Pte
Robert Gardner

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortedatum:
30/09/1895
Geboorteplaats:
Dunbar, East Lothian, Schotland, Verenigd Koninkrijk

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
Slagersknecht

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Schotland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Strijdmacht:
British Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Private
Service nummer:
S/16726
Dienstneming plaats:
Dunbar, East Lothian, Schotland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Eenheden:
 —  Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, 6th Bn.  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
31/07/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Hill 37, België
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
21

Gedenkplaats

Onderscheidingen en medailles 3

1914-15 Star
Medaille — 16/10/1919
British War Medal
Medaille — 27/03/1920
Victory Medal
Medaille — 27/03/1920

Points of interest 2

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Dienstneming plaats

Mijn verhaal

Robert Gardner was born in 1895 in Dunbar, Haddingtonshire, Scotland and worked as a Butcher’s Apprentice before enlisting. During the war Robert served in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, 6th Battalion, part of the 45th Brigade, of the 15th (Scottish) Division. He disembarked in France on the 6th of August 1915. In July 1917 the 15th Division moved to Flanders, as it was to participate in the Battle of Passchendaele. On 31 July 1917 it attacked the Frezenberg Ridge with two Brigades, plus one in support. Once the 44th and 46th Brigades had captured the second objective (the Black Line), the 45th Brigade would move to the last objective (the Green Line).

The 6th Cameron Highlanders remained in support till 9.30 a.m., when they moved to the Green Line. But once Robert’s Battalion had skirted the crest of the Frezenberg Ridge, it became clear the Black Line had not been consolidated and the Camerons came under heavy machine-gun fire from Beck House and Iberian. After taking the Black line, the men pushed on. Strong opposition was met at Hill 37, but the strongpoint eventually fell to the Camerons. The Green Line was reached at 11.25 a.m. and a line was consolidated along the Zonnebeke-Langemark Road. Patrols were sent out to Dochy and Otto Farm, but no one returned. In the meanwhile it became obvious that the Battalions on their left and right flank had been pinned down and were unable to advance any further. With both flanks up in the air and ammunition running short, the Camerons were forced to retreat towards the Black Line. On arrival at their new positions there were only 5 officers and about 50 men of the Battalion left.

Private Robert Gardner was killed in action on 31 July 1917, two months before he would turn twenty-two. Robert has no known grave and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Bestanden 1

Bronnen 6

"Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Uniform, 2018, pg. 27-29.
Gebruikte bronnen
"The fifteenth (Scottish) Division", Stewart J. & Buchan J., Uckfield, Naval & Military Press Ltd, s.d., pg. 161-168.
Gebruikte bronnen
Ancestry
https://www.ancestry.com/
Verdere verwijzing
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/930444/gardner,-robert/
Gebruikte bronnen
The Long, Long Trail
http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/
Gebruikte bronnen
War Diary Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, 6th Bn.
http://www.nmarchive.com/
Verdere verwijzing