1. ‘ Searching for ‘the Fallen’ Thomas S. Abercromby

6. Name: ABERCROMBY, THOMAS STEVENSON Initials: T S Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Unit Text: "D" Coy. 2nd Bn. Age: 37 Date of Death: 25/09/1915 Service No: 4/9385 Additional information: Son of John and Isabella Abercromby, of 55, Upper Craigs, Stirling; husband of J. E. Abercromby, of 23, Lawson's Buildings, Stirling. Born at Bannockburn. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: C. 5. Cemetery: CAMBRIN CHURCHYARD EXTENSION

7. In Memory of Private THOMAS STEVENSON ABERCROMBY 4/9385, "D" Coy. 2nd Bn., Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who died age 37 on 25 September 1915 Son of John and Isabella Abercromby, of 55, Upper Craigs, Stirling; husband of J. E. Abercromby, of 23, Lawson's Buildings, Stirling. Born at Bannockburn. Remembered with honour CAMBRIN CHURCHYARD EXTENSION Commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

8. Cemetery: CAMBRIN CHURCHYARD EXTENSION Country: France Locality: Pas de Calais Visiting Information: Wheelchair access to this churchyard is possible, but may be by alternative entrance. For further information regarding wheelchair access, please contact our Enquiries Section on 01628 507200. Location Information: Cambrin is a village about 24 kilometres north of Arras and about 8 kilometres east of Bethune, on the road to La Bassee. Cambrin Churchyard Extension is on the south side of the main road, 200 metres from the Mairie. The Commonwealth plot will be found behind the church. Historical Information: At one time, the village of Cambrin housed brigade headquarters but until the end of the First World War, it was only about 800 metres from the front line trenches. The village contains two cemeteries used for Commonwealth burials; the churchyard extension, taken over from French troops in May 1915, and the Military Cemetery "behind the Mayor's House." The churchyard extension was used for front line burials until February 1917 when it was closed, but there are three graves of 1918 in the back rows. The extension is remarkable for the very large numbers of graves grouped by battalion, the most striking being the 79 graves of the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and 15 of the 1st Cameronians (Row C), the 35 of the 2nd Royal Welch Fusiliers and 115 of the 1st Middlesex (Row H), all dating from 25 September 1915, the first day of the Battle of Loos. Cambrin Churchyard Extension contains 1,211 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 8 being unidentified. There are also 98 French, 3 German and 1 Belgian burials here. The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden. No. of Identified Casualties: 1304

10. Deaths: It is useful to start with the Death Register as we know from the CWGC exactly when the individual was killed or died. Unfortunately the ‘Return of Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Offices and Men Killed in Action’ contain only limited information compared to a standard, ‘civilian’ death register.’

11. The Census: The 1911 Census was taken just three years and four months before the declaration of War in August 1914. As such it allows for the possibility, or probability of identifying very large numbers of the fallen to their families and communities and thus providing a much more detailed picture of their lives in peace time.

12. Birth: Working back from our other data, particularly the Census it becomes more likely that we can now trace the birth details of the fallen. As well as further confirmation of age, the census also gives us the birthplace, in this case Bannockburn in Stirlingshire.

14. Marriage

16. War Diary, 2 nd Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Aug 1914 – Nov 1915

17. The Battle of Loos, or the ‘big push’

18. The Assault on German Lines at Cambrin

19. The remainder were “wiped out’