The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

[David McNay]

DSCN9261 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

DSCN9268 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

First World War names:

DSCN9262 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

DSCN9263 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

20140406_193350 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr
DSCN9266 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

Second World War names:

DSCN9264 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

DSCN9267 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

[Adam Brown]

Very similar to the Morningside & Chapel District War Memorial

Adam

[DelBoy]

Dalserf Memorial at Rorison Memorial Church.

[DelBoy]

(Glasgow Herald 10th of November 1919)
"DALSERF WAS MEMORIAL

The Dalserf war memorial, erected at the Roriston Memorial Church, Ashgill, was unveiled on Saturday afternoon by Lord Newlands, Lord Lieutenant of the county, in presence of a very large gathering of spectators, A contingent of about 30 soldiers and, sailors belonging to the district was present uner the command of Lieutenant J.C. Hamilton, R.F.A. Colonel Robert King Stewart, convener of the county, thanked Lord Newlands in the name of the committee for his presense and services that afternoon."

Cheers,
Derek.

[David McNay]

Some more recent photos.

20140406_193258 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

20140406_193232 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

20140406_193151 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

[anne park]

Thomas Bell Sgt S/12563 8th/10th Gordon Highlanders b Kilmaurs, Ayrshire e Hamilton Age 33 Died of Wounds F&F 14/10/1917 Son of George and Maud Bell. Husband of Catherine Graham Bell, of 8, Low Shawsburn, Larkhall, Lanarkshire. Husband of Catherine Graham. Soldiers Will 4 pages. Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun Fr 0113 Plot V Row C Grave 15 Hamilton Advertiser 27-10-17 Page 1 Dalserf & Kilmaurs
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

[anne park]

John Hogg Pte S/43796 6th Gordon Highlanders b Dalserf, Lanarkshire e Hamilton Age 22 Killed in Action F&F 21/03/1918 Son of the late John and Margaret Hogg. Soldiers Effects: Fa: John. Arras Memorial M. R. 20 Panel 8 & 9
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

[anne park]

Thomas Scobbie Pte S/41358 9th Gordon Highlanders e Hamilton Age 27 Killed in Action F&F 22/08/1917 Son of Mr & Mrs Scobbie, Ashgill, Dalserf. Late A & S High. Tyne Cot Memorial M. R. 30 Panel 135 to 136 Hamilton Advertiser 24-08-18 Page 1
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

[anne park]

Samuel Stewart Sgt S/2230 8th Gordon Highlanders b Dalserf, Lanarkshire e Larkhall Killed in Action F&F 25/09/1915 (Battle of Loos). Soldiers Effects: Aunt Mrs Margaret S Dewar. Loos Memorial M. R. 19 Panel 115 to 119
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

[Tom Lang]

[Note: The Birth, Death, Marriage and Census records show the surname BICKERSTAFF has been spelled BIGGERSTAFF by different Registrars and Census Enumerators. This has made it difficult to trace family members. WILLIAM's military records have the surname spelled BICKERSTAFF, although his birth record shows BIGGERSTAFF. I have used the spelling shown on the individual records I found, but in 'army-speak' he is forever known as BICKERSTAFF.]

WILLIAM BICKERSTAFF, Corporal 42354 Machine Gun Corps (Infantry),
WILLIAM formerly served as Corporal 3046, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).

WILLIAM WILSON HAMILTON BIGGERSTAFF was born at 12 Cawtonhill Street, Pollockshaws, Eastwood, Renfrew, on 9 February, 1895.
His parents were James Biggerstaff, a Coal Miner, and Martha Hamilton who were married at Turnberry, Nitshill, Renfrewshire on 15th August, 1884.
His paternal grandparents were David Bickerstaff, a Quarry Labourer, and Isabella Chalmers.
His maternal grandparents were William Hamilton, a Coal Pit Foreman, and Mary McDade.

The 1891 QUARTER, Parish of Hamilton, Census was taken on 5 April, 1891.
The family are listed at 5 Furnace Rows, Quarter, as follows:
James Biggarstaff, age 33, Head, Coal Miner, b Nitshill
Martha Biggarstaff, age 27, Wife, b Dalserf
Agnes Prestwell, age 7, Niece, Scholar, b East Kilbride.

On 7 January, 1896, James Biggerstaff, age 36, died at Birkenshaw, Larkhall.

At Birkenshaw, Larkhall, on 6 October, 1899, Martha Hamilton or Biggerstaff, age 36, a widow, of Birkenshaw, Larkhall, married Adam Park, age 40, a Coal Miner, of Shawsburn.

The 1901 SHAWSBURN Census was taken on 31 March, 1901.
The family are listed at Parker Place, Shawsburn, as follows:
Adam Park, age 42, Head, Coal Miner, b Wishaw
Martha Park, age 34, Wife, b Dalserf
Agnes Bickerstaff, age 16, Daughter, b East Kilbride
David Bickerstaff, age 9, Son, Scholar, b Quarter
WILLIAM BICKERSTAFF, age 6, Son, Scholar, b Pollockshaws, Renfrew.
William Park, age 35, Brother, Brickwork Labourer, b Wishaw.

The 1911 LARKHALL Census was taken on 2 April, 1911.
The family are listed at Fontein Cottage, Birkenshaw, Larkhall, as follows:
Adam Park, age 51, Head, Coal Miner, b Cambusnethan
Martha Park, age 47, Wife, b Dalserf
David Bickerstaff, age 19, Step-Son, Coal Miner, b Quarter
WILLIAM W. H. BICKERSTAFF, age 16, Step-Son, Brickmaker, b Eastwood, Renfrew.

