The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2021 2:50 pm Post subject:

CHARLES N. DUNN
Charles Nelson Dunn – age 29 – Private (200266) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
In 1911 Charles was living at Ayton Law with his family and was employed as a surface-man by the North British Railway Company. He was also a member of the Territorial 4th KOSB and he was mobilised in August 1914. As Private (4420) he landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 and later served in Egypt and in Palestine where he was killed at Gaza.
Born 1888 in Coldingham, Berwickshire. Son of the late Elizabeth Lauder (Nelson) Dunn (died 1915) of Northfield, St. Abbs, Coldingham and of John Dunn of Northfield and of Ayton Law.
Killed in Action on 19 April 1917 and buried in Gaza War Cemetery, Palestine.
Also named on the North British Railway Company memorial in Waverley Station in Edinburgh.

JAMES EDGAR
James Edgar – age 25 – Private (241597) 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
In 1911 James was a ploughman living with his family at Lowhoughs Farm near Berwick-on-Tweed and he was still with them at Redhall Farm in Ayton when he enlisted in June 1915. He joined his battalion in Egypt as Private (5302) and served in Palestine where he was fatally wounded and died in the 1st Dressing Station.
Born 1892 in Berwick-on-Tweed as James Virtue Coulter. Son of Andrew Ogle Edgar and Margaret Ann (Coulter) Edgar of Redhall, Ayton. (They married in 1893 in Berwick)
Died of Wounds on 24 November 1917 and buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.

and his brother

WILLIAM O.W. EDGAR
William Ogle Waite Edgar – age 19 – Private (45775) 4th (Reserve) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
William had been called-up a month earlier and was in training in Fife when he became ill. He was evacuated to the Cupar District Infectious Diseases Hospital in Auchtermuchty but he died.
Born 1899 in Berwick-on-Tweed. Son of Andrew Ogle Edgar and Margaret Ann (Coulter) Edgar of Redhall, Ayton.
Died on Service on 18 July 1918 and buried in Berwick-on-Tweed Cemetery. (CWG)

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2021 2:54 pm Post subject:

THOMAS FAIRBAIRN, M.M.
Thomas Fairbairn, Military Medal – age 29 – Lance Corporal (201199) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
For some years Thomas assisted his father, a shepherd at Cocklaw Farm, Ayton, and in 1911 he was a shepherd at Grievestead, Norham, Northumberland. He joined his battalion in Egypt as Private (8190) and served in Palestine where he was awarded a M.M. Thomas moved with his battalion to France in April 1918 and he was killed near Cambrai.
Born 1888 at Howpark Farm House in Grantshouse, Berwickshire. Son of John and Elizabeth (McGregor) Fairbairn of Cocklaw Farm and of High Street, Ayton.
Killed in Action on 3 October 1918 and buried in Anneux British Cemetery, France.

JOHN FRATER
John Frater – age 19 – Lance Corporal (4388) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
John was employed as a painter in Ayton and had joined the Territorial 4th KOSB in 1912. He was mobilised in August 1914 and landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but he was fatally wounded a month later during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah.
Born 1896 in Ayton. Son of Sergeant Walter Frater. KOSB and of Agnes (Aitchison) Frater of Beanburn, Ayton.
Died of Wounds on 14 July 1915 and buried in Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2021 3:00 pm Post subject:

WILLIAM GLADSTONE
William Gladstone – age 23 – Private (7542) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
William was a gardener at Ayton Castle when he enlisted in December 1914. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but he was killed a month later during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah.
Born 1892 in Ayton. Son of the late Ann (Thorburn) Gladstone (died May 1915) and of Archibald Gladstone of Balabraes, Ayton.
Missing in Action on 12 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

ALEXANDER HARVEY
Alexander Harvey – age 23 – Private (S/7263) 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.
Alick was a farm servant at Horseley, Houndwood, Berwickshire when he enlisted in October 1914. He joined his battalion in France in March 1915 but he was fatally wounded two months later.
Born 1892 in Norham, Northumberland as Alexander Jeffrey Harvey. Son of Andrew and Mary (Rae) Harvey of Cocklaw, Ayton, of Blackadder Mains, Edrom, Berwickshire and of Ayton Law, Ayton.
Died of Wounds on 16 May 1915 and buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Houndwood Parish and on the Edrom Parish War Memorials.

