Bridge of Weir
Memorial

PTE DAVID A M^cGREGOR A.C.C.

57435 Private David Anderson McGregor

18th Battalion, The King's (Liverpool) Regiment

missing presumed dead 31st July 1917

aged 19


Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial
Ranfurly Church Memorial, Bridge of Weir



Gryffe View, Bridge of Weir
Son of Alexander McGregor and Annie Wright

His Life

David Anderson McGregor was born on 23rd May 1898 at 54 Kidston Street, Hutchesontown, Glasgow, the eldest son of Alexander McGregor, a railway signalman from Johnston, Dumfriesshire and Annie Wright, from Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire who had married in Belhaven View, Shieldmuir, Cambusnethan on 24th June 1896.

In 1901 Alexander (30), Annie (28), and David (2) were still living in 54 Kidston Street. Annie's sister Jeanie, mantle machinist, born in Wishaw, was staying with them.

In 1911, Annie's sister Jeanie was living with her mother Annie Hay (who had first married James Wright, and second married Frank Hay) in Gryffe View, Bridge of Weir.

David McGregor volunteered for active service in August 1915, when he was 17 years old and living in Gryffe View, Bridge of Weir. He was enlisted into the Army Cyclist Corps with regimental number 1114.

Private McGregor's Medal Index Card does not record when he first joined the theatre of war but he was not awarded the 1914 -15 Star. At some point later in his service he was transferred to The King's (Liverpool) Regiment. In 1917 the 18th Battalion formed part of the 21st Brigade, 30th Division which took part in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, the first offensive in the Third Battle of Ypres.

David's body was never recovered and it is assumed that he died on 31st July 1917, the first day of the battle. His name is recorded on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial which bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known.

At the age of 19 years and 2 months, David Anderson McGregor is the youngest on the Bridge of Weir memorial.

