The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

[spoons]

Not listed on UKNIWM

Location in St Ninian's church, Troon at OS Map Ref NS 327303

This memorial is the church hall that was dedicated by the Bishop of the Diocese, the Right Reverend E T S Reid on 19th December 1927. The hall was given by Mrs Mabel Townsend in memory of her two sons who were killed in the Great War. The architect was Mr John Rutherford Johnstone F.A. Arch (Scot).

Unfortunately I completely failed to take any photographs of the hall itself, either inside or out. The hall is at the rear of the church.

In 2006 the hall was renovated including removal of the stage. The new entrance is from the church at the site of the former stage and the memorial plaque was re-sited to a more prominent position near the entrance.

[spoons]

Name: TOWNSEND, RONALD TRAVIS
Initials: R T
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps
Unit Text: 56th Sqdn.
Secondary Regiment: Highland Light Infantry
Secondary Unit Text: and 5th Bn.
Age: 28
Date of Death: 30/11/1917
Additional information: Son of Joseph Travis Townsend and Lucy Mabel Townsend, of Monkland, Troon, Ayrshire; husband of Hope Sara Townsend (now Mrs. Grange), of The Punchbowl House, Strathblane, Stirlingshire. Formerly Canadian Local Forces and Canadian Army Pay Corps.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: ARRAS FLYING SERVICES MEMORIAL

Name: TOWNSEND, ERIC TRAVIS
Initials: E T
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry
Unit Text: 1st/5th Bn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 08/11/1917
Additional information: Son of Joseph Travis Townsend, and Lucy Mabel Townsend, of 19, Huntley Gardens, Glasgow.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: XII. B. 15.
Cemetery: GAZA WAR CEMETERY

[spoons]

There is also a memorial window in the church to Mabel Townsend, the mother of the brothers commemorated and who paid for the hall memorial.

This is thought to be the work of Douglas Strachan

[stuartn]

WMR 80535

[Mike Morley]

The brothers are also named on Kelvinside Academy, Royal Troon Golf Club and St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral War Memorials.