Pte
Robert Baillie
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 11/10/1899 |
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Place of birth: Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: 9 Seedhill, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Schotland, Verenigd Koninkrijk, Scotland, United Kingdom |
Army information
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Country: Scotland, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 25636 |
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Enlistment place: Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Seaforth Highlanders, 7th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 28/09/1918 |
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Place of death: Celtic Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 18 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XXV Row: J Grave: 14 |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Robert Baillie was born on October 11, 1899, in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. He was the son of a carpenter. During the First World War, he enlisted in his hometown. On September 28, 1918, he was part of the 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, and was stationed at the front line running from Diksmuide to Sint-Elooi.
After the Spring Offensive in 1918, the German Army was severely exhausted. Their attacks were halted in the summer of 1918, and the front became static once again. The Allies decided to launch their final offensive in France on August 8. By late September, the front in Belgium became the focus.
On September 28, the 26th Brigade, of which the 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was part, coordinated closely with the Belgian Army for the upcoming attack. The 7th Battalion was positioned on the right flank. A and B Companies were part of the attacking troops, while C and D Companies provided support. At 5:30 a.m., the artillery began its bombardment on the German lines. Five minutes later, the troops left their trenches. Shortly afterward, the men of the 7th Battalion briefly came under their own artillery fire due to a battery firing its shells several minutes too late. This caused multiple casualties among the men of the 7th Battalion.
Despite this initial setback, the troops managed to capture their first objective, the Frezenberg, around 8:00 a.m. After securing the Frezenberg, the Cameron Highlanders took over the attack, and the 7th Battalion followed in support. By 4:00 p.m., the objectives for the day had been achieved. The 7th Battalion entrenched themselves along the ridge running from Molenaarelsthoek to Joy Cottage.
Robert Baillie was killed that day and was buried near Celtic Wood, just beyond the final positions of the 7th Battalion. After the war, he was reburied in Tyne Cot Cemetery, plot XXV, row J, grave 14.
After the Spring Offensive in 1918, the German Army was severely exhausted. Their attacks were halted in the summer of 1918, and the front became static once again. The Allies decided to launch their final offensive in France on August 8. By late September, the front in Belgium became the focus.
On September 28, the 26th Brigade, of which the 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was part, coordinated closely with the Belgian Army for the upcoming attack. The 7th Battalion was positioned on the right flank. A and B Companies were part of the attacking troops, while C and D Companies provided support. At 5:30 a.m., the artillery began its bombardment on the German lines. Five minutes later, the troops left their trenches. Shortly afterward, the men of the 7th Battalion briefly came under their own artillery fire due to a battery firing its shells several minutes too late. This caused multiple casualties among the men of the 7th Battalion.
Despite this initial setback, the troops managed to capture their first objective, the Frezenberg, around 8:00 a.m. After securing the Frezenberg, the Cameron Highlanders took over the attack, and the 7th Battalion followed in support. By 4:00 p.m., the objectives for the day had been achieved. The 7th Battalion entrenched themselves along the ridge running from Molenaarelsthoek to Joy Cottage.
Robert Baillie was killed that day and was buried near Celtic Wood, just beyond the final positions of the 7th Battalion. After the war, he was reburied in Tyne Cot Cemetery, plot XXV, row J, grave 14.
Sources 4
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1901 Scotland Census (National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh (NRS), ED: 88; Page: 6; Line: 18; Roll: CSSCT1901_209). http://Ancestry.com Sources used |
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26 Infantry Brigade: 7 Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1765/6). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Statutory Births 573/01 2066 (National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh (NRS) https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919, His Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO), 1921. http://Ancestry.com Sources used |
More information 2
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461794 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/132762 |