Ronald Sydney Arend
| Rank | Second Lieutenant | |
| Regiment | 12th Royal Scots B Company | |
| Military Service | Enlisted in 28th London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles) in either January or February 1916 judging by his service number (6709) Arrived in France 5th March 1916 Commissioned into 12th Royal Scots 30 April 1917 The German Spring Offensive started on 21st March 1918. 12th Royal Scots, part of VII Corps of General Gough’s Fifth Army was not seriously involved in the Battle of St Quentin (21-23rd March) until the 23rd. According to the War Diary of the battalion it was heavily shelled on the 21st but held its position. On the 22nd it began to withdraw westwards due to German successes on other parts of the Front. The following day (23rd) the battalion was heavily engaged and continued a fighting withdrawal in several stages. The battalion continued being outflanked by the advancing Germans and fought a controlled withdrawal until the 27th when they were relived and moved back to rest. During these six days the casualties were 18 officers killed, wounded, missing and 416 other ranks. It was during the heavy fighting on the 23rd that Ronald Arend was lost. | |
| Born | 1894, West Kilbride | |
| Death | 23rd March 1918 | |
| Circumstances of Death | Ronald was reported wounded and missing after the fighting on 23rd March. On the 2nd August 1918 an enquiry as to his whereabouts was made to the British Red Cross. The answer must have been negative and the formal conclusion was that he had died from wounds in German hands about 23rd March 1918 | |
| Age | 23 | |
| Memorial | Pozieres Memorial, Panel 13 and 14. | |
| CWGC Information | Youngest son of Gertrude Arend, of 4, Montgomerie Drive, Glasgow, and the late W. Arend | |
| Parents | Waldemar Arend (d 1919) and Gertrude Crich (1859-1955) | |
| Father's Occupation | Flour merchant | |
| Siblings | Yes | |
| Spouse | Unmarried | |
| Education | Kelvinside Academy | |
| 1901 Census | 23 Henry Bell Street, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire | |
| 1911 Census | Not found in UK. | |
| Glasgow Necropolis | Compartment Upsilon Lair 180 | |
| Other Information | Kelvinside Academy War Memorial; St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral Glasgow War Memorial | |
| Acknowledgements and Sources | Ronald sailed from Glasgow for New York on 10th October 1914. He was intending to make the USA his permanent residence. He returned to the UK (Liverpool) on 5th November 1915. Ronald’s father Waldemar was born in Prussia and applied for British citizenship in 1900. | |
Credits
Compiled by Morag Fyfe, Historical and Genealogical Researcher for The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis.
