John D Oswald

The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 14/08/1914 and were part of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Division. John arrived in France on the 07/04/1915. John was killed by a shell in the trenches during the Battle of Festubert, 15th - 25th May 1915 : The Battle of 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. John's Battalion had 400 casualties in one week. British casualties in the Battle of Festubert - 2nd Division : 5,284 of which 178 Officers (engaged for 6 days). John was a leading worker in Mr Minty's Coatbank Street Mission and was also a Sunday School Teacher. The day before he was killed was his 23rd birthday and he had been sent a hamper by the Mission. Captain Hooper described John as "an extremely good soldier". John is listed as CORPORAL on the Coatbridge Memorial. He is also remembered on the Coats Parish Church Roll of Honour (see photos) and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Le Touret Memorial, his name on the Le Touret Memorial Panel List, John's Pension Records x 3 and the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge. Finally see photos for John's brother Stirling's (Sterling) Medal Index Card, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 3 and his Pension Records x 2.