15th Oct 1915, Peter Crawford, Age 19, 10th A&SH

[quigs1969]

In honour of my grandfather's brother Private Peter Crawford S/8248, 10th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Born 04 Jan 1896 at 56 Florence Street, in Gorbals, Glasgow, Son of Donald and Janet Crawford, of 106, Florence St., South Side, Glasgow.

Killed In Action age 19 on 15 October 1915 near Zillebeke.

The 10th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were attached to 27th (Lowland) Infantry Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division when they landed at Boulogne, France in May 1915. Peter entered the theatre of war in France on 17th Aug 1915 and would have almost immediately saw action at The Battle of Loos as the 9th (Scottish) Division had the task of capturing the Hohenzollern Redoubt , Fosse 8 and Pekin trench systems. The attack was initially successful as the 9th (Scottish) Division captured and held the trenches but suffered horrific casualties and were eventually relieved by the 24th Division on 25th Sept 1915. Despite the assault being an overall failure the gallantry and self-sacrifice of the 9th (Scottish) Division was praised by the Corps Commander.

The 9th (Scottish) Division lost more than 6,000 men at The Battle of Loos and the Division was sent to the Ypres Salient near Zillebeke to re-build, Peter had survived his baptism of fire at The Battle of Loos, however his brother possibly John Crawford was wounded and taken prisoner at the Battle.

On the 3rd October the 9th (Scottish) Division relieved the 17th Division in the trenches around Hill 60 and The Bluff near Zillebeke in the Ypres Salient. Peter Crawford had barely settled into his trench when he and at least 30 other men from 10th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were killed in action on the 15th October 1915, Peter and most of the men from the 10th killed that day are remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel 42 and 44.

The area of the Ypres Salient was rife with trench mining and counter-mining, this was the practice of tunnelling under the enemies trenches and blowing them up.

It is reported that at 4am on the morning of the 15th of October 1915 the Germans blew a mine about 25 yards in front of a trench near the Bluff. 15 men were killed and 60 wounded, among them was Tom McBride of 10th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who is also remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel 42 and 44.

It is possible that Peter Crawford also died in this explosion although I have no confirmation of this.

At the time of Peter's death his father Donald Crawford and brothers Duncan and Donald were on active service with the Navy.

Remembered with honour.

Edited 31 July , 2014 by quigs1969