In searching the WW1 Army Service Records online I came across a single (torn) page making reference to four isolated graves, in various locations, of men that had died in 1918. The record had been made by a ‘Graves Registration Unit’, but no date was recorded.

The names and details of three of these men were also listed and all men had served with The Royal Scots.

I was intrigued as to whether I could discover the stories of these brave men and find the location of the graves on a contemporary trench map.

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335833 Pte Thomas Scott, 8th Royal Scots

“Isolated grave near Hinges, 10 miles S.S.E. of Hazebrouck”

Private Scott was difficult to identify because there was no soldier with that name and regimental number that was killed on the 18th July 1918. However, a further search of CWGC identified 335833 Pte Thomas Scott, aged 22, who was k/a on the 23rd July as the most likely candidate. Unfortunately, it would appear that Thomas’ body was not recovered after the War and he is now Commemorated on the Soissons Memorial.

The Soissons Memorial commemorates almost 4,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom forces who died during the Battles of the Aisne and the Marne in 1918 and who have no known grave.

Thomas was the son of of Robert and Susan Scott of 10 Morningside Square, Newmains, Wishaw in Lanarkshire.

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11354 Pte John Henry Poyner, 2nd Royal Scots

“Protestant Cemetery, The Hague”

John Poyner died one day after the Armistice on 12th November 1918, aged 25. He was the son of William and Annie Poyner of 72 Bradbury Lane, Hednesford in Staffordshire and was born at High Town, Cannock, Stafford.

James was a coal miner and enlisted into The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) on the 4th January 1913, aged 18, having previously served with the 5th Battalion North Staffs Regiment.

He arrived in France on the 11th August 1914 and was captured unwounded by the Germans on 26th August 1914 at Caudry. and was interned in Hamelu and Diepholzer POW Camps.

Caudry town was the scene of part of the Battle of Le Cateau on the 26th August 1914; see here for more details.

John was originally reported as killed in action on the 14th September 1914 (Casualty List No. 1778), but in November his mother received a postcard from him stating that he was a prisoner of war.

At some point John appears to have been wounded and transported for internment in Holland, where he died.

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59731 Pte James Park, 11th Royal Scots

“W. side of Row of Pill Boxes, S. of Sans Some South of Roulers Railway, 3 miles E by N. of Ypres

James Park was from Glasgow in Lanarkshire and served overseas with the 16th, 12th and 11th Battalions of the Royal Scots, which suggests that he may have been wounded several times and moved between different Battalions of the Regiment following his convalescence.

After the War James’ body was exhumed and reburied in August 1918 in Perth China Wall Cemetery. Interestingly, although the Graves Registration Unit recorded that his was an ‘isolated grave’, he was actually buried alongside Frederick William Bruback of the 27th Field Ambulance RAMC. The record also provides a precise location of their graves.

The War Department trench maps shows that this was a very heavily defenced area and well-known Pill Boxes such as Kit and Kat and Anzac are recorded.

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What happened on the 28th September 1918?

The 11th Royal Scots, which was part of the 9th (Scottish) Division, attacked German positions to the north east of Ypres. The 27th Field Ambulance were attached to the Division.

“5.30am. Battle commenced in terrible weather, torrents of rain, progressive however was good and all objectives were taken.”

“Weather cleared at 12 noon and wounded who were numerous were cleared without difficulty by night fall”

“Work for bearers is very heavy and 4 bearers of 27 FA were killed”

It is interesting to speculate that the 27th Field Ambulance had an Advanced Dressing Station in one of the abandoned Pill Boxes and that is were both James Park and Frederick Bruback died and were buried.