Coutts Family of Glasgow and Lenzie
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TitleCoutts Family of Glasgow and Lenzie
ReferenceGD136
Date1914-1974
Archive creatorCoutts Family
Scope and ContentLetter from Private William Coutts, 1917-1919; Letters to Private William Coutts, 1917-1918; Service Records & Artefacts, 1917-1919; Photographs, 1917-1969; Postcards,1918-1919; Ephemera & Memorabilia, 1914-1974
Extent0.15m
LanguageEnglish, Bulgarian
Archival historyPrivate William Coutts enlisted in March 1917, and was drafted to Fort Matilda where he trained, before being sent to Salonica via France and Italy with the Royal Scots Fusiliers, arriving in February 1918. He received a Lance Stripe in April 1918. His battalion, the 77th Infantry Brigade was involved in a battle with Bulgarian troops in September 1918 which resulted in the subsequent retreat and surrender of the Bulgarians. He was promoted to Corporal in November 1918. Peace was declared world-wide in November of that year, but William was selected to be part of an 'Army of Occupation" since he had enlisted after January 1917. He was sent to Ruscuk, then Batoum, where his battalion was disbanded and he joined the 1st Battalion of Royal Scots to make up for men who had left for home. A peace deal was finally signed in June 1919, but William was sent to Constantinople in September 1919 where he joined the Argylls. He was offered promotion to Regimental Sgt. Major in July 1919, but turned it down. William was awarded the Distinguished Conduct medal in December 1919.
SubjectWorld War, 1914-1918 - Military Personnel, British, World War, 1914-1918, World War, 1914-1918 - Medals
Level of descriptionfonds
Repository nameEast Dunbartonshire Archives - Kirkintilloch
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