The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

David McNay · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:15 pm Post subject: Strathaven, South Lanarkshire

Strathaven memorial is on the top of the hill the cemetery is situated on. The day I went was quite windy, and being at the top of this rather steep hill meant I was incredibly cold.

DSCN9369 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

DSCN9370 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

DSCN9371 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

First World War names at the top, Second World War at the bottom:

DSCN9372 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

DSCN9373 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

DSCN9374 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

David McNay · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:18 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure where I got the following information from:

The memorial stands on the top of Kirkhill in the town's Old Grave Yard. The land was purchased for £50 in 1920 and the memorial was officially unveiled on Saturday 3rd June 1922.

The unveiling ceremony included a parade led by the band of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers. The Cameronians, based in Hamilton, provided the Guard of Honour and Buglers. Ministers represented four of the local churches and the address was given by Lieut-Gen Sir Frances J. Davies, K.C.B., KCMG KCVO ADC, C-in-C of the Forces in Scotland.

jamiemcginlay · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 930 Location: Glasgow

The monument was erected by monumental sculptors Messrs. Scott Rae of Glasgow, the daybook entry reads:
'Order no. 5021, Strathaven, Grey obelisk, Erected March 1922, Daybook 419'.

WWI ROLL OF HONOUR:
Anderson William Royal Scots Kirk Street
Barrie Claude Royal Field Artillery Ballgreen
Brown David S. Highland Light Infantry Beechwood
Brown Robert R. Royal Engineers Overton Road
Brown William Cameronians Waterside Street
Brownlie Adam Cameronians Ballgreen
Brownlie James Highland Light Infantry North Street
Brownlie Joseph Cameron Highlanders Ballgreen
Brownlie William Highland Light Infantry Bridge Street
Cameron Donald Royal Flying Corp Wellbrae Park House
Campbell Finlay C. Canadians Annfield
Campbell Hugh Royal Scots Castle Street
Carruthers James Cameronians Townhead Street
Cochrane James Royal Engineers Meadowfoot
Cossar William Cameron Highlanders Barn Street
Craig Frank Royal Field Artillery Town Mile
Crozier James Highland Light Infantry Overton Road
Cullen Robert W. Glasgow Yeomanry Ballgreen
Cunningham Robert Cameronians Thomson Street
Davidson Donald Seaforth Highlanders Dunavon Lodge
Dawson William Cameronians Sandknowe
Dickson Adam Royal Army Service Corps Vicarland Place
Donald William Highland Light Infantry Braehead
Dykes Samuel Canadians Barn Street
Fleming John Highland Light Infantry Ballgreen
Fleming Robert South African Scottish Hamilton Road
Fleming William Royal Army Service Corps Meadowbank
Gebbie James F.R. South Lancashires Netherfield
Giffen James Cameron Highlanders Thomson Street
Gilchrist William Canadians Gallowhill
Gilmour John Gordon Highlanders Waterside Street
Gilmour William Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders Thomson Street
Grady John Royal Scots North Street
Grady Patrick Royal Engineers North Street
Graham David D. Highland Light Infantry Kirk Street
Hamilton Andrew Royal Field Artillery Buckshead Hotel
Hamilton Gavin Cameronians North Street
Hamilton Hugh New Zealanders Quarryhill
Hamilton James Royal Marine Light Infantry Windyedge
Hamilton William W. Royal Fusiliers Laigh Netherfield
Horan Thomas Royal Flying Corp Strait Close
Howitt William Seaforth Highlanders Townhead Street
Howitt William B. Seaforth Highlanders Chapel Road
Irvine Hugh Highland Light Infantry Green Street
Kirkland Jack Cameronians Barn Street
Kirkland James I. Machine Gun Corps Ladeside
Knowles James Cameronians Hallbyres
Knowles Thomas Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders Hallbyres
Kyle Alston A. Royal Engineers Cross
Leadbetter Alan E.G. Royal Horse Artillery Stobieside
Lindsay John Highland Light Infantry Chapel Road
Lister Samuel Highland Light Infantry Dunlop Street
Lusk James Cameronians Dunavon
Lyon Francis A. Australians Wallacebank
MacArthur Gilbert Cameron Highlanders Castle Street
Mackay William A. Royal Fusiliers Ballgreen
Martin Gavin South African Scottish Wallacebank
Martin William New Zealanders West Dykes
Mason John Cameronians Bridge Street
Mathers Richard Royal Highlanders Castle Street
McCallum Alexander Cameronians Strait Close
McCallum Peter Royal Scots Kirk Street
McKay James Highland Light Infantry Waterside Street
McLaughlin John South African Scottish Overwood Place
McMath John Royal Highlanders Westlinbank
McMillan Archibald Highland Light Infantry Collisdene
McRorie J.A. Rankin Cameron Highlanders West Manse
Mitchell William Cameron Highlanders Hookhead
Moran James Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders Green Street
Morton Alexander A. South African Scottish Commongreen
Morton James M. South African Scottish Commongreen
Muldoon Andrew Cameron Highlanders Priestgill
Murphy James Lanarkshire Yeomanry Hamilton Road
Owens William Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders Bridge Street
Park John Royal Garrison Artillery Springknowe
Paterson Robert Royal Field Artillery Kirk Street
Proctor James Royal Engineers Lethame Road
Riddell Robert New Zealanders Ballgreen
Robertson Henry Canadians North Street
Roy Graham F. Royal Highlanders Ballgreen
Russell John L. Highland Light Infantry Ryland
Scott Claude B. Royal Scots Thomson Street
Scott James Cameronians Thomson Street
Scott John Cameronians Commercial Road
Semple William Australians Lethame Road
Semple William C. Cameronians Commercial Road
Stewart William Cameronians North Street
Strang Gavin Royal Highlanders Hall of Carnduff
Struthers Andrew New Zealanders Cloverhill
Taylor Alexander W. Highland Light Infantry Waterside Street
Watson Alexander Royal Scots Ballgreen
Watson Robert Cameron Highlanders Commercial Road
Watt Alexander Cameron Highlanders Townhead Street
Watt William Lancashire Fusiliers Greenwoodbank
Wilson John B. Cameronians Mainsacre
Wiseman Claude B. Canadians Kirk Street
Wiseman James Highland Light Infantry Kirk Street
Wiseman John Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders Kirk Street
Young Andrew T. Cameron Highlanders Meadowpark
Young Daniel South Staffords Kirk Street
Young George Highland Light Infantry Commercial Road
Young George McCallum Cameron Highlanders Newton

