James F McLaren

The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 08/07/1914 (James arrived 6 days later) and were part of the 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. James was Killed in Action on the opening day of the Battle of Loos 25/09/1915 - 08/10/1915. Order of Battle : Gas release to be made along Divisional Front from 5.50am with Zero hour set for 6.30am. In the first instance, Brigade to secure the German front-line area known as, "The Jews Nose", and then press on to secure the enemy's second-line east of Loos village. Once these objectives had been captured, surviving troops were to press on and secure Hill 70. The Brigade was to attack with 9th Black Watch right and 8th Seaforth Highlanders left, both supported by 7th Cameron Highlanders. 10th Gordon Highlanders were to be held in reserve. 24/9/1915 Brigade to assembly trenches. "A" Company vanguard. 25/9/1915 at 5.50am Gas release commenced followed by smoke release. Germany artillery responded immediately fearful of a British attack. At that time the wind changed, and the lethal gas blew back on the troops mustering to go 'over the top' at 6.30am, causing significant casualties and confusion. At the appointed time, the Battalion went into the attack and carried its initial objectives under heavy fire, suffering further significant casualties. By 8.30am, troops had begun to assault Hill 70, and later in the day attempts were made to press on to Cite St. Auguste and Dinamentiere. 26/09/1915 Battalion relieved at 1am, and fell back on Mazingarbe, where the roll was called. Twenty-two Officers and six hundred and eighty Other Ranks failed to answer, having been either killed, wounded or taken prisoner. Survivors would have been asked for information pertaining to those who failed to answer the roll, and many men would have been subsequently accounted for. Scottish Regiments lost a huge amount of brave men at Loos. Here is a list of Infantry Battalions who lost more than 500 men at the Battle of Loos from 25/09/1915 to 16/10/1915 - 7th Cameron Highlanders 687, of which 19 Officers, 9TH BLACK WATCH 680, of which 20 Officers, 6th King's Own Scottish Borderers 650, of which 20 Officers, 10th Highland Light Infantry 648, of which 20 Officers, 7th King's Own Scottish Borderers 631, of which 20 Officers, 8th Devons 619, of which 19 Officers, 8th Royal West Kents 580, of which 24 Officers, 8th Buffs 558, of which 24 Officers, 12th Highland Light Infantry 553, of which 23 Officers, 8th Black Watch 511, of which 19 Officers, 5th North Staffordshire 505, of which 20 Officers, 8th Seaforth Highlanders 502, of which 23 Officers. James was 1 of the many men from the Memorial Killed in Action on the opening day of the Battle of Loos. He was 1 of 99 men from the Coatbridge Memorial who fell during and from injuries from the Battle of Loos. James was buried where he fell but probably due to later actions he has no known grave and is remembered on the Loos Memorial. James played for a short while with Rob Roy Football Club. See Newspaper clipping for a letter sent to James' mother by Chaplain H J Collins of the 9th Black Watch. Letters of condolence were also sent by his comrade Private William Begg from a Dublin Hospital where he lay wounded and from several others. See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Loos Memorial Panel List, his name on the Loos Memorial x 4, James' Pension Record and the Black Watch Cap Badge.