In 1901, the McCash family were living at Strathearn Terrace, Glasgow Road, Perth: Father, John B. (Solicitor and Bank Agent), b. c1861, Perth; Mother, Elizabeth F. b. c1861, Derbyshire: Son, Frederick F. b. c1889, Perth; and Son, George B., b. c1894, Perth. There were also two visitors from Derbyshire, probably relations of George’s mother: Annie Vessey, b. c1829, Derbyshire; and Annie Flude, b. c1829, Derbyshire. Also living at this address were: Jessie Miller (Cook, Domestic), b. c1883, Wick, Caithness; and Jessie Masterton (Housemaid Domestic), b. c1884, Edinburgh, Midlothian.

"HARPER'S DUDS TO LADIES FROM HELL" 

The 51st (Highland) Division was an infantry division of the British Army that fought on the Western Front in France during the First World War from 1915 to 1918. The division was raised in 1908, upon the creation of the Territorial Force, as the Highland Division and later 51st (Highland) Division from 1915. The division's insignia was a stylised 'HD' inside a red circle.

Early doubts about the division's performance earned it the nickname of "Harper's Duds" after the name of its commander, Major-General George Harper although they would go on to gain a fearsome reputation with the Allies and Germans. In July 1916 , the 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, as part of the 51st Highland Division, assaulted High Wood. Though they failed to take the position, they had shown the fighting spirit expected of Highlanders. The Divisions reputation grew and the 51st were “Harper’s Duds” no longer, now they were, according to the German nickname, “The Ladies from Hell”.

By 1917, the 51st was considered a leading assault division and was handed more and more difficult tasks, throughout the year. From Arras in April/May to the combined tank-infantry assault at Cambrai in November.

“POELCAPPELLE, 20TH SEPTEMBER 1917. 

Extract from the History of the 51st (Highland) Division, 1914-1918, by Major F.W. Bewsher "The attack on Poelcappelle was preceded on 19th September by a bombardment using artillery and trench mortars. The attack itself was to be on a two battalion front with two leading battalions, the 9th Royal Scots and the 4th Seaforth Highlanders. The 7th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and the 4th Gordon Highlanders were then to pass through these leading battalions."

“The attack was launched in the grey of the morning at 5.40 a.m. In the first phase strong resistance was encountered in front of Pheasant Trench.” 

“The 4th Seaforth Highlanders on the left also encountered serious resistance, and hand-to-hand fighting developed in which they completely outmatched the Bodies. It was in Pheasant Trench that they experienced the fiercest fighting.”

"The attack continued all day and at about 6 p.m. a general withdrawal of the troops inside the V formed by the Poelcappelle road and the Lekkerboterbeeek took place. The local commanders then formed defensive flanks."

While there is no definitive record of how and when George McCash lost his life, it would have been at some stage of the action on 20th September, he was 23 years old.