9592 PTE J.GRAY 2/A.&S.HIGHRS
James Gray
Born Barony, Lanarkshire 12/3/1888, the son of Michael Gray
To France 10/8/14 with 2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Note: The 2nd A&SH (19th Brigade) took part in the retreat from Mons to Le Cateau. On 26/8/14 the 5th Division, supported by the 2nd A&SH of 19th Brigade, made a stand on the high ground overlooking Le Cateau, where they came under an incessant bombardment. That afternoon the Germans overran the British positions & the defenders were ordered to retreat to St Quentin, 20 miles south-west of Le Cateau. This order arrived too late for the 2nd A&SH but although heavily outnumbered, they managed to hold back the German flank. One German Officer recorded:
"I did not think that flesh & blood could survive so great an onslaught... our men attacked with the utmost determination but again & again they were driven back by these incomparable soldiers"
However, by the end of the Battle of Le Cateau some 160 Argylls were killed or wounded & 300 were missing in just one day
Taken German POW at Le Cateau 26/8/14
DIED GERMANY 28/12/17 of Tuberculosis at the Prisoner of War Camp Military Hospital (Kriegsgefangenenlager Lazarett) Sennelager, Germany
Buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel, Germany
His widow Marcella O'Brien Gray & their 2 children lived at 15 Riddrie Terrace, Millerston, Glasgow
With copy of his Medal Index Card, SDGW & CWGC details plus 4 page Digital File of his POW Records
With old copy 'Aug-Nov 1914' Clasp Condition: VF
