William Rodgers

Killed in Action on the 18/06/1915 at the Rue d' Ouvert, east of Festubert (part of the Actions in the Spring and Summer of 1915)

The Battalion arrived at Zeebrugge on the 07/10/1914 and were part of the 20th Brigade, 7th Division. William arrived in France on the 26/05/1915. William was invalided home shortly after the outbreak of war and was less than 1 month back in the trenches when he was Killed in Action at the Rue d' Ouvert, near Festubest on the 18/06/1915 with 41 of his comrades in the 2nd Battalion. This was part of the Actions in the Spring and Summer of 1915 (Western Front), 15th June - 9th August 1915 : Localised operations seeking tactical advantage. After the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, the French high command came to believe that the British could undertake an offensive action, not just fight a dogged defence. The prestige of the British in that operation, which was judged by all to have been a success even though it fell far short of the strategic goal of breaking through to Lille, rose considerably. It led to increased French pressure for the British army, still small and woefully under-gunned, to play an increasing part in offensive warfare. The Battles of Aubers and Festubert in May 1915 came as a result of this pressure, with woeful results. William is listed as DRUMMER on the Coatbridge Memorial (he was this as well as Private). See photos for William's 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 Le Touret Memorial Panel List, his name on the Le Touret Memorial and the Gordon Highlanders Cap Badge.