An Arbroath Man

William Beatts
There would be only 29 days before the ceasefire of World War 1, when 270040 Private William Beatts, 11th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was killed in action on 13th October 1918. He was only 21.
William, aged 18 ½ years, first joined the 5th Battalion(Reserve) Black Watch, in November 1914 but, it would not be until his transfer to the 6th Battalion, Black Watch(Royal Highlanders) in 1916 that he would be entering the theatre of war.
The Somme
Private Beatts was to see action with his battalion at the Somme. In November 1916 the 51st (Highland) Division (of which the Black Watch formed part) successfully captured the notorious fortress village of Beaumont- Hamel. It was during this engagement that the German soldiers were to nickname the kilted troops “Die Damen aus der Holle- the ladies from Hell”
In France, the winter of 1916-1917 was the coldest in living memory and when it rained the trenches would fill with water, sometimes to waist height. It is no wonder that William would be hospitalised for 38 days for the effects of *trench foot.
In January 1917 William was granted 10 days furlough (home leave). It was to be the last time that Mr and Mrs Beatts would see their son.
Throughout the remainder of 1917, the Black Watch would be heavily involved in the fighting. Notably, in the Battle of Arras in the spring of that year and the battle of Cambrai (a combined tank-infantry assault, which was the first successful use of tanks) in November.
In October of 1917 William was once more hospitalised, this time, as a result of gas poisoning, most likely to have been **mustard gas. His medical notes at that time stated the poisoning was slight but he still required 17 days hospitalisation.
By April 1918 William had been transferred to the 11th (service) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and later he was to transfer to the 7th Battalion of the same regiment.
For the following six months William and his Battalion (still forming part of the 51st Division) would be involved in heavy conflict (The Battles of Estaires, Tardenois, and of the Scarpe).
On the 13th October 1918 William was killed in action during, what is known as, the Pursuit of the Selle.
William was buried in Auberchicourt British Cemetery, France.
William snr and Jane (nee Arthur) Beatts of 35 West Grimsby, Arbroath, lost two of their five sons in WW1.
Alexander Beatts(aged 18) 1st Battalion, Black Watch(Royal Highlanders) died on 9th May 1915 and is commemorated at Le Touret Memorial, France.
James (b1884) and Joseph (b1889) came home and were demobilised after the war. Harry (b1900) was still involved in minesweeping operations after the war was over.
Lest We Forget

*Trench foot is caused by cold, wet and unsanitary conditions, brought on by standing for hours in the waterlogged trenches. Left untreated it causes gangrene and may result in amputation.
** Mustard gas is a vesicant (blister agent) which causes severe skin, eye and mucosal pain and irritation.