Battalion Honour.
Extract from _The London Gazette_, dated 26/5/16.
The following is extracted from Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch, dated
19/5/16:--
"8.--While many other units have done excellent work during the
period under review, the following have been brought to my
notice for good work in carrying out or repelling local attacks
and raids--
"17th (Service) Battalion Highland Light Infantry."
Victoria Cross.
+Lieut.-Colonel W.H. Anderson, formerly Captain "C" Company. Gained
while serving with 12th Battalion H.L.I.
+15888 Sergeant J.Y. TURNBULL. _Gazette_ dated 25/12/16.
+ Since deceased.
The following is the extract from _The London Gazette_ of 3rd May,
1918, intimating the award of the Victoria Cross:--
"T. Maj. (A. Lt.-Col.) WILLIAM HERBERT ANDERSON,
late H.L.I.
"For most conspicuous bravery, determination, and gallant
leading of his command. The enemy attacked on the right of the
Battalion frontage, and succeeded in penetrating the wood held
by our men. Owing to successive lines of the enemy following on
closely there was the gravest danger that the flank of the whole
position would be turned. Grasping the seriousness of the
situation, Colonel Anderson made his way across the open in full
view of the enemy now holding the wood on the right, and after
much effort succeeded in gathering the remainder of the two
right companies. He personally led the counter attack, and drove
the enemy from the wood, capturing 12 machine guns and 70
prisoners, and restoring the original line. His conduct in
leading the charge was quite fearless, and his most splendid
example was the means of rallying and inspiring the men during a
most critical hour.
"Later on in the same day the enemy had penetrated to within 300
yards of the village, and were holding a timber yard in force.
Colonel Anderson re-organised his men after they had been driven
in, and brought them forward to a position of readiness for a
counter-attack. He led the attack in person, and throughout
showed the utmost disregard for his own safety. The
counter-attack drove the enemy from his position, but resulted
in this very gallant officer losing his life. He died fighting
within the enemy's lines, setting a magnificent example to all
who were privileged to serve under him."
Among the first to join the 17th H.L.I. was Captain W.H.
Anderson, a man widely known and highly respected in Glasgow
social and business circles. He was with the Battalion during
most of its training at Gailes and Troon, and before embarking
for Service in France was gazetted as Major in the 19th H.L.I.
He served with the same rank in the East Surreys till invalided
home in March, 1917. On his return to France he was transferred
to an H.L.I. Battalion, becoming Lieut.-Colonel, and shortly
afterwards was killed in an attack at the head of his men of the
12th H.L.I. as recorded above.
Sergeant JAMES Y. TURNBULL, V.C.
It has been said of James Turnbull that he began to win his V.C.
at Troon. He was a born leader, and always a fearless champion
of fairplay. He towered above the average man in strength of
character as he did in stature, and he was always the same
unassuming and genial "Jimmy." He was a fitting embodiment of
the ideals of the Seventeenth. A big man for a big occasion--and
the big occasion came along on the 1st of July, 1916.
The position of the Battalion was that of a wedge driven against
the iron of impregnability, and the driving force suddenly
withdrawn. At the thin end of the wedge Sergeant Turnbull, with
a handful of men, performed prodigies of valour. From three
sides enemy machine guns swept the position, snipers took deadly
toll, and bombing attacks were constantly launched. Exposure
meant almost certain death. The position was not only desperate;
it was hopeless. Yet it was necessary to hold on till nightfall.
It was a _man's_ job, and Turnbull filled the bill. He
shouldered the responsibility as only a strong man could; and he
organised the defence. He had to take countless risks, and was
always where the fighting was fiercest. He was the indomitable
leader and inspiring example. Wounded, he carried on till his
last risk was taken, and he met a soldier's death towards the
end of that fateful summer day.
Of a band of heroes he was the beloved leader and super-hero.
Honours Gained by Officers and others while Serving with the
Battalion.
Extract from _The London Gazette_, dated 3/6/16.
"To be additional member of the Third Class or Companion of the
Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.
"Lieut.-Colonel D.S. Morton, V.D."
