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16th (2nd Edinburgh) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)    16th (2nd Edinburgh) Battalion, Royal Scots was raised in December 1914 by Lt-Col. G.McCrae, MP. After initial training close to home, they joined 101st Brigade, 34th Division in June 1915 at Ripon. They moved to Sutton Veny for final training in September and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 8th of January 1916. 34th Division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. The 15th Royal Scots transferred to 39th Division at Wolphus on the 17th of May. The battalion was disbanded in France on the 14th of August 1918. 31st August 1915 Quiet day 16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme 22nd Oct 1915 Inspection 1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets 11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment 12th Dec 1915 Orders Received 20th Dec 1915 Orders 8th Jan 1916 On the Move 9th Jan 1916 On the Move 10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens 10th Jan 1916 On the Move 12th Jan 1916 Locations 15th Jan 1916 On the Move  By the 15th of January 1916 all units of 34th Division had arrive in France and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. 16th Jan 1916 Organisation 20th Jan 1916 Inspection 21st Jan 1916 Orders 21st Jan 1916 Instruction   22nd Jan 1916 Orders Issued 23rd Jan 1916 On the Move 23rd Jan 1916 In Reserve 24th Jan 1916 Inspection 25th Jan 1916 Instruction   26th Jan 1916 On Alert 27th Jan 1916 Emergeny Scheme 28th Jan 1916 Emergeny Scheme 9th February 1916 Call Ups 11th Feb 1916 Inspection 12th Feb 1916 On the March 13th Feb 1916 On the March 19th Feb 1916 Move   29th Feb 1916 Relief 10th Mar 1916 Reliefs 14th Mar 1916 Reliefs   29th Mar 1916 Stores   28th June Letters Home  The raider did not get much rest for on the 27th and 28th the Battalions of 34th Division began to move forward. This in preparation for the opening of the attack. For the previous four days the British Artillery had been bombarding the German trenches. Every man in the Brigade was aware that the opening of the offensive was very close. Before setting off for the front line men wrote what could be their last letters home. However the date and time of attack was to be delayed by forty eight hours. Heavy summer rain had fallen on the 26th and 27th there was a great possibility of flooding. On the 28th June the decision was taken to postpone the attack. The Divisional and Brigade staff Officers had the job of halting and turning around those battalions on their way to the front line. research 1st Jul 1916 34th Division in Action   1st Jul 1916 Advance   1st Jul 1916 In Action   21st Aug 1916  Reliefs  During the morning the C.O. and representatives from the 16th Royal Scots came up to look around the line prior to taking over from 7th Buffs. At 4 p.m. Specialists e.g. Snipers, Signallers, Lewis Gunners (etc.) came up to relieve our specialists. 8.30pm The 16th Royal Scots started to relieve us and the relief was carried out by platoons. Relief being complete by 12.25 a.m. on the 22nd inst. Very quiet day throughout. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 1st Sep 1916 Artillery in Action 2nd Sep 1916 Quiet 3rd Sep 1916 Quiet 4th Sep 1916 Visit 5th Sep 1916 Stormy 6th Sep 1916 Instruction   7th Sep 1916 Artillery Active 8th Sep 1916 Bombardment 9th Sep 1916 Orders 10th Sep 1916 Quiet   11th Sep 1916 Preparations 12th Sep 1916 Reliefs 12th Sep 1916 Orders 13th Sep 1916 Wire Cutting   14th Sep 1916 Raid   15th Sep 1916 Trench Raids   16th Sep 1916 Bombardment 17th Sep 1916 Orders 18th Sep 1916 Trench Raids   19th Sep 1916 Orders 20th Sep 1916 Orders 21st Sep 1916 Quiet 22nd Sep 1916 Arrivals   23rd Sep 1916 Orders   24th Sep 1916 Trench Mortars   25th Sep 1916 Shelling   26th Sep 1916 Some Shelling   27th Sep 1916 Trench Mortars   28th Sep 1916 Training & Reliefs   29th Sep 1916 Wire Cutting   30th Sep 1916 Trench Raid   1st Oct 1916 Quiet 2nd Oct 1916 Quiet 3rd Oct 1916 Shelling   4th