219192 Pte. Alexander Burness Bothwell British Army 13th Btn. Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders from:Aberdeen Alexander Bothwell was my grandfather He served with the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders 13th Battalion. The above information dated April 25th 1917 is from my mother's birth certificate. I know very little as regards to my grandfather's war service. I did apply to find some records but received the news that they were destroyed in the bombings of WW 2. I have some pictures taken with comrades and one on his own wearing some kind of dress uniform with an enormous sporran with 6 tassles, and he is carrying a baton. I do know he was in France but do not know which battles he fought in. My Grandfather was about 5" 2 or 3 in height just a wee man but sturdy at least at the start of the war as the pictures reveal a much leaner and aged man as the war progressed, but he survived . It seems a great shame that all records of this holding Battalion which I believe the 13th was is now wiped out. Additional Information: | Further information has come to light as regards my Grandfather's traning which has come from a medical register from a camp in Scotton Richmond North Yorkshire . Reads like a horror story where all the patients are listed with chest infections influenza and Meningitis. Grandad is listed as having a sore neck. First signs of Meningitis. When declared fit and completing final training there according to archives they were shipped out. Apparently overcrowding in these camps caused major health problems. All this before facing the trenches. I could weep!
alexandra Mills
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