James Montgomery McAllister KOSB 1/5

[jimcwestie]

Hello,

I am looking for some help trying to find out mote about my grandfather James Montgomery McAllister who was with the KOSB 1/5. I have two numbers for him 7114 and 200677.

He signed up in Peebles and was in Gallipoli as he collected a stone and had it made into an engagement ring for my grandmother. 

He was also mentioned in dispatches.

Many thanks

Jim

 

[Matlock1418]

Welcome to GWF

13 minutes ago, jimcwestie said:

James Montgomery McAllister who was with the KOSB 1/5. I have two numbers for him 7114 and 200677.

Also 1/4th KOSB according to the MIC https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D3755011 and Medal Rolls

13 minutes ago, jimcwestie said:

He was also mentioned in dispatches.

A post-war Gazetting for his MiD https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31439/supplement/8592 - others may perhaps be able to tell you if for a late war act or if for generally good war service

THE LONDON GAZETTE, 8 JULY 1919

War Office, 8th July, 1919. The following is a continuation of Sir D. Haig's Despatch of the 16th March, 1919, submitting names deserving of special mention: — ...

KING'S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS ... McAllister, 200677 Pte. (A./L./C.) J. M.. l/5th Bn. (T.F.).

:-) M

[Michelle Young]

The Territorials were renumbered in 1917, hence the fact he has two numbers. 

[PRC]

Hi @jimcwestie and welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately like the majority of other ranks records his appear to have gone up in flames in WW2 when German bombs hit the London warehouse where they were being stored.

The Medal Index Card linked to above by @Matlock1418 shows James first landed in a Theatre of War on the 14th June 1915 and his unit for the award of the related 1914/15 Star Service Medal is the 1/4th Battalion. That causes a bit of a problem when you look at the webpage on our parent site, the Long, Long Trail, for the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. The entry for the 1/4th and 1/5th Battalion reads:-

1/4th (Border) Battalion
August 1914 : in Galashiels. Part of South Scottish Brigade, Lowland Division. Moved to Cambusbarron (Stirling).
11 May 1915 : formation became 155th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division.
Sailed from Liverpool on 24 May 1915 for service at Gallipoli. Landed 14 June 1915.
January 1916: moved via Mudros to Egypt.
17 April 1918 : moved with Division and landed at Marseilles for service in France.

1/5th (Dumfries & Galloway) Battalion
August 1914 : in Dumfries. Part of South Scottish Brigade, Lowland Division. Moved to Bannockburn (Stirling) and Tillicoultry.
11 May 1915 : formation became 155th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division.
Sailed from Liverpool on 24 May 1915 for service at Gallipoli. Landed 6 June 1915.
January 1916: moved via Mudros to Egypt.
17 April 1918 : moved with Division and landed at Marseilles for service in France.
28 June 1918 : transferred to 103rd Brigade, 34th Division.
https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/kings-own-scottish-borderers/

The date of landing certainly backs up him serving with the 1/4th Battalion, and is therefore likely to have been with them since enlistment. The service number 200677 would have come from the block allocated to the 4th Battalions of the KOSB as part of the Territorial Force renumbering at the start of 1917. https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/a-soldiers-life-1914-1918/renumbering-of-the-territorial-force-in-1917/renumbering-the-tf-infantry-in-1917/

As a guide 200671 William Robert Greig, formerly 7101, was honourably discharged from the Army on the 21st March 1919 being no longer physically fit for war service as a result of wounds. As such he was also entitled to wear the Silver War Badge. The associated administrative document, the Silver War Badge Roll, shows him as having enlisted on the 7th November 1914. An expanded search of men with nearby service numbers may turn up some with surviving service records that could give a clue to at least the early part of James McAllisters early army career.

Men didn't routinely transfer between unit unless it suited the Army. Particularly between Infantry units the most likely reason was that a man was wounded \ accidentally injured \ had health issues and on recovery reported to depot and was posted to wherever he was most needed. In the farther flung theatres of War like the Middle East much of the hospital treatment was done nearby. As these theatres were lowdown the pecking order for the receipt of men they tended to hang on to what they had. The medical evacuation and subsequent reassignment could have happened while both units were in France, but by that stage of the war the odds were very much against even ending up with another Battalion of the same Regiment.

