John and the Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 15/08/1914 and were part of the 13th Brigade, 5th Division. The Battles of La Bassée, Armentières and Messines, 10th October - 2nd November 1914 : The whole British Expeditionary Force is moved to Flanders from the Aisne, as part of an effort to outflank the Germans in France. On arrival it encounters German forces moving to outflank the Allies. These battles form part of a phase often, but incorrectly, referred to as the 'Race to the Sea'. The battle extends northwards as further forces arrive, with the First Battle of Ypres and the Battle of the Yser taking place at the same time. The 5th Division took part in the Battle of La Bassée, 10th October - 2nd November 1914. John was 1 of 16 of his Battalion killed within weeks of arriving in France at the beginning of hostilities as the Allies fought to keep control of the vital channel ports. SEE PHOTOS x 10 FOR THE 2nd BATTALION KING'S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERES WAR DIARY OCTOBER 1914. John is listed as CORPORAL on the Memorial. John is also remembered on the St. Patrick's Church (book) Roll of Honour, St. John's Church and Coatbridge Technical Colleges Rolls of Honour (see photos) and in the St Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. The probable reason for John's listing in St. Patrick's and St. John's Churches is his parents were in what was known as a 'mixed' marriage (Protestant and Catholic). See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his name on the Le Touret Memorial, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Le Touret Memorial Panel List, John's Pension Records x 4, his listing on the De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, his 1901 Attestation Papers x 3 and the King's Own Scottish Borderers Cap Badge. Finally, SEE PHOTOS x 60 FOR THE 5th DIVISION BOOK 5th AUGUST - 1st NOVEMBER and the 5th Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division James was with when he died), photos of a Poppy placed at John's name on the Le Touret Memorial by myself in July 2023 x 2, a photo of 5 Poppies placed by myself in July 2023 (John listed bottom left) and Newspaper clippings from the Coatbridge Express on the 10/02/1915 and 17/02/1915. They mention John and his brother on the St. John's Episcopal Church Roll of Honour. An article mentioning the 2nd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers at Cuinchy in 1914 is available to read
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