399 Corporal John Binnie Late Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Date	Summary of Events and Information	Reference
July 1891	Birth of John Binnie, father James Binnie mother not mentioned on attestation sheet.	TNA - WO363/B976.
22nd Sept 1909	John joined the Army and after several days of tests including his medical at Stirling Military Hospital he was attested into The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (A & S.H.) his preferred choice of Regiment. He was 18 years and 2 months old. He enlisted for 12 years 7 in the regulars and 5 years in the reserve.He was a small man standing 5 feet 4 ½ inches, weighing 110 Lbs with a girth fully expanded of 35 ½ inches his complexion was fresh, grey eyes and dark brown hair with a pulse rate of 76. He had a brown mole over his left hip joint. John gave his address as Letham, Airth, Stirling. Prior to his enlistment he had been employed as a farm servant and was given a good character reference by a Mr John Duncan Westerton of Carronshore, Falkirk. A man he had known for 5 years and worked for up to May 1907. He gave his reason for leaving as, more wages. He declared his religious calling as Presbyterian. His parents were as previously stated and he declared the following. Brothers (1) Harry. Sisters (3) Annie, Christine, and Elizabeth. No mention of a mother at this stage.	TNA - WO363/B976. Army Form B 265. Attestation Sheet. Army Form B 64. TNA - WO363/B976. Military History Sheet.
22nd Sept 1909 To 10th Jan 1913.	On the 25th Sept 1909 John was posted to the Depot at Stirling for basic training. Having successfully passed out, He was then posted on the 18th Feb 1910 to The 2nd Battalion who at this time were at Stirling. On the 21st Mar 1910 John passed his 3rd Class Certificate of Education, this qualified him for promotion to the rank of Corporal. On the 14th Oct 1910 John while on sentry duty at Longmoor, England, was caught sleeping at his post. He was tried and convicted by District Court Martial and awarded 14 days detention, subsequently 7 days were remitted by the convening officer and he was released back to duty on the 26th Oct 1910. The conviction by the District Court Martial was quashed by WO letter no 110/INFY/ 963 AG3 dated 5th Nov 1910. On the 31st Jan 1911 he passed a Mounted Infantry Course (ambulance class) at Longmoor England. 22nd Sept 1911 John was granted good conduct pay and at the same time he was granted Proficiency pay Class II @ 3 Shillings. By the 12th Apr 1912 the 2nd Battalion had moved to Fort George near Inverness and on the 9th Jan 1913 John was passed fit for service abroad. He was bound for India. 8th Jun 1912 John was granted proficiency pay Class I @ 6 Shillings.	TNA - WO363/B976. Statement of Service. Army Form B 120. Regimental Conduct Sheet. TNA - WO363/B976. Medical History Sheet. British Regiments 1914 - 1918. British Battalions France & Flanders 1914 Ray Westlake TNA - WO363/B976. Military History Sheet. Army form B 121 Company ConductSheet.
11th Jan 1913. To 18th Nov 1914.	John joined the 1st Battalion who were posted to Dinapore India but his stay in India would not be long as the dark clouds of war were gathering over Europe, the Argyll’s were summoned home and on the 14th Oct 1914 they embarked in Bombay on the Troopship HMT Saturnia sailing on (15th ) calling at Aden (16th) November, called at Port Said (1st) Gibralter (8th). Sailed (14th) and arrived at Plymouth on the 19th Nov 1914. It was noted at the time how cold it was in November and the Battalion had arrived home dressed still in their light – weight foreign service khaki drill uniform. While in India John managed to do a Sanitation + Ambulance Course (first aid and stretcher drill) at Dum Dum near Calcutta passing on the 8th Jun 1914. On the 22nd Sept 1914 he was granted a second lot of good conduct pay. 23rd Sept 1914 Johns Army Form B 121 (Company Conduct Sheet) was destroyed in accordance with Kings Regulations for the Army. He had kept a clean sheet for 4 years the rule was and still is, company conduct sheets are destroyed 4 years after last offence.	British Regiments 1914 – 1918. British Battalions France & Flanders 1914 Ray Westlake TNA – WO363/B976. Military History Sheet. Army Form B 121 Company Conduct Sheet.
19th Nov 1914. To 18th Dec 1914.	The Battalion moved to Winchester (Mourne Hill Camp) where it joined The 81st Brigade a unit of The 27th Division. This Division did not exist prior to The War and was formed (the infantry element) from units gathered from around The Empire. Comprising 10 Battalions from India, 2 Battalions from Hong Kong and 1 Battalion from Canada.	Order of Battle Divisions Part I
19th Dec 1914. To 4th Mar 1915.	The 27th Division embarked on HMT Novian in Southampton on the 19th - 21st Dec 1914 disembarked at Le Havre, France between 20th - 21st Dec 1914 the Argyll’s on the 20th Dec 1914. and concentrated between Aire and Arques by the evening of the 25th Dec 1914. December 1914 Began work on trenches east of Boeseguem (27th) and south of Pecqueur (29th). War Diary records that the ground was very difficult to dig, so built upwards. Parties to front line Messines sector for instruction with 2nd Duke of Wellingington’s Regiment (30th). Jan - Feb - Mar 1915 Still working on trenches east of Boeseguem and south of Pecqueur. Part of 81st Brigade, 27th Division moved to Fletre 6th Jan and Dickebush on 7th Jan. Began tours in Voormezeele-St Eloi sector trenches. Rested at Kruitstraat and Dickebush when out of front line. Total casualties for this period 155 killed or wounded. John had a stroke of luck he was posted back to the Depot at Stirling, he was on his way home.	Order of Battle Divisions Part I British Battalions On The Western Front Jan to Jun 1915. Ray Westlake.