WWII ROLL OF HONOUR:
Aiton Archibald Royal Navy Meadowbank
Alexander Robert John Royal Air Force Wireless Operator
Allan James Royal Air Force Sergeant A/C
Allan William Royal Scots Fusiliers Sergeant Distinguished Cross Medal
Anderson James C. Royal Army Service Corps Park Crescent
Andrews Albert Royal Air Force Sergeant
Bain Archibald Highland Light Infantry Park Crescent
Ballantyne Charles Royla Highlanders Castle Street
Barbour Andrew Durham Light Infantry Private
Barclay James Royal Armoured Corp Captain Military Cross
Black Joseph Royal Air Force North Street
Black William G. Cameronians Bloomshill
Cavanagh David P. Royal Artillery Loudon Street
Chalmers Robert Merchant Navy
Couperthwaite J. Miller Royal Navy Townhead Street
Crawford Robert Royal Army Service Corps Waterside Street
Davidson William C. Royal Artillery Station Road
Dunlop James Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers Driver
Dunn James K. Scots Guards Guardsman
Evans David Royal Air Force Dungavel
Ferguson Angus Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Sergeant Military Medal
Frew Robert A.F. Royal Air Force Ellenbank
Gray John Royal Artillery Todshill Street
Hamilton Henry Cameronians Reed Street
Hamilton Lord David Douglas Royal Air Force Dungavel
Hears John Royal Air Force L.A.C.
Hendry Charles N. West African Forces Dungavee
Kerr Samuel Merchant Navy
Lindsay George Royal Air Force Sandknowe
McDowall James Royal Air Force Kype View
McGavin George Royal Air Force Sergeant
McGrand Harper Royal Scots Fusiliers Corporal
McLeavy James McK. Royal Air Force Park Crescent
Mills Horace Royal Scots Fusiliers Fusilier
Morton Robert S. Royal Air Force Wireless Operator
Morton Thomas Royal Air Force Sergeant
Muir Robert Royal Engineers Glassford Road
Napier Jackson Merchant Navy Lethame
Nelson James Royal Navy Stoker
Nicolson Don Royal Air Force Wireless Operator
Park John M. Royal Army Service Corps Meadowpark
Paterson Thomas Royal Artillery Kirk Street
Porter William Scots Guards Guardsman
Quinn Joseph Royal Artillery Reed Street
Redmond William Royal Field Artillery Bombadier
Sim Alan B. Fleet Air Arm L.A. Leading Aircraftsman?
Sim Robert Royal Air Force Sergeant Pilot
Sinclair John Royal Navy Park Crescent
Summers William Royal Air Force Glasgow Road
Telfer William J. Scots Guards Cainerhill
Thomson Alexander Royal Scots Fusiliers Fusilier
Thomson George Royal Scots Fusiliers Fusilier
Wardrope John M. Lothian & Border Yeomanry Hamilton Road
Watt James T. Royal Corp of Signals Castle Street
Watt John R. Royal Armoured Corp Kirkland Park Avenue
Wilson Daniel London Scottish Lesmahagow Road
Wilson John Royal Air Force Brook Street

hillgorilla · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 6

Have been researching the men on this memorial for a number of years now, and any information would be gratefully appreciated. I already have the majority of their burial places. My Great Great Uncle is John Gilmour, who served with the Gordon Highlanders. There is another war memorial in Strathaven, next to one of the churches.

