Patrick Joseph Aloysius Lavelle

Killed in Action on the 04/10/1918 during the Final Advance in Artois

In May 1915 the Battalion became part of the 155th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. They sailed from Liverpool on the 21/05/1915, going via Lemnos to Gallipoli, where the Battalion disembarked at "V" and "W" Beaches of Cape Helles on the 06/06/1915. Captain Lavelle was later evacuated from "W" Beach and sent home sick with malaria in November 1915. On the 08/01/1916 the Battalion was evacuated from Gallipoli. After a period at Lemnos, it landed at Alexandria in Egypt on the 04/02/1916. Patrick arrived in France on the 06/06/1915 and was killed while commanding the 155th Trench Mortar Battery (which was formed on the 24/05/1917) at the Final Advance in Artois, 2nd October - 11th November 1918. First and Fifth Armies continue the advance in the Artois region, liberating the French coalfields, Lens and Douai. Patrick was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in August 1914 and sometime afterwards received his Commission as Captain. He was awarded the Croix De Guerre with Palms and was twice mentioned in despatches by General Allenby (see photos). On a visit home in June 1918 he was honoured by the Coatbridge Town Council and presented (by his father) with a gold wristlet watch. Patrick is also remembered on the St. Augustine's Church Roll of Honour (with his brother James) and at the Family Plot in Airdrie (St. Joseph's) R.C. Cemetery (see photos). See photos for Patrick's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, another photo of Patrick's Grave, Patrick's Medical and Dental Students Register 1912, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his listing on the Scotland National Probate Index 1919, Cantaing British Cemetery, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, the Royal Scots Fusiliers Cap Badge and Patrick's listing in the British Army Records November 1914. Patrick's grave inscription reads "ON WHOSE SOUL SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY".