233421 CSM. James "Johnny" Coyle MM and Bar.British Army 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders James Coyle (my grandfather) joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1905. He was stationed at Fort George near Inverness when WW1 began and acted as Officers' Mess Sergeant.
The unit travelled by train, then by ship, to Boulogne shortly after the declaration of the war. They took part in the unofficial truce in Christmas 1914.
He saw action in both open and trench warfare on the western front throughout the war.
He was awarded the Military Medal in 1917 and a bar to that medal in 1919.
On the sporting front, he was a notable footballer and men's hockey player for the regiment.
After WW1, he left the Officers' Mess and became a duty Colour Sergeant and Company Sergeant-Major.
On retirement, he was employed as Mobilisation Storeman at Stirling Castle and then on the Recruiting Staff.
Lastly, on the outbreak of WW2, he joined the clerical staff at the Ordnance Depot at Forth side. He died in 1964.
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