William Dickie ANDREW

William Dickie Andrew was born on the 19th May 1894 at Carriden School House, Bo'ness.

His father was William Smith Andrew who was a schoolmaster at the school. His mother was Marion Forbes Andrew (nee Nelson).

In 1901, the census records the family still living at the same address. The father was 44 years old and his wife was three years younger. Young William was the third of four children. The oldest was his sister, Catherine Robertson Andrew who was 11 years old. Robert was next oldest at nine while William was six. The youngest in the family was Jane Young Andrew aged four.

On 1st July 1910, William is mentioned in the Linlithgow Academy school log book as having passed his Intermediate Certificate. His classmates who passed at the same time, Bryce Dymock and Hamish MacDonald also died in the Great War.

The 1911 census shows the family still living at Carriden School House where William's father was listed as having the post of head teacher. His sister Catherine had left the family home and his brother Robert's profession was noted as being a medical student. William was 16 and still at school as was his younger sister Jane. Between 1913 and 1914, William was attending Edinburgh University studying law as his main degree. 

When the war broke out, William enlisted as a Private in the Territorial battalion, The Lothian and Border Horse (service number 1366). D Squadron was based in Edinburgh and had drill halls in Linlithgow, Bathgate, Broxburn, Hopetoun, Mid-Calder, South Queensferry, Ratho and Winchburgh. Territorial battalions were created to provide a defence force at home during wartime. Soldiers in these units could not be forced to serve overseas but many of them, including William, did volunteer to see action. In 1915, The Lothian and Border Horse were ordered to Salonika in Greece as part of an Allied French and British force to help the Serbs fight against a Bulgarian invasion. Other former pupils of Linlithgow Academy who volunteered to serve with The Lothian and Borders Horse in Salonika were Hamish MacDonald and William Young. 

When William returned from Greece, He joined 10th (Cyclist) Battalion who had their headquarters in Linlithgow. The companies of the battalion had drill stations in different locations spread throughout West Lothian. The 10th (Cyclist) Battalion was attached to 15th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Scots (1st Edinburgh). Fellow Linlithgow Academy pupils who also served with 10th (Cyclist) Battalion earlier in the war were Andrew Douglas and Henry Cowan. It was with 15th Battalion that William received his commission on 29th May 1917 as an officer with the rank of Second Lieutenant and was sent to serve in France. Another former pupil of Linlithgow Academy, John Dougal, also served with the 15th. 

On 21st March 1918, The 15th Battalion of The Royal Scots were involved in the Battle of St Quentin when German forces attacked the British lines in overwhelming strength in thick fog. The Germans broke through in several places and were able to drive deep behind the British defences resulting in chaos and confusion. On the following day, William was recorded as being missing in action and his body was never recovered. Another former pupil of Linlithgow Academy, John Arnott also went missing in action during this attack. William was 24 years old when he died and is commemorated at the Arras Memorial (opens new window), Bays 1 and 2.

NEWSPAPER REPORT

BO'NESS OFFICER MISSING

Lieut. W.D. Andrew, Royal Scots

Second Lieutenant W.D. Andrew, Royal Scots, reported missing on 22nd March last is the second son of Mr Will S. Andrew, Grange Schoolhouse, Bo'ness, and is aged 23. As a trooper in the Lothian and Borders Horse, he got his baptism of fire at Salonika. On his return home he obtained a commission, and was subsequently sent to France.

Linlithgowshire Gazette 5th April 1918

(Photo: Chris Morrison)

Arras Cemetery and Memorial inscription for W D Andrew

(Photos: Keith Hay)