Idlewild Posted 31 October , 2014 Share Posted 31 October , 2014 Happy Halloween, Looking for information or details around John Malone, 3230 who was part of the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. He was killed near Wytschaete in December 1914, as far as I'm aware during the attack on Petit Bois and noted by Billy Congreve. Born in 1885 in Dundee. Would I be right in thinking he was a reservist before the war due to his Service Number? Any information on when/where he joined, service records etc as I have struggled to find any? Also am I correct in thinking he was killed during that specific attack? Many thanks Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willywombat Posted 31 October , 2014 Share Posted 31 October , 2014 The medal rolls give his number as S/3230. I'm no expert on service numbers but someone who knows the GH numbers will no doubt be able to tell you more. Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langdon Posted 31 October , 2014 Share Posted 31 October , 2014 No expert either but the nearest numbers in the SWB lists are: S/3203 enlisted 01.09.14 S/3263 enlisted 03.09.14 Re. Gordon Highlander numbering you might like to look at this Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolt968 Posted 31 October , 2014 Share Posted 31 October , 2014 He went to France on 8 November 1914 and was a L/Cpl by the time he died. I wonder if he had some other previous military experience or was a special reservist? R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idlewild Posted 31 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2014 From what I could find through the census he was working in a Jute Mill in 1911. No other details I'm afraid that I could find just now, will keep looking. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idlewild Posted 3 November , 2014 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2014 Could he maybe have had a field promotion? Is it possible since he enlisted as a private and as far as Im aware, had no previous military experience or specialism? I know the war diary around this time was patchwork to say the least but would there have been any mentions? Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dundeesown Posted 3 November , 2014 Share Posted 3 November , 2014 The People`s Journal has his address as 10 Rose Lane. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willywombat Posted 3 November , 2014 Share Posted 3 November , 2014 In answer to your last question, "am I correct in thinking he was killed during that specific attack?" In all likelihood, yes. The 1st Gordon Highlanders War Diary is available from the National Archives under reference WO 95/1421. There are pages and pages of it relating to that day as it was a major action. I say "in all likelihood" simply because whilst many from the 1st GH did die that day in that attack, one can never be 100% certain he was in it. He could, for example, have been a runner behind the lines and killed by a stray shell. In legal parlance, it's not "beyond all reasonable doubt" but definitely "the balance of probabilities"! Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idlewild Posted 4 November , 2014 Author Share Posted 4 November , 2014 Thanks folks, I'll try and get hold of the diary to have a read about it. Am I correct though with my other thought that he could have been made up to L/Cpl due to the high casualty rates at the time? Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willywombat Posted 4 November , 2014 Share Posted 4 November , 2014 Thanks folks, I'll try and get hold of the diary to have a read about it. Am I correct though with my other thought that he could have been made up to L/Cpl due to the high casualty rates at the time? Andy Perhaps? Equally, though, he might well have been a thoroughly decent sort of chap who looked like he might do well as an NCO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idlewild Posted 6 November , 2014 Author Share Posted 6 November , 2014 Having read through the diary, unfortunatley no mention of him being promoted, which is a shame but fascinating reading, especially in the build-up to the attack and the offensive itself. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now