Death of RAMC Officer (with Royal Warwickshire Regiment) on 27th July 1915 on board hospital ship

[John Begg]

Carrying our research into acting Lieutenant Dr John Cattanach RAMC and Royal Warwickshire Regiment who was wounded around 24th July 1914 and transferred to hospital ship where he sadly passed away and was buried at sea. 

[travers61]

Is this the man you are looking for ? (from The Medical Directory 1915 ed.)

[alantwo]

The 9th Royal Warwickshire War Diary records on the 22nd July 1915:

“We were relieved by the 7th N Stafford Regt and went into Divisional Reserve at ESKI Lines. Whilst we were in Divisional Reserve we had 3 other ranks killed & Lieut J Cattanach (RAMC attached to 9th R War R) and 6 other ranks wounded.”

Alan

[alantwo]

The UK, De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, 1914-1919 has a detailed obituary which can be accessed via Ancestry.

Name	John Cattanach
Gender	Male
Rank	Lieutenant
Regiment or Ship	Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Birth Date	2 Feb 1885
Birth Place	Newtonmore, Inverness
Death Date	27 Jul 1915
Death Place	Gallipoli
Father	William Cattanach
Mother	Annie Kennedy
Volume	Volume 2

 

[michaeldr]

3 hours ago, alantwo said:

The 9th Royal Warwickshire War Diary records on the 22nd July 1915:“We were relieved by the 7th N Stafford Regt and went into Divisional Reserve at ESKI Lines. Whilst we were in Divisional Reserve we had 3 other ranks killed & Lieut J Cattanach (RAMC attached to 9th R War R) and 6 other ranks wounded.”

Alan

Alan,

Unfortunately, the copy of the Warwicks' WD [WO 95/4302] which I have commences at 3^rd August 1915. The Warwicks were rotating in the line with the North Staffs, but while the WD of the latter does cover the period in question, it is far from clear, as no dates are given between the 13^th and the 23^rd .

Looking at Westlake's 'British Regiments at Gallipoli' [ISBN 0 85052 511 X] the North Staffs were in trenches H12 and J11 from 18^th till 20^th July, when they were relieved by the Warwicks. The latter were in the line from 20^th till 22^nd. However, at what exact time on the 22^nd the change actually took place is not mentioned.

I bring this up, as it seems to me that Westlake's account for the Warwicks could be read as suggesting that Lt G H Grundy was killed and Lt J Cattanach mortally wounded before the relief took place:

“Relieved 7^th North Staffordshire in front line (20^th). Lieutenant G H Grundy [CWGC give first names as George Edward]  killed, Lieutenant J Cattanach (Medical Officer) mortally wounded (22^nd). Relieved by 7^th North Staffordshire (22^nd) and to Eski Line in Divisional Reserve.”

The map below illustrates the position of trenches H12 & J11

[from History of the Great War, Military Operations, Gallipoli Vol.II]

Edited 27 November , 2023 by michaeldr
Correction to names of George Edward Grundy

[alantwo]

Hi Michael 

Image below from Ancestry, Lieutenant Grundy is mentioned in the line above the extract given.

Best regards 

Alan

 

[michaeldr]

Many thanks Alan: that clears that up nicely

best regards, Michael

[michaeldr]

37 minutes ago, michaeldr said:

Relieved by 7^th North Staffordshire (22^nd) and to Eski Line in Divisional Reserve.

The position of the 'Eski Line' can be seen on the map below

[John Begg]

On 26/11/2023 at 21:43, travers61 said:

Is this the man you are looking for ? (from The Medical Directory 1915 ed.)

Thank you, yes this is indeed our Dr John Cattanach.

[John Begg]

On 27/11/2023 at 08:57, alantwo said:

Hi Michael 

Image below from Ancestry, Lieutenant Grundy is mentioned in the line above the extract given.

Best regards 

Alan

 

Thanks very much. Just wondered what Divisional Reserve actually means.

[John Begg]

On 27/11/2023 at 09:27, michaeldr said:

The position of the 'Eski Line' can be seen on the map below

 

[John Begg]

Just wondered where trench H12  is located.

Lieutenant J Cattanach was dealing with wounded at a Dressing Station when he himself was mortally wounded however there doesn't appear to be one near L11.

Maybe they aren't all marked.

 

 

[michaeldr]

11 hours ago, John Begg said:

Just wondered where trench H12  is located.

11 hours ago, John Begg said:

Lieutenant J Cattanach was dealing with wounded at a Dressing Station when he himself was mortally wounded however there doesn't appear to be one near L11.

Maybe they aren't all marked.

The second map (posted Monday 09:27) was only intended to illustrate the position of the Eski Line. As you will see, it dates from 1 September 1915 ie. after the action in question here. 

I hope that this helps

Michael

[John Begg]

12 hours ago, michaeldr said:

The second map (posted Monday 09:27) was only intended to illustrate the position of the Eski Line. As you will see, it dates from 1 September 1915 ie. after the action in question here. 

I hope that this helps

Michael

Thank you very much Michael. I am new to this but learning a lot and making steady progress with compiling a Memorial for Lieutenant Cattanach. 

[Kev darby]

[John Begg]

Many thanks Kev, where would this document have been sourced?

John