spoons · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:19 pm Post subject:

From 'lost bombers' website (see links section) - entry for Robert Frew

Halifax V9979 Information
Type Halifax
Serial Number V9979
Squadron 35
X1D TL-E
Operation Brest
Date 1 30th December 1941
Date 2 30th December 1941

Further Information
Serial Range V9976 - V9994. 19 HP59 Halifax Mk.11. Delivered by English Electric Co.Ltd. (Salmesbury & Preston) between 21Sep41 and 28Dec41. Airborne 1125 from Linton-on-Ouse. Shot down by Flak and crashed in the target area. All are buried locally in Kerfautras Cemetery. S/L S.A.Middleton DFC KIA P/O R.A.F.Frew KIA Sgt A.S.Greenwood KIA P/O L.J.P.Foster KIA Sgt P.C.G.Maflin KIA Sgt J.A.Orton KIA Sgt M.G.Kipling KIA

DelBoy · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 3:03 am Post subject: Pte. John Mason

DelBoy · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 3:33 pm Post subject: Lt. James Francis Roy Gebbie

kilwincameronian · Joined: 26 Oct 2013 Posts: 30

William Mitchell son of John and Mary, Hookhead Cottage.
5th Lochiels Camerons, S11410, enlisted 2nd September 1914 in Motherwell.
Blacksmith to trade he was working in one of the steelworks whose name I forget and lodged with his former journeyman blacksmith from Caldermill smiddy.
The family story is that whilst in France the smiths attached to the regiment struggled with certain shoes on the transport, Willie fixed the problem for them.
Upon this discovery he was offered a transfer to Farrier service but wanted to go with his mates to the front, we all know what happened at Loos!
His medals and picture are proudly displayed here at home.

apanderson · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 6:17 pm Post subject:

Glasgow Herald, 25th April 1917 'Deaths on Service'

ROSS - Killed in action on 7th February, Sergeant Gavin Ross, Australian Imperial Forces, third son of Andrew Ross, Somerville, Victoria, late of Auchengillan, Strathblane.

CWGC:
ROSS, Gavin
Sergeant
Australian Infantry, A.I.F., 59th Bn.
No. 2766
Date of Death: 7th February 1917
Age: 24
Buried: A.I.F. Burial Ground, Flers, I.F.8
Additional Information: Son of Andrew and Marion Ross, Somerville, Victoria, Australia. Native of Avondale, Lanarkshire.

SNWM:
ROSS, Gavin
Sergeant
Australian Expeditionary Force, 59th Bn
No. 2766
Place of Birth/Death: unknown

Australian Records list:
Gavin Ross, No. 2766, born Strathaven, enlisted Melbourne, Victoria, next of kin (father) Andrew Ross.

1901 Census Transcription lists:
Living at Auchengillan, Starthblane
Gavin Ross, age 8, Scholar, born Strathaven with Father Andrew (Farmer, age 33) and Mother Marion (age 35)

Does not appear on Strathaven Memorial (or Strathblane).

anne park · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 6:52 pm Post subject: John Gilmour Sjt GH

John Gilmour Serjeant S/10384 3rd Bn. Gordon Highlanders Age 30 Died Lanarkshire, United Kingdom 17/02/1919 Son of Mr. Gilmour, of 48, Waterside St., Strathaven, Lanarkshire. Memorial has Waterside St; Soldiers Effects: Samuel. Says died 1st Gen Hosp. Aberdeen. BAILLIESTON (ST. ANDREW) CHURCHYARD North backbreadth. 394. Strathaven, South Lanarkshire
_________________
Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

apanderson · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 8:00 pm Post subject:

John Gilmour, Baillieston Churchyard, see:
http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/viewtopic.php?t=24&highlight=baillieston&mforum=scottishwargraves

anne park · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2016 7:13 am Post subject: William Gilmour CH on memorial

William Gilmour L/Cpl S/41469 7th Gordon Highlanders b Stonehouse, Lanark 28/05/1898 e Hamilton Age 20 Killed in Action F&F 30/07/1918 Son of Gavin and Margaret (nee Brown) Gilmour, of 22, Green St., Lanarkshire. Born at Stonehouse. Soldiers Effects: Fa: Gavin. Marfaux British Cemetery Fr 0622 Plot VIII Row B Grave 02 The Scotsman 03-09-18 P6: Strathaven
_________________
Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

anne park · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2016 9:17 am Post subject: John Gilmour on memorial...GH

