James and the Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 21/03/1915 and were part of the 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. James was Killed in Action at the Second Action of Givenchy, 15th - 16th June 1915 : The 7th Division moved into the Givenchy sector shortly after their costly involvement in the Aubers Ridge and Festubert assaults. It proved to be a very difficult line to hold, being subject to constant mining, sniping and trench mortar activity. A decision was taken to make a large-scale attack on the German front between a point East of Givenchy to just South of Rue d'Ouvert, to capture some key points. 21st Brigade was selected to lead the attack, with two Battalions in the front wave. On their right, the Canadians were to attack a strong point called 'Dorchester' and forming a defensive flank near the Canal; on their left, the 51st (Highland) Division would move on Rue d'Ouvert from the north. To maintain contact between the main thrusts, the 1st Grenadier Guards of 20th Brigade would advance over the flat ground towards the village. After several postponements, the attack was fixed for the evening of 15 June 1915. SEE PHOTOS x 42 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM 1st JUNE - 16th JUNE 1915. This was part of the Actions in the Spring and Summer of 1915 (Western Front), 15th June - 9th August 1915 : Localised operations seeking tactical advantage. After the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, the French high command came to believe that the British could undertake an offensive action, not just fight a dogged defence. The prestige of the British in that operation, which was judged by all to have been a success even though it fell far short of the strategic goal of breaking through to Lille, rose considerably. It led to increased French pressure for the British army, still small and woefully under-gunned, to play an increasing part in offensive warfare. The Battles of Aubers and Festubert in May 1915 came as a result of this pressure, with woeful results. The other photo of James' name on the Le Touret Memorial was kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. James and his brother William are remembered on the Hamilton War Memorial (see photos). The plaques with the men's names are held in the old Town Hall now the Library and Civic Centre (see photos x 2). See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Le Touret Memorial Panel List and the Le Touret Memorial, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Cap Badge and James' and his brother William's Pension Records x 4. Also see photos for James' brother William's Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his Service Records x 15, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Arras Memorial Panel List and the Royal Scots Cap Badge. Finally, see photos of a Poppy placed by myself at Le Touret Memorial in July 2023 x 2, a photo that includes James' brother William's name on the Arras Memorial taken in July 2023, PHOTOS x 18 FOR THE 51st (HIGHLAND) DIVISION BOOK MARCH - JUNE 1915, the 51st (Highland) Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died) and another 2 photos of James' name on the Le Touret Memorial kindly donated by my friend in France, Thierry Dericbourg.
