Bernard McFarlane likeness

Bernard McFarlane cap badgePrivate Bernard McFarlane

2nd Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Service No: 7889

Bernard McFarlane grave

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Personal details

Family Information

Son of James and Catherine McDonald McFarlane of Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. Brother of Mrs Ellen Plunkett of 160 Garngadhill, Townhead, Glasgow. Bernard's brother Private Robert McFarlane of the 12th (Service) Battalion Highland Light Infantry was Killed in Action on the 25/09/1915 on the opening day of the Battle of Loos. From the 1891 Census - Address - 69 Bank St, Coatbridge - James McFarlane aged 38, Catherine McFarlane aged 38, James McFarlane aged 19, Catherine McFarlane aged 15, Elizabeth McFarlane aged 13, Bernard McFarlane aged 9, Edward McFarlane aged 5, Robert McFarlane aged 3, Ellen Jane McFarlane aged 1. In his Will dated 07/03/1915 Bernard left all his property and effects to Miss McFarlane of 38 Buchanan St, Coatbridge.

Born / Resided

Coatbridge / 20 Lang St, Coatbridge

Died

Died of Wounds on the 16/03/1915 at No 2 Stationary Hospital, Outreau, Boulogne. Wounds received at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.

Enlisted

Fort Matilda, Greenock 1914

Employed

North British Iron Works / Reservist

Age

34 / DOB - 23/10/1881

Buried / Remembered

Boulogne Eastern Cemetery (III. D. 28), Pas de Calais, France

Cemetery / Memorial Information

Boulogne, was one of the three base ports most extensively used by the Commonwealth armies on the Western Front throughout the First World War. It was closed and cleared on the 27 August 1914 when the Allies were forced to fall back ahead of the German advance, but was opened again in October and from that month to the end of the war, Boulogne and Wimereux formed one of the chief hospital areas. Until June 1918, the dead from the hospitals at Boulogne itself were buried in the Cimetiere de L'Est, one of the town cemeteries, the Commonwealth graves forming a long, narrow strip along the right hand edge of the cemetery. In the spring of 1918, it was found that space was running short in the Eastern Cemetery in spite of repeated extensions to the south, and the site of the new cemetery at Terlincthun was chosen. Boulogne Eastern Cemetery contains 5,577 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 224 from the Second World War.

Additional Information

The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 05/11/1914 and were part of the 23rd Brigade, 8th Division. Bernard arrived in France on the 25/01/1915. Bernard enlisted in the Army in 1903 and had passed through the South African campaign without injury. He was fatally wounded at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, 10th – 13th March 1915. He died in No 2 Stationary Hospital at Outreau, Boulogne. The Battle : Neuve Chapelle was the first large scale organised attack undertaken by the British Army during the war. It followed the miserable winter operations of 1914-15. More Divisions had now arrived in France and the British Expeditionary Force was now split into two Armies. Neuve Chapelle was undertaken by Sir Douglas Haig’s First Army, while subsequent actions were fought by Sir Herbert Smith-Dorrien’s Second Army. The 25th and 23rd Brigades of the 8th Division made good progress against the village. There were delays in sending further orders and reinforcements forward, but by nightfall the village had been captured, and the advanced units were in places as far forward as the Layes brook. See Directory for Bernard's younger brother Richard's page. Bernard is listed as aged 31 by the CWGC (correct date of birth listed here). Grave photo donated by Mick McCann at the britishwargraves.co.uk. Bernard is also remembered in the St Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Bernard's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, Boulogne Eastern Cemetery and the Cameronians Cap Badge. Bernard's grave inscription reads "TO MEMORY EVER DEAR WE FONDLY THINK OF THEE".

Photos
Bernard McFarlane Medal Index CardBernard McFarlane newspaper clippingBernard McFarlane newspaper clippingBernard McFarlane newspaper clippingBernard McFarlane remembered at homeBernard McFarlane remembered at homeBernard McFarlane remembered at homeBernard McFarlane remembered at homeBernard McFarlane additional photoBernard McFarlane additional photo

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