Casualty lists only include the wounding scenario, so in the absense of service records your best bet for accidental injury \ill-health is a report in local newspapers.

So given the evidence of the wallet would seem likely that his change of unit happened in Egypt \ Palestine after the new numbers were issued but before they started being generally used - but that is a pure guess

War diaries for units serving at Gallipoli are only online at Ancestry and can be seen via a subscription. They are unlikely to mention him by name, but will give a feel for where they were and what they were up to. The war diaries for Egypt \ Palestine are not online, but can be viewed at the National Archive.

A brief history of the 52nd Lowland Division and the battles it was involved in can be found here:- http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/52nd-lowland-division-2/

The engagement names are standard and can be searched on the forum and online for more details.

Looks like the KOSB museum have currently suspended their enquiry service. https://www.kosb.co.uk/family-history-enquiries-form/

Hope that gets you started,
Peter

[jimcwestie]

Many thanks to everyone that gives me a great start. I am amazed at all the information you have given me.

Thanks again Jim

[Pat Atkins]

KOSB? Definitely @kenmorrison territory. 

[PRC]

Sorry forgot to state that the Medal Index Card shows his first Theatre of War was Gallipoli and that E.E.F. stands for Egyptian Expeditionary Force.

A quick look at the Commonwealth War Graves commission website for 1/4th Battalion men with nearby service numbers, cross referred to Soldiers Died in the Great War, (a multi-volume publication from the HMSO in the early 1920's) brings up:-

7090 Private George Young killed in action 12th July 1915, remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli. Enlisted Galashiels, Selkirk. Has surviving service records. Attested for 4 years service in the Territorial Force in the UK on the 6th November 1914 at Galashiels to serve in the 4th Reserve Battalion but following day changed to 4th (Foreigh Service) Battalion. However he did not sign the foreign service agreement till the 17th May 1915 at Cambusbarron. Medical History shows originally posted to “A” Company.

7095 Private William Clelland killed in action 12th July 1915, remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli. Enlisted Galashiels, Selkirk. Has surviving service records. Attested for 4 years service in the Territorial Force in the UK on the 9th November 1914 at Galashiels, to serve in the 4th (Reserve) Battalion. He signed the foreign service agreement at Cambusbarron on the 17th May 1915. He was then serving in “B” Company and his unit is given as the 1/4th Battalion.

7106 Private Andrew Lindores died of wounds 22nd June 1915, buried Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli. Enlisted Galashiels, Selkirk.

7108 Private Gilbert John Piercey killed in action 12th July 1915, remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli. Enlisted Galashiels, Selkirk. SDGW as Piercy. Has surviving service records as Piercy. Attested for 4 years service in the Territorial Force in the UK on the 9th November 1914 at Galashiels, to serve in the 4th (Reserve) Battalion. Medical History sheet and Casualty Form – Active Service shows him posted to ‘B’ Company. He signed the foreign service agreement at Stirling on the 8th February 1915.

7112 Private Robert Watson killed in action 12th July 1915, remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli. Enlisted Galashiels, Selkirk. Has surviving service records. Attested for 4 years service in the Territorial Force in the UK on the 9th November 1914 at Galashiels, to serve in the 4th (Reserve) Battalion. He signed the foreign service agreement at Cambusbarron on the 17th May 1915.

7126 Private William Kinghorn died of wounds 21st June 1915, buried Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli. Enlisted Duns, Berwick.  Has surviving service records. Attested for 4 years service in the Territorial Force in the UK on the 9th November 1914 at Duns, to serve in the 4th (Reserve) Battalion. Medical History sheet shows him posted to the 2/4th Battalion. He received a GSW to the abdomen on the 20th June 1915 and died at 11 Casualty Clearing Station on the next day. It’s difficult to make out bit looks like he signed the foreign service agreement on the 10th February 1915, place illegible.

