James GILLIES

06 November 1914

SERGEANT’S FIRST EXPERIENCE UNDER FIRE

Quarter Master Sergeant J. Gillies, a brother of Mrs. Lowis, of the Black Horse Hotel, Skipton, is attached to the Queen’s (Royal West Surreys), and has written two letters to his family – one from the front, and the other from the military hospital at Cork. In the first, dated October 14th, Sergt. Gillies stated that he had had his first experience in the fighting area under curious circumstances:–

“It was quite exciting, although that soon goes, as we do so much ordinarily that when it comes to the real thing it does not seem too much out of the usual. It is very sad to see the deserted villages, no lights, just as if everyone were dead.

“It is a good thing the war is not in England. People there cannot realise what it is to leave homes and everything. The people here are very good to us… The people leave their homes on the approach of the Germans because they are so bad to them.”

In the letter from Cork Sergt. Gillies speaks of having been wounded on the 21st October. They were retiring after having been heavily shelled. They were at a village called ----- five miles from Ypres, and formed part of the flank battle. They had been engaged four days in the trenches. The first day they advanced to a place called Menin on the French frontier, but were forced to retire owing to superior numbers.

“We had a warm time and some narrow escapes. My regiment did not have many casualties that day, about 20
officers and 40 others. The next day was fairly quiet; but the next two were awful. The Germans shelled us terrifically and they are very good. We stuck it as long as flesh and blood could, and then we retired about half a mile, and I was wounded. We suffered severely in retiring.”

Sergt. Gillies showed great pluck, in keeping up with the retiring forces, despite his severe wounds – it was either that or being captured. He is now making satisfactory progress.

14 July 1916

GILLIES – July 1st, killed in action, Second Lieutenant James Gillies, beloved brother of Mrs. H. Lowis, Black Horse Hotel, Skipton.

21 July 1916

MORE SKIPTON DEATHS – RISEN FROM THE RANKS: SECOND-LIEUT. JAMES GILLIES

The above is a photograph of 2nd Lieutenant James Gillies, of the 2nd Royal West Surrey Regiment, second brother of Mrs. H. Lowis, of the Black Horse Hotel, Skipton, who was killed in action when serving with his regiment on the Western Front on July 1st. The deceased officer – a fine specimen of humanity, who had risen from the ranks – had been twelve years in the Army and had served in many parts of the British Empire. He came with his regiment from Africa on the outbreak of war, and had been in the thick of the fray. Invalided home suffering from wounds he had been training troops at Chatham, and on March 1st last, the deceased resumed duty at the Front. He was given his commission for meritorious service five weeks before his sad end. Lieut. Gillies, who was unmarried, was 30 years of age, and during his stay in Skipton made many friends who will learn of his death with sincere regret.

04 July 1919

PEACE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 'CRAVEN HERALD' – CRAVEN'S FALLEN OFFICERS

SECOND-LIEUTENANT H. GILLIES

2nd Royal West Surrey Regiment, brother of Mrs. H. Lowis, Black Horse Hotel, Skipton. Killed in action July 1st, 1916.