Private James Yule

Private James Aitken Yule, 1st Battalion Scots Guards. He had been a regular soldier and was killed in action in Belgium, aged 40, during the First Battle of Ypres on 29th October 1914. As he did not join the Battalion until they were in France he may have been a recalled Reservist. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. He had been born in Abbey St. Bathans and was the son of Janet and the late James Yule of  Caldra farm, Fogo.  (His brother William also fell ). On 29th the Battalion were holding trenches near Gheluvelt along with the 1st Black Watch and the 1st Coldstream Guards against a powerful German attack. The situation was very perilous and this period saw the most dangerous days of the Battle. It was said that the magnificent constancy of 1st Scots Guards saved the day but casualties were high. On 29th October there were 240 casualties with 5 Officers dead but the enemy were repulsed and the Line held. The weather was foggy and many casualties were caused by British artillery firing short. ( It is reported that one of the German formations had a runner called Adolph Hitler).

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