Waves against the sea

Remembrance Day, 2010. Historian Chris Laverton represents a Private in the 4th (City of Aberdeen) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, circa 1916. This is the unit in which his grandfather, Private William Laverton (#2701), served from 9th October, 1914 to 28th August 1916.



We have just come from the service held each year on Garrison Common, west of Historic Fort York in downtown Toronto. Kilts were worn at the front, usually covered by an apron. In many ways, they were better suited to the conditions of trench warfare than more conventional garb.



Private William Laverton served at Ypres in 1915 and the Somme in 1916. His Character Certificate (Army Form B2067), which he carried for the rest of his life, reads: His conduct has been very good. He is honest, sober, and trustworthy; clean, intelligent, and punctual.


He had also been through the hells of the Salient and High Wood. Above you see the battle patch of the Gordons; below, the kit that most soldiers carried into battle.



You can read more about the Gordon Highlanders at their official website.

Rising, roaring, rushing with the tide,
Gay goes the Gordon to the fight!