Military Cross.
Date of _Gazette_
+Lieut. A.J. BEGG, 30/ 5/16
2nd Lieut. J.L. BRODIE, 26/ 5/17
+2nd Lieut. J.N. CARPENTER, 30/ 5/16
Lieut. A.N. DRYSDALE, 13/ 2/17
Capt. F.E. DUNSMUIR, 1/ 1/18
Lieut. J.L. M'CONNELL, 17/ 9/17
2nd Lieut. W.M. MARTIN, 26/ 5/17
Major G. R.S. PATERSON, 26/ 9/16
+Capt. JAS. RUSSELL, 1/ 1/17
Capt. J.D. RUSSELL, 26/ 5/17
2nd Lieut. D.G. THORBURN, 18/ 6/17
15214 R.Q.-M.S. W. DUNSMORE, 1/ 1/17
15394 C.S.M. A. MILLAR, 6/ 4/18
+ Since deceased.
Mentioned in Despatches.
_The London Gazette_, dated 15/6/16.
Lieut.-Colonel D.S. MORTON, V.D.
15205 Regt. S.M. J. KELLY.
_The London Gazette_, dated 4/1/17.
+Capt. J.S. MARR.
_The London Gazette_, dated 25/5/17
2nd Lieut. F.E. DUNSMUIR.
16109 Sergt. W. WALLACE.
_The London Gazette_, dated 21/12/17.
Major G.R.S. PATERSON, M.C.
15510 Sergt. J.C. BRUCE.
16084 Sergt. Y. GILBERT.
16085 Pte. W. PARKER.
Distinguished Conduct Medal.
15849 Sergt. W. FRASER, 1/ 1/18
2797 Sergt. F. LEIPER, 13/ 2/17
15866 C.S.M. W. MATHER, 1/ 1/17
+15507 C.S.M. S.D. REITH, 30/ 5/16
+ Since deceased.
Bar to Military Medal.
+2997 Sergt. N. CONNOR, M.M.
+ Since deceased.
Military Medal.
Date of _Gazette_.
+23053 Pte. G.S. ANDERSON, 26/ 5/17
15255 Cpl. J. CHAPMAN, 10/11/16
+ 2997 Sergt. N. CONNOR, 16/ 2/17
16004 Pte. J.K. DEANS, 16/ 2/17
15973 L.-Sergt. W. DICKSON, 17/ 9/17
15937 Cpl. F. FARNELL, 17/ 9/17
15582 L.-Cpl. A.V. FOLLETT, 17/ 9/17
40899 Pte. A.B. FORREST, 17/ 9/17
15581 Pte. C.N. FRASER, 16/ 2/17
16084 Sergt. Y. GILBERT, 16/ 2/17
2727 L.-Cpl. W. GLENNIE, 26/ 5/17
41046 Pte. J. HOGG, 26/ 5/17
2744 Pte. J.C. HUNTER, 20/10/16
9808 Sergt. J. JOHNSTONE, 26/ 5/17
2797 Pte. F. LEIPER, 3/ 6/16
15748 Sergt. F.M. M'GREGOR, 16/ 2/17
+15720 Pte. D. MACINTOSH, 3/ 6/16
15363 Pte. A.G. M'NAIR, 10/11/16
+15677 Sergt. J. MAXWELL, 16/ 2/17
+16146 Sergt. R. MILLIGAN, 29/ 8/17
+15964 Sergt. J. OSBORNE, 16/ 2/17
27267 L.-Cpl. J. PEARSON, 26/ 5/17
2725 L.-Sergt. J. RAMAGE, 26/ 5/17
41198 Pte. E. REDDINGTON, 26/ 5/17
15415 Sergt. T. RITCHIE, 20/10/16
15775 Sergt. J. ROBERTS, 16/ 2/17
28057 L.-Cpl. P. ROBERTSON, 26/ 5/17
43268 Pte. T. SCOTT, 16/ 2/17
13688 Pte. R.J. SLOWEY, 16/ 2/17
42378 Pte. P. SMITH, 26/ 5/17
15956 C.Q.M.S. W. STEWART, 16/ 2/17
+15458 Sergt. H.G. TAYLOR, 3/ 6/16
16149 Cpl. H. THORBURN, 26/ 5/17
41607 Pte. D. TURNBULL, 18/ 6/17
15938 Sergt. A.G. WATSON, 16/ 2/17
15818 Pte. R.M. WATSON, 16/ 2/17
40530 Pte. J. WATT, 26/ 4/17
353079 Pte. F.S. WILLDER, 17/ 9/17
+ Since deceased.
