The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British and French empires against the German Empire. It took place between 1 July and 18 November 1916 on both sides of upper reaches of the River Somme in France. It was the largest battle of the First World War on the Western Front; more than one million men were wounded or killed, making it one of the bloodiest battles in human history.
Private Samuel Rae, 1/5th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers was 27 years of age when he was killed on 1st July 1916. He was a clever boy who had been Dux at the Academy then graduating from Edinburgh University in 1912 Having completed a teacher training course, he had only been a few months at Tiree High School when he was called up.
Private William McMillan, Sherwood Foresters. On leaving school he went initially into service at St Mary’s Isle before serving in houses of distinction further afield. On the outbreak of war he enlisted in September 1914. He had a short home leave in August 1915 and then served continuously till he was killed during the first day’s battle on July 1st 1916.
Private Robert Kim, 7th Black Watch. He enlisted in November 1914. Prior to embarking for France he was given home leave when he married Elizabeth McColm. He was killed on 18th July 1918.
Private John McKie, 1st Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a shepherd at Tongue of Bombie. He joined the Battalion in December 1914 and was killed during the Battle of the Somme on 20th July 1916.
Sergeant James Turnbull, 24th Royal Fusiliers. After starting work with the Commercial Bank in the town James took up employment with a cotton broker in Liverpool. From there he worked with a company in Nigeria. He returned to Britain and enlisted in October 1914 with the Royal Fusiliers. He served continuously at the Front. The third phase of the Battle of the Somme was the attack on Deville Wood and it was here that James was killed on July 29th 1916.
Private Alexander Shields, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. On leaving school Alexander enlisted in the Royal Marines where he served for some time, but for some unknown reason shortly after the outbreak of war, on the 14th September he transferred to the Kings Own Scottish Borderers and was sent to the Western Front. It was during the course of the Battle of the Somme that he was killed on 18th August 1918.
Private James Douglas, 27th Light Infantry. James was born and brought up in Kirkcudbright. After starting in the Commercial Bank in the town he was transferred initially to London and then Canada. At the beginning of 1916 James volunteered for war service, enlisting in the 27th Battalion Light Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) Canadian Expeditionary Force and after training was sent to the Western front where he saw action and finally the horrors of the Somme where he was killed on September 15th 1916.
With grateful thanks to Ian Devlin for his help with this page. More details can be found in We Will Remember Them. Kirkcudbright’s Sons 1914-1918 – Ian Devlin