George Watterson

The Battalion arrived in France in July 1915 and were part of the 27th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. George joined the Expeditionary Force in France on the 05/07/1916 and was Killed in Action on the opening day of the 1st Battle of the Scarpe, 9th - 14th April 1917. This was part of the Arras offensive (Battle of Arras), 9th April -16th June 1917 : Once again the British are called upon to launch an attack in support to a larger French offensive: the battles of the Chemin des Dames and the hills of Champagne. The opening Battle of Vimy and the First Battle of the Scarpe are very encouraging, but once again the offensive - often known as the Battle of Arras - bogs down into an attritional slog. Final attempts to outflank the German lines at Bullecourt prove terribly costly. The 12th Royal Scots made the Cemetery in May 1917. All men in the Cemetery died on the 09/04/1917. Eight of these men were George's comrades. George is listed as WATERSON on the Coatbridge Memorial. He is also remembered on the Airdrie War Memorial (see photos). See photos for George's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, Bailleul Road West Cemetery, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, his Service Records x 15, George's Pension Records x 3 and the Royal Scots Cap Badge.