Alexander (Sandy) Carnegie Baxter M.C.

Killed in Action by an enemy shell on the 17/04/1917 at the Battle of Arras

The 1/6th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) arrived at Le Havre on the 21/03/1915 and were part of the 100th Brigade, 33rd Division from 25/02/1916. Alexander enlisted with the 17th (Service) Battalion (3rd Glasgow) Highland Light Infantry (15233) in November 1914 whilst at home on holiday. In May 1915 he obtained a Commission and became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). He arrived to his Regiment at the Front in June 1915 and stayed on active service till his death in April 1917. Alexander was with the 1/6th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), attached to the 154th Company Machine Gun Corps from January 1916, when he fell. SEE PHOTOS x 2 FOR THE 154th COMPANY WAR DIARY FOR WHAT HAPPENED ON ALEXANDER'S FINAL BIRTHDAY 01/07/1916 (this coincided with the opening day of the Battle of the Somme). The 154th Company were part of the 154th (3rd Highland) Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. Alexander was posthumously awarded the Military Cross in July 1917 for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty 8 days before he died. This would have been the 1st day of the British offensive at Arras at the 1st Battle of the Scarpe, 9th - 14th April 1917. The Arras offensive (Battle of Arras), 9th April - 16th June 1917 : Once again the British are called upon to launch an attack in support to a larger French offensive: the battles of the Chemin des Dames and the hills of Champagne. The opening Battle of Vimy and the First Battle of the Scarpe are very encouraging, but once again the offensive - often known as the Battle of Arras - bogs down into an attritional slog. Final attempts to outflank the German lines at Bullecourt prove terribly costly. The 154th Company Machine Gun Corps also were involved in the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe, 23rd - 24th April 1917. Alexander was also mentioned in despatches by Field Marshall Haig. The Official report regarding Alexander's Military Cross states - "Second Lieutenant (temp. Lieutenant) Alexander Carnegie Baxter, Scottish Rifles. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was sent forward with his machine gun to consolidate a certain position. When advancing he discovered that a certain portion of the line was still in enemy hands. He at once consolidated just short of the line. His foresight enabled him to occupy the line later on" (see Newspaper clippings). SEE PHOTOS x 30 FOR THE 51st (HIGHLAND) DIVISION BOOK 11th February - 17th APRIL 1917. Alexander was the only Officer of the 154th Company to die during the 9th to 18th April 1917. He is also remembered on the Coatbridge Technical College and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) and Middle United Free Church Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for Alexander's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, Alexander mentioned on the Family Plot, East Wemyss Macduff Cemetery, Kirkcaldy, Fife, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, St. Nicolas British Cemetery, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Cap Badge, his name on the National Probate Index 1917 and another photo of Alexander. SEE PHOTOS x 22 FOR THE 154th BRIGADE WAR DIARY FOR APRIL 1917 (Alexander is mentioned in photo 21) and PHOTOS x 10 FOR THE 154th COMPANY WAR DIARY FOR APRIL 1917. Finally, see photos for Alexander's Military Cross Citation from the London Gazette 18/07/1917, Newspaper clippings x 9 (Coatbridge Express x 4, Coatbridge Leader x 4 and Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser), the 51st (Highland) Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died), another 3 photos of Alexander's grave kindly donated by my friend in France, Thierry Dericbourg and 7 more Newspaper clippings (Fifeshire Advertiser x 1, Daily Record x 1, Coatbridge Express x 2, Coatbridge Leader x 1, Fife Free Press x 1 and The Scotsman x 1).