200672 Private George Hope, formerly 7104, killed in action 19th April 1917 and remembered on the Jerusalem memorial. Enlisted Duns, Berwick.

200693 Private William Russell Brockie, formerly 7143, killed in action 19th April 1917 and remembered on the Jerusalem memorial. Enlisted Kelso, Roxburgh.  A medal receipt is all that survives of his service records.

200696 Private Robert Cochrane, formerly 7174, died of wounds 20th April 1917 and buried Deir El Belah War Cemetery, Palestine. Enlisted Jedburgh, Roxburgh.

So looking likely that James Montgpmery McAllister enlisted on the 9th November 1914 – although location is unconfirmed.

The pre-war Territorial Force was intended for the defence of the Home islands. Individual soldiers could also take an Imperial Service obligation, (for extra pay), something which was intended to provide a reserve for a Boer War type conflict. But while it meant that Territorial Force units could be sent out to take the place of Regular Army troops garrisoning the Empire, it didn’t actually cover the places where much of the fighting was actually going on.

So come September 1914 the Territorial Force men were given the option to agree to foreign service. Those that did formed a new first line Barralion, (in this case the 1/4th), while those that didn’t formed a new second line , (2/4th or 4th Reserve Battalion – not the same as the 4th Reserve that came into being in 1916). New recruits were given the same option.

Unfortunately it’s not very clear from the surviving service records quite what was going on other than that most seemed to go initially to the 4th Reserve Battalion, and at some point decided to sign the foreign service agreement, some of them in the week of so before the 1/4th sailed for Gallipoli - just enough time to fit in some embarkation leave

Cheers,
Peter

Edited 4 August , 2021 by PRC
Typo

[jimcwestie]

I am just shocked just shocked at the amount of fascinating family history you have provided me and cant thank you enough for taking the time to this. I have just bought the KOSB In The Great War book which I hope will be of help. 

Thanks

Jim

[kenmorrison]

On 03/08/2021 at 14:39, Pat Atkins said:

KOSB? Definitely @kenmorrison territory. 

Thanks for the "nod" Pat. I am no expert but recently I have been and am researching those named on the War Memorials in the Scottish Borders and from my observations most men with a 71xx number (or thereabouts) enlisted in the Territorial 4th (Border) Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers in late 1914. Sometimes they attested for "Home Service" in the 4th Battalion's Reserve (later to become 2/4th (Border) Battalion) and then volunteered for overseas service. This most often happened at Cambusbarron near Stirling.

Both Territorial Battalions of the KOSB - 1/4th (Border) and 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) as part of the 52nd Lowland Division sailed from Avonmouth in May 1915 with the 1/5th landing at Gallipoli some days before the 1/4th.

Both battalions (but especially the 1/4th) were decimated on 12 July 1915 during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah. One of the consequences of that was that after the withdrawal and after actions in Egypt and Palestine in 1916/1917, there seems to have been some movements of men between the two battalions.

So it would seem quite possible that James McAllister (as a Peebles man) would have enlisted in the 4th (Border) Battalion and landed with them at Gallipoli and that he was later posted to the 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion.

 

Ken 

[kenmorrison]

Just to confirm - the Hawick Express of Friday 20 November 1914 lists men who had enlisted.

"Last week upto Friday there were over 100 new recruits to the 4th Reserve Battalion of the KOSB"

Included is James McAllister, Peebles.

Ken

 

[jimcwestie]

Found some more things of my grandfathers.

[jimcwestie]

The first photo is a war picture and the other two are post cards on active service.

 

[Matlock1418]

37 minutes ago, jimcwestie said:

That 28.M.36.a.88.17 map reference is locatable here: https://www.tmapper.com - rather looks like it was named 'Tyro Farm' which was NE of Dranoutre

From the shadows I would say photo taken looking S/SE [or thereabouts]

M

Edited 11 January , 2023 by Matlock1418
add

[jimcwestie]

I have a few other pictures and will use the link.

Many thanks

Jim

[jimcwestie]

Another photo of James McAllister in service,