James William Scholefield

The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 20/02/1915 and a week later joined the 8th Brigade, 3rd Division at La Clytte. On the 10/10/1915 they transferred to the 76th Brigade in the same Division. On the 23/02/1916 they transferred to 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. James was Killed in Action at the Second Battle of the Scarpe, 23rd - 24th April 1917. This was part of the The Arras offensive (Battle of Arras), 9th April - 16th June 1917 : Once again the British are called upon to launch an attack in support to a larger French offensive: the battles of the Chemin des Dames and the hills of Champagne. The opening Battle of Vimy and the First Battle of the Scarpe are very encouraging, but once again the offensive - often known as the Battle of Arras - bogs down into an attritional slog. Final attempts to outflank the German lines at Bullecourt prove terribly costly. James was posted as missing at the start of the 3rd week of the British advance at Arras (23/04/1917). His death was not confirmed until November 1917. James' family received a postcard from him stating he had returned to the trenches after a few days rest. This was dated 1 day before he was killed. James enlisted on the day the death of Lord Kitchener was announced. James is also remembered on the Maxwell Parish Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 3, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Arras Memorial, his name on the Arras Memorial Panel List, James' Pension Records x 3 and the Gordon Highlanders Cap Badge.