James McGeown (McGowan) likeness

James McGeown (McGowan) cap badgePrivate James McGeown (McGowan)

2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
Service No: 246

James McGeown (McGowan) grave

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Personal details

Family Information

Son of James McGeown (McGowan) of 14g Kirk St, Coatbridge. James' Pension was awarded to his father on the 24/07/1919.

Born / Resided

Barony / 14g Kirk St, Coatbridge

Died

Killed in Action on the 14/10/1914 at the Battle of Armentieres

Enlisted

Coatbridge 1914

Employed

Clifton Iron Works

Age

24

Buried / Remembered

Terlincthun British Cemetery (XV. F. 10), Pas de Calais, France

Cemetery / Memorial Information

The first rest camps for Commonwealth forces were established near Terlincthun in August 1914 and during the whole of the First World War, Boulogne and Wimereux housed numerous hospitals and other medical establishments. The cemetery at Terlincthun was begun in June 1918 when the space available for service burials in the civil cemeteries of Boulogne and Wimereux was exhausted. It was used chiefly for burials from the base hospitals, but Plot IV Row C contains the graves of 46 RAF personnel killed at Marquise in September 1918 in a bombing raid by German aircraft. In July 1920, the cemetery contained more than 3,300 burials, but for many years Terlincthun remained an 'open' cemetery and graves continued to be brought into it from isolated sites and other burials grounds throughout France where maintenance could not be assured. During the Second World War, there was heavy fighting in the area in 1940. Wimille was devastated when, from 22 - 25 May, the garrison at Boulogne fought a spirited delaying action covering the withdrawal to Dunkirk. There was some fighting in Wimille again in 1944. The cemetery suffered considerable damage both from the shelling in 1940 and during the German occupation. The cemetery now contains 4,378 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and more than 200 war graves of other nationalities, most of them German. Second World War burials number 149.

Additional Information

James and the Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 23/08/1914 and were part of the 10th Brigade, 4th Division. James was Killed in Action as the Allied forces fought to protect the Channel Ports after the Germans had been pushed away from Paris. The Battle of Armentieres, 13th October - 2nd November 1914. Meteren was occupied by German forces early in October 1914 and on the 13th October, their entrenched positions covering the village were captured by the 10th Brigade of the 4th Division. The village then remained in Allied hands until the German offensive of April 1918. James is listed as LANCE CORPORAL and JAMES McGOWAN on the Memorial. James was originally buried in Fletre Churchyard Cemetery. He was exhumed and reburied in Terlincthun British Cemetery on the 14/03/1983. James was originally in the Highland Light Infantry (6243). He enlisted on the 18/01/1907 and was discharged 1 month later. See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, his Reburial Form x 2, his Attestation Papers x 3, James' Pension Records, Terlincthun British Cemetery, his previous Regiment the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge and the Seaforth Highlanders Cap Badge.

Photos
James McGeown (McGowan) Medal Index CardJames McGeown (McGowan) newspaper clippingJames McGeown (McGowan) newspaper clippingJames McGeown (McGowan) newspaper clippingJames McGeown (McGowan) remembered at homeJames McGeown (McGowan) remembered at homeJames McGeown (McGowan) remembered at homeJames McGeown (McGowan) remembered at homeJames McGeown (McGowan) additional photoJames McGeown (McGowan) additional photoJames McGeown (McGowan) additional photoJames McGeown (McGowan) additional photoJames McGeown (McGowan) additional photoJames McGeown (McGowan) additional photoJames McGeown (McGowan) additional photoJames McGeown (McGowan) additional photo

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