The Toll of War

1915 was a tragic year for Roland.  Back in Britain his Mother died in the March.  Serving in France his brother Colwyn was killed in May and his best friend and fellow Scouter Anthony Slingsby was killed in July.  Roland’s sense of his own mortality can be seen through his writings, as a junior infantry officer he would have been aware that his own chances of surviving unscathed were slim. 

Roland was injured in March 1916 and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry.  He was sent back to Britain to recuperate giving him chance to catch up with his Scouting friends, including the Baden-Powell’s.

1 July 1916 saw Roland’s battalion on the frontline of the Battle of the Somme, he was injured on the 3 July when his trench received a direct hit reopening his previous injury.  He refused to leave the front and on the 7 July led his men out of their trench.  Roland was killed, having been shot in the head.