Oct 1916 Orders   5th Oct 1916 Wire Cut   6th Oct 1916 Rounds Fired   7th Oct 1916 Trench Raid   8th Oct 1916 Artillery Active   9th Oct 1916 Quiet 10th Oct 1916 Quiet 11th Oct 1916 Course 12th Oct 1916 Trench Raids   13th Oct 1916 Reliefs 15th Oct 1916 Conference 16th Oct 1916 Courses 18th Oct 1916 Reliefs 19th Oct 1916 Orders Issued 20th Oct 1916 Trench Raids 21st Oct 1916 Enemy Aircraft 22nd Oct 1916 Artillery Active   23rd Oct 1916 Artillery Active   24th Oct 1916 Experiment 25th Oct 1916 Artillery Active 26th Oct 1916 Wire Cutting 27th Oct 1916 Artillery Active 28th Oct 1916 Artillery in Action 29th Oct 1916 Heavy Shelling   30th Oct 1916 Artillery Active   31st Oct 1916 Warning   29th Dec 1916 Reliefs 27th June 1917 Played 16th Battalion Royal Scots at football 4th of January 1918 Enemy Aeroplanes 8th of January 1918 Heavy Snow 12th of January 1918  Thaw then Frost 21st of January 1918 A Surrender   22nd of January 1918 Relief Completed 29th of January 1918 Divisional HQ Moves   31st of January 1918 Training   3rd of February 1918  Weather Fine   28th of February 1918 On the Move   1st of March 1918 On the Move   5th of March 1918  No Hostile Patrols 11th of March 1918 Hostile Shelling Increases   14th of March 1918 Fifteen Patrols Out 20th of March 1918  Enemy Remains Quiet   22nd Mar 1918 Heavy Shelling   23rd of March 1918 A March and an Extract   31st of March 1918 Relief Completed   1st Apr 1918 Enemy Active 2nd Apr 1918 Enemy Active 3rd Apr 1918 Artillery in Action 4th Apr 1918 Enemy Artillery Active   4th Apr 1918 Hostile Artillery 5th Apr 1918 Reliefs   5th Apr 1918 Reliefs Complete 5th of April 1918 In Houplines Sector   6th Apr 1918 Quiet 7th Apr 1918 Gas 8th Apr 1918 Working Party 8th Apr 1918 Low Visibility 8th Apr 1918 Working Parties   9th Apr 1918 In Action 9th Apr 1918 In Action 9th Apr 1918 In Action   9th Apr 1918 Bombardment   9th Apr 1918 Line Held   9th Apr 1918 Bridges   10th Apr 1918 Orders to Move  Orders were received by the 6th West Ridings at 12.15am to move off from Reninghelct in buses; the buses moved off about 3am. and we arrived at Le Creche at about 5am. We then proceeded to march to the vicinity of Le Veau (map reference B14a, Sheet 36) where the battalion halted and their packs were stacked. Tea was made for the men and the orders for the next moved were issued. Our transport proceeded by road from the Busseboom area to vicinity of Neuve Eglise (map reference T14b, sheet 18). The battalion moved off a little after 9am by platoons at 100 yard intervals and took up an assembly position about L'Epinette cross roads (map reference B27b, sheet 36. 'A' and 'B' companies were to the south and 'C' and 'D' companies to the north. The 1/4th. D. of W. were on our right and the 1/7th. D. of W. were on our left. From 10.30am onwards, Erquinghem-Lys was heavily shelled. Orders were received at about 1pm. and the battalion moved across to the Nieppe defences, which consisted of a strong line well wired. Our left rested on Armentieres Road (map reference B16b, sheet Croix du Bac) after readjustement with 1/7th. Battalion. 'B' Company were on the right with the right part of the railway (map reference B28a)and 'D' Company was on the left with the left part on the Armentieres road. 'C' Company was at first in support but later was pushed in to assist 'B' Company. 'A' Company remained in reserve but sent one platoon to be in close support to 'B' and 'C' Companies. Our trenches filled up all day with stragglers from the 22nd. and 25th. Northumberland Fusiliers and the 15th. and 16th. Royal Scots. One complete company of the 23rd. N. F.'s crowded into the left of our line and came under our C. O.'s orders. A fairly quiet night passed with some shelling on Nieppe and Pont du Nieppe. Gas shells were prevalent. Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were 10964 Private H. Kilburn (Killed in Action), 19550 Private W. Marsden (Wounded), 24765 Lance Corporal H. Spink (Wounded), 267843 Private C. Sprigg (Wounded) and 267555 Private A Stocks. (Wounded accidentally) 10th Apr 1918 Messages 10th Apr 1918 Gallant Fighting   10th Apr 1918 In Action 10th Apr 1918 In Action   10th Apr 1918 Withdrawal   10th Apr 1918 Enemy Attacks   11th Apr 1918 Withdrawal   11th Apr 1918 In Defence   11th Apr 1918 Holding the Line   12th Apr 1918 Establishing a Line  Breakfast was served at about 8am by two cookies and situation seemed very quiet. At 0945am. orders were received to push out a patrol to AC arc and A2d (map references) to verify presence of enemy in strength at Blanc Maison and to clear up the the situation, which was very obscure, and to report what troops of ours were in the vicinity. 2nd. Lieutenant Thackery and 15 O. R.'s including Corporals Gibson and Green went off and reported that various parties, under officers, were withdrawing. The patrol arrived back near the position of our bivouacs at about 11.45am. and reported that the enemy could be seen at about A14a (map reference) and that we held the cemetery in A7b (map reference) but that our defences and outpost line were practically non-existent. At about 12.15pm orders were received to establish on the Becque de la Flanche (thought to be a stream). 'B' Company remained in reserve and the other three companies were sent off to establish the above line. 'A' Company was on the right, 'C' Company was in the centre and 'D' Company was on the left. Eventually, some tome later, 'A' Company established their right post just astride the railway on S25c, Sheet 28 (map reference)about 800 yards west of Bailleul Station and got in touch with the troops on their right. 'C' Company, on the left, and 'D' Company were in touch with the 16th. Royal Scots. There was a small party of 11th. Suffolks under an officer between 'C' and 'D' Companies. Our 7th. Battalion (1/7th. D. of W.) were also a little mixed up with 'D' Company. Roughly, the line of the Becque was established and dug in during the night. During the early afternoon of the 12th., Captain Ogston was seriously wounded in the thigh by a machine gun bullet. Throughout the afternoon of the 12th., the line was continually shelled and trench mortar & heavy machine gun fire was put down on it; it was particularly intense on the left. Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were Major S. C. Brierly (Wounded at Duty), Captain K. Ogston (Wounded & died of wound), 2nd. Lt. H. Armitage (Wounded), 2nd. Lt. J. W. Probyn (Killed in Action), 2nd. Lt. J. H. Sunderland (Wounded)Sergeant T. D. Eagles (Wounded), 265395 Sergeant G. Harding (Killed in Action), 265883 Corporal W. Emmott (Wounded), 265576 Corporal J. Hogan (Wounded), 265267 Corporal G. Page (Killed in Action), 235503 Corporal W. Severs (Killed in Action), 265932 Lance Corporal W. H. Best (Wounded at Duty), 17038 Lance Corporal R. Piggott (Wounded), 267567 Lance Corporal W. E. Robertshaw (Wounded), 242825 Private S. Baker (Wounded), 267437 Private H. Briggs (Killed in Action), 303003 Private J. T. Britt (Wounded), 300159 Private M. Brown (Killed in Action), 17915 Private T. Caine (Wounded), 15580 Private R. H. Coleman (Wounded), 265717 Private J. E. Core (Wounded), 268074 Private N. F. Fletcher (Killed in Action), 267785 Private A. Garnett (Wounded), 17033 Private W. Grant (Wounded), 26566 Private H. Haigh (Wounded), 265746 Private J. Hayhurst (Wounded), 267863 Private G. Hill (Wounded & died of wounds 14/04/1918), 267549 Private F. Holmes (Wounded), 24125 Private J. Kennedy (Wounded), 41165 Private H. Leonard (Wounded), 41161 Private W. R. Lewis (Missing), 242621 Private H. Loyndes (Killed in Action), 242622 Private A. Lund (Killed in Action), 41176 Private T. W. Marriot (Wounded), 41175 Private S. Marsh (Wounded), 41177 Private H. May (Wounded), 14895 Private A. V. Nalson (Wounded at Duty), 41187 Private A. V. Nicholls (Killed in Action), 267474 Private A. Pearson (Wounded), 41191 Private T. Purshouse (Killed in Action), 267883 Private C. Puttergill (Wounded), 267922 Private C. J. Rooney (Wounded), 265483 Private J. Scott (Wounded), 242814 Private G. H. Smith (Killed in Action), 29889 Private H. Stead (Wounded), 26147 Private T. Stordy (Wounded), 242835 Private A. Sugden (Wounded), 41178 Private A. A. Taylor (Wounded and missing), 41151 Private J. Thorneycroft (Wounded), 240786 Private W. H. Thornton (Wounded), 267832 Private C. Threadgale (Killed in Action), 267431 Private N. Thwaites (Wounded), 242751 Private C. R. Weddle (?) (Wounded), 12695 Private L. Whitehead (Wounded). 