memorial, his name on the Basra Memorial Panel List, his CWGC Grave Registration, the Seaforth Highlanders Cap Badge, Felix's Pension Records x 3, the CWGC Basra Memorial Roll of Honour x 3 and Felix's name in the CWGC Basra Memorial Roll of Honour. Finally, see photos for Newspaper clippings x 3 (Coatbridge Express x 1 and Coatbridge Leader x 2).