Archibald G Hastie

Killed in Action on the 23/07/1918 on the opening day of the Battle of the Soissonais and of the Ourcq (part of the Battles of the Marne 1918)

Archibald enlisted in the 4th Extra Reserve Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in August 1914. The 1/8th Battalion arrived in France in May 1915 and were part of the 45th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division when Archibald fell on the opening day of The Battle of the Soissonais and of the Ourcq, 23rd July - 2nd August 1918 (part of the Battles of the Marne 1918) : the 15th (Scottish) Division, which attacked Buzancy. There is a Memorial to the Division at Buzancy, scene of the fighting in 1918. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders raised twenty-seven Battalions during WW1. SEE PHOTOS x 14 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY JULY - AUGUST 1918. The (Scottish) Division served with distinction on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in most of the significant actions and winning regard by the enemy as one of the most formidable in the British Army. The Soissons Memorial commemorates almost 4,000 Officers and men of the United Kingdom forces who died during the Battles of the Aisne and the Marne in 1918 and who have No Known Grave. SEE PHOTOS x 26 FOR THE 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION BOOK JULY - AUGUST 1918. Archibald is also remembered on the Coats Parish Church Roll of Honour and on the St. Mary's Church, Dumfries Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for Archibald's Medal Index Card, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Soissons Memorial Panel List, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his name on the Soissons Memorial, Archibald's Pension Record x 2 and the Argyll and Sutherland Cap Badge. Finally, SEE PHOTOS x 35 FOR THE 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION BOOK 20th APRIL - 3rd AUGUST 1918 (this includes the attack on Buzancy by the 15th (Scottish) Division after Archibald was Killed), PHOTOS OF THE 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION ORDER OF BATTLE x 13 (the Division Alexander was with when he died) and Newspaper clippings x 3 (Coatbridge Express x 1, Coatbridge Leader x 1 and the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1).