Alexander Johnston H Arnott (Arnot)

Killed in Action on the 25/04/1915 near Wieltje at the Battle of St. Julien (part of the 2nd Battle of Ypres)

Alexander and the Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 23/08/1914 and were part of the 10th Brigade, 4th Division. Alexander was Killed in Action on the 25th April 1915 near Wieltje during the Battle for St. Julien. This was part of the Battles of Ypres (Second Ypres), 22nd April - 25th May 1915 : Often known as the Second Battle of Ypres, this began with surprise German attack using poison gas against French North African forces holding defences near Ypres. Both sides rushed reserves in and the battle developed into the second epic in that area. British Second Army withdraws to a shorter line near Ypres. SEE PHOTOS x 18 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY APRIL 1915 (see photo 7 for a list of Battalion casualties on the day Alexander fell). See Directory for his brother James' page. Alexander wrote 4 letters home to George Murdoch, the Principal of Coatbridge Technical College (see photos). Alexander's Grave Inscription reads "THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT". Alexander is also remembered on the Coatbridge Technical College Roll of Honour and on the Airdrie War Memorial (see photos). Alexander is listed as ARNOTT on the Coatbridge and Airdrie Memorials and his Grave. Listed as ARNOT on other records (see Census and Baptism above and also photos). See photos for Alexander's Medal Index Card, Seaforth Cemetery, Alexander's Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, the Seaforth Highlanders Cap Badge, letters sent by Alexander to Principal Murdoch of the Technical School and later published in the Coatbridge Leader Newspaper x 11, Alexander's Pension Records x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2 and his Headstone Report x 3. Alexander's Grave also states "BELIEVED TO BE BURIED IN THIS CEMETERY". Finally, Cheddar Villa was the name given by the Army to a farm on the west side of the road from Wieltje to St. Julien. On the 25th and 26th April 1915, during the Battle of St. Julien, severe fighting took place in this area and the Commonwealth dead were buried on the spot. The Cemetery thus created was called Cheddar Villa Cemetery, but at the request of the Officer Commanding the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders its name was changed in 1922; more than 100 of those buried in the Cemetery belonged to that Battalion. Finally, see photos for the Coatbridge Leader Newspaper clipping, the 4th Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died) and another 2 Newspaper clippings from the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser.