Rank
Private 331452
Medals
1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Regiment
Highland Light Infantry, 9th (Glasgow Highland) Battalion
Military Service
The 9th HLI landed at Le Havre on 5th November 1914 and served in
France from then on, initially in 5th Brigade 2nd Division. The Battalion
transferred to 100th Brigade, 33rd Division 29 May 1916 in the run up to
the Battle of the Somme. According to his records Plews reached the
front on 13th October 1915 towards the end of the Battle of Loos. At
that point the Battalion was taking its turn in the trenches near
Cambrin. On the 23rd October there is a comment in the Battalion War
Diary that “The men of the last draft received by us from our 3rd Battn
are exceedingly good and all the company commanders report
favourably upon them” and it seems likely that Plews was one of this
draft.
Born
Death
15th July 1916
Circumstances of death
Nothing specific is known about Plews’ death but it is noteworthy that in one of the Medal Rolls he is described as “presumed dead 15.7.16.” This suggests he was posted missing after the action of High Wood on 14th/15th July in which the 9th HLI suffered severely.
Age
19
Memorial
Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15 C.
CWGC Information
Son of John and Christina Plews, of 34 Wilton St., Glasgow.
Parents
John Plews (-1913) & Christina Ross (1854-1931)
Fathers Occupation
Warehouseman, at a pork butcher (1911)
Siblings
George R (1884-1889), John C (1886-1967), George R (1889-1958), Agnes G (1891-1951), Margaret C (1894-1969)
Spouse
Education
Occupation
Tramway assistant. This is Plews’ occupation in the 1911 census when he is only 14 so it is probably his first job after leaving school. It is not known how he was employed when he enlisted.
1901 Census
48 Oran Street, Maryhill, Glasgow
1911 Census
11 Braeside Street, Woodside, Glasgow
Home Address
1915 – 34 Wilton Street, Woodside, Glasgow
Glasgow Necropolis
Compartment
Mnema Lair 128
Other Memorials
Scottish National War Memorial
East Park Church War Memorial (now in Kelvin Stevenson Memorial Church)
Acknowledgements and Sources
Much of the information on which this profile is based is drawn from various internet sources which are listed below. The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis also wish to make full acknowledgement and thanks for the permitted use of any information or images generously supplied specifically for exhibition, publication or display in connection with The Roll of Honour and accompanying profiles to Ancestry, and Find my past.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Family Search
Scotlands People
The Long, Long Trail
The Scottish War Memorials Project
Colonel A K Reid Shoulder to Shoulder: The Glasgow Highlanders, 9th Bn Highland Light Infantry 1914-1918. 1988
9th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, War Diary 1 November 1914-30 April 1916 (TNA WO95/1347/3)
9th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, War Diary 1 May 1916-31 May 1919 (TNA WO95/2431/1)
Rank
Private 331452
Medals
1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Regiment
Highland Light Infantry
Regiment Information
Highland Light Infantry, 9th (Glasgow Highland) Battalion
Military Service
The 9th HLI landed at Le Havre on 5th November 1914 and served in
France from then on, initially in 5th Brigade 2nd Division. The Battalion
transferred to 100th Brigade, 33rd Division 29 May 1916 in the run up to
the Battle of the Somme. According to his records Plews reached the
front on 13th October 1915 towards the end of the Battle of Loos. At
that point the Battalion was taking its turn in the trenches near
Cambrin. On the 23rd October there is a comment in the Battalion War
Diary that “The men of the last draft received by us from our 3rd Battn
are exceedingly good and all the company commanders report
favourably upon them” and it seems likely that Plews was one of this
draft.
Born
Death
15th July 1916
Circumstances of Death
Nothing specific is known about Plews’ death but it is noteworthy that in one of the Medal Rolls he is described as “presumed dead 15.7.16.” This suggests he was posted missing after the action of High Wood on 14th/15th July in which the 9th HLI suffered severely.
Age
19
Burial
Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15 C.
CWGC Information
Son of John and Christina Plews, of 34 Wilton St., Glasgow.
Parents
John Plews (-1913) & Christina Ross (1854-1931)
Father's Occupation
Warehouseman, at a pork butcher (1911)
Siblings
George R (1884-1889), John C (1886-1967), George R (1889-1958), Agnes G (1891-1951), Margaret C (1894-1969)
Spouse
Education
Occupation
Tramway assistant. This is Plews’ occupation in the 1911 census when he is only 14 so it is probably his first job after leaving school. It is not known how he was employed when he enlisted.
1911 Census
11 Braeside Street, Woodside, Glasgow
Home Address
1915 – 34 Wilton Street, Woodside, Glasgow
Glasgow Necropolis
Compartment
Mnema Lair 128
1901 Census
48 Oran Street, Maryhill, Glasgow
Other Memorials
Scottish National War Memorial
East Park Church War Memorial (now in Kelvin Stevenson Memorial Church)
Acknowledgements and Sources
Much of the information on which this profile is based is drawn from various internet sources which are listed below. The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis also wish to make full acknowledgement and thanks for the permitted use of any information or images generously supplied specifically for exhibition, publication or display in connection with The Roll of Honour and accompanying profiles to Ancestry, and Find my past.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Family Search
Scotlands People
The Long, Long Trail
The Scottish War Memorials Project
Colonel A K Reid Shoulder to Shoulder: The Glasgow Highlanders, 9th Bn Highland Light Infantry 1914-1918. 1988
9th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, War Diary 1 November 1914-30 April 1916 (TNA WO95/1347/3)
9th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, War Diary 1 May 1916-31 May 1919 (TNA WO95/2431/1)
Credits
Compiled by Morag Fyfe, Historical and Genealogical Researcher for The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis.
Ross Drysadale Plews Monument - Mnema