The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

jrah60 · Last edited by jrah60 on Thu Dec 06, 2018 2:27 pm; edited 6 times in total

I am researching all the names on the Glasgow Police 1914-1918 War Memorial and I have come across what I think is a non-comm.
Robert Morlan - Old Luce, Wigtonshire, DOB 21/08/1892, joined Police aged 20, ht. 5' 10", enlisted in the army on 21/09/1914, died 07/01/1916.
Robert Morlan's death at the age of 23 was registered in Penninghame, Wigtownshire in 1916. Death Cert. states he died of Tuberculosis of the Lungs and Peritoreum
At this point I do not know where he is buried.
He's listed on the Kirkcowan WM which has been researched - http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Wigtownshire/Kirkcowan.html but there's no info about him. (Kirkcowan and Penninghame Parishes are next to each other).
The National Archives index shows a MIC for Robert Morlan, Pte 11177 Scots Guards
The MIC shows "discharged" but whether due to wounds or illness??
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=4318702&queryType=1&resultcount=1
however I cannot find a death with that name or that number on SNWM or CWGC.
I do not have a copy of his service record or discharge record.
I have passed all the info on to Jim.

John

apanderson · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:29 pm Post subject:

I've sent you a PM about this man.

Anne Wink

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

There is a case to be made for this man. His record confirms the death and that he is the same soldier. Am checking further.

We now need to locate his grave
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

Kenneth Morrison

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

Thanks Ken. Mail on any records / obits you come upon.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

11177 Pte. Robert Morlan, 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards has been forwarded as a case, on John's behalf, to CWGC / MOD as a non comm post discharge death due to service related causes ( Pulmonary Tuberculosis ). His details are now in the system.

I am still seeking his place of burial.
Will update when further details available.

Well done John in finding him.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

Thanks to Ken, we have now established Pte Morlan is buried at Glenluce in a family lair, with headstone.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

The name of Pte. Robert Morlan was added to the CWGC Debt of Honour register today.

Name: MORLAN, ROBERT
Initials: R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Scots Guards
Unit Text: 3rd Bn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 07/01/1916
Service No: 11177
Additional information: Son of Robert and Margaret Morlan, of Glasnick Crossing, Kirkcowan, Wigtownshire
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Addenda Panel
Memorial: BROOKWOOD (UNITED KINGDOM 1914-1918) MEMORIAL

MISSING NO MORE

CWGC are aware of the grave location.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

jrah60 · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:38 pm Post subject:

Excellent News.
Many thanks to you for all your efforts.
Also thanks to Anne Anderson for locating the pension records.
To Ken Morrison and Marion Matthews of Dumfries Local History Group for locating the burial lair.
A great team effort!
John.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 3:19 pm Post subject:

Pleased to see that this man's details have been updated to include his burial place.

MORLAN, ROBERT
Rank:Private
Service No:11177
Date of Death:07/01/1916
Age:23
Regiment/Service:Scots Guards
3rd Bn.
Grave Reference237
CemeteryGLENLUCE (OR OLD LUCE) CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Robert and Margaret Morlan of Glasnick Crossing, Kirkcowan, Wigtownshire.
_________________
Ken

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

Ken
This is because it has been inspected by CWGC, the details I supplied have been confirmed and arrangments made with the the local authority regarding a war grave.
Sadly the headstone is laid flat, but perfectly legible.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:41 pm Post subject:

Jim - guessed that's what had happened but pleased to see that your efforts (and John's and Marion's of D&G FHS and mine) have come to such a good outcome. I was a bit worried that the family's name variations would cause a problem.
p.s. Does that last sentence mean you have a photo of the gravestone?
_________________
Ken

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

Ken

Here is the headstone, quite clearly Morland.

_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 10:35 am Post subject:

Just to explain my concern about the family name. Robert (of the Scots Guards) was recorded just about everywhere as MORLAN. However newspaper reports of his death also use MORLAND and he is listed on the Kirkcowan WM as Morlan but on the (next door) Penninghame WM as Morland.
His father (also Robert) at various stages is recorded as MORLAN and, as on the gravestone, as McMORLAND.
It was only by tracking the family through from the 1880's that we were sure that this was the same man.
_________________
Ken