Colin Archibald Arrol was killed in action on this day in 1916
Colin Archibald Arrol was born in Dumbarton on 5 December 1885, the only son of Walter Arrol (an army Major then brewer and wine merchant) and Beatrice (née Bateman).
In 1901 age 15, Colin lived at home with his family at Underwood, a large Victorian house in Broomhaugh, Northumberland.
He was educated at Larchfield School, Helensburgh, by a private tutor and at Newcastle-on-Tyne College.
In 1911 age 25, Colin was still living at home with his two younger sisters, Beatrice and Iris. By then they lived at Riverhill, a large house in Corbridge, Northumberland (now a care home). They had two live-in servants - a housemaid and a cook.
He was for several years a Trooper in the Yeomanry.
Colin enlisted in the University and Public Schools Battalion in September 1914 but later transferred to the Royal Fusiliers.
He went to France on 12 November 1915 and took part in operations at Le Plantin, Givenchy, Vimy Ridge, Souches, Trones Wood, Delville Wood, Maricourt and on the Somme.
On 25 July 1916, the battalion moved from rest to Longueval Alley support trench near Trones Wood. The War Diary reports that "the Germans bombarded the area with 'tear shells' and High Explosive during the relief". Colin was killed and buried in a shell-hole where he fell. His remains were later transferred to Dantzig Alley British Cemetery in 1919.
28 Pte Colin A Arrol, 17th (Service) Bn. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt).