Cameronians - Scottish Rifles (1st/7th Bn)

[pandabean]

I am wondering if anyone can tell me the where abouts of the Cameronians around the date of death of the following soldier, it for research for another person. Would there also be a batallion diary for the 1st/7th Batallion?

Name: QUINN

Initials: J

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Unit Text: 1st/7th Bn.

Date of Death: 10/11/1918

Service No: 266366

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: In North-West corner.

Cemetery: HERCHIES COMMUNAL CEMETERY

Thanks,

Andy

[Malcolm]

Andy ,

From James' British Regiments on the 11th November 1918 ( next day) they were with 156 Brigade, 52nd Division at Jurbise north of Mons, Belgium.

Aye

Malcolm

[pandabean]

Thanks Malcolm, Its a shame the guy got killed the day before the Armistice.

Andy

[Pretswell]

Andy and Malcolm

My Grandfather was in the 1/7th , here is an extract from his personal diary.

I hope it helps

Regards

Dave

[barrieduncan]

From the 7th Bn War Diary, November 1918

BLATON 10th

0830 156th Inf Bde. Order No 70 received 0200 & the Brigade continued its advance eastwards. The Battalion formed part of the main body and, following Bde. Hqrs. passed the starting point at 0835. 4th Royal Scots were advance guard to the Brigade. SIRAULT was reached without incident. At this place verbal orders were received from Brigade to pass through 4th R.S. and cover the advance of the Brigade - Final objective - a line east of ERBAUT to cover that village.

The advance guard consisted of

7th Scottish Rifles

C Coy 52nd Bn. M.G.C.

A battery 9th Bde. R F A

1 Platoon Corps Cyclists

all under command of O.C.7th Scottish Rifles.

SIRAULT 10th cont

1300 The advance guard was ordered to be ready to move at 1300 but did not move then. VIII Corps Cyclists reported hostile M G. fire from the direction of VACRUSSE and HERCHIES . Owing to this information orders were issued to A Coy to deploy on the Brigade front and advance on HERCHIES. B Coy with one section MGs was sent to work along the northern flank as that flank was exposed on account of 58th Division final objective for the day being NEUFMASION - C Coy on the right & D Coy on left deployed about 1500 yds in rear of “A” Coy and advanced in support that coy -

1400 Battn Hqrs - House in eastern edge of SIRAULT. “ C” Coy 52 Bn. M.G.C. a Battery R F a & cyclists platoon remained with Bn. Hqrs. 157 Bde advancing on the South through BOIS de BAUDOUR were to divert a force to sweep north and threaten HERCHIES through VACROSSE . No touch was obtained with them. Cyclists patrol reported touch with Ist Corps at NEUFMAISON and roads East of that village all clear for 2000 yds. The advance commenced about 1420 B Coy moving first then A Coy. Considerable M G fire from the direction of HERCHIES and VACRESSE was met with. 1 Sect RFA was brought forward to Bn.Hqrs. then situated at farm C28 a 28 came into action and were of great assistance in overcoming opposition . Remainder of Battery in SIRAULT did not come into action. Good progress was made and by 1630 we had entered and passed through HERCHIES. Enthusiastic reception by the inhabitants. Bn . Hqrs. established in HERCHIES.

HERCHES

1700 C & D Coys were withdrawn into Support owing to the difficulty of proceeding across country and control in the dark. A &B Coys continued the advance, but were held up about 1300 yds from ERBAUT by heavy M G fire. HERCHIES by this time receiving considerable attention from Bosche Artillery

2000 Two platoons of D Coy were put at disposal O C “ A “Coy in order to enable him to push on to his objectives. In spite of this reinforcement, advance was still delayed and C Coy was instructed to make a flanking movement advancing in conjunction with other two Coys with road to D 20 b and a as objective. This move commenced at 2015, progress was at first slow but at about midnight enemys resistance was broken, he retired, and by 0100 on 11th all coys had reached their final objective and took up a line approximately D 8 central D15 central to D 21 Central. 2 MGs and 17 prisoners were captured in this operation. Our causalities, 3 killed , 1 died of wounds, 7 wounded , 1 missing. All companies did splendidly, LIEUT FORBES O C “B” Coy did specially good work in controlling his Coy and reached his final objective with Coy complete

10 cont

2000 cont (except casualties ) , a remarkable performance considering the darkness , the difficult nature of the country and the fact that no previous reconnaissance was possible

ERBAUT 11th

0930 155 Inf. Bde. passed through outpost line held by the Battn & our coys were withdrawn and billeted in ERBAUT.

1030 Wire received from Brigade that hostilities would cease at 1100. LT.COL. J.G.P. ROMANES DSO rejoined from commanding 157 Inf. Bde.

Sorry for the confusing format of the extract (word doesn't paste to well into a post) - place names come first, followed by date (10th and 11th) followed by time in 24 hour clock.

Hope this helps

Barrie

[pandabean]

Thanks Barrie, that is very helpful. I really appreciate it.

Andy

[deejayess]

Staying with the same battalion does anyone have access to the war diary for the 1/7th Cameronians on and around 13/11/17 - the date my great uncle was killed in Palestine?

Any help much appreciated.