John Mooney

The Battalion were in Ambala, India in August 1914 and were part of the 9th (Sirhind) Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division. They moved to France via Egypt, landing at Marseilles on the 01/12/1914 (some weeks after the other Brigades of the Division). John arrived in France on the 10/01/1915. The Battalion took part in the Battle of Festubert, 15th - 25th May 1915 : The Battle of Festubert was in effect a second phase of the recently failed attack on Aubers Ridge. The strategic context and why this battle took place are explained on that page. Once again, the attack would take the form of a pincer attack with two assault frontages: a northern one along the Rue du Bois near Port Arthur and Richebourg l'Avoue, and a southern one at Festubert. British casualties in the Battle of Festubert - 7th (Meerut) Division : 2,521 of which 102 Officers (5 days engaged). John fell the following month. John initially enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery in 1913 before transferring to the Highland Light Infantry but was discharged in 1914. He re-enlisted with the Regiment at the outbreak of war. John paid his last visit home at New Year 1915. John is listed as PRIVATE on the Coatbridge Memorial and Pension Records and PRIVATE and ACTING CORPORAL on his 2 Service Medal and Award Rolls. John is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. He was reburied in Rue-des-Berceaux Military Cemetery (see photos). See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, another photo of John's Grave, Rue-de-Berceaux Military Cemetery, the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge and John's Pension Records x 3.