Family Information
Youngest son of James and Jessie Wotherspoon of 83a Main St, Coatbridge. From the 1891 Census - Address - 8 Dunbeth Rd, Coatbridge - James Wotherspoon aged 39, Jessie Wotherspoon aged 33, Thomas Wotherspoon aged 8, Archibald Wotherspoon aged 6, William G Wotherspoon aged 9 months. From the 1901 Census - Address - 19 Albert St, Coatbridge - James Wotherspoon aged 49, Jessie Wotherspoon aged 42, Thomas Wotherspoon aged 18, Archibald Wotherspoon aged 16, William Wotherspoon aged 10. William's Pension was awarded to his mother Jessie on the 05/03/1918
Additional Information
The Battalion are 0ften known by its original title of the Glasgow Tramways Battalion. They formed in Glasgow on the 2nd September 1914 by the Lord Provost and City, with many recruits coming from the Tramways Department. The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 23/11/1915 and were part of the 14th Brigade, 32nd Division. Operation Strandfest ("Beach Party") : On the 6 July 1917, the MarinesKorps Flandern began a desultory artillery bombardment, which continued for the next three days. Fog and low cloud prevented detection of the German build-up. Then, at 5.30am on the 10th July the massed German artillery, including three 24cm naval guns in shore batteries and 58 artillery batteries (planned naval gunfire support from destroyers and torpedo-boats was cancelled), opened up on the British positions in the bridgehead. Mustard gas (Yellow Cross) was used for the first time in the barrage. All but one of the bridges over the Yser River were demolished, isolating the 1/Northamptonshire and 2/KRRC of 2nd Brigade, 1st Division on the extreme left flank. Telephone communication was also cut. The German bombardment continued throughout the day. The British artillery attempted a counter-barrage but several guns were knocked out and the German infantry were well protected. At 8pm, the MarinesKorps launched the infantry assault, by which time the two British battalions had suffered 70-80% casualties. The German stormtroopers attacked down the coast, outflanking the British. Their attack was then followed by waves of German Marines, supported by flamethrower teams to mop up dugouts. After a gallant defence, the British battalions were overwhelmed. Only 4 officers and 64 other ranks managed to reach the west bank of the Yser. The German attack on the 32nd Division, further to the east, was less successful. Only the 97th Brigade was attacked and although there was some penetration into the line, a counterattack that night by the 11/Border Regiment, supported by two companies of the 17/Highland Light Infantry, restored all but 500 yards of the front line. A general counterattack was ordered for the 11 July by General Rawlinson. Wisely, he later rescinded his decision at the request of XV Corps Commander, Lt. General John Du Cane. William fell 4 days later on the 15/10/1917. William was very popular in the town and at the outbreak of war he organised numerous events in aid of War Funds. On many occasions he took entertainers to Drumpellier Hospital and was an expert conjuror and life and soul of the company. See photos for William's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his name on the Nieuport Memorial x 3, his name on the Dunbeth Parish Church Roll of Honour, his Memorial Scroll x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Nieuport Memorial Panel List, the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge, Operation Strandfest July 1917 and William's Pension Records x 4.
