The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

[jamiemcginlay]

Fenwick - Kilmarnock & Louden District

The Fenwick war memorial is a grey granite cross on a tapering pedestal which rests on two rustic steps. There is a lion rampant in sheild carved in relief on the cross head. The commemoration and names of the dead are set in lead lettering on the face and sides of the pedestal.
The monument stands at the road junction at the end of Main Street.
(I think the lower panel at the front of the pedestal may list the names of the WWII dead but I have lost the photographs and list so I'll check it next time I'm out that way.)





WWI ROLL OF HONOUR:
Brown James Machine Gun Corps
Brown James Machine Gun Corps
Burns George Seaforth Highlanders
Burns George Seaforth Highlanders
Carruthers Benjamin Kings Own Scottish Borderers
Carruthers Benjamin King's Own Scottish Borderers
Clark Robert A.I.Y.
Clark Robert Ayrshire Yeomanry
Corbett Arthur Royal Air Force
Corbett Arthur Royal Air Force
Cuthbert David Royal Scots Fusiliers
Cuthbert David Royal Scots Fusiliers
Cuthbert James Australians Australian Imperial Forces
Cuthbert James Ayrshire Yeomanry
Cuthbert Robert Army Service Corp
Cuthbert Robert A.S.C.
Farrell James Royal Scots Fusiliers
Farrell James Royal Scots Fusiliers
Gordon Hugh J. London Regiment
Gordon Hugh J. London Regiment
Hainan John Royal Scots Fusiliers
Hainan John Royal Scots Fusiliers
Howie John Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Howie John Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Lambert George Cameron Highlanders
Lambert George Cameron Highlanders
Lambert William F. Cameronians
Lambert William F. Cameronians
Lees Thomas Royal Scots Fusiliers
Lees Thomas Royal Scots Fusiliers
Mair James Gordon Highlanders
Mair James Gordon Highlanders
McEwan Adam Highland Light Infantry
McEwan Adam Highland Light Infantry
McLung Gilbert Kings Own Scottish Borderers
McLung Gilbert King's Own Scottish Borderers
Owens John New Zealanders New Zealand Corps
Owens John New Zealanders New Zealand Corps
Paton Charles Seaforth Highlanders
Paton Charles Seaforth Highlanders
Reid James Royal Field Artillery
Reid James Royal Field Artillery
Retson Thomas B. Cameronians
Retson Thomas B. Cameronians
Robertson John Royal Field Artillery
Robertson John Royal Field Artillery
Ryan John Irish Guards
Ryan John Irish Guards
Watret Thomas Royal Scots Fusiliers
Watret Thomas Royal Scots Fusiliers
Watson Thomas A.I.Y.
Watson Thomas Ayrshire Yeomanry
Wilson Alexander A.I.Y.
Wilson Alexander Ayrshire Yeomanry
Wilson Andrew Kings Own Scottish Borderers
Wilson Andrew King's Own Scottish Borderers
Wilson Gilbert Royal Scots Fusiliers
Wilson Gilbert Royal Scots Fusiliers
Wylie John Canadians Canadian Corps
Wylie John Canadians Canadian Corps

[spoons]

Not listed on UKNIWM

[govangirl]

Kilmarnock Standard 27 November 1915
"FENWICK MAN KILLED
A letter has been received this week by Rev. Andrew Burns, Fenwick, from Private John Paton, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, intimating the death of his brother, Private Charles Paton, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, who was killed on Wednesday, 17th inst., by a sniper. Much sympathy is felt for his much respected parents Mr and Mrs John Paton, Hairshaw Smith, Waterside, Fenwick, whose other son, John, is also in France. Boths sons have been out sicne September 1914, and have seen much service. Charles was home some months ago suffering from gas poisoning, but recovered and returned to active service in France. He was much respected by all who knew him. He was employed in farm service with Mr Young at Hairshaw Farm and Parkhead, and latterly at High Gainford"

CWGC information

Name: PATON
Initial: C
Rank: Private
Regiment: Seaforth Highlanders
Unit: 2nd Bn
Date of Death: 17/11/1915
Memorial reference: II. A. 2
Cemetery: SUCRERIE MILITARY CEMETERY, COLINCAMPS
_________________
Mary

[A Beattie]

The Glasgow Herald, Saturday, 5th.May, 1917. "Deaths on Service. LAMBERT.- Killed in action on 23rd. April, George Lambert, Second Lieutenant, Cameron Highlanders, only surviving son of the late Rev. J.C. Lambert, D.D., Braehead, Fenwick."