(CWGC)
Name: BICKERSTAFF, WILLIAM
Rank: Corporal
Service No: 42354
Date of Death: 13/4/1918
Age: 23
Regiment/Service: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
33rd Coy.
Panel Reference: Panel 11
Memorial: PLOEGSTERT MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Son of Mrs Martha Park, of Fontein
Cottage, Birkenshaw, Larkhall, Lanarkshire.

(SNWM)
Era: WW1
Surname: BICKERSTAFF
Forename: William
Rank: Cpl
Service number: 42354
Place of birth: Pollockshaws, Glasgow
Date of death: 13 April, 1918
Theatre of death: F&F
Cause of death: Killed in action
SNWM roll: MACHINE GUN CORPS
Unit name: MACHINE GUN CORPS INFANTRY
Other detail: formerly 3046, Scottish Rifles.

Lest We Forget!
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.

[Kenneth Morrison]

Well found Tom
_________________
Ken

[Tom Lang]

ALEXANDER BROWN was born at Ashgillhead, Parish of Dalserf, on 15 August, 1892.
His parents were Peter Brown, a Coal Pit Labourer, and Helen Brown who were married at Ashgillhead on 26 June, 1891.
His paternal grandparents were Alexander Brown, a Coal Miner, and Janet Wyper.
His maternal grandparents were Hugh Brown, a Coal Miner, and Janet Huskie.

The 1901 ASHGILLHEAD Census was taken on 31 March, 1901.
The family are listed at Ashgillhead Village, as follows:
Peter Brown, age 30, Head, Coal Miner, b Crossford
Hellen Brown, age 27, Wife, b Dalserf
ALEXANDER BROWN, age 8, Son, Scholar, b Dalserf
Hugh Brown, age 6, Son, Scholar, b Dalserf
John Brown, age 2, Son, b Dalserf
Janet Brown, age 6 months, Daughter, b Dalserf.

The 1911 DALSERF Census was taken on 2 April, 1911.
The family are listed at 1 Cathkin Terrace, Netherburn, as follows:
Peter Brown, age 40, Head, Coal Miner, b Lesmahagow (Parish)
Ellen Brown, age 37, Wife, b Dalserf
ALEXANDER BROWN, age 18, Son, Coal Miner, b Dalserf
Hugh Brown, age 16, Son, Coal Miner, b Dalserf
John Brown, age 12, Son, Scholar, b Dalserf
Janet Brown, age 10, Daughter, Scholar, b Dalserf
Ellen Brown, age 3, Daughter, b Dalserf
Peter Brown, age 1, Son, b Dalserf.

The entry in Soldiers Died in the Great War (SDGW) shows that ALEXANDER BROWN enlisted in Larkhall.

The Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for ALEXANDER BROWN shows that he was awarded the 1914-15 Star Medal, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. He entered France on 8 July, 1915.

The "Soldier's Effects" record shows that his father Peter received his Outstanding Pay of £2/10/7 and a War Gratuity of £3/-/-.

A family headstone in Larkhall Cemetery reads:
"Erected
by
PETER BROWN
In Loving Memory of
His Wife
HELEN BROWN
who died 10th April, 1944
aged 70 years
Also their son
L/Cpl ALEXANDER BROWN
7th Batt. Cameron Highlanders
Killed in Action at Loos
25th Sept 1915, aged 23 years.
Also the above
PETER BROWN
who died 29th May 1947
aged 76 years
Also their son
JOHN BROWN
who died 8th March 1955
aged 66 years".

(CWGC)
Name: BROWN, ALEXANDER
Rank: Lance Corporal
Service No: S/14114
Date of Death: 25/09/1915
Age: 23
Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders
"B" Coy. 7th Bn
Panel Reference: Panel 119 to 124
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Son of Mr and Mrs Peter Brown, of 1, Cathkin Terrace, Netherburn, Lanarkshire.

(SNWM)
Era: WW1
Surname: BROWN
Forename: Alexander
Rank: L Cpl
Service number: S/14114
Place of birth: Dalserf Lanarkshire
Date of death: 25 September, 1915
Theatre of death: F&F
Cause of death: Killed in action
SNWM roll: THE QUEEN'S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS
Unit name: In or attached to THE QUEEN'S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS
Other detail: 7th Bn.

Lest We Forget!
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.

[Mike Morley]

Name: SIM, JAMES ROBERTSON GAULD
Initials: JRG
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots, 3rd Bn
Date of Death: 5/6/1917
Age: 19
Additional Information: Son of William Sim and Isabella Garden Gauld Sim, of Whinknowe, Dalserf, Ashgill, Lanarkshire.
Grave Reference: IV H 8
Cemetery: Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras.

and his brother:

Name: SIM, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 6th Bn attd 6th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
Date of Death: 13/11/1916
Age: 32
Additional Information: Son of Isabella Garden Sim, of Whinknowe, Dalserf, Lanarkshire and the late William Sim.
Panel Reference: Pier and Face 4D
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial.

Both are also named on Hamilton Grammar School Memorial and the University of Glasgow Memorial Chapel.

[Tom Lang]

[Mike Morley]

Thanks Tom, that's all very thorough. If it's OK with you I'll post the link on the Hamilton Grammar School thread, too, to direct folk to your research.