The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

teddy

Any information for William Glass Walker, Service Number 4025 in 9th Battalion in Glasgow Highlanders killed in action on 15/7/1916, Battle of Somme. William was born 17.5.1898 in Springburn Glasgow and lied about his age when joined up. He is recorded on Dumfries Academy Plaque WW1 under Highland Light Infantry, and on snwm also on that roll.
Trying to find if on any WM in Glasgow. Understand Springburn under Glasgow City.
Can anyone tell me when William joined up? Where is the information gone for the 'Glasgow Highlanders'? If he is on any Glasgow WM?
Any information would be a great help.
I have lovely photo of him in full dress uniform, photo of his parents and family information on his short 18 years.
Thanks, Teddy.

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

SDGW shows b & e Glasgow. No service record exists. The 9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry was the full name of the 9th H.L.I
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

DelBoy · Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 3:42 am Post subject:

Teddy, if you google "9th hli" the very first hit is a downloadable copy of the battalions war diary.

[15 July 1916: attack at High Wood]
At 5.30am orders were received that the Bde was to attack the switch trench in front of Martinpuich. The Queens and Glasgow Highlanders were to carry out the attack, the Worcesters and 16/KRR to be in support.
Our right was to start from the northwest corner of HIGH WOOD (which we did not hold). The preliminary bombardment was to begin at 8.30am and the attack at 9am.
A message was sent to the Bde reporting that it was impossible to attack unless HIGH WOOD was first cleared; about 7.30am a message came from Bde Hd Qrs that it had been represented that 7th Div should be asked to clear wood and asking if we had heard if any 7th Div Batts were to do this. One of the COs of a 7th Div Battn said it had been suggested he should attack HIGH WOOD but it was too big a job for him.
About 7.30am a Company of 16/KRRs was sent up to be a support to the Battn. This Company and 3 platoons of No.3 Coy were put into Wood to try and clear the Right Flank of the Battn when the attack began.
At 9am the Battn attacked and only got about 150 yds taking a very heavy fire from Wood and from SWITCH Trench N of Wood and from Sunken road in front of SWITCH TRENCH. The 2nd Worcesters were sent up in Support but were also stopped.
The Battn suffered the following casualties: 5 officers killed, 15 wounded and 1 missing. OR 87 killed, 214 wounded, 99 missing (believed killed).
The Queens on our left got in a little but were also stopped. The KRR came up in support but the Brigade got in no further and in the a’noon were holding the Southern half of the Wood, with 7th Div on Eastern face.
The 7th Div tried twice in a’noon to get into the part of Wood enemy held but failed - on two occasions coming back at a run. Our men stood very firm.
The night was quiet.

There's a memorial to the 9th HLI who died at High Wood which can be seen here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/45441379@N06/4445210986/

According to David McNay on the hidden Glasgow website there was a memorial for the 9th, but was demolished in the 1960's. There may be pictures of it held by Glasgow libraries or museums?

teddy · Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 8:37 pm Post subject: William Glass Walker

Thanks to both for the information.
Teddy