Meritorious Service Medal.
15544 Sergt. M. CULLEN.
16064 L.-Cpl. J. HUTTON, att. IV. Corps.
15710 L.-Cpl. J.A. M'DOUGALL, 32nd Division.
16169 Sergt. J.F. SINCLAIR, 97th Brigade.
Belgian Croix de Guerre.
15310 C.S.M. G. HIRST.
16109 C.Q.M.S. W. WALLACE.
Honours Gained by Original Members of the Battalion
after being Transferred to other Units.
Distinguished Service Order.
Major G.R.S. PATERSON, 5th K.O.S.B.,
formerly Major 17th H.L.I.
Capt. J.D. YOUNG, 10th A. & S. Highlanders,
formerly 2916 Pte. "B" Coy.
Bar to Military Cross.
Lieut. J. CALLAN, M.C., 12th H.L.I.,
formerly 15527 L.-Cpl., "A" Coy.
Capt. A.W. DONALD, M.C., 252 Coy. R.E.,
formerly 15200 L.-Cpl. "B" Coy.
+2nd Lieut. C.B. MEADOWS, M.C,
King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment,
formerly 23015 Pte. "C" Coy.
+ Since deceased.
Military Cross.
Lieut. R. ANDERSON, 13th Battalion Tank Corps,
formerly 15832 Sergeant "A" Coy.
Lieut. H.T. BAIRD, 447th Coy. R.E.,
formerly 15509 Pte. "A" Coy.
2nd LIEUT. A. BROWN, A. & S. Highlanders,
formerly 16187 Pte. "C" Coy.
Lieut. J. CALLAN, 12th H.L.I.,
formerly 15527 L.-Cpl. "A" Coy.
Lieut. S. CAMPBELL, 12th H.L.I.,
formerly 15982 Pte. "C" Coy.
Lieut. J.H. CARSWELL,
1st Northumberland Fusiliers,
formerly 2708 L.-Cpl. "B" Coy.
Captain A.W. DONALD, 252nd Coy. R.E.,
formerly 15200 L.-Cpl. "B" Coy.
2nd Lieut. A.G. DRUMMOND, 6th Black Watch,
formerly 23011 Pte. "A" Coy.
2nd LIEUT. H.C. DAVIE,
1/8th Battalion Scottish Rifles,
formerly 15561 L.-Cpl. "C" Coy.
Lieut. A.F. FERGUSON, H.L.I., attached R.A.F.,
formerly 15282 C.Q.M.S. "A" Coy.
+2nd Lieut. E.L. GARVIE,
9th H.L.I. (Glasgow Highlanders),
formerly 2956 Pte. "B" Coy.
Lieut. H.P. HADDOW, King's Royal Rifle Corps,
formerly 15854 L.-Cpl. "A" Coy.
+Captain J.M. HAMILTON, Lancashire Fusiliers,
formerly 2783 Pte. "B" Coy.
Lieut. H. HENDERSON, Liverpool Scottish,
formerly 16182 Sergt. "C" Coy.
2nd Lieut. J.F. HOLMES, 9th Scottish Rifles,
formerly 15856 Pte. "C" Coy.
Lieut. J.L. JACK, Machine Gun Corps,
formerly 2843 Pte. "C" Coy.
Lieut. S.F. JOHNSTONE, Durham Light Infantry,
formerly 15323 Cpl. "C" Coy.
2nd Lieut H.W. JORDON,
19th Durham Light Infantry,
formerly 2698 L.-Cpl. "C" Coy.
