The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

[spoons]

UKNIWM 44451

Location in Springholm village hall at OS Map Ref: NX 805 700

Apologies for the angle of the shot, there is very poor contrast between the wood and the lettering and this was the best of around 20 pics. I tried looking up all the names and got a rather poor success rate, some I could not find at all and others seem to have no obvious connection with the area although I am sure I have the right man. Kirkpatrick Durham is the local parish church so it may have a memorial that helps clarify things but there is nothing listed on UKNIWM and I have not visited the church yet.

Names:
CAPTAIN P A BLAIR MC R SCOTS
2ND LIEUT H M GUTHRIE LAN FUS
SERGEANT P GALLACHER R S FUS
CAPT A D Y HERRIES KOSB
PRIVATE C GALLACHER KOSB
PRIVATE J KERR KOSB
PRIVATE J H MILLER KOSB
PRIVATE A H McCAIG KOSB
PRIVATE W McCLUNE KOSB
PRIVATE A W McMORRINE KOSB
PRIVATE R L DAVIDSON WELCH R
PRIVATE A M THOMSON CANADIANS

Name: BLAIR, PATRICK ALEXANDER
Initials: P A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots
Unit Text: 9th Bn.
Age: 37
Date of Death: 23/04/1917
Awards: M C
Additional information: Son of Alexander Blair (Sheriff of the Lothians), and Fairley Kerr, his wife. A Chartered Accountant. Born at Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. B. 1.
Cemetery: LEVEL CROSSING CEMETERY, FAMPOUX

Name: GUTHRIE, HECTOR MACLENNAN
Initials: H M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Lancashire Fusiliers
Unit Text: 3rd Bn. attd. 1st Bn
Age: 22
Date of Death: 04/06/1915
Additional information: Son of Bella Guthrie, of Dowan Place, Stirling, and the late James Guthrie. Honours Degree (1st Cl.) Aberdeen University, July, 1914.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 58 to 72 or 218 to 219.
Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

I drew a blank trying to identify Sgt P Gallacher
Capt Herries has also defeated me I am afraid
Name: GALLAGHER (notice name misspelt)
Initials: C
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Unit Text: 14th Coy.
Date of Death: 13/07/1917
Service No: 42665
Additional information: Son of Peter Gallagher, of 286, High St., Dalbeattie.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. F. 1.
Cemetery: COXYDE MILITARY CEMETERY

Name: KERR, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 1st/5th Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 12/07/1915
Service No: 1904
Additional information: Son of John and Anne Elizabeth Kerr, of Springholm, Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 84 to 92 or 220 to 222.
Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

Private J H Miller – no luck

Name: McCAIG, ARCHIBALD H.
Initials: A H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 7th/8th Bn.
Date of Death: 31/07/1917
Service No: 25001
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 22.
Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

No sign of McClune on CWGC or SNWM either

Name: McMORRINE, ALEXANDER WATSON
Initials: A W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 04/10/1917
Service No: 40164
Additional information: Son of Peter and Elizabeth McMorrine, of Springholm, Dalbeattie.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 66 to 68.
Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL

Possibly Robert Davidson died 25 September 1915

Name: THOMSON, ALEXANDER MCNAUGHT
Initials: A M
Nationality: Canadian
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
Age: 30
Date of Death: 16/09/1916
Service No: 105537
Additional information: Son of the late James and Jane Thomson, of Springholm, Kirkpatrick Durham Kirkcudbrightshire-brother of Mary Papple, of St. Ninians, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 1.G.14.
Cemetery: LONDON CEMETERY AND EXTENSION, LONGUEVAL

[Stewartry]

I can see why you had trouble finding some of these men - one wrong initial, one double-barrelled surname, two men listed as KOSB but died serving with MGC, and another whose surname was mis-spelt officially, died after discharge and isn't listed on CWGC or SNWM!

Filling in the gaps:

Private John Kerr, please see: http://www.sonsofgalloway.org.uk/5thkosb/stories.html

Sgt T Gallacher: (note initial)
Name: GALLACHER, THOMAS
Initials: T
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Unit Text: 7th Bn.
Date of Death: 26/09/1915
Service No: 12581
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 46 to 49.
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

Son of Peter Gallacher (perhaps a clue to the mix-up with his initial?). Killed in action, age 20.


Private C Gallacher:
The youngest brother of Sgt T Gallacher. Originally, Private, 2159, 1/5th KOSB. Previously, wounded at Gallipoli.


Capt ADY Herries:


Name: YOUNG-HERRIES, ALEXANDER DOBREE
Initials: A D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 23/07/1916
Additional information: Son of Lt. Col. William Dobree Young-Herries (K.O.S.B.) and of the late Bethia Marion Young-Herries, of Spottes, Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. A. 6.
Cemetery: DANTZIG ALLEY BRITISH CEMETERY, MAMETZ


Private J H Miller:
Name: MILLER, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Unit Text: 187th Coy.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 15/12/1916
Service No: 33950
Additional information: Son of William Miller, of Springholm, Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 41.
Memorial: BASRA MEMORIAL

Previously: Private, 1488, 1/5th KOSB


Private W McClune:
Not listed on CWGC or SNWM. MIC mis-spells his surname as McClure:
Private, 1992, William McClure, 1/5th KOSB
Wounded at Gallipoli and discharged in April 1916. Died at home 12th Dec 1918.


Robert Davidson:
Name: DAVIDSON, ROBERT
Initials: R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Welsh Regiment
Unit Text: 9th Bn.
Date of Death: 25/09/1915
Service No: 2618
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 77 and 78.
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

Was working in Argentina at outbreak of war, but returned home and rejoined his old regiment in October 1914. Killed in action, age 36.
_________________
www.sonsofgalloway.org.uk
5th KOSB
Stewartry RoH
ATC Auchencairn book

[dhubthaigh]

Magnificent 'gap-filling' by Stewartry.

[spoons]

Excellent stuff. This memorial must have a higher proportion of errors/problems of any that I have seen. The ones I originally found were not trouble free either, but of course the locals at the time would have known who the men were. I can imagine a few blokes sitting around in the village pub 'doing something about a memorial' that resulted in this one.

\Spoons

[DerekR]

The SDGW has another man listed as having resided there:

Pte James Campbell, no.9299, 1st Bn. KOSB kia Gallipoli, 27/4/15 - one of the campaigns earliest victims.
Born and lived Springholm, enlisted Dumfries.

Sadly, no family details on the CWGC:

Name: CAMPBELL, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Date of Death: 27/04/1915
Service No: 9299
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 84 to 92 or 220 to 222.
Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL


Alexander Stewart was born at Springholm according to the SDGW:

Name: STEWART
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 3rd Bn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 10/09/1916
Service No: 9530
Additional information: Son of Mrs. Jeannie Wilson, of Overlaw, Rerrick, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: D. 27.
Cemetery: EDINBURGH (COMELY BANK) CEMETERY
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

[Stewartry]

Alexander Stewart was actually Alexander Wilson. He was a pre-war regular and enlisted in 1906 under his mother's maiden name, Stewart. He served with the 1st KOSB in Egypt and India.

He was mobilised with his battalion in India and came back to the UK via a brief stay on the Suez Canal defences in November 1914. On 25th April 1915 he landed with the 1st KOSB at Gallipoli and was subsequently wounded. So it looks like he returned to Scotland to hospital and was transferred to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion KOSB while recuperating, but died in September 1916.

He is commemorated on Borgue War Memorial, along with his brother: Sergeant, 169890, Robert Alfred Wilson, 'D' Battery, 190th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action at Ypres, 3rd October 1918.


James Campbell is given the rank of Sergeant and commemorated on Dalbeattie War Memorial. He was also a pre-war regular with the 1st KOSB, enlisting about a year earlier than Alexander Wilson. He died of wounds. I can find no report of his death in the local newspaper.
_________________
www.sonsofgalloway.org.uk
5th KOSB
Stewartry RoH
ATC Auchencairn book

[spoons]

It turns out that the hall itself was dedicated as a war memorial in 1927. That hall had to be replaced in 1995 and the new one (shown above) was built in exactly the same place and rededicated in 1996.

This is the original hall



The memorial plaque was renovated in 2008 by Swan of Kirkcudbright and is now a fine and easily readable memorial. Apologies for the poor quality of this shot, I only had my phone with me and the internal lighting shows it up as rather yellow.



\Paul

[Kenneth Morrison]

Just as an update to one of the posts above, the name of Pt. William McClune was added to the CWGC Debt of Honour on 1 November 2011.

Name: McCLUNE, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 13/12/1918
Service No: 1992
Additional information: Husband of Margaret McClune, of Springholm, Urr, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: UNITED KINGDOM BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

The details of the research are at:
http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=4857
_________________
Ken

[Kenneth Morrison]

CAPTAIN P. A. BLAIR, M.C. R. SCOTS
Patrick Alexander Blair, Military Cross – age 37 – Captain: 1/9th (Highlanders) Battalion, Royal Scots.
Patrick was educated at Sedbergh School in Yorkshire (now Cumbria) and was a student of law at Edinburgh University during 1900 -1. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1904 and became an accountant with Macandrew & Blair, Edinburgh. He was joint editor of The Accountants' Magazine for several years prior to the war. He was a Captain with the 9th Royal Scots Territorials from 1912 and landed with the battalion at Le Havre in February 1915. He was Mentioned in Despatches in 1915 and awarded the M.C. In 1917.
Born 1879 at St. George's, Edinburgh. Son of Alexander Blair (Sheriff of the Lothians) and his wife Fairley (Kerr) Blair.
Killed in Action on 23 April 1917 and buried in Level Crossing Cemetery, Fampoux, France.
Also named on the Urr Parish War Memorial in Haugh of Urr village, on the Sedbergh School Memorial and on the Edinburgh University Roll of the Fallen.


PRIVATE R. L. DAVIDSON, WELCH R.
Robert Lennox Davidson – age 35 – Private (2618) 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment.
Robert had been working in Argentina for about 10 years and, at outbreak of war, he returned home, landing at Liverpool on board the RMS Darro from Buenos Aires in October 1914 to rejoined his old regiment. He landed with his battalion at Boulogne in July 1915.
Born 1880 at Kirkpatrick Durham, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of Jane Davidson.
His sister and next-of-kin, Annie Davidson was living in Springholm, Urr.
Missing in Action on 25 September 1915 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.
Also named on the Urr Parish War Memorial in Haugh of Urr village.
The 9th Welsh deployed to France with 19th Division in July 1915 and received its costly and abortive baptism of fire on 25 September in the Action at Piètre, part of the battle of Loos.
_________________
Ken

[Kenneth Morrison]

Note: CWGC & SNWM spell the following surnames as Gallagher. GRoS & SRoH as Gallacher.

PRIVATE C. GALLACHER K.O.S.B.
Charles McAlpine Gallacher – age 18 – Private (42665) 14th Company, Machine Gun Corps.
Charles was employed at Auchenreoch, Springholm when he enlisted as Private (2159) in the 1/5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 and was wounded there. He was evacuated back to the UK and was transferred to the MGC. Charles was killed while attached to the 1st Dorsetshire Regiment.
Born 1899 at William Street, Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of Peter Gallagher and of Mary McAlpine of Mill Street and of High Street, Dalbeattie.
Killed in Action on 13 July 1917 and buried in Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Also named on the Urr Parish War Memorial in Haugh of Urr village and on the Dalbeattie War Memorial.


and his brother


SERGEANT P. GALLACHER, R.S.FUS.
(Note:The initial letter P is incorrect)
Thomas Gallacher – age 20 – Sergeant (12581) 7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Thomas was employed at Little Milton, Springholm when he enlisted in September 1914. He joined his battalion in France on 5 August 1915.
Born c.1895 at Old Cumnock, Ayrshire. (Source: SNWM but cannot trace on GRoS)
Son of Peter Gallagher of Mill Street and of High Street, Dalbeattie.
At the time of his death Thomas had 3 other brothers serving; Francis in the 2nd KOSB, Peter in the Royal Field Artillery, and Charles in the 1/5th KOSB.
Missing in Action on 26 September 1915 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.
Also named on the Urr Parish War Memorial in Haugh of Urr village and on the Dalbeattie War Memorial.
_________________
Ken

[Kenneth Morrison]

2nd LIEUT. H. M. GUTHRIE, LAN. FUS.
Hector MacLennan Guthrie – age 22 – Lieutenant: 3rd attached to 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers.
Hector was educated at Fordyce Academy and at Aberdeen University graduated M.A. In July 1914.
A sergeant in " U " (University) Company of the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, he proceeded to Bedford for service with the Battalion in August 1914. He applied for and obtained a commission in the Lancashire Fusiliers in October 1914 and in May 1915 he was sent to join the 1st Battalion at Gallipoli. Within a month he was reported missing after an attack on the Turkish trenches.
Born 1892 at Portsoy, Banff. Son of James and Isabella (Murray) Guthrie of Springholm Schoolhouse and of Dowan Place, Stirling. Hector's sister was a teacher at Springholm School.
Missing in Action on 4 June 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the Urr Parish War Memorial in Haugh of Urr village and on the Portsoy War Memorial.
In the landing of 1st Battalion at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, on 25 April 1915, the regiment won the distinction of awards of the Victoria Cross to two Officers and four Other Ranks. This is popularly referred to as the 'Six VC's before breakfast'. The landing beach was always thereafter named 'Lancashire Landing'.


PRIVATE J. KERR, K.O.S.B.
John Kerr – age 21 – Private (1904) 1/5th Battalion (Dumfries and Galloway) King's Own Scottish Borderers.
John was educated at Springholm Public School and afterwards was employed as a hay presser. He enlisted in September 1914 and landed with his battalion at Gallipoli on 6 June 1915.
Born 1894 at Springholm, Urr as David John Kerr Bennett. Son of Jane Bennett. Adopted son of John and Elizabeth Anne (Mason) Kerr of Springholm.
Missing in Action on 12 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the Urr Parish War Memorial in Haugh of Urr village.
_________________
Ken

[Kenneth Morrison]

PRIVATE J. H. MILLER, K.O.S.B.
John Hastings Miller – age 20 – Private (33950) 187th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
John enlisted as Private (1488) in the 1/5th King's Own Scottish Borderers and landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915. He contracted jaundice and was evacuated to hospital in Manchester. When he recovered he was posted to the 187th MGC which went to Mesopotamia in November 1916.
Born 1896 at Thornhill, Morton, Dumfriesshire. Son of William Miller (Grocer) and of Jessie (McGill) Miller of the Post Office, Springholm, Urr.
Died of Wounds on 15 December 1916 and named on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.
Also named on the Urr Parish War Memorial in Haugh of Urr village.


PRIVATE A. H. McCAIG, K.O.S.B.
Archibald Haining McCaig – age 19 – Private (25001) 7th/8th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Archibald was a farm servant at Alleyford, Kirkgunzeon when he enlisted in June 1916.
Born 1897 at Camphill, Kirkgunzeon, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of Robert and Jane (Haining) McCaig of Barr of Spottes, Urr.
Missing in Action on 31 July 1917 and named on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Also named on the Urr Parish War Memorial in Haugh of Urr village.


PRIVATE W. McCLUNE, K.O.S.B.
William's name was entered on the CWGC Debt of Honour Register on 1 November 2011.
William McClune – age 23 – Private (1992) 1/5th Battalion (Dumfries and Galloway) King's Own Scottish Borderers.
William was employed as a byreman at Gerrieston Farm, Dunscore, Dumfriesshire when he enlisted in October 1914. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but was wounded in October and evacuated to Milton Hospital in Portsmouth and then to Gatcombe House on the Isle of Wight where he contracted pleurisy. While being treated he was found to have tuberculosis and was discharged from the army and awarded a Silver War Badge (144880) in April 1916. He died at home in Springholm.
Born 1895 at Urr. Son of Agnes Jane McClune, later Mrs Kirk. Husband of Margaret (McClure) McClune who he married on 27 April 1918 at Springholm, Urr.
Died on 12 December 1918 and buried in Urr Parish Churchyard.
(Source: Funeral Notice D&G Standard 14/12/1918 page 1b and 21/12/1918 page 5a - but burial place remains unidentified)
Also named on the Urr Parish War Memorial in Haugh of Urr village.
_________________
Ken

[Kenneth Morrison]

PRIVATE A. W. McMORRINE, K.O.S.B.
Alexander Watson McMorrine – age 21 – Private (40164) 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Alexander was employed by the Gordon family at Dunjop, Bridge of Dee when he enlisted in the 5th KOSB in August 1914. He was posted to the 7th/8th KOSB in 1916 but was invalided home with dysentery in January 1917. He returned to France in June but was reported missing at Chateau Wood on Passchendaele Ridge.
Born 1896 at Urr. Son of Peter and Elizabeth (Caldow) McMorrine of Springholm, Urr.
Missing in Action on 4 October 1917 and named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Also named on the Urr Parish War Memorial in Haugh of Urr village.


PRIVATE A. M. THOMSON, CANADIANS
Alexander McNaught Thomson – age 30 – Private (105537) Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
Alexander was farming at Francis, Saskatchewan when he enlisted in the 68th Battalion, Canadian Infantry at Regina in December 1915. He transferred to the PPCLI in France in June 1916. He was wounded at Coucelette and died on the following day.
Born 1886 at Kilontrie Farm, Crossmichael, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of James and Jane (Walker) Thomson of Kilontrie Farm and then of Springholm, Urr.
Killed in Action on 16 September 1916 and buried in London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval, France.
Also named on the Urr Parish War Memorial in Haugh of Urr village.
In the attack at Courcelette on the 15/16 September, the battalion took its objectives but suffered just under 300 casualties.


CAPTAIN A. D. Y. HERRIES K.O.S.B.
Alexander Dobree Young-Herries – age 24 – Captain: 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Alexander was educated at Eton College and Cambridge University. He was commissioned in the KOSB in December 1913 and joined the 2nd KOSB in France in September 1914. He served at Aisne, Bassee, Messines, Ypres, Neuve Eglise, Hill 60, St.Eloi, Carnoy, Armentieres, Arras and at the Somme where he was killed near High Wood, Longueval.
Born 1892 at Urr. Son of Lieutenant Colonel William Dobree Young-Herries (KOSB) and of the late Bethia Marion (Fayrer) Young-Herries of Spottes Hall, Urr.
Killed in Action on 23 July 1916 and buried in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz, France.
Also named on the Urr Parish War Memorial in Haugh of Urr village and on memorials in Urr Parish Church and in St. Ninian's Episcopal Church in Castle Douglas.
_________________
Ken