William Gilmour L/Cpl S/41469 7th Gordon Highlanders b Stonehouse,Lanark e Hamilton Age 20 Killed in Action F&F 30/07/1918 Son of Gavin and Margaret Gilmour, of 22, Green St., Lanarkshire. Born at Stonehouse. Soldiers Effects: Fa: Gavin. Marfaux British Cemetery Fr 0622 Plot VIII Row B Grave 02 The Scotsman 03-09-18 P6: Strathaven
_________________
Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2016 1:27 pm Post subject:

Sunday Post 28 April 1918

CAMBUSLANG FAMILY'S SACRIFICE
Three sons killed in action
The war has imposed a heavy sacrifice upon Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Wiseman, a well-known Cambuslang couple, who have just been officially notified that their third and last son has been killed in action. Lewis Gunner John Wiseman, the youngest of the lion-hearted brothers who joined up early in the war, made the supreme sacrifice in his 20th year. In civilian life he was a chemist in the laboratory of James Dunlop & Co. Ltd., at Clyde Works, Tollcross.
Sergt. Claude Wiseman, aged twenty-nine, joined up in Canada and was killed at Vimy Ridge.
Pte. James Wiseman, who joined the H.L.I. in the first year of the war, lost his life at Cambrai.

WISEMAN, J [James]
Rank: Private
Service No: 979
Date of Death: 24/01/1918
Age: 30
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry 2nd Bn.
Grave Reference:II. G 30.
Cemetery: METZ-EN-COUTURE COMMUNAL CEMETERY BRITISH EXTENSION
Additional Information: Son of Archibald and Marion Wiseman, of Strathaven; husband of Sarah Fleming Wiseman, of 179, Hamilton Rd., Rutherglen, Glasgow.

WISEMAN, JOHN
Rank: Private
Service No: S/22683
Date of Death: 24/03/1918
Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 1st/8th Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 77 and 78.
Memorial: POZIERES MEMORIAL

WISEMAN, C [Claude]
Rank: Sergeant
Service No: 53406
Date of Death: 09/04/1917
Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry 18th Bn.
Panel Reference:
Memorial: VIMY MEMORIAL

James and John were named on the panels of the Cambuslang Memorial (now lost) http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=425&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=wiseman&start=0
_________________
Ken

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:12 am Post subject:

Thanks to Mike Morley for this one.

ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY
ALAN E.G. LEADBETTER, STOBIESIDE.

Named on the Denholm Parish War Memorial in Roxburghshire as:

ALAN EDMONSTOUNE GREENSHIELDS LEADBETTER MAJOR R.H.A.

Alan Edmonstoune Greenshields Leadbetter – age 21 – Major, "L" Battery. 15th Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery.
Alan was educated at Ardvreck School in Crieff, Perthshire and at Rugby School in Warwickshire, and was commissioned from the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich in February 1915. He landed with the 92nd Battery of the 17th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery at Gallipoli in April 1915. He was made Adjutant to the brigade and was promoted to Lieutenant in December. He then served in Egypt before moving with the 29th Division to France in March 1916. He was wounded in at Longueval in November and evacuated home for some months before returning to France where he was promoted to Captain in May 1917 and to Major in July but he was killed a month later.
Both the 15th Brigade of the RHA and the 17th Brigade of the RFA were part of the 29th Division.

Born 1896 at Edmonston, Biggar, Lanarkshire as Alan Edmonstoun Leadbetter. The birth was also registered at St, George, Edinburgh where his father was domiciled at 2 Magdala Place. Son of Thomas Greenshields Leadbetter, architect, and of Mary Anne (Usher) Leadbetter of Spital Tower, Denholm.
Killed in Action on 4 August 1917 and buried in Canada Farm Cemetery, Belgium.
Also named on a stained-glass window in Bedrule Parish Church, on the Avondale War Memorial in Strathaven, Lanarkshire, on the Drumclog Memorial Kirk memorial in Lanarkshire and on the Ardvreck and Rugby school memorials.

From an article in The Herald 22 March1995.

Stobieside House is within 23 miles of Glasgow by road. It is 6 miles from Strathaven Station (C. Rwy) and 5 miles from Darvel (G. and S.W. Rwy). The house is modern and convenient and overlooks the Field of Drumclog and its Monument. It has Central Heating, Acetylene Gas, and an ample supply of Water by gravitation. There are 3 large Public Rooms, Gunroom, 9 Bedrooms, Servants' Hall and excellent Accommodation for 6 servants...

THE above is an extract from an advertisement placed in the Property for Sale columns of The Glasgow Herald on Wednesday, February 11, 1920, by the Strathaven firm of solicitors and estate agents, Gebbie & Wilson. The house at that time was part of a small sporting estate owned by the Leadbetter family extending to '980 Imperial Acres or thereby', and including five farms and three cottages.
_________________
Ken