617 Cpl James Milne

[Stevend]

I am currently  researching this soldier who was killed on the 13th October  1915

He was in the 1st Bn. Black Watch.

Any information on how he was killed and where would be greatly appreciated 

 

Steven 

[John Beech]

Hi Steven 

 

Forces War Records, SDGW and Register of Soldiers Effects all state that he was killed in action.

 

If you are looking for the circumstances as to his death, the War Diary for the day is relatively sparse and references an attack made west of Hulluch. They went into action with 14 officers and 536 other ranks and 'the total breadth of the attack was 500 yards'. The attack resulted in casualties of 10 officers and 229 other ranks.

 

If you have access to Ancestry, the War Diary is available online, and at the end of the month's diary there is an Appendix A which gives a detailed account of the attack.

The Appendix breaks down the casualties further to:
Officers 4 killed 5 wounded and 1 wounded and missing
OR 33 killed 163 wounded and 33 missing

 

 

 

 

Edited 8 May , 2019 by John Beech

[Stevend]

Hi John

Many thanks much appriciated.

[Derek Black]

Stevend,

As an aside, 617 Milne will have enlisted between early May and early June 1906.
 

603 - 03/05/1906

619 - 04/06/1906

 

"After a gas and smoke discharge the Battalion attacked an objective of 500 yards of enemy trench.
The leading platoons reached the wire, which was uncut, and tried to make a gap. Enemy M.Gs. caused heavy casualties. Reinforcements were sent up, but were unable to get through the wire.
19.30 - Every Officer who had gone over the top was a casualty, and the position remained obscure till Battalion was reorganised in old British front line."

 

As John says, Appendix A gives a fuller account, but the above sums it up.

 

Cheers,

Derek.

 

 

 

[Stevend]

Derek many thanks for this information  

 

Steven