and his brother

JOSEPH HARVEY
Joseph Harvey – age 39 – Driver (T4/236088) 1st Auxiliary Horse Transport Company, Army Service Corps.
Joseph was a ploughman at Buckholm Farm, Langshaw, Roxburghshire (near Galashiels) when he enlisted in December 1915. He became ill in 1918 and was discharged from the army and awarded a Silver War Badge (380041) on 27 July but he had died two days earlier of tuberculosis at his parent's home at Blackadder Mains, Edrom.
Born 1879 in Cornhill, Berwick, Northumberland. Son of the late Isabella Harvey (died 1887) and of Andrew Harvey of Blackadder Mains, Edrom, Berwickshire and of Ayton Law, Ayton. Husband of the late Margaret Mann (Cruickshank) Harvey who he married in 1910 in Edinburgh but who died in 1916 in Langshaw, Roxburghshire.
Died on Service on 25 July 1918 and buried in Edrom Parish Churchyard. (CWG)
Also named on the Edrom Parish War Memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2021 3:06 pm Post subject:

THOMAS W. HINDMARSH
Thomas William Hindmarsh – age 22 – Private (3979) 1/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.
Thomas had been employed in the office of an auctioneer in Berwick-on-Tweed before he joined the Land Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue there. He enlisted in January 1916 and joined his battalion in France in May. Thomas was badly wounded in September and had an arm amputated before he was evacuated to the St. Luke's Hospital in Halifax, Yorkshire where he died.
Born 1894 in Belford, Northumberland. Son of Thomas Fenwick Hindmarsh and of Margaret (Shield) Hindmarsh of North Lodge, Ayton Castle.
Died of Wounds on 19 October 1916 and buried in Ayton Parish Churchyard. (CWG)

ROBERT M. HUME
Robert Marshall Hume – age 20 – Lance Corporal (4389) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Robert was employed as a painter in Ayton and had joined the Territorial 4th KOSB in 1912. He was mobilised in August 1914 and landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but he was fatally wounded a month later during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah. Robert died on a hospital ship and was buried at sea.
Born 1895 in Ayton. Son of the late William Hume (died 1912) and Mary (Adam) Hume of High Street, Ayton.
Died of Wounds on 20 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

ARTHUR JOHNSTON
Arthur Johnston – age 59 – Deck Hand (3SD) H.M. Trawler "John E. Lewis" Royal Naval Reserve.
Arthur had been a fisherman on the “Susan” for many years when he enlisted in April 1915. His trawler was on mine sweeping duties near the Cork Light Vessel, off Harwich when she hit a mine laid by the German submarine UC 11. Arthur and another crewman were killed.
Born 1860 in Ayton. Son of the late Alexander Johnston (died 1887) and of the late Ellen/Helen (Lindores) Johnston (died 1903) formerly of Ayton. Husband of Jane (Wilson) Johnston of 10 Partonhall, Burnmouth, Ayton who he married in 1901 in Ayton.
Killed in Action/Lost at Sea on 16 January 1918 and named on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2021 3:15 pm Post subject:

JAMES JOHNSTON
James Johnstone – age 36 – Private (41656) Royal Defence Corps.
James had served his apprenticeship as a baker in Ayton and had been employed in Leith and at Berwick-on-Tweed, In 1911 he was working as a baker/confectioner in Leicester. He enlisted at the outbreak of war as Private (4793) in the Durham Light Infantry and was transferred to 156th Protection Company of the RDC when it was formed in April 1916. His company was being used to guard German prisoners of war at Donington Hall near Derby when James was accidentally shot.
Born 1881 in Burnmouth, Ayton. Son of James and Alice (Kerr) Johnston of Burnside Cottage, Burnmouth, Ayton.
Died on Active Service on 25 December 1916 and buried in Ayton Parish Churchyard. (CWG)

ROBERT JONES
Robert Jones – age 26 – Lance Corporal (23786) 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.
Robert was a gardener at Oakwood Hall, Wylam on Tyne, Northumberland when he enlisted. He joined his battalion in France in October 1915 but he was killed on the first day of the battle of the Somme.
Born 1889 in Ayton. Son of the late Joseph Jones (died 1906) and of Margaret (Greig) Jones of Beanburn, Ayton.
Missing in Action on 1 July 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.

