Robert Mackay

Killed in Action on the 17/08/1917 by an enemy shell exploding next to his gun

Robert was killed along with a comrade when an enemy shell exploded beside his gun. Several others were severely wounded. He is buried next to 3 of his comrades at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery. Siege Batteries of the Royal Garrison Artillery were equipped with heavy howitzers, sending large calibre high explosive shells in high trajectory, plunging fire. The usual armaments were 6 inch, 8 inch and 9.2 inch howitzers, although some had huge railway- or road-mounted 12 inch howitzers. As British artillery tactics developed, the Siege Batteries were most often employed in destroying or neutralising the enemy artillery, as well as putting destructive fire down on strongpoints, dumps, store, roads and railways behind enemy lines. Robert is listed as McKAY on the Coatbridge Memorial and the 1901 Census. He is also remembered on the Coatbridge Technical College and Dunbeth Parish Church Rolls of Honour (see photos) and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Robert's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, another photo of Robert's Grave, Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, the Royal Garrison Artillery Cap Badge and Robert's Pension Records x 2.