Roane, John 5159 ( - 1917)

Lance Corporal, 1st Bn. Irish Guards

Buried at Cambrai Memorial

Commemorated at Scottish National War Memorial

John Roane contact www.firstworldwarglasgow.co.uk to tell us about his namesake and cousin John Roane who died in the First World War.

Lance Corporal John Roane was born in Maryhill, Glasgow and served in the Irish Guards. He died on the 30 November 1917 in the Battle of Cambrai. He has no known grave but is commemorate at the Cambrai Memorial along with more than 7000 servicemen of the UK and South Africa who died during the fiercely fought battle over November and Decemeber 1917.

Sir Douglas Haig described the object of the Cambrai operations as the gaining of a 'local success by a sudden attack at a point where the enemy did not expect it' and to some extent they succeeded. The proposed method of assault was new, with no preliminary artillery bombardment. Instead, tanks would be used to break through the German wire, with the infantry following under the cover of smoke barrages.

The attack began early in the morning of 20 November 1917 and initial advances were remarkable. However, by 22 November, a halt was called for rest and reorganisation, allowing the Germans to reinforce. From 23 to 28 November, the fighting was concentrated almost entirely around Bourlon Wood and by 29 November, it was clear that the Germans were ready for a major counter attack. During the fierce fighting of the next five days, during which Lance Corporal Roane died, much of the ground gained in the initial days of the attack was lost.

For the Allies, the results of the battle were ultimately disappointing but valuable lessons were learnt about new strategies and tactical approaches to fighting. The Germans had also discovered that their fixed lines of defence, no matter how well prepared, were vulnerable.

The Cambrai Memorial was designed by Harold Chalton Bradshaw with sculpture by Charles S. Jagger. It was unveiled by Lieut-General Sir Louis Vaughan on 4 August 1930.