WILLIAM KERR
William Kerr – age 19 – Seaman (7593/A) H.M.S. Pembroke, Royal Naval Reserve.
In 1901 William was living with his grandparents William and Margaret Kerr in Burnmouth and he was still with the family in 1911. He enlisted in January 1915 and he was posted to the armed merchant cruiser “Empress of Japan” in March which was operating in the Red Sea. However he became ill and was evacuated home to the shore base at Chatham, HMS Pembroke. In July he was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital at Chatham. Kent where he died of tuberculosis.
Born 1897 in Burnmouth, Ayton. Son of Margaret Kerr. In 1904 in Berwick-on-Tweed she married James Hume Scott and they lived at 58 Church Street, Berwick-on-Tweed. (James Hume Scott, Private (37198) 9th Northumberland Fusiliers died of wounds on 18 April 1918)
Died on Service on 20 August 1915 and buried in Ayton Parish Churchyard. (CWG)

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2021 3:20 pm Post subject:

JOHN LAUDER
John Wilson Lauder – age 19 – Deck Hand (17911/DA) H.M.S. Ganges II, Royal Naval Reserve.
John had been a Sea Scout and when he reached the age he enlisted in September 1917. After training he was posted to a minesweeper at HMS Ganges II, the trawler shore base in Harwich. Later he contracted influenza and pneumonia and was treated at the base hospital as Shotley but due to a relapse he was moved to the Royal Naval Hospital, Chatham at Gillingham, Kent. He was discharged from the navy in March 1919 and awarded a Silver War Badge (36754) but he did not recover his health and died in the hospital.
Born 1899 in Burnmouth, Ayton. Son of the late Alexander Lauder (died 1915) and of Susan (Wilson) Lauder of Cowdrait, Burnmouth, Ayton.
Died on 5 May 1919 and buried in Ayton Parish Churchyard. (CWG)

WILLIAM LAUDER
William Alexander Lauder – age 29 – Private (106346) 1st Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles.
In 1911 William and his younger brother Alexander were working in Blyth in Northumberland but by 1914 they were employed on farm work near Yorkton in Saskatchewan, Canada and they enlisted there in December 1914. They sailed from Montreal in June 1915 and after further training in England they landed in France in September. William was killed at Mount Sorrell near Ypres.
Alexander survived the battle but as Sergeant (106345) he was severely wounded three months later in September 1916 and, after treatment in hospitals in France and in England, he was returned to Canada in January 1917. Medical treatment continued until he was discharged from the army in Regina, Saskatchewan in March 1918.
Born 1887 in Burnmouth, Ayton. Son of the late Robert Lauder (died 1891) and of Sarah (Spouse) Lauder of Burnmouth. Husband of Janet (Martin) Lauder of 3 Partonhall, Burnmouth, Ayton who he married in 1911 in Ayton.
Missing in Action on 5 June 1916 and named on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

ROBERT LOUGH
Robert Lough – age 24 – Private (200822) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Although fisherfolk from Eyemouth, Berwickshire, the family were working at the Bleachfield Paper Mill in Ayton when war was declared and Robert as Private (7411) and his younger brother James (7410) enlisted in November 1914. While James landed with the battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 it was early 1916 before Robert joined the battalion in Egypt. They both served in Palestine where Robert was killed at Gaza.
Born 1894 in Eyemouth, Berwickshire. Son of George and Jane (Rae) Lough of High Street, Ayton.
Missing in Action on 19 April 1917 and named on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
Also named on the Eyemouth War Memorial as Robert Rae Lough.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2021 3:28 pm Post subject:

TOM McCROW
The name is the final name on the WW1 panel and is out of sequence on the memorial.
Thomas McCrow – age 34 – Private (3/7012) 10th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
Tom joined the Army Reserve at Stirling in August 1914 and was posted to his battalion in France in June 1915.
Born 1880 in Ayton as Thomas Thompson McCrow. Son of the late William McCrow (died 1908) and of the late Margaret (Riddell) McCrow (died 1910) formerly of Ayton. He named his eldest brother James of Wardlaw Street, Edinburgh as his next of kin.
Killed in Action on 19 December 1915 and buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, Belgium.

JAMES PURVIS, M.M.
Note: all records show the family name as Purves
James Purves, Military Medal – age 37 – Petty Officer (Clyde Z/1659) Drake Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.
James was employed by the North British Railway Company in Glasgow and was living at Elmvale Street, Springburn when he enlisted in October 1914. He joined the Howe Battalion of the Royal Naval Division at Gallipoli in July 1915 but due to illness he was evacuated home in November. He rejoined the battalion in France in May 1917 but was wounded and evacuated home in July. James was posted to Drake Battalion in France in April 1918 but he was killed five months later. During this time he was awarded a M.M.
Born 1882 in Ayton. Son of Margaret Ford Purves, of Garage House, Ayton. Killed in Action on 30 September 1918 and buried in Moeuvres Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Also named on the North British Railway Company memorial in Waverley Station in Edinburgh.

GEORGE REDPATH
George Redpath – age 34 – Corporal (29311) 7th/8th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
George was a stone mason who had served with the Volunteers and the Territorials for nearly 20 years. He and his friend and workmate Peter Swanston (see below) were mobilised in August 1914 and used for the training of new recruits until they was posted to the 2nd KOSB in France in December 1916. George was with the 7th/8th KOSB when he was wounded in March 1917 and he died three days later in the 41st Casualty Clearing Station.
Born 1882 in Coldingham, Berwickshire. Son of the late William Redpath (died 1886) and of the late Robina (Hill) Redpath (died 1906) formerly of Ayton. Husband of Agnes Renton (Burgan) Redpath of Moffat House, Ayton who he married in 1906 in Eyemouth, Berwickshire.
Died of Wounds on 29 March 1917 and buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2021 3:37 pm Post subject:

JOHN H. ROBERTSON
Thought to be:
John Horsburgh Robertson – age 22 – Private (40110) 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Born 1895 in Duns, Berwickshire. Son of the late Hugh Robertson (died 1911) and of Elizabeth (Horsburgh) Robertson.
Killed in Action on 4 October 1917 and buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium.

ALEXANDER SHEARLAW
Alexander Shearlaw – age 18 – Private (7378) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Alexander was a porter at Ayton Station when he enlisted at the outbreak of war. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but he was killed a month later during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah.
Born 1896 in Ayton. Son of Alexander and Jane Bruce (Mercer) Shearlaw of Ayton.
Missing in Action on 12 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

ODO M. SIMPSON
Odo Mackay Simpson – age 34 – Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment)
Odo was educated at Eton College and by 1911 he was a solicitor in London before he emigrated to Canada in 1913 and became a lawyer in Fort Macleod, Alberta. He enlisted as Private (79625) in the 31st Battalion, Canadian Infantry at Claresholm, Alberta in November 1914 and sailed for England in May 1915. He was discharged from the Canadian force and granted a commission in the Sherwood Foresters in September 1915 and went to France in May 1916 but he was wounded in September and evacuated home. After he had recovered he was posted to the Training Reserve in March 1917 and it was July 1918 before he rejoined his regiment. Within a few days Odo was killed near Ypres.
Born 1885 in Edinburgh as Odo Louis David Mackay Simpson. Son of the late Sir Walter Grindlay Simpson, Bart. (died 1898) and of Lady Simpson (Anne Fitzgerald Mackay) of Balabraes, Ayton.
Killed in Action on 13 July 1918 and buried in Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinghe, Belgium.
Also named on the Eton College memorial and on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2021 3:47 pm Post subject:

PETER SWANSTON
Peter Swanston – age 33 – Corporal (29327) 7th/8th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Peter was a builder in partnership with his father and had served in the Volunteers and Territorials for over 20 years. He and his friend and workmate George Redpath (see above) were mobilised in August 1914 and used for the training of new recruits until they were posted to the 2nd KOSB in France in December 1916. Peter was with the 7th/8th KOSB when he was wounded and he died in the 41st Casualty Clearing Station.
Born 1883 in Ayton. Son of the late Janet (Anderson) Swanston (died 1887) and of Peter Swanston of Ayton. Husband of Mary (Mercer) Swanston, of High Street, Ayton who he married in 1909 in Langton, Berwickshire.
Died of Wounds on 15 April 1917 and buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, France.