5th Mar 1915. To 19th May 1915.	John had safely completed his first tour of duty on The Western Front and was back home in Scotland. On 29th April 1915 he was again on the move posted this time to the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion A & S.H. at Woolwich.	TNA - WO363/B976. Military History Sheet.
20th May 1915. To 18th Aug 1916.	John was again posted back to the 1stBattalion who were still with The Expeditionary Force in France rejoining them on the 20th May 1915 He was just in time for The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge 24th/25th May. May - Jun 1915 Since John left the Battalion back in Mar. they had been through a turbulent period at one point being under fire for 36 days and total casualties since the (12th Apr) had been 488 killed, wounded or missing. John rejoined the Battalion in bivouacs north of Heksken, to Bailleul on (28th May) and then into billets at Le-Petit Mortier. Moved to Armentieres (29th) and began tours in that sector. This Division was transferred to the Macedonian Front and John was a little unlucky here not to go with them, the Division was off to a relative good posting when compared with the killing fields of France. John was to rejoin his old unit the 2nd Battalion A & S. H. On the 29th Sept he was posted back to his old unit the 2nd Battalion. The 2nd Battalion was a unit of the 98th Brigade itself part of the 33rd Division 2nd Oct 1915 promoted to the rank of Lance / Corporal (unpaid). 27th Nov 1915 appointed paid rank of Lance / Corporal. 15th Jul 1916 promoted to the rank of Corporal.	TNA - WO363/B976 Military History Sheet. British Battalions France and Flanders Jan to Jun 1915 Ray Westlake TNA - WO363/B976. Military History Sheet.
20th May 1915 To 18th Aug 1916	Battles of the Somme 1916 Battle of Albert 12th and 13th Jul. Battle of Bazentin Ridge 14th to 17th Jul. Attacks on High Wood 18th to 21st Jul. Entrained at Chocques for Longueau (8/7) and from there marched to Coisy. To Corbie (11/7), Ville-sur-Corbie (12/7), Meaulte (13/7), southern edge of Fricourt Wood (14/7). Attack on High wood (15/7)-in action around Windmill, Bazentin-Le-Petit. Casualties 117. To south end of Mametz Wood (16/7). Moved forward to support at Bazentin-Le-Grand Wood (18/7)- returning to Mametz Wood same day. Moved forward to trenches north of Bazentin-Le-petit (20/7)- attacked along The Bazentin High Wood Road. Relieved and to Dernacourt (21/7). To reserve trenches Mametz Wood (6/8), High Wood (13/8) Mametz Wood (14/8), High Wood (17/8) *** and Fatally for 399 Corporal John Binnie *** The Attack on High Wood (18/8). The Battalion attacked the German trenches in High Wood at 2.45 pm. The attack was proceeded by an artillery bombardment at irregular intervals during the 17th and 18th and was going to be supported by two Flame------ , which were unfortunately put out of action by our own shell fire before the commencement of the attack. Backed by oil firers the attack was launched at the given hour, but was met by heavy Machine Gun fire and a certain amount of bombing. The Companies attacked in the following order from right to left C. D. B. with A. in support. Only a few men of B Company managed to get into the German trench and were eventually forced to withdraw to our own front line and in the end the position was exactly the same as before the attack. Casualties Officers 4 killed and 4 wounded. Other Ranks 26 killed, 119 wounded and 36 missing. 18th Aug 1916 399 Corporal John Binnie was Killed in Action at High Wood on Ancre Heights on the Somme. He had served for 6 years and 331 days. 399 Corporal John Binnie has no known grave and in common with thousands of his fallen comrades he is remembered with honour on the Thiepval War Memorial on the Somme. On his Casualty form it gives his qualification as Stretcher Bearer.	Order of Battle Divisions Maj. A F Becke. British Battalions On The Somme Ray Westlake WO95/2426 War Diary CWGC Army Form B 103.
19th Dec 1916	A memorandum from the War Office instructing that Johns personal effects should be handed over to Mrs Elizabeth Binnie, Letham Farm, Airth, Stirlingshire. This is the first mention of Johns mother?	Effects Form 118a
29th May 1919	Mrs Elizabeth Binnie receives John’s memorial Plaque and Scroll.	TNA - WO363/B976
30th May 1919	Mrs Elizabeth Binnie is required by The War Office to make a declaration of the deceased’s relatives that are now living. This declaration is witnessed and signed on the 30th May 1919 by The Parish Minister, At The Manse, Airth, by Larbert Relationship - Name - Age - Address Father - James G Binnie - N/A - Letham, Airth, by Larbert Mother - Elizabeth Binnie Full Brother Harry Binnie - 25 - Letham Terrace, by Larbert. Half Brothers David L Binnie - 18 - Letham, Airth, by Larbert. Robert L Binnie - 15 - Letham, Airth, by Larbert. Andrew J Binnie - 11 - Letham, Airth, by Larbert. Thomas G Binnie - 9 - Letham, Airth, by Larbert. Full Sisters Mrs Bamage - 31 - Golden Grove, Carnoch, Dunfermline. Mrs Donaldson - 23 - Carmines Cottage, Larbert. Half Sister - Mrs E Ballingall - 20 - Dovecot Cottage, Cambus. It is worth comparing this list, with what John declared on joining. All these people were around when he enlisted.	Army Form W.5080.
1920	Honours and Awards 1914-1915 Star British War Medal Victory Medal Johns Family were presented with a Memorial Plaque and a Scroll to commemorate him.	Medal Index Card.