Charles Sloan

Charles and the Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 11/07/1915 and were part of the 28th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. The History of the Division - On the 26/06/1915 orders were received to relieve the 7th Division in the line near Festubert, and accordingly the 26th and 27th Brigades took over the front line on the nights of the 1st and 2nd of July. The 28th Brigade was in reserve. The was the 1st occasion of which the Division was responsible for a section of the front line, which it held east of Festubert till the 18th August, and during this period all ranks became acquainted with the trials of trench warfare. The advantage of ground was with the enemy. Occupying the ridge east of Festubert the Germans were able to control their artillery fire by direct observation. The weakest point in our line was "The Orchard" which was held at tremendous cost and risk and it was here the Division had most of its casualties, as the enemy kept it constantly under fire from artillery and trench mortars. For every shell we had the Germans had 10. On the 18th August the Division moved to the training area near Busnes (near Bethune). On the next day it was again visited by Lord Kitchener, who inspected it in a big field, and he expressed himself as highly pleased. From this date till the end of the month training was carried on continuously, and the men were frequently practised in issuing rapidly from their own trenches and attacking another line. These manoeuvres raised hopes that they would soon be tested in an important battle. Charles possibly received his wounds during this training period. Charles was also remembered on the Whifflet United Free Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for Charles' Medal Index Car, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, Charles' Pension Records x 2 and the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge.