William McEwan likeness

William McEwan cap badgePrivate William McEwan

9th (Service) Battalion (Pioneers) North Staffordshire Regiment
Service No: 34898

William McEwan grave

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Personal details

Family Information

Son of John McEwan of 31g Lock St, Coatbridge. Brother of Private David McEwan of the 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers who was Killed in Action on the 01/09/1918. Both brothers worked in the Union Tube Works before enlisting. In his Will dated 05/01/1917 William left all his property and effects to his sister Maggie. His Pension was awarded to his father John.

Born / Resided

Coatbridge / 31g Lock St, Coatbridge

Died

Killed in Action on the 11/04/1918 at the 1st Battle of the Scarpe (part of the Battle of Arras)

Enlisted

Coatdyke

Employed

Union Tube Works

Age

(No data. If you have details, please add a comment)

Buried / Remembered

Foncquevillers Military Cemetery (III. E. 13), Pas de Calais, France

Cemetery / Memorial Information

In 1915 and 1916 the Allied front line ran between Foncquevillers and Gommecourt. The cemetery was begun by French troops, and taken over by Commonweatlh forces. It remained in use by units and field ambulances until March 1917, the burials in July 1916 (particularly in Plot I, Row L) being especially numerous. The cemetery was used again from March to August 1918, when the German offensive brought the front line back to nearly the old position. Seventy-four graves were brought in after the Armistice from the battlefields of 1916 and 1918. The cemetery contains 648 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. 53 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to two casualties known to be buried among them. There are five airmen of the Second World War buried in the cemetery, and four Germans. There is also 1 French Non World War burial.

Additional Information

The 9th (Service) Battalion (Pioneers) arrived at Le Havre on the 29/07/1915 and were part of the 37th Division. William fell during the First Battle of the Scarpe, 9th – 14th April 1917. The 37th Division also captured Monchy le Preux. This was part of the Arras offensive (Battle of Arras), 9th April -16th June 1917 : Once again the British are called upon to launch an attack in support to a larger French offensive : the Battles of the Chemin des Dames and the hills of Champagne. The opening Battle of Vimy and the First Battle of the Scarpe are very encouraging, but once again the offensive – often known as the Battle of Arras – bogs down into an attritional slog. Final attempts to outflank the German lines at Bullecourt prove terribly costly. William is listed as McEWEN with the CWGC and on his GRAVE. William was formerly with the Royal Engineers (3362). See Directory for William's brother David's page. Grave photo donated by Mick McCann at the britishwargraves.co.uk. William is also remembered on the Trinity Parish Church Roll of Honour with his brother David (see photos). William was reburied in Foncquevillers Military Cemetery (see photos). See photos for William's Medal Index Card, his CWGC Grave Registration x 3, his Headstone Report, his Pension Records x 2, Foncquevillers Military Cemetery, William's former Regiment the Royal Engineers Cap Badge and the North Staffordshire Regiment Cap Badge.

Photos
William McEwan Medal Index CardWilliam McEwan newspaper clippingWilliam McEwan newspaper clippingWilliam McEwan newspaper clippingWilliam McEwan remembered at homeWilliam McEwan remembered at homeWilliam McEwan remembered at homeWilliam McEwan remembered at homeWilliam McEwan additional photoWilliam McEwan additional photoWilliam McEwan additional photoWilliam McEwan additional photoWilliam McEwan additional photoWilliam McEwan additional photo

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