Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front – Scottish losses

Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front – William Angus VC After leaving school William Angus was employed as a miner. In 1912, he became a professional footballer for Celtic FC. He joined the British Army when the war began. He was 27 years old, and a lance-corporal in the Highland Light Infantry

Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front – William Angus VC On 12 June 1915 Lance-Corporal Angus voluntarily left his trench under very heavy bomb and rifle fire and rescued a wounded officer who was lying within a few yards of the enemy's position. As a result of this, Angus lost an eye, had a badly wounded foot and received about 40 wounds. For his actions he was awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest award for bravery. When he came home to Scotland he was given a hero's welcome and was always a guest of honour in major football matches.

Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front – Scottish losses Due to the nature of the war on the Western Front (e.g. so many bodies were left in no man’s land) it proved impossible to accurately calculate the number of war dead. Around 557,000 Scots served in the war. Figures on Scottish dead vary from 74,000 to 100,000. The Scots had a casualty rate of 26%, roughly 1 in 5 Scots soldiers were killed or wounded, among the highest of any nation.

Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front – Unknown Soldier Because so many soldiers’ bodies were never found, the government set up a ‘Tomb to the Unknown Soldier’. All countries have one. The British Army one is in Westminster Abbey.