DAVID R. TAYLOR
David Robert Taylor – age 51 – Major, Royal Army Medical Corps attached to the 1/4th King's Own Scottish Borderers.
David was educated at George Watson's College in Edinburgh and qualified from the Royal College of Surgeons in 1893. He became a general practitioner in Ayton in about 1895 and began an association with the Volunteers and Territorials from then. He was promoted to Captain in April 1908 and to Major after he had been mobilised in December 1914. He landed with the 1/4th KOSB at Gallipoli in June 1915 but was killed a month later.
Born 1864 in Canongate, Edinburgh. Son of the late William Taylor (died 1869) and of the late Isabella (Calder) Taylor (died 1903) Husband of the late Isabella Jane (Walker) Taylor (died 1909) who he married in 1894 in Edinburgh and husband of Agnes (MacLeod) Taylor of St. Helen's, Ayton who he married in 1910 in Glasgow.
Killed in Action on 14 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the George Watson's College memorial and Roll of Honour.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2021 3:54 pm Post subject:

WILLIAM THOMSON
William Thomson – age 39 – Lieutenant, 4th Battalion attached to the 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
William served his apprenticeship as a solicitor in Ayton before he set up his own practice in Ayton in 1900 and, after his father's death in 1910, he took over the management of the Royal Bank branch. He enlisted as Private (25277) in the KOSB in June 1916 and was commissioned in October 1916.
Born 1879 in Ayton. Son of the late Alexander Thomson (died 1910) and of Isabella Mary (White) Thomson of Summerhill, Ayton.
Died of Wounds on 26 August 1918 and buried in Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, France.
Also named on the Royal Bank of Scotland memorial in Edinburgh.

ROBERT T. WALKER, M.M.
Robert Thomas Walker, Military Medal – age 34 – Private (266066) 1/6th (Perthshire) Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Robert was employed as a gardener near Strathtay in Perthshire when he enlisted as Private (3286). He joined his battalion in France in late 1916 and was awarded a M.M. for his actions on 16 September 1917 in rescuing a wounded officer under heavy fire.
Born 1883 Beal, Kyloe, Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland. Son of the late John Walker of Beanburn, Ayton (died 1913) and of Isabella (Fairlie) Walker of Peelwalls Cottage and of Wallace House, Ayton. Husband of Malcolmina (McBrayne) Walker who he married in 1916 in Govan, Glasgow when he was with the 3/6th Battalion at Comely Park School in Falkirk.
Missing in Action on 21 March 1918 and named on the Arras Memorial, France.

CHARLES WATT
Charles Watt – age 23 – Private (4387) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Charles was a gamekeeper at Ayton Castle and a member of the Territorial 4th KOSB. He was mobilised in August 1914 and landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but he was killed a month later during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah.
Born 1892 in Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland as Charles Robson Watt.
Son of Charles and Ellen (Morton) Watt of High Street, Ayton.
Missing in Action on 12 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

JAMES YULE
James Yule – age 21 – Private (45761) 4th (Reserve) Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers.
James was a ploughman when he enlisted. He became ill while in training and died in the King's Cross Hospital in Dundee.
Born 1897 in Swinton, Berwickshire. Son of James and Elizabeth (Cockburn) Yule of Bastileridge, Ayton.
Died on Service on 24 August 1918 and buried in Ayton Parish Churchyard. (CWG)

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2021 3:55 pm Post subject:

