Family :

Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

9 April - 16 June 1917. The Arras Offensive consisted of a series of linked attacks starting with the Anglo Canadian assault on the dominant Vimy Ridge feature through the battles in the Scarpe River valley and up to the assaults on the Hindenburg line in the summer of 1917.

Detail :

Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 28th April 1917 -"DEATH OF CAPT. LOFTUS. On Wednesday night Mrs Loftus, Eglington Street, Coatbridge, received a telegram from the War Office as follows:- "Deeply regret to inform you that General Hospital Etaples, reports that Captain W. Loftus, Royal Scots, died of gun-shot wounds on the back and lung, April 25. The Army Council expresses their sympathy - Secretary, War Office." The late Captain Loftus was a native of Edinburgh and his wife belonged to Bargeddie, but for some years Mrs. Loftus and her family have been residing in Eglington Street, Coatbridge. Deceased, who was 21 years in the Regular Army, was awarded the Military Cross on New Year's Day. He passed through the South African War without a scratch. After being admitted to hospital he wrote a letter to his wife stating that his injuries were very slight, but this week Mrs. Loftus was in receipt of a letter from the Sister of the Hospital stating that Captain Loftus was in a serious condition, but hoped to be able to give her better news in the course of a day or two. The late Captain Loftus, whose name was on the Coatbridge Baptist Church Roll of Honour, was a gentleman of stirling character and was greatly beloved by all with whom he came in contact. He was home in Coatbridge a few months ago, and was looking forward to a speedy termination of the war and a return to civil life. Deceased is survived by a widow, three sons and one daughter, for who the utmost sympathy has been felt in the great loss sustained."

Masonic :

Joined the English Constitution, into the lodge associated with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Scots. whose ambulatory warrant has travelled the world. He was probably initiated into Freemasonry through the Scottish Constitution, arriving at Lodge 316 from Lodge 177, S.C. He was 32 and a Quarter-Master Sergeant at the time. Contribution record shows "Killed in action." with no date.

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The (UK) National Archives
• Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
• ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Additional Source:

• Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
• Researcher : Bruce Littley