Private William Farmer

Private William Farmer, 16th ( Service ) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. He was killed in action in France, aged 21, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He had been born in Partick, Glasgow and was the son of the late  John and Christina Farmer of Dennistoun, Glasgow. He had lived for a while with his grandparents at 23 New Bondgate, Jedburgh  but was living in Glasgow when he enlisted.. He landed in France with his Battalion in November 1915. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.  He fell near Thiepval in that part of the General attack on the Somme. In the face of very heavy machine gun wire and strong uncut wire defences the attack failed with very heavy losses of 20 Officers and 534 Other Ranks.  The objectives were not finally taken until  the 26th September.  The 1st day of the Battle cost the Army  over 57,000 casualties of which over 19,000 were fatal. The photos show Scots troops on the Somme.