In Memory of

ALEXANDER PIRIE

Private
265534
'H' Coy, 6th Bn., Gordon Highlanders
who died on
Monday, 25th March 1918. Age 30.

Additional Information:

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View details of Alex Pirie

 

The Medals awarded to Alexander Pirie

Son of Alexander and Margaret Pirie, of Braefolds, Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire.

Alexander Pirie and his wife Margaret Barron are interred at Wallakirk Kirkyard, Glass.
There is no headstone.

Alex Pirie Snr was from Glass and was farm grieve at Invermarkie Home Farm before becoming the tenant at Braefolds sometime after 1904.

Alex Pirie was born in Glass and was the eldest son of Alexander Pirie and Margaret Barron.

SDGW, He enlisted at Huntly and was killed in action, served France and Flanders.

Only Alexander Pirie in 6GH served in "H" Company, Book 6GH in F & F.

1914 Star, War & Victory Medals, France 10/11/1914, previously 10725

As a member of "H" Company 6GH (Territorial Batt) Alexander reported to Company HQ at Huntly following the order to mobilize on 4th August 1914 and proceeded to France with the battalion on 9th November. This qualified him for the 1914 or Mons Star in addition to the British War and Victory Medals.

Alexander Pirie was killed in action during the German Spring Offensive over the former Somme battlefields of 21st-26th March 1918.
At the opening of this action 6GH in 51st Highland Division were in positions astride the Bapaume-Cambrai road south east of Arras. On 21st March their trenches were attacked and they were eventually driven back to new defensive positions south of Doignies. On 25th March, the day Alexander was killed, 6GH were again under fierce attack and fought a rear-guard action in the direction of Miraumont. They were finally withdrawn to Sailly-au-Bois.
26/3/1918, 51st HD reorganised at Sailly and moved back towards Souastre. The German advance was halted.

Casualties: killed 43, wounded 170, missing 27.

 

25/3/1918, 6GH in F & F
51st Highland Division fought a delaying action in Warlencourt area. SW of Bapaume.
6 GH under attack near Loupart Wood in Warlencourt - Beaulincourt section of front.

1/4/1908 The original Volunteer Battalions was reorganised and the 4th became the 6th Batt ( Territorial Force) comprising 8 companies centred in the following areas;
'A' Coy - Banff
'B' Coy - Dufftown, Aberlour and Glenlivet
'C' Coy - Keith
'D' Coy - Buckie
'E' Coy - Inverurie
'F' Coy - Alford, Kildrummy and Strathdon
'G' Coy - Buckie
'H' Coy - Huntly

During 1914 the 8 Company system of the entire British army was changed to 4, usually 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D'
'H' Company became part of the new 'A' Company. This became the official designation in 1915. This did not prevent the men using the original lettering which related to their home areas.

Service notes
1/6th Gordons, 1/6th (6th) Banff and Donside Battalion Gordon Highlanders.

4/8/1914 at Keith: Gordon Brigade, Highland Division.
16/8/1914 arrived Bedford, part of Highland Territorial Brigade
9/11/1914 left Bedford by train to Southhampton, there boarded troopship " Cornishman" for France.
10/11/1914 Landed Havre ( Le Havre)
13/11/1914 Left Le Havre, travelled to St Omer, 4/12/1914 at Sailly.
5/12/1914 to 20th Brigade, 7th Division.
Was the 1st Btn of Highland Division to reach the Front.
6/12/1914 In trenches
5/1/1916 became Line of Communication Troops.
1/6/1916 to 152nd Brigade, 51st Highland Division.
6/10/1918 ammalgamated with 1/7th (Deeside) Gordons to form 6/7th Gordons
11/11/1918 in same near Thun l'Eveque, North of Cambrai.

Commemorative Information

Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France
Grave Reference/
Panel Number:		 Bay 8 and 9

Location:

Arras Memorial

 

The name of Alexander Pirie

 The Arras Memorial is in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, which is in the Boulevard du General de Gaulle in the western part of the town of Arras. The cemetery is near the Citadel, approximately 2 kilometres due west of the railway station. The Memorial commemorates almost 35,000 casualties of the British, New Zealand and South African Forces who died between Spring 1916 and 7th August 1918, with the exception of casualties of the Battle of Cambrai in 1917, and who have no known grave. The design, by Sir Edward Lutyens, consists of a cloister, 25 feet high and 380 feet long, built up on Doric columns and faces west. In the broader part of the site the colonnade returns to form a recessed and open court, terminated by an apse. The names of the casualties are carved on stone panels fixed to the cloister walls.
Historical Information: The Memorial commemorates almost 35,000 casualties of the British, New Zealand and South African Forces who died between Spring 1916 and 7th August 1918, excluding casualties of the Battle of Cambrai in 1917, and who have no known grave. The design, by Sir Edward Lutyens, consists of a cloister built upon Doric columns and faces west. In the broader part of the site the colonnade returns to form a recessed and open court, terminated by an apse in front of which is the Arras Flying Services Memorial. The names of the casualties are carved on stone panels which are fixed to the cloister walls.