CWGC - LAMBERT, George
Rank: Second Lieutenant.
Date of Death: 23/04/1917. Age: 25.
Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders "D" Coy. 7th Bn.
Grave Reference: IV. C. 17.
Cemetery: FAUBOURG D'AMIENS CEMETERY, ARRAS
Additional Information: Son of the Rev. John C. Lambert, D.D., and Catherine S. Lambert, of Braeheads, Fenwick, Kilmarnock.

Glasgow Herald as above. Page 6. " ..... Mr. Lambert, who was 25 years of age, was the son of the late Rev J.C. Lambert, D.D., minister emeritus of Cathcart U F Church. He was educated in Fenwick Public School and in Kilmarnock Academy from which he passed to Glasgow University, where he graduated M.A. with honours in classics. It was his intention to have entered the U.F. College in 1915, but instead he joined the colours. His younger brother was killed in France little more than a year ago."
_________________
Andrew.

[A Beattie]

CWGC - LAMBERT, William Fairlie
Rank: Second Lieutenant.
Date of Death: 23/03/1916. Age: 20.
Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 3rd Bn. attd. 9th Bn.
Grave Reference: 5.K.9.
Cemetery: LONDON CEMETERY AND EXTENSION, LONGUEVAL
Additional Information: Son of the Rev. John C. Lambert, D.D. and Catherine S. Lambert. of Fenwick, Ayrshire.
_________________
Andrew.

[anne park]

James Mair Pte S/8048 10th Gordon Highlanders b Glenmuir,Ayrshire e Kilmarnock Killed in Action F&F 20/09/1915 Soldiers Effects: Mother: Margaret C. Fosse 7 Military Cemetery (Quality St;) Mazingarbe Fr 0554 Plot I Row C Grave 02
_________________
Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

[A Beattie]

The Glasgow Herald, Tuesday, 8th January, 1918.
"In Memoriam.
WATSON.- In loving memory of our dear son Thomas Watson, Cadet, Machine Gun Section, Yeomanry, formerly of the Royal Bank, Ayr and Dalleagles, New Cumnock, who died at Nasrieh Military Hospital, Egypt, 8th January, 1917. - Milton, Galston." (Nasreih Military Hospital was originally an Egyptian Government Primary School and later became a British Military Hospital with 584 beds.)

The Glasgow Herald, Monday, 15th January, 1917.
"Deaths on Service.
WATSON.- Died at Nasrieh Hospital, Cairo, on 8th January, 1917, Thomas Watson, aged 21 years, Cadet School, Cairo (late Ayrshire Yeomanry), eldest son of James and Margaret Watson, Milton, Galston (late of Dalleagles, New Cumnock), and grandson of Thomas Watson, J.P., Bank House, Eaglesham."

SNWM - WW1
Surname WATSON
Forename Thomas
Rank Pte
Service number 50463
Decoration
Place of birth
Date of death 8 January 1917
Theatre of death Palestine
Cause of death Died
SNWM roll MACHINE GUN CORPS
Unit name MACHINE GUN CORPS INFANTRY
Other detail formerly 1796 Ayrshire Yeomanry.

SDGW - Enlisted Ayr.

CWGC - WATSON, T
Rank: Private.
Service No: 50463.
Date of Death: 08/01/1917. Age: 21. (After operation - appendia abcess.)
Regiment/Service: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) 1st Dismounted Bde.
Grave Reference: F. 181.
Cemetery: CAIRO WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of James and Margaret Watson, of Waterside House, Fenwick, Ayrshire.

Pte. Watson is also listed on Galston War Memorial, under Ayrshire Yeomanry. http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?p=70006#70006
_________________
Andrew.

[A Beattie]

The Glasgow Herald, Tuesday, 11th December, 1917.
"Deaths on Service.
RETSON.- Killed in action on 27th November, Private Thomas B. Retson, Scottish Rifles, aged 23 years, youngest son of the late George Retson, Gardrum, and Mrs Retson, The Manse, Fenwick."

SNWM - WW1
Surname RETSON
Forename T B
Rank Pte
Service number 33278
Decoration
Place of birth Kilmarnock
Date of death 26 November 1917
Theatre of death France
Cause of death Unknown
SNWM roll THE CAMERONIANS (SCOTTISH RIFLES)
Unit name Unknown Unit attached to THE CAMERONIANS SCOTTISH RIFLES
Other detail 1st Bn.

SDGW - Born Fenwick; lived Beith; enlisted Ayr.

1901 Census Ayrs., Fenwick, Gardrum records (transcription) Thomas Retson (6), Scholar, born Fenwick; head of household George Retson (52), Farmer, born Sorn; Mary Retson (49), wife, born Sorn; siblings.

CWGC - RETSON, Thomas Bateman
Rank: Private.
Service No: 33278.
Date of Death: 26/11/1917. Age: 23.
Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 1st Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 68 to 70 and 162 and 162A. (Stone 69 A.)
Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Son of Mary McManus Retson, of The Manse, Fenwick, Kilmarnock, and the late George Retson.
_________________
Andrew.

[James Brown]

Hi folks

Can't find any info on John Ryan Irish Guards named on the memorial.
I've traced 3 John Ryan's who are listed in Rudyard Kipling's "Irish Guards in the Great War" - First Battalion

They are
Ryan, John 2698 Private Killed in Action 16/9/1914
Ryan, John 3216 Private Killed in Action 1/9/1914
Ryan, John 5382 Private Died 6/8/1915

Im asking a friend to send me details of the 2nd Battalion John Ryans and take it from there. I need to go over the newspapers again.

Thanks

JB
_________________
Researching WWI Memorials in Ayrshire

[apanderson]

Hi James,

Here's a starter ..... (he could easily have nipped up to Glasgow to enlist?)

SDGW:
Birth Place: Catherline, Co. Limerick
Residence: Ballybrood, Co. Limerick
Death Date: 15 Sep 1916
Death Place: France and Flanders
Enlistment Place: Glasgow, Lanark
Rank: Private
Regiment: Irish Guards
Battalion: 2nd. Battalion
Regimental Number: 5472
Type of Casualty: Killed in action
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre

Effects:
As above - Death presumed on or since 15th September 1916, parents John & Bridget

MIC:
As above plus lots of 'references' which I haven't a clue what any of them mean.

CWGC:
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/609795/RYAN,%20JOHN

Anne

[stuartn]

WMR 81618
The corrected WW1 names list, removing duplications is-

WWI ROLL OF HONOUR:
Brown James Machine Gun Corps
Burns George Seaforth Highlanders
Carruthers Benjamin Kings Own Scottish Borderers
Clark Robert A.I.Y.
Corbett Arthur Royal Air Force
Cuthbert David Royal Scots Fusiliers
Cuthbert James A.I.F.
Cuthbert Robert A.S.C.
Farrell James Royal Scots Fusiliers
Gordon Hugh J. London Regiment
Hainan John Royal Scots Fusiliers
Howie John Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Lambert George Cameron Highlanders
Lambert William F. Cameronians
Lees Thomas Royal Scots Fusiliers
Mair James Gordon Highlanders
McEwan Adam Highland Light Infantry
McLung Gilbert King's Own Scottish Borderers
Owens John New Zealanders New Zealand Corps
Paton Charles Seaforth Highlanders
Reid James Royal Field Artillery
Retson Thomas B. Cameronians
Robertson John Royal Field Artillery
Ryan John Irish Guards
Watret Thomas Royal Scots Fusiliers
Watson Thomas A.I.Y.
Wilson Alexander A.I.Y.
Wilson Andrew King's Own Scottish Borderers
Wilson Gilbert Royal Scots Fusiliers
Wylie John Canadians Canadian Corps

The lower step does have WW2 names on- see http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Ayrshire/Fenwick.html

Callighan T
Corbett The Hon. John
Glassford John
Gordon James
Lindsay James
Middleton George
Miller Andrew
Smith I
Young A