Staff-Capt. T.P. LOCKING, General List,
formerly 15657 Sergt. "B" Coy.
2nd Lieut. R. LOVE, 222nd Coy. R.E.,
formerly 15336 Pte. "A" Coy.
Capt. F.M. M'GREGOR, M.M., Northants Regiment,
formerly 15748 Act.-C.S.M. "C" Coy.
+2nd Lieut. C.B. MEADOWS,
King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment,
formerly 23015 Pte. "C" Coy.
Lieut. A.A. MILLER,
9th H.L.I. (Glasgow Highlanders),
formerly 15680 Pte. "B" Coy.
+Lieut. J. MILLER, 7th A. & S. Highlanders,
formerly 2970 Pte. A. & S.H. Cy.
Capt. F.D. MORTON, 25th Royal Fusiliers,
formerly Lieut. "C" Coy.
Sub-Lieut. T.I. MORTON,
"Anson" Battalion, R.N. Division,
formerly 15693 "C" Coy.
Capt. J.D. YOUNG, 10th A. & S. Highlanders,
formerly 2916 Pte. "B" Coy.
+ Since deceased.
Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Lieut. W. HOGG, Intelligence Corps,
formerly 15629 Cpl. "B" Coy.
Distinguished Conduct Medal.
34834 Sergt. T. GARMORY,
8th York and Lancaster Regiment,
formerly 2985 Pte. "D" Coy.
+22355 Sergt. J.A. WARK, Machine Gun Corps,
formerly 15461 Pte. "B" Coy.
Military Medal.
16018 Pte. R. HOOD, 2nd Battn. H.L.I.,
formerly "D" Coy.
15440 Cpl. W.P. STEEL, 8th York and Lancs.,
formerly 15440 Pte. "B" Coy.
34853 L.-Cpl. J.L. WILSON, 8th York and Lancs.,
formerly 15813 Pte. "D" Coy.
+15583 Pte. R.D. FRAME, 2nd H.L.I.,
formerly Pte. "C" Coy.
15389 Cpl. D. MURRAY, 16th H.L.I.,
formerly L.-Cpl. "B" Coy.
15373 Sergt. F.J. M'CLUSKY, 2nd H.L.I.,
formerly L.-Cpl., "A" Coy.
---- Sergt. A. M'AUSLAN, R.E.,
formerly 15365 L.-Cpl. "A" Coy.
16192 L.-Cpl. H. M'KILLOP, 16th H.L.I.,
formerly L.-Cpl. "A" Coy.
+ Since deceased.
Every effort has been made by reference to the Battalion Records, by
advertising and otherwise, to make these lists complete. The Editors
will much regret should there be unfortunately any omissions.
LIST OF OFFICERS who were granted Commissions in the
Battalion on its formation and posted to Companies
as shewn.
Lieut.-Colonel D.S. MORTON, V.D.
"A" Company.
Major W.J. PAUL
(_Commanding_).
Captain W.W. MORTON.
Lieut. R.T. NEILSON.
Lieut. J.B. MACBRAYNE.
Lieut. GARDNER.
Lieut. G.R.S. PATERSON.
"B" Company.
Major J.R. YOUNG
(_Commanding_).
Captain J. RUSSELL.
Lieut. G.V.M. BOYD.
Lieut. A.J. BEGG.
2nd Lieut. R. SCOTT.
"C" Company.
Major W. AULD, V.D.
(_Commanding_).
Captain W.H. ANDERSON.
Lieut. A.J. FERGUSON.
Lieut. F.D. MORTON.
Lieut. A.S. MILLAR.
Lieut J.S. SHARP.
"D" Company.
Captain E. HUTCHISON
(_Commanding_).
Captain J. MCM. MITCHELL.
2nd Lieut. P.G. SYMINGTON.
Lieut. R.W. CASSELL.
2nd Lieut. D. KITCHEN.
Lieut. J.M. BROWN.
Lieut. and Quartermaster A.E. SLADE.
Lieut. D.R. KIRKPATRICK, R.A.M.C. (attached).