William Smith

The Battalion were in Ambala, India in August 1914. They were part of the 9th (Sirhind) Brigade in the 3rd (Lahore) Division. They moved to France via Egypt, landing at Marseilles on the 01/12/1914 (some weeks after the other Brigades of the Division). William arrived in France on the 24/03/1915 and was Killed in Action 34 days later at the Battle of St. Julien just after the German gas attacks on the 22nd and 25th of April. This was the first mass use by Germany of poison gas on the Western Front. He arrived there on the 25th of April just before an attack was launched on the 26th and was one of many killed in this failed attack. On April 24th his Battalion done an 18 mile march from La Couture to Berthen, arriving after midnight. On the 25th they moved to join the Lahore Division who were concentrated at Ouderdon some 5 miles from Ypres. On the 26th they assembled in fields to the south of St Jean and some 3000 yards from the Germans. In the attack that followed they supported the Jullundur Brigade, a proportion of whom got to within 200 yards of the Germans. The attack stalled here on the 27th and many in the forward positions were killed. This was at the Battle of St. Julien, 24th April - 4th May 1915 which was part of the Battles of Ypres (Second Ypres), 22nd April - 25th May 1915 : Often known as the Second Battle of Ypres, this began with surprise German attack using poison gas against French North African forces holding defences near Ypres. Both sides rushed reserves in and the battle developed into the second epic in that area. British Second Army withdraws to a shorter line near Ypres. A huge thank you to David Smith who provided family information along with War Diary information of the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry. William was a member of the Sons of Temperance. He is also remembered on the Gartsherrie Works Roll of Honour (see photos x 2). See photos for William's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel List, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge and William's Pension Record x 2.