Additional Information
On the 26/05/1915 John and the Battalion sailed from Devonport for Gallipoli, going via Egypt (5th to the 28th June) and Mudros (1st July), landing a Cape Helles on the 03/07/1915. They were part of the 157th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. On the 5th of April the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service; on the 7th of May this was confirmed, with the destination being Gallipoli. The units embarked at Liverpool and Devonport between 18th of May and the 8th of June. Disaster struck on the 22nd of May when a train carrying the Battalion HQ and two Companies of the 1/7th Royal Scots crashed in an accident at Quntinshill near Gretna. 3 Officers and 207 men died, 5 Officers and 219 were injured. Fewer than 70 men survived this crash unscathed. John was Killed in Action while charging with his Regiment on the enemy's trenches at the Battle of Achi Baba Nullah. The Battle (12th and 13th July 1915) : The order was given to charge the Turkish defences in the late afternoon of the 12th of July 1915. As was the case throughout the campaign, the fighting was conducted at close quarters, with some trenches almost within touching distance. The Battle proved to be an overwhelming disaster. On the 12th July, the 52nd (Lowland) Division suffered 2427 casualties, of which 1065 were killed. The History of the 52nd (Lowland) Division states the Battalion had 6 Officers Killed, 2 Wounded, Other Ranks 94 Killed, 148 Wounded = 250. The 157th Brigade : 29 Officer Killed, 10 Wounded, Other Ranks 330 Killed, 608 Wounded = 938. Up to the 13th July, inclusive, the Division had lost about 4800 in Killed and Wounded out of a total landing strength up to the 3rd July of about 10,900 all ranks. SEE PHOTOS x 4 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY JUNE - JULY 1915. John was 4 years with the 1/7th (Blythswood) Battalion Highland Light Infantry and was called up at the outbreak of war. He is also remembered in the St. Augustine's (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Helles Memorial Panel List, his Memorial Plaque (Dead Mans Penny), his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, John's Pension Records x 2, the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge, the 1/7th (Blythswood) Battalion Highland Light Infantry leaving their headquarters in Main Street, Bridgeton, November 1915 and the Battalion Memorial in Glasgow Green x 2. Finally, see photos x 12 for the 52nd (Lowland) Division Order of Battle (the Division he was serving with when he died), PHOTOS x 56 FOR THE 52nd (LOWLAND) DIVISION BOOK 2nd - 13th JULY 1915 and another 2 Newspaper clippings (Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1 and the Coatbridge Leader x 1).
