10th-13th March 1915
The French town of Neuve Chapelle near the Belgian border was gained after a three day offensive but at the cost of around 7,000 British and 4,200 Indian casualties (killed, missing and wounded).
One of those killed was James Thomson from Drove Road, Langholm, who was with 2nd Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). The battalion was part of 21st Bareilly Infantry Brigade under General William Southey in the 7th (Meerut) Division of the Indian Army. Also under Southey were:
- Indian troops:
- 4th Black Watch (Territorial Force)
Other Indian regiments in the order of battle included the Baluchis, Bhopal Infantry, Garhwalis, Gurkhas, Lancers, Scinde Rifles and Sikhs.
Ten soldiers were awarded Victoria Crosses, including Gabar Singh Negi of 39th Garhwal Rifles, aged 19, who took command of a bayonet and grenade attack on German trenches when his party’s commander was killed. He too was killed, towards the end of the encounter.
After three days, General Douglas Haig halted the offensive to consolidate the small gain of 1,100 metres (1,200 yards). He was commander of the First Army of the British Expeditionary Force (‘BEF’). The BEF Second Army also participated, headed by General Horace Smith-Dorrien.
The BEF’s Commander-in-Chief was Field Marshal John French. In overall charge, professionally, was the Chief of Imperial General Staff (‘CIGS’) James Wolfe Murray. Politically, the most senior military role was held by the Secretary of State for War Herbert Kitchener.
Died
| Date | Surname | Forenames | Event | Unit | Rank/No. | Age | Address | Memorial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11th March | Thomson | James | Killed in action | 2nd Black Watch | Private 3/3095 | 39 | 15 Drove Road | Le Touret, France |
James Thomson (1876-1915) was born in Canonbie, the son of Isabella Thomson (1845-1921). He was brought up by his grandmother at 15 Drove Road, worked as a telephone linesman and played rugby and football for Langholm. He joined the Black Watch in 1896 at age 20 and fought in the Second Boer War (1899-1902), re-enlisting in 1914. His cousin David Thomson (1891-1915) was killed in the Battle of Loos.
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