THIS MAN IS THE ONLY MATCH I CAN FIND BUT I'M UNABLE TO FIND A COATBRIDGE CONNECTION OTHER THAN WILLIAM'S NAME ON THE SCOTS GUARDS PAGE OF THE REVEREND LINDSAY'S 1919 BOOK. I'LL LIST THIS BRAVE MAN UNTIL I FIND OUT OTHERWISE. The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 14/08/1914 and were part of the 2nd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. William arrived in France on the 08/04/1915. William is listed as 2nd BATTALION on the Coatbridge Memorial. William was out with his Company on patrol when he was hit by machine-gun fire and instantly killed on the 15/10/1918. The Division fought in the pursuit to the Selle, 9th - 12th October 1918 which was the last part of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, 12th September - 12th October 1918 : A series of very large-scale offensive operations that advance to and break the Hindenburg Line system. Carried out by the First, Third and Fourth Armies these victories rank among the greatest-ever British military achievements. The German Army fights on but it is increasingly clear that their ability to do so is declining fast. Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and United States Divisions all play key parts. William was previously wounded on the 27/09/1915 at the Battle of Loos. William received his Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry in the field. His citation reads - "For exceptional gallantry and resource. When the difficulties of an attack were greatly increased by intense fog, gas shells, and counter-barrage, this NCO, acting as Company Sergeant Major, rendered the greatest service to his officers by the wonderful example and untiring energy which he displayed, and which had the most inspiring effect on the men of his company". In a letter addressed to Miss Ross, William's sister, Reverend Innes Logan, the well-known chaplain of the 1st Scots Guards, says: "I fear I have very sad news for you concerning your brother, Sergeant Ross, DCM. On the 15th October, while out with his company on patrol, he was hit by a machine gun bullet. I greatly regret to say he was instantly killed. I laid him to rest in the presence of his Commanding Officer, while the pipers played a lament yesterday, 22nd October at 3.30. He was one of the finest men in the Battalion, and he will be greatly missed. We honour his memory, and his comrades beg me to say how deeply they feel for you in this great sorrow. We pray that as time passes you may find some consolation in the thought that he died fighting gallantly for a noble purpose. Sergeant Ross was Acting Sergeant Major at the time." Grave photo kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. William is also remembered on the Fearn War Memorial, Ross-shire (see photos) and on the Ayrshire Constabulary and Kilmarnock Burgh Police War Memorial (see photos). See photos for Williams Medal Index Card x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, the Family Plot in Fearn Abbey Cemetery (William is listed), Carnieres Communal Cemetery Extension (Carnieres was captured on the 10th October 1918, and the Communal Cemetery Extension was made by the Guards Division a week later), his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, William's Pension Record x 3 and the Scots Guards Cap Badge. William's grave inscription reads "NOBLE BOY AND GOOD REVERED MEMORY MR. & MISSES ROSS FEARN, ROSS-SHIRE."
