sunflower Posted 27 September , 2006 Share Posted 27 September , 2006 Hi folks I am hoping to find out as much as I can for a friend whose great uncle who died at Loos. He died on 26 September 1915 and was in D Coy of the 6th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. I will be travelling to the Somme shortly but not sure if I can manage to the Loos Memorial for a photo of his panel. Would really appreciate any info on what happened that day with the RSF. I know I have come to the right place for help and appreciate anything at all on this soldier. Cheers, Sunflower CALDWELL, DAVID Initials: D Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Fusiliers Unit Text: "D" Coy. 6th Bn. Age: 26 Date of Death: 26/09/1915 Service No: 12082 Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Caldwell, of 53, Fullarton St., Irvine, Ayrshire. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 46 to 49. Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunflower Posted 28 September , 2006 Author Share Posted 28 September , 2006 I posted this yesterday and thought when I logged on tonight that I might have had at least one reply. There must be somebody that can help with some information about this soldier's unit on the day he died, or even prior to the assault on Loos. He has no known grave and it was only yesterday that his grand neice found out where he has a memorial and is keen find out as much as she can about what happened to him. Any help would be great. Thanks, sunflower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hambo Posted 28 September , 2006 Share Posted 28 September , 2006 Sunflower In an attempt to make you more cheerful in the morning I have checked a couple of sources SDGW has him as "died", which I suspect, given the action on the 25th and the fact there is no grave should probably mean died of wounds but if that's the case it would imply that he was brought back from the fighting and would generally have a grave as a result, I open myself to being corrected as "died" normally means from something other than in action. Also all the references are to the action the battalion was involved in on the 25th so I can't explain why he died on the 26th either (not very good really) He was born in Irvine in Ayrshire and enlisted there as well. What I can find says that late on the opening day of the battle, the 25th , they were thrown in as the last reserve, to reinforce Pekin Trench, to the south-west of Haisnes, which was in danger of being re-taken by the Germans after heavy fighting there for much of the day. They sent 2 companies of the 6th RSF forward for this task. Despite this, by 5pm, only 50% of the trench remained in British hands, A quote from the war diary of the 6th RSF says "Darkness was setting in and the situation was critical. Our bombs, being soaked with rain, were sodden and the men's rifles were clogged with mud. The flanks, particularly the left, became very unsteady, and it became necessary to rally the men three times and to reoccupy Pekin Trench, which the men had been leaving in large numbers." Despite this the trench was lost and the survivors returned to Fosse Alley from where they had started. Men from other units fell back still further. There is no reference in my source as to where the battalion was on the 26th but it's something for you to go on Hope this helps All the very best Hambo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 28 September , 2006 Share Posted 28 September , 2006 Peace, dear child. Patience is a virtue. Did you not know that this site has not been at all well today? Folks have been wailing and, occasionally, gnashing their teeth! You could, very easily, get detailed information by logging on to the National Archives site where the war diaries for the 6th Royal Scots Fusileers are dowloadable. The period covering September & October 1915 will cost you the princely sum of £3.50. Reference WO 95/1772 and it "includes account of operations 25th-26th September". I'm almost tempted to get it myself. Enjoy. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveBrigg Posted 28 September , 2006 Share Posted 28 September , 2006 Anything to help a fellow Pal - I'll pop to the Loos memorial at Dud Corner tomorrow and get a picture of the panel. (actually, the coach arrives in 2 hours for our school trip, so you've timed the request quite well.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 28 September , 2006 Share Posted 28 September , 2006 Tranquillo, por favor. Details Surname CALDWELL Firstname David Service Number 12082 Date Death 26/09/1915 Decoration Place of birth Irvine Ayrshire Other 6th Bn. SNWM roll THE ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS Rank Pte Theatre of death F.&F Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n cherry Posted 29 September , 2006 Share Posted 29 September , 2006 The 6th RSF originally the reserve battalion for 27th Brigade 9th Division in the Hohenzollern Redoubt area 25th September 1915. A brief account of their actions including an excerpt from the units war diary in Most Unfavourable Ground pages 83 to 88. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrieduncan Posted 30 September , 2006 Share Posted 30 September , 2006 Interesting that he was born in Coatbridge, there was also a Private Ambrose Caldwell, No. 12877, 7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers from Coatbridge, wonder if they were related in any way? Barrie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunflower Posted 30 September , 2006 Author Share Posted 30 September , 2006 Thanks for the info for everyone especially Hambo, and Dave Bigg if you can get a photo that would be great. Again, many thanks and it is appreciated. Sunflower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveBrigg Posted 3 October , 2006 Share Posted 3 October , 2006 I have the picture. If you can email or PM me with your details, I'll mail it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eltoro1960 Posted 3 October , 2006 Share Posted 3 October , 2006 I have casualty lists for the RSF Battalions at Loos, they lost nearly 100 men on the first day and over 250 on the second day and well over another 100 men by the 1st October. I have lists of these fatalities if you wish them , but rather than post them here I can e-mail them if required. Chris Baker has an excellent article on Loos on the main site which is excellent and well worth a read Loos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveBrigg Posted 11 October , 2006 Share Posted 11 October , 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveBrigg Posted 11 October , 2006 Share Posted 11 October , 2006 Caldwell's name is on the panel on the right. The memorial was particularly beautiful when we visited at the end of September. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunflower Posted 15 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 15 October , 2006 Caldwell's name is on the panel on the right. The memorial was particularly beautiful when we visited at the end of September. Hi Dave Many thanks for these photos. It looks so peaceful, serene and a beautiful location. And thanks to John Duncan for the casualty lists of the RSF. cheers, sunflower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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