On the 27th September 1915 Captain Bowes-Lyon was killed whilst defending the recently captured Hohenzollern Redoubt. Initially hit by shell fragments he lost a leg and was then struck by numerous bullets. He died a short time later and was buried in Quarry Cemetery, Vermelles.
The Hohenzollern Redoubt would slowly be retaken by the Germans.
On the 13th October 1915 a second attempt to seize the redoubt was launched and was bloodily defeated, despite a second use of chlorine gas by the British. The action, in effect, brought the Battle of Loos to a close.
It should be noted that there are a number of Quarry Cemeteries on the battlefields. Although this one is very close to Auchy-les-Mines it is actually situated by a few metres within the commune of Vermelles.
To commemorate the battles that took place here a number of events were organised by the town of Auchy-les-Mines, beginning with a simple ceremony in the cemetery. Although the rain stayed away throughout the day the mist never cleared; the recently ploughed fields adding to the atmosphere.
Members of the Black Watch 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) were present with their Pipes and Drums. Jamie Joycie-Cecil, a grandson of Captain Fergus Bowes-Lyon, laid a wreath with Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin who has a life-long connection with the Black Watch.
The association ‘Flanders Jocks’ provided an honour guard dressed in great War uniforms. Colonel Alex Murdoch and Major Ronnie Proctor of The Black Watch Association led a party of former members of the regiment.
In the afternoon a large parade was held through Auchy les Mines to the area of the Hohenzollern Redoubt where a new plaque was inaugurated.
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