12th Apr 1918 Defensive Action 12th of April 1918 Enemy Advances   13th Apr 1918 Enemy Attacks  The early morning of the 13th. was very quiet. Rations were delivered to the companies of the 6th West Riding Regt by 4.30am. and the C. O. and the Intelligence Officer went round the lines at about 5am. and found everything in good order and the line well s....ted. It was found that in the readjustment of the line during the night of 12th./ 13th. 'B' Company was in support to 'A' Company and a little behind was their left flank. At about 3pm., the enemy commenced shelling the line and also roads and farms in the rear. The enemy attacked on 7th. D. of W.'s front and also on the 16th. Royal Scots on their left and further to their left again. The enemy was also active on our right about the railway but any contemplated attack was dispersed by rifle and Lewis gun fire, The troops on the battalion's left gave ground and 'D' Company were left with their flank in the air. The Bosche approached to within 100/ 150 yards and suffered very heavy casualties from 'D' Company's rifle and Lewis gun fire. They were held up for some considerable time. Eventually, the enemy worked round both flanks of 'D' Company and forced them to withdraw. It is certain that 'D' Company killed a very large number of the enemy and themselves suffered severe casualties. Sergeant Berry and Sergeant Harding were killed and 2nd. Lieutenant Armitage and 2nd. Lieutenant Sunderland were wounded. [NB. Both these officers, on the casualty list compiled on 21/05/1918 which I have used, are shown as wounded on 12/04/1918). 'B' Company were sent up to reinforce the troops in front and, in spite of heavy machine gun fire, they pushed into a forward position and assisted to hold up the enemy, who had made an advance of about 500 yards. After this, our line remained firm and, at about 9.45pm., orders were received to withdraw in accordance with attached. This withdrawal was carried out without incident and the line was duly established. [NB. No details of where this new line was have survived but the battalion H. Q. was established at Bailleul]. Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were Major G. Tanner (Wounded at Duty), Lieutenant A. C. Stalman (Wounded), 2nd. Lt. F. V. Mellors (Wounded at Duty), 265485 Sergeant J. Bury (Killed in Action), 265069 Sergeant A. Davis (Missing, but since rejoined)266754 Lance Sergeant A. Gregson (Wounded), 266537 Corporal J. W. Tillottson (Killed in Action), 265139 Private J. Appleby (Wounded), 20385 Private J. Armitage (n. Y. D. N.), 241737 Private W. L. Beeson (Wounded), 242760 Private H. Bennett (Missing), 203417 Private F. Burls (Wounded), 24302 Private C. Cahalin (Wounded), 267445 Private R. V. Casson (Killed in Action),23871 Private J. W. Carter (Killed in Action), 242030 Private J. Charlesworth (Wounded), 11883 Private C. Connel (Missing), 267912 Private R. Cooper (Wounded), 25503 Private W. Craig (Wounded), 11299 Private W. Crossland (Wounded), 267396 Private A. Crossley (Wounded), 17017 Private W. Dempsie (Wounded), 267522 Private W. Denby (Wounded), 242604 Private H. Ellison (Wounded), 265238 Private F. Gee (Wounded), 267539 Private A. Gill (Wounded), 23888 Private W. Greenwood (Wounded), 26674 Private A. Griffin (Missing), 242755 Private J. Gunningham (Wounded), 266339 Private T. Hargreaves (Wounded), 268279 Private E. Hawkesby (Killed in Action0, 29375 Private F. Haywood (Wounded & died of wounds 14/04/1918), 267592 Private I. Hillary (Wounded), 12170 Private F. Jowett (Wounded), 242520 Private H. Maddeys (Missing), 24208 Private H. Mounsey (Killed in Action), 14895 Private A. V. Nalson (Missing), 25146 Private H. Roundstein (Missing), 267921 Private J. C. Rymer (Killed in Action), 41204 Private A. L. Shaw (Wounded), 242213 Private J. M. Smith (Missing), 26622 Private W. Stephenson (Missing), 29807 Private J. W. Stringer (Wounded at Duty), 267588 Private A. Thornton (Wounded), 24357 Private F. Wall (Wounded), 11671 Private C. H. Walton (Wounded), 41209 Private T. H. Watkins (Wounded), 265619 Private W. Watson (Wounded), 24165 Private H. Westfield (Wounded), 31742 Private H. Wilkinson (Wounded), 300139 Private A. Wood (Killed in Action). 