William Lindsay was born in Stirling, on 23rd October 1896. In 1901, the Lindsay family were living at 14 Bruce Street, Stirling: Father, John (Railway Goods Clerk) (34); Mother, Georgina (31); Son, John (7); and Son, William G. (4). Prior to enlistment William Lindsay was employed as an apprentice Railway Fitter with the Caledonian Railway Company. 

He volunteered in Perth for service abroad in August/September 1914 and served initially with the Highland Cyclist Battalion (Reg. No. 692), before transferring to the Black Watch. 

In late July/early August 1918, the 4/5th Black Watch endured a vital and terrible battle near Soissons/Buzancy as the Germans were retreating. They then moved to Hulluch.

Extract from Wauchope’s 'History of the Black Watch in the Great War'

“The Division…reached the Loos sector about the end of the month [August 1918] and took over the left sector of the I Corps (First Army) front, the Battalion moving into the Hulluch sector in support on the 24th."

“It was opposite this sector that the Division had gone into the line for the first time just over three years before, and the few men who had been there at that time saw great changes. Instead of a continuous line of trenches strongly held in front there was now a line known as the “outpost zone” consisting of strong points, behind which came a series of “defended locations” running back several thousand yards, each strong wire and so arranged that the fire from one would flank others on its right and left."

"In addition, these defended locations were linked up by tunnels, thus doing away with the long and dangerous communication trenches of former days. Leading from these tunnels were large dug-outs in which the garrisons of the various posts, and support troops, lived. They were lit by electricity and so arranged that their entrances could be blocked and denied to the enemy should he capture any particular post."

“September passed quietly. By this time the enemy was making preparations for withdrawal in order to conform to his line retreating father south. Continuous pressure was kept on him by means of strong fighting patrols which went out each night, but few met with opposition, and it was only when they had proceeded some distance behind the enemy’s so-called front line that they were fired on.”

Although there is no definitive record of how William Lindsay lost his life, it was probably as a member of one of these fighting patrols. He was 21 years old.

Perthshire Advertiser, 5th October 1918

“OUR OWN MEN - PERTH CITY"

“Corporal William G. Lindsay, Black Watch (late H.C.B.) son of Mr and Mrs John Lindsay, Clyde Place, Craigie, Perth, killed in action, was 21 years of age, and prior to enlistment was employed at the Caledonian Railway Workshops, Perth. His elder brother, Corporal John Lindsay, fell in action on 18th August 1916.”

William Lindsay is also commemorated on the former Perth Middle Church War Memorial; and the Caledonian Railway War Memorial, Glasgow Central Station.