John joined the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry. He arrived in France in October 1915 as a Private and rose to the rank of Captain. John is listed as Major on his Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, the Reverend Samuel Lindsay's 1919 book and the Coatbridge Memorial. He was with the 8th (Service) Battalion Border Regiment who were part of the 75th Brigade, 25th Division when he was awarded the Military Cross for distinguished bravery in the field in 1916 in the New Year's Honours list of 1917. The citation states that it was simply for 'consistently good work' rather than a particular act of bravery. One incident does stick out in John's record however. During the Battle of the Somme John was commanding "D" Company of the Border Regiment and was part of an attack on Regina Trench south of Thiepval. The company approached the trench from Stump Road and were successful in capturing a portion of it. Before the company advanced John noticed a well-hidden German machine gun emplacement and ordered his men to stay where they were, along with soldiers from another regiment. He was able to get a message to camp who sent reinforcements which allowed "D" Company to secure the trench. It was a moment of calm and clear thinking and it undoubtedly saved the lives of the men under his command. John was wounded at the Battle of Messines, 7th - 14th June 1917 and took over command of the 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment on the 21st April 1918. The Battalion were part of the 7th Brigade, 25th Division when John was Killed in Action 5 days later near Neuve Eglise at the Second Battle of Kemmel, 25th - 26th April 1918, Ypres. This was a phase in the Battles of the Lys, 9th April - 29th April 1918 : The third German offensive Operation Georgette takes place in Flanders with the objective of capturing key railway and supply roads and cutting off British Second Army at Ypres. After initial successes the German attack is once again held after British and French reserves are somehow found and deployed. John's war came to an end on the 26th April 1918, only a few months before the war would end, and nearly four years since he enlisted. John was involved in the defence of Kemmel Hill. A large number of casualties were sustained by his Battalion of the Border Regiment and a neighbouring Battalion from the South Staffordshire Regiment. From the survivors a new Battalion was cobbled together and put under the, now, Major Stewart's command. The new Battalion lasted only two days suffering a mortar attack whilst ensconced in a trench and which John did not survive. SEE PHOTOS x 15 FOR THE 8th (SERVICE) BATTALION BORDER REGIMENT WAR DIARY APRIL 1918 and PHOTOS x 5 FOR THE 4th (EXTRA RESERVE) BATTALION SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT WAR DIARY APRIL 1918 (photos 4 and 5 states John taking command of the Battalion on the 21/04/1918 and being killed 5 days later). In 1907, John applied to the Glasgow Provincial Training College, forerunner of Jordanhill College of Education, now the University of Strathclyde, for a three-year course of teacher training offered in conjunction with the University of Glasgow. Students on this course were required to matriculate concurrently at the University, taking some of their classes there and others at the College. Those who completed successfully gained the Teacher's General Certificate, entitling them to teach in primary schools, as well as a University degree. John's University classes included Latin, Logic, Education, Mathematics, English and History, and he graduated with an MA on the 10th June 1910. After finishing his professional training at the College, he was recognised as a Certificated Teacher from the 1st August 1910, with additional qualifications to teach Singing, Physical Exercises and Woodwork in primary schools. He was appointed to a teaching post at Langloan Public School in Coatbridge on the 15th August 1910. The Coatbridge Memorial stands across the road from the school. John was a noted War Poet and his WW1 collection, "Grapes of Thorns (poems)" was published by Erskine Macdonald, London in 1917. He also wrote 2 books entitled "The Iron Burgh" and "Grapes and Thorns" and was a contributor to several leading periodicals. "Grapes of Thorns" was dedicated to his school friend Frederick Dixon who had Died of Wounds (septic poisoning) on the 06/09/1916. Frederick was shot in both legs on the 03/09/1916 during the Battle of Pozieres (see Directory for Frederick's page). One poem John wrote goes as follows:" If I should fall upon the field and lie among the slain, then mine will be the victory and yours the pain, for this in prospect comforts me against all saddening fears, that, dying so, I make myself worthy your tears". John's poetry is available online
here . In his final letter home he asked his family not to worry about him "Be of good cheer. If anything should happen to me remember I am happy to have had so many privileges and such a full life". John is also remembered on the Maxwell Parish Church and East United Free Churches Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 6, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Tyne Cot Memorial Panel List, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his name on the Glasgow Provincial Training College War Memorial, his name on the Tyne Cot Memorial x 2, another photo of John, his poem, an aerial view of Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial, his original Regiment the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge, the Border Regiment Cap Badge, the South Staffordshire Cap Badge and troops of the Border Regiment resting in a front line trench in Thiepval Wood in August 1916. Finally, a big thanks to cultureNL for some information. Please read this page and links regarding John from David McDonald -
here
