Private Samuel Allison

Private Samuel Allison, 8th ( Service ) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. He was killed in action in France, aged 24, on 25th September 1915 on the first day of the Battle of Loos and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Dud Corner, Loos, France.  he had been born in Kircudbrightshire and was the son of Joseph and the late Margaret Allison. As he enlisted in Berwick it is assumed he was working in the Edrom area. 8th Gordons were part of 26th Brigade of the 9th Scottish Division along with 8th Black Watch, 7th Seaforth Highlanders, 7th Cameron Highlanders and 10th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He fell in the attack on ” Peking Trench ” which was captured and counter attacks repulsed until casualties forced a withdrawal.  The first photograph shows part of the Loos battlefield looking towards the German front lines and the second shows an actual assault with the troops disappearing into the ghostly clouds of smoke and gas. This was the first time in the War that the British Army had used gas. The final photo shows Loos after its capture. The artist’s illustration depicts Highlanders at loos led by their pipers.