William’s Story – Spring 1918

Tags

2nd Lieutenant William Harrison Crowder, 51st Highland Division, Adam Fox, Baillie family history, Bombardier Baillie, First World War, First World War film, Great War, Indie Filmmakers, Kaiserschlacht, Nick Loven, Spring Offensive 1918, Tell Them of Us

Our 2014 WWI film ‘Tell Them of Us’, is the true story of one Lincolnshire family, made to commemorate the outbreak of WWI. Their story was told from the home front and the perspective of those left behind. It is now available on DVD.

One story remained untold however; what happened to William Crowder at the front which resulted in him receiving the Distinguished Service Order. The DSO was awarded to an officer for acts of gallantry under attack; so what exactly happened to William? Fortunately we have an account of his experience of the Kaiserschlacht and it is one of the most arresting and visually compelling WWI narratives I have read.

We are planning a documentary with some dramatised scenes. William was attached to the 51st Highland Division and his three telephonists were all Scottish. We are still casting for these roles – especially that of Bombardier Baillie below.

Here is the link to the crowdfunding campaign, William’s Story – please help support us if you can.

Finding WWI Bombardier Baillie

Tags

1918 Spring Offensive, 51st Division, 51st Highland Division, Baillie family history, Bombardier Baillie, WW1, WWI, WWI Royal Artillery

As part of our research into William Crowder’s WWI story we are trying to identify Bombardier Baillie from this photograph and to trace his family.

Bombardier Baillie, Royal Artillery, 51st Division, Highland Regiment

Bombardier Baillie was part of the telephonist team, under William Crowder’s command, in Gosling forward observation post when the German Spring Offensive began 21st March 1918. All the men were captured by the advancing Germans but we understand that Baillie was one of the few to return from PoW camp after WWI. Both Bombardier Baillie and 2nd Lieutenant William Harrison Crowder were in the Royal Artillery, attached to the 51st Highland Regiment. It is likely that Baillie was Scottish.

Please contact us if you have any information.