WWI BWM. Douglas. Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) 1/7 (Fife) Bn. Edinburgh. POW Arras 1917

Correctly named 5573 Pte G Douglas R Highrs

George was born in 1893 and hailed from Edinburgh.

He enlisted into the 1/7th (Fife) Battalion Royal Highlanders, Black Watch. He was given a new service number whilst with the battalion, 291924.

He was in the trenches at Fampoux, Arras when on the 23rd of April 1917, three companies of the Black Watch, A, B & C were sent to attack and hold the German front line near the Gas Works. George was with B Company, VIII Platoon, a part of the second wave. ‘A’ Company achieved their objective and were sent then to consolidate with ‘B’ & ‘C’  Companies at the Gas works. On the night of the 23rd, enemy artillery was intense in the are and 64 men were killed, 194 were wounded and 65 missing.

It is recorded that George was captured uninjured on the 25th, the Battle of Arras. On his POW records it list two addresses for him, presumably his home address with his wife Lottie and that of his parents. They are 26 Gilmore Road, Edinburgh and 105 Granton Road, Edinburgh respectively.

George wa repatriated in December 1918.

He is entitled to a pair.

The medal has an original silk ribbon.