Siblings

Sources

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• Scottish National War Memorial
• UK Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-19:
• Wasted Journey, The Buddies who never came back. Paisley Library. 940.467; PC17430: O/S
• Alexander McGregor and Annie Wright marriage certificate 24th June 1896. Regd Wishaw, Lanarkshire 25th June 1896.
• David Anderson McGregor birth certificate, 23rd May 1898. Regd. Hutchesontown, Glasgow 27th May 1898.
• 1901 UK Census: Parish: Glasgow Govan; ED:31; Page:30; Line:14; Roll: CSSCT1901_309.
• 1911 UK Census: Parish: Kilbarchan; Ward: Bridge of Weir; Page:20; Lines:19-20
• Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette
  o 28th August 1915: Listed as having taken Oath of allegiance to King and Country. David McGregor, Gryffe-view
• War Diaries: 18th King's Liverpool Regt. WO 95/2330/1. National Archives.
  • CHATEAU SEGARD: 30 July 1917: Y Day: Spent at CHATEAU SEGARD. Bombs, ?, were issued and the men were rested as much as possible. At 7 pm the O.C. proceeded to DORMY HOUSE (Bde HQ) to attend a conference. Battn HQ under Lieut Lawless moved at 8 pm to CRAB CRAWL TUNNEL. At 8.45 pm the Battalion under Major Clayton moved via No. 11 Track to position of assembly where it was met by the O.C. and got into position without casualties. In position by 12.30 am 31 July. The men were in splendid form and showed no ill effects from the night march over tracks deep in mud & carrying heavy loads. Some shelling and machine gun fire was experienced while getting into position but no casualties were experienced until shortly before Zero (3.50 am) when a shell wounded 3 men. The O.C. and Major Clayton then proceeded to Battn H.Q. at CRAB CRAWL TUNNEL.
  • 31 July 1917: The getting of the Battalion into position was ably carried out by 2nd Lieut Merry. The steadiness and discipline of all ranks was remarkable. Lieut E.J. Lush proceeded to join the 2nd Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers as Liaison Officer.
    Rum was issued before Zero on the assembly positions. It was found impossible to issue tea as was intended as the water supply was blown up by shell fire.
    • 3.50 am: Shortly before Zero the Battalion commenced moving forward in rear of the 2nd Bn Wiltshire Regt. No. 1 & 3 Coys in front followed by No. 2 & 4 Coys. In SANCTUARY WOOD considerable confusion occurred owing to the Battalion meeting various bodies of troops: 2nd Wilts, 18th Manchesters, 19th Manchesters & 2nd R.S.F.s. The result was that the two leading Companies maintained their direction, but the two rear Coys were swung off to their left and continued their advance to the W. of STIRLING CASTLE towards SURBITON VILLAS and CLAPHAM JN.
      No. 1 and 2 Coys soon became involved in fighting & gradually pushed forward with their right on JAR ROW, left on the tramway S. of STIRLING CASTLE.
      In JAR ROW a portion of No. 1 Coy with men of the 2nd Wilts Regt & 19th Manchester Regt and also 2 Sergt Majors of the 2nd R.S.F.s (S.M. Riley being one of them) undertook bombing operations against a German Strong Point.
      An officer, believed to be Lieut Colonel Gillson DSO 2nd Bn Wilts Regt, came up to this point. Advance along JAR ROW was stopped partly by German Bombers and partly by M.G. fire. This party eventually withdrew after suffering heavy casualties.
      At a Strong Point, believed to be that at J.19.b.7.6., operations were undertaken by 2/Lieut Graham who captured it. Captain Keefe M.C. 19th Bn Manchester Regt arrived some time after & took charge. 2/Lieut Graham was killed according to the accounts of those present by a tank which fired on the Strong Point at short range though an artillery flag was moved to indicate the presence of our men. This I consider to be questionable as there was much M.G. fire and sniping at the time.
      An attempt was made by a party of men to penetrate a broad belt of ? wire. This would appear to be about J.19.b.7.3. Two gaps were found but every man attempting to pass through it was either killed or wounded.
      What was available of these two Companies were to my mind undoubtedly aligned correctly between JAR ROW and the Tramway S. of Stirling Castle, almost entirely through the energy & bravery of Captain Heywood M.C. This officer was then wounded by M.G. fire and the advance came to a standstill. There is no evidence to show at what time this took place but the barrage was well beyond the line attained. The strong point attacked by these two Companies should according to plan have been taken by troops detailed to seize teh BLUE LINE. Only one junior officer was left unwounded and he eventually was found with some 50-60 men in a trench about J.19.b.5.5. where he had 19th Bn Manchester Regt on his right, 2nd Wilts in support and a mixed force of 89th and 90th Bdes on his left in STIRLING CASTLE.
      No. 2 & 4 Coys which should have followed up Nos 1 & 3 Coys were as previously stated dicerted to their left, i.e. to the W. of STIRLING CASTLE in the drection of CLAPHAM JUNCTION. THere is only one officer left of those Coys and he can give no material information as to the sequence of events. The Coys became early involved with other Regts moving in a N.E. direction and cohesion was lost after all the more experienced officers had been killed or wounded. Elements reached & crossed the MENIN ROAD at CLAPHAM JN. Others were in STIRLING CASTLE but this information was not received till after the withdrawal of the Battalion.
    • 5.13 am: Lieut Merry was despatched from HQ to ascertain if the Battalion had successfully advanced over the British Front Line & was ready to advance through the BLUE LINE. He returned at 5.13 am and reported that the Battalion had already moved forward into the German System and that the 2nd Yorks had gained their objectives with little loss.
    • 5.40 am: At 5.40 am the O.C. Battn. Intelligence Officer & the Liaison Officer (2nd Wilts) went forward to investigate situation. This party gained no information of use beyond that fighting was proceeding in BODMIN COPSE. The 'going' was very bad & Compasses seemed useless for giving direction. Considerable M.G. fire was experienced apparently from STIRLING CASTLE. It was therefore decided not to move advanced H.Q. forward till the situation was clearer. Party returned at 7.25 am
    • 6.45 am: Wire from Bde that BLUE LINE had been captured according to plan.
    • 8 am: Wired Brigade as to result of search for Companies.
    • 8.10 am: No news having been received two selected runners were despatched to ascertain the position of the Companies.
    • 9.20 am: Bde Major & Bde Sigs called at Battn HQ but had no news.
    • 11.30 am: Wire from BUCK through Brigade that attack on BLACK LINE must be pressed home and Strong Point constructed. Sent forward 2/Lt Merry M.C. to find Coys & convey these instructions to them & informed Brigade accordingly.
    • 1.10 pm: Runners sent out at 8.10 am returned and reported finding 2nd Wilts Regt in shell holes SW of STIRLING CASTLE also the Reg^l Aid Post established in a dugout at J.19.a.9.1. No casualties from the Battn had so far passed through.
    • 1.30 pm: A runner (Pte Reynolds) despatched at 8.10 am returned and reported the Battalion in fron of STIRLING COPSE, all Coys being much mixed up. He had seen 2/Lt Merry & given him his news.
    • 2.15 pm: A signaller (Pte Foggo) No 4 Coy came in and reported some of our men in teh vicinity of STIRLING CASTLE.
    • 3.00 pm: C.O. and Signallers & Runners moved forward to an advanced H.Q. which was established in a dugout at J.19.b.0.1. Touch gained with the 2nd Wilts HQ. Telephonic communication established with CRAB CRAWL TUNNEL and later with advanced Bde Signals & 2/Lt Futvoye? in front line.
    • 3.20 pm: Message from 2/Lt Futvoye? timed 11.10 am reporting his position as in front of BODMIN COPSE and asking for assistance.
    • 8.5 pm: Water carrying party sent up to advanced H.Q.
    • 9 pm: Remainder of Battn H.Q. moved forward. Estimated casualties 14 officers and 250 OR. Situation 2/Lt Futvoye command in front line with C.R.M. Crosby & some 50 men. About 10 men in trenches with the Manchester Regt. No news as to whereabouts of remainder. Major Clayton remained at Battn H.Q. CRAB CRAWL TUNNEL & organised carrying parties etc.
    • Killed in action: 2/Lt H.L.Stacey, 2/Lt A.L.Orme, 2/Lt G.H. Copland, 2/Lt A.C.Bigg, 2/Lt L.A. Prestwille, 2/Lt W.G. Graham, 2/Lt F.A. Lane.
      Wounded in action: Capt R.P. Heywood M.C., 2/Lt A. Layfield M.C., 2/Lt E.J. Courtney, 2/Lt F.S. Shaw, 2/Lt J.C. Carbines, 2/Lt F.C. Smith, Lt Ravenscroft.
      3 O.R. Killed in action, 46 O.R. Wounded in action, 194 O.R. missing.
• Medals: Victory, British War.

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