43495 Private
12th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, 46th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division
Age: 24
Date of Death: 31.7.17
Buried: Menin Gate Memorial Panel 38 and 40
Family history: Son of Alexander and Isabella Watters, Helen Villa, Braehead, Bo’ness. He had two brothers, James and Thomas and a sister, Helen. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a woodworking machine man by Robert Mickel & Company.
He enlisted in the Royal Scots on the outbreak of the war and was later transferred to the 12th Battalion Highland Light Infantry in early 1916. He saw action at the Somme in 1916 and Arras in 1917.
The action leading to his death
The front of the 15th (Scottish) Division ran from Potijze road to the Roulers Railway, immediately facing Frezenberg Ridge. The 46th Brigade was on the left of the assault, 44th Brigade on the right with the 45th Brigade ready in reserve to exploit the advance made. The first objective was the enemy front and support lines, the second, the second line, and the third the defensive system fifteen hundred yards further east.
(Linesman map showing Battalion position at Iberian farm)
The Battalion was not involved in the assault but was used as a support and as a reserve Battalion. In the opening phase they had been involved in ’mopping up’ and clearing our parties of the enemy who had been left in the front line system. They had also brought up stores and formed dumps and consolidated the Blue Line, the first objective. At dusk on the 31 July they were providing support to the 10th Scottish Rifles near Iberian Farm.
Medals
The British War Medal, Victory Medal
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