James McKenzie Ramsay

The Battalion were in Bareilly, India in August 1914 and were part of the Bareilly Brigade in Meerut Division. On the 21/09/1914 they moved to France, landing at Marseilles on the 12/10/1914. On the 26/09/1915 they amalgamated after heavy casualties with the 1/4th Battalion, which resumed its former identity in November 1915. In December 1915 they moved to Mesopotamia, landing at Basra on the 31/12/1915. Formation was by now renamed 21st Brigade, 7th (Meerut) Division. On the 04/021916 owing to heavy casualties, they formed the Highland Battalion with 1st Battalion, the Seaforth Highlanders. James fell at the Battle of Sannaiyat on the 22/04/1916 : Despite the absence of around 5,000 reserves en route to Gorringe from the British HQ at Basra, General Gorringe nevertheless launched a final attempt on the 22nd April, switching his focus back again to Sannaiyat. Weakly composed however - the attack consisted of a single brigade preceded by the usual artillery bombardment (which as ever warned the Turks of impending attack) - it was repulsed after Khalil first evacuated his first two lines and then counter-attacked in force. A further 1,300 British casualties were suffered in this latest setback, bringing the overall total during relief operations to 23,000. This was part of the siege of Kut-al-Amara, 7th December 1915 - 29th April 1916 : The Turks pursued the retreating 6th (Poona) Division to Kut, and soon surrounded and cut it off. British forces in Mesopotamia were now growing, the arrival of the experienced 3rd (Lahore), 7th (Meerut) and 13th (Western) Divisions bringing a significant increase in strength. These formations were ordered to advance north along the Tigris to relieve Kut. They ran into strong and stoutly defended lines and suffered some hard knocks. Although they got close to Kut, they failed to break through and relieve it and the garrison there was surrendered on the 29th April 1916. It was an enormous blow to British prestige and a morale-booster for the Ottoman Empire. James was formerly with the Cameron Highlanders (21360). He was killed in action 3 months before his 18th Birthday. His is reported as missing on the 22/04/1916 on his Pension Record. James is also remembered on the Coatbridge Technical College and Coatbridge High Schools Rolls of Honour (see photos). James also attended Blairhill School. See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Basra Memorial Panel List, his Pension Records x 2, his previous Regiment the Cameron Highlanders Cap Badge, the Black Watch Cap Badge, the CWGC Basra Memorial Roll of Honour x 3 and James' name in the CWGC Basra Memorial Roll of Honour.