We regret to announce the sad news that Sergt James Calder, of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, son of Mrs Calder, 83 Gavieside, West Calder, was killed in action on the 24th September.

He loved soldiering and was getting on rapidly, and it appears he was marked for further promotion when his untimely death was caused by the bursting of a shell.

Previous to enlisting he was employed as a drawer in Young's Oil Coy's shale mines.

Writing home to Mrs Calder, Major John Mungle of the Warwickshire Regiment, says :-

Dear Mrs Calder - A very painful duty has been forced upon me, and I have to convey to you a very sad piece of news. Your son, Sergt. Calder, serving in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, was killed yesterday morning early between 4.30 and 5.00am. The whole battalion is feeling the loss of your son, for in spite of the fact that he was a quiet and unassuming fellow, he was liked by everyone, and for ability alone, had been marked for early promotion.

I asked the Colonel if I might write instead of him, because I had such an added interest in your son, as I belong to West Calder myself. When I come on leave, I will call and let you know where your son is buried, and will give you all particulars.

Captain Parsons of the Regiment writes as follows :

Dear Mrs Calder … James was killed in action here early this morning. It was during a heavy bombardment, and he was in charge of a post in the thick of it, when a shell burst in the trench killing him and another, and wounding several others.

Midlothian Advertiser, October 5th, 1917