6th Batt Kings Own Scottish Borderers 25 April 1918 - info please!

[shawa72]

Hi, I am trying to trace the movements and actions of the 6th Batt KOSB on the 25 April 1918.

My interest lies with 31118 Pte John Todd McArthur who I believe was KIA on this date.

Any info regarding the Battalions movements, engagements or other relevant info would be most welcome, does anyone have the war diaries for this period?

Many thanks in advance

Paul

[Colin W Taylor]

Paul

Slim pickings in the diary - 24th: 'Enemy attack. Headquarters B + D Companies surrounded and cut off. A + C Coys took up position in Cheapside Line.'

25th: 'Battalion relieved on early morning by KOYLI and moved to trench system near Outerdom'

There may be information in the brigade diary or with other battalions in the brigade.

Kind regards

Colin

[Glengarry1950]

Hi Paul and welcome to the Forms,

I think I may be able to throw some light on your question, more in what the 6th KOSB were up to, rather than the individual soldier. I am currently reading The History of the Ninth (Scottish) Division by Major John Ewing, MC 6th Bn KOSB.

In fact I am at 21st to 29th March 1918 in the book which is an excellent read. The Cheapside Line position was the final line position after the 25th. The map in the book shows that the 9th Divisions line was from Lagache Farm ( Left) to Somer Farm on the (Right) forward from the Village of Wytschaete this they occupied from the 17th April until 25th April 1918.6th KOSB were in 26th Brigade of the 9th Division. He goes on to say, During the week 18th to 26th although no serious attack developed, ( You have to take this with a pinch of salt because they had had nearly for years of fighting this was not a serious attack in there eye you will be astonished at the fighting that did go down that day), the troops were subjected to great strain owing to incessant and sever shell-fire and the casualties amongst those in and behind the Vierstraat line were numerous. Further on he said, Between midnight and 1am on the 25th a prisoner stated that a big onslaught was imminent and would probably be on 25th before daybreak, at thick mist straddled the ground, and at 0230 am a violent hostile bombardment of Gas and H.E. opened along the whole front. He goes on to cover various events along the Divisions line until 0700 AM, were he says, About 7 am the KOSB in the Vierstraat line receive word from Royal Scots that their front was intact, and this information was the more amazing in as much as the KOSB were themselves hotly engaged with the enemy. He now covers other units in the Division and the movement of the attacking enemy resulting in serious fighting and casualties, turning back to the KOSB he says, The KOSB also suffered seriously from the enemy's turning movement; the forward companies were virtually annihilated after fierce resistance and the BN HQ were surrounded and captured, the remainder of the Battalion took up a position on the Cheapside line which was also held by 9th KOYLI 64th Brigade. The KOSB in a brilliant counter-attack directed by Capt Cundle, now in command of the battalion, inflicted severe losses and secured 58 prisoners. The book goes on to cover other units actions that day by the 9th Division. Summing up the he goes on to say, The successful resistance of the Ninth was due to sound general-ship as well as valour of its troops. On the critical 25th April 1918 the men of the Ninth accomplished an almost incredible performance, the action is a conspicuous example of the value of defence deployed in depth; for the fact that the Germans never broke through the Division. By the prowess in March and April the Ninth thoroughly earned the flattering message received from Sir Douglas Haig. Paul as you can see there was quite a bit going on, on 25th April 1918 with 6th BN KOSB. Although your man is not mentioned, very few soldiers ever get mention in the general run of things, I hope this is of some help in your research.

Kind regards

Hiram Dunn

ex KOSB

[shawa72]

This info is amazing and I whole heartily THANK YOU for this excellent summary. I am aware that individual soldiers are rarely mentioned but this information gives me an superb insight into the action that my man fell in.

God rest them all

Many thanks again

Paul

[Glengarry1950]

Thanks Paul,

I think the slim records on the war diaries may be down to the fact that BN HQ were captured and killed, and junior officers would more than likely have had little time and knowledge of the of the bigger picture to give a detailed account for the diaries. Where as Major Ewing MC was writing from experience after the event. There is also a good account of the goings on of the 6th KOSB in Captain Stair Gillon,s book "The KOSB in the Great War" given a little bit more detail on that astonishing day, in the Regiments History, 25th April 1918.

Kind regards

Hiram