William Anderson Masterton

Corporal William Anderson Masterton

305234, 3rd (Highland) Field Ambulance
Royal Army Medical Corps
att 1/6 Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

died 11th September 1917

aged 33

Gwalia Cemetery

son of Allan and Annie Anderson Masterton
husband of Wilhelmina Mort Gilmour, 27 Clepington Street, Dundee

Genealogy

William Anderson Masterton was born in Maxwelltown, Forfar, Scotland before 11 September 1884, an illegitimate son born to Ann Anderson. In 1891, Ann, William and a 4 month old daughter Charlotte, lived in 27 George Street, Dundee. Ann married Allan Masterton in 1892 and in 1901, Allan, Ann, his stepson William Anderson, and natural sons James and George Ellis, were living in 6 Eliza Street, Dundee. George Ellis Masterton was also destined to be killed in the War. In 1911, William was in Mains and Strathmartine, Angus, aged 26. William married Wilhelmina Mort Gilmour in Dundee in 1911. William was first enlisted into the Royal Army Medical Corps in January 1915, service number 1796. His service number was later changed to 305234. Further details of William Anderson Masterton, his mother Ann Anderson, step-father Allan Masterton and the extended family of Mastertons who can be traced back to the Forfar area can be found at the following link.

His War

The 3rd (Highland) Field Ambulance, was a unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps, raised in Dundee and became part of the 51st (Highland) Division. The Field Ambulance was a mobile front line medical unit. The theoretical capacity of the Field Ambulance was 150 casualties, but in battle many would need to deal with very much greater numbers. The Field Ambulance was responsible for establishing and operating a number of points along the casualty evacuation chain, from the Bearer Relay Posts which were up to 600 yards behind the Regimental Aid Posts in the front line, taking casualties rearwards through an Advanced Dressing Station (ADS) to the Main Dressing Station (MDS). It also provided a Walking Wounded Collecting Station, as well as various rest areas and local sick rooms. The Field Ambulances would usually establish 1 ADS per Brigade, and 1 MDS for the Division. [The Long, Long Trail]

William was in the Territorial Force, enlisted 4th January 1915 at Dundee, and was promoted to Corporal on 10th February 1915. He was in France by 2nd May 1915, and the 51st was hurried to the defence of Ypres after the Germans had gained some territory after their first use of poison gas. The 51st remained in France and Flanders for the duration of the war, acquiring a strong reputation as a fighting force, taking part in the Battles of the Somme in 1916, Arras in 1917, and Third Ypres (Passchendaele) in 1917.

At the time of his death, William was attached to the 1/6th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), under orders of 153rd Brigade. The Division was then holding the line near the village of Langemarck. In early September, the Battalion was in reserve in Siege Camp, 4 miles NE by E from Poperinghe. It did not return to the front line until 12th September. It is possible therefore that William incurred fatal wounds some time before he died on 11th September. In the month of August 228 Other Ranks had been wounded, mainly in the Advance to the Steenbeek as part of Third Ypres on 31 July/1 August.

William is buried in Gwalia Cemetery, to the north-west of Ypres

Unit War Diary: 1/6th Battalion, The Black Watch

ST JANSTER BIEZEN: 27 July 1917: Company Training
do: 28 July 1917: Company Training. Packs, blankets, bayonet scabbards, greatcoats withdrawn and sent to store at POPERINGHE.
do: 29 July 1917: Battalion moved to bivouacs in wood at A.24.d
CAMP A.24.d: 30 July 1917: Fitting out with special stores for offensive operations; battalion left camp for assembly position 8.30 pm in the order 'A' 'B' 'C' 'D' Coys. Battn Battle H.Q. Section, detachment of 153rd Machine Gun Coy.
Battle Front: 31 July 1917: Battle in progress, as narrative in Appendix to 1st August 1917.

National Archives
Kew, London
WO 95/2876/1-4
153 Infantry Brigade: 6 Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
May 1915 - 1919

The Scotsman

SECOND LIST. KILLED. R.A.M.C., ATT. BLACK WATCH.- ...Masterton. 305234, Cpl. W. (Dundee);....

The Scotsman
Edinburgh
9 October 1917

Other Sources

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