George Buchanan Arnott

Died of Wounds on the 28/06/1916 received on the 27/06/1916 near the village of Hulloch

The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 08/07/1915 and were part of the 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. George arrived 6 days later. On the 27th June 1916 organised raids on portions of the enemy lines now began to take the place of the smaller patrol and bombing attacks which had been in vogue in the past. The first of these was carried out by a Company of the 9th Black Watch under Captain Storey Wilson against the enemy trenches east of the Quarries near the village of Hulloch and Loos. Unfortunately, most of the raiders lost direction, one Officer and two men only being able to enter the enemy trenches. The party suffered 15 casualties, all wounded and brought in. George was 1 of these casualties and he died the following day. On that following day the 11th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 45th Brigade, carried out a similar operation under cover of a gas and smoke attack. This party succeeded in entering the German trenches and disposed of a number of the enemy. Although no prisoners were taken, this particular raid was an exceedingly good piece of work. It was carried out against one of the worst parts of the Hohenzollern Redoubt and reflected great credit on Captain P.S. Wilson, who was largely instrumental in drawing up the scheme and making the necessary arrangements. George was previously wounded and gassed at Loos in 1915. The Battle of Loos 25/09/1915 - 08/10/1915 : 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 the 9th Black Watch right and 8th Seaforth Highlanders left, both supported by 7th Cameron Highlanders. 10th Gordon Highlanders were to be held in reserve. 24/09/1915 Brigade to assembly trenches. "A" Company vanguard. 25/09/1915 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. 26/09/1915 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. George and his brother Robert are both remembered on the Whitburn Civic Memorial (as Arnot) and George is remembered on the East Utd Free Church Roll of Honour, on the Maxwell Parish Church and the Kipps Works Rolls of Honour (along with David and James Walker - see photos). See Directory for David and James Walker's pages who also fell and who enlisted and worked with George. See photos for George's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 3, information on the National Probate Index in 1917, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, Vermelles British Cemetery, the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) Cap Badge, George and his brother Robert's Pension Records x 4, George's Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, his photo and information on his death from the West Lothian Courier Newspaper on the 21/07/1916. See photos for brother Robert Arnott's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls and his Grave at Artillery Wood Cemetery, Boezinge, Belgium. SEE PHOTOS x 16 FOR HIS BATTALION (1st KING'S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS) WAR DIARY AUGUST 1917. Robert's Grave Inscription reads "BELIEVED TO BE BURIED IN THIS CEMETERY" and "THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT". George's Grave Inscription reads "SO DEARLY LOVED SO SADLY MISSED". Finally, see photos for another one of George's grave, his grave with Poppy Cross placed by myself in July 2023 x 3, how the Poppy Cross looked before I went to France and PHOTOS x 8 FOR HIS BATTALION WAR DIARY JUNE 1916. George was wounded and gassed at the Battle of Loos in 1915. SEE PHOTOS x 13 FOR THE 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION ON THE 25/09/1915, SEE 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), the 15th (Scottish) Division Order of Battle x 13 (the Division he was with when he died) and another grave photo kindly donated by my friend in France, Thierry Dericbourg.