James died in bombing raid

A newly-wed Stirling soldier died while leading a bombing expedition on April 8, a day before the start of the Battle of Arras.

News of the death of L/ Cpl James Rogers, A&SH, was forwarded to his widow by Rev Alexander Ferguson.

L/Cpl Rogers, whose parents lived in Irvine Place, Stirling, joined the Army at the beginning of 1916 and left for the front in September of that year, shortly after being married.

Rev Ferguson said he felt the lance corporal’s death deeply as he was different from other members of his platoon. He was “always so quiet, serious and gentlemanly and he always did his duty willingly and manfully like a good and faithful servant”.

The minister arranged for a cross to be placed on the grave of the 28-year-old, who formerly worked as a plumber with Messrs J&J Duff.