16th of April 1918 Orders   18th Apr 1918 Reliefs 30th of April 1918 Reports   26th May 1918 Church Parades. If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 16th (2nd Edinburgh) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)? There are:5385 items tagged 16th (2nd Edinburgh) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War. Those known to have served with 16th (2nd Edinburgh) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) during the Great War 1914-1918. Cooper Thomas. Sgt. (d.22nd Oct 1917) Edwards George Alexander. Pte. McMunigal James. Pte. (d.9th Apr 1917) All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List Records of 16th (2nd Edinburgh) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) from other sources. The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. 1st of September 2024 marks 25 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over this time. Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the Great War? Our Library contains many many diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text. Looking for help with Family History Research?    Please see Family History FAQ's Please note: We are unable to provide individual research. Can you help? The free to access section of The Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers and funded by donations from our visitors. If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation. Announcements 19th Nov 2024     Please note we currently have a massive backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site. If you have already submitted a story to the site and your UID reference number is higher than 264989 your submission is still in the queue, please do not resubmit. Wanted: Digital copies of Group photographs, Scrapbooks, Autograph books, photo albums, newspaper clippings, letters, postcards and ephemera relating to the Great War. If you have any unwanted photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Please get in touch for the postal address, do not sent them to our PO Box as packages are not accepted. World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great battalion regiment artillery Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.   Sgt. Thomas Cooper 16th Btn. Royal Scots (d.22nd Oct 1917) Not much I can say about my father's brother, Thomas Cooper. He was born in Bridgeton, Glasgow in 1880s, son of a cobbler. He was a barber and tried to improve himself by spending many hours in the Mitchell Library. He married a nurse. He appears to have joined the Highland Light Infantry in the first instance but must have been transferred to the Royal Scots at a later stage in the war. He is one of the very few who have a name on their headstone at the Commonwealth Graves Commission Cemetery in Poelkapelle, Langemark, Belgium, which is kept in immaculate condition. John Cooper Add to this record.   Pte. George Alexander Edwards 16th Btn. Royal Scots George Edwards served with the 16th Royal Scots. After the war he and his wife ran a grocery business in Downfield and was an active member of the local golf club. Scott Chambers Add to this record.   Pte. James McMunigal 16th Btn Royal Scots (d.9th Apr 1917) James McMunigal died on the 9th of April 1917 in France and is now buried at Roclin Court Valley Cemetery. He left behind and mother and family who served, but had no children of his own. We didn't discover his grave until 2008/9. Sara Taylor Add to this record. Recomended Reading. 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