Private AULAY MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 32 Breasclete,
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 6946
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 20 October 1914 at the age of 32
Killed in action at Ypres
Interred: Houplines Communal Cemetery Extension, grave II. D. 5
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish
Aulay appears in the 1901 census, aged 18, at 32 Breasclete. He is the son of John (66) and Flora (53), and brother of Mary Ann (16) and Katie (12).
Battalion war diary for 20 October 1914
The battalion is action on the outskirts of the village of
Frelinghien, on the banks of the river Lys northeast of Armentieres and
on the border between Belgium and France.
At 4 am, B & D coys moved on through A coy (which was left in
reserve) and occupied the houses [of Frelinghien] with C coy. Loopholes
and defences were improved and it was arranged to attach the trenches in
conjuction with the artillery and with the Irish Fusiliers who were now
between the Battn and the R Dub Fus. There was a certain amount of fire
directed against us in the houses, but not fire from artillery.
However, till supported by them we could not advance. Irish Fusiliers
commenced their advance across the open but found it heavily entangled
with barbed wire. After a time, the enemy fire slackened under our
artillery. It was thought that they had reached their trenches. R Irish
Fus were now advancing towards the German trenches under partial cover
of a low bank and thin line of trees and we were preparing to advance
into the trenches on our left. A heavy fire was suddenly opened by the
enemy who had been lying low in their trenches near us, though most of
the line had been evacuated. We were at that point within 200 yards of
them and it was decided to take the position by assault. At about 11 am
this was effected by C company, under a heavy fire, most gallantly lead
by captain D. C. Methuen and 2/Lt J. F. Glass. The latter was wounded,
attempting to storm the trench, while the former was unfortunately
killed shortly after it was taken. As the trench was on a high, steep
bank and the ground was very slippery, our men had very great difficulty
getting into the trench. They were also brought under crossfire from
snipers in a large Brewery on the edge of the town near the river. None
of the Germans escaped out of this section of the trench, about 30 being
killed and 20 being captured.
Their trench was now occupied by B company, who advanced and occupied
with a few men the edge of the town. East of the main road, the Brewer
west of the road still being occupied by snipers.
About 1pm, several Germans showed the white flag (15 men) and leaving
their trenches without arms surrendered. Soon after, a few more
surrendered from some houses in the town. One of them returned to the
Brewery and brought in 3 more Germans by arrangement with the commanding
officer. He also reported that the Brewery was now unoccupied, which
subsequently proved quite correct. This was about 3.30pm. After dark,
the Brewery was occupied by 2 1/2 platoons of A coy, after a thorough
search of the buildings and cellars had been made. The remaining 1 1/2
platoons of A coy occupied houses east of road with 1 platoon of D coy. C
& D coys occupied the original houses taken the previous night,
with Headquarters. B coy occupied the catptured trenches with R Irish
Fus on their right. The position generally was retrenched and placed in a
state of defence.
During the preliminary occupation of the edge of the village, Major Stockwell was wounded severely, later dying of his wounds.
2 coy Rifle Brigade came up as support during the night and occupied B Coy trenches.
Killed: 13
Wounded: 17
Germans killed: about 30
Germans captured: about 50
