James and the Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 14/08/1914 and were part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division. James Died of Wounds on the 28/10/1914. He was shot in the head the previous day 300 yards from the German trenches. (SEE AIRDRIE AND COATBRIDGE ADVERTISER NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS x 4 FOR A LETTER TO JAMES' MOTHER FROM HIS PAL AND COMRADE WHO WAS WITH HIM WHEN HE WAS SHOT). The Battalion took part in the Battle of Langemarck, 21st - 24th October 1914 before James was shot. This was a phase of the Battles of Ypres, 19th October - 22nd November 1914 : Often known as the 1st 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. SEE PHOTOS x 31 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM AUGUST - OCTOBER 1914 (there are no records for October but see final 3 photos for information). James died just 1 day from reaching the 10 year anniversary of his 1st enlistment. See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, another picture of James, Ypres Town Cemetery, the Black Watch Cap Badge and a map of the Battle of Langemarck 1914. Also see photos for Newspaper clippings x 7 (Coatbridge Express x 1, Coatbridge Leader x 2, Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 4) the 1st Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died). Finally, a downloadable copy of the British Official History volume covering First Ypres (includes Langemarck and Battles involving the Division) in 1914 is available
Here and more Newspaper clippings x 2 (The Scotsman x 1 and the Hamilton Advertiser x 1).