1939-1945

THOMAS J. ANDERSON
Thomas Johnston Anderson – age 25 – Sergeant (1348529) Bomber Command, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Tom was educated at Eyemouth High School and had worked on several public works contracts before he joined the RAF in August 1941. He had just returned from flight training under the Empire Air Training Scheme and was on a Wellington bomber of 14 Operational Training Unit which had taken off from RAF Saltby in Leicestershire for a night flying exercise. The aircraft crashed at Sproxtonn near Melton Mowbray.
Born 1917 in Burnmouth, Ayton. Son of William and Catherine Galbraith (Johnston) Anderson of Stonefolds, Burnmouth, Ayton.
Died on Active Service on 17 February 1943 and buried in Ayton Parish Churchyard. (CWG)

WILLIAM ANDERSON
William Anderson – age 30 – Able Seaman, S.S. Crichtoun (Leith) Merchant Navy.
William was a fisherman and by February 1940 he had joined the Merchant Navy as a deckhand. The “Crichtoun” was in convoy from Leith to London when she was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Lowestoft, Suffolk by a German E- Boat.
Born 1914 in Burnmouth, Ayton. Son of the late Mark Anderson (died 1920 in Ayton) and Helen (Wilson) Anderson, and step-son of Hendry Anderson who married Helen in 1921 in Ayton. Husband of Janet Black (Lowrie) Anderson of Eyemouth, Berwickshire who he married in 1940 in Eyemouth.
Killed by Enemy Action/Lost at Sea between 18/19 March 1945 and named on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Also named on the Eyemouth War Memorial.

JAMES R. C. DUNS
Note: civil records show the family name as Dunse.
James Robert Cockburn Duns – age 19 – Sergeant (3020033) Coastal Command, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
James was a Sergeant in the Eyemouth Flight of the Air Training Corps when he joined-up. He was onboard a Catalina flying-boat of 302 Ferry Training Unit, based at RAF Oban, which disappeared whilst en route to Gibraltar.
Born 1925 in Coldingham, Berwickshire as Dunse. Son of William Cockburn Dunse and Agnes Chisholm (Cockburn) Dunse of Fairnieside, Ayton.
Missing in Action on 13 January 1945 and named on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2021 2:53 pm Post subject:

GEORGE B. FULLERTON
George Brown Fullerton – age 29 – Warrant Officer Class II (3064517) Company Sergeant Major, Royal Scots.
George was employed by a firm of steel erectors at Bath when he enlisted at Berwick in 1941. He was wounded in France in August 1944 and evacuated home. He then served in Burma and, after the war, in Nigeria. He finally returned home in 1946 but he had contracted a lung disease and he was admitted to the former Edinburgh War Hospital at Bangour, West Lothian where, after many months of treatment, he died.
Born 1917 in Duns, Berwickshire as George Brown. Son of Margaret Lindsay (Brown) Fullerton and step-son of George Fullerton of 12 Upper Burnmouth, Ayton who married in 1920 in Edinburgh.
Died on 12 September 1947 and buried in Ayton Parish Churchyard. (CWG)

JAMES C. L. GULLEN
James Calder Lawrie Gullen – age 36 – Lieutenant (317571) Royal Army Service Corps.
James was educated at Berwickshire High School in Duns and joined the army in the 1930's. He was commissioned in January 1944 as Staff Sergeant Major James Calder Lawrie Gullen (317571) to be Lieutenant. (Quarter-Master) and he had served in Egypt and Palestine. He died suddenly while serving in the British Army of the Rhine.
Born 1910 in Ayton. Son of John and Ann (Lawrie) Gullen of Hall House, Ayton. Husband of Betsy Petrie (Cochrane) Gullen of Kinross who he married in 1935 in Perth.
Died on Service on 16 August 1946 and buried in Hamburg Cemetery, Germany.

ALEXANDER L. JOHNSTON
Alexander Lauder Johnston – age 22 – Stoker 1st Class (P/KX 99685) H.M.S. Barham, Royal Navy.
Alexander was employed by a builder in Berwick-on-Tweed when he enlisted. The battleship “Barham” was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-331 off the North African coast near Sidi Barrani. As the ship rolled over her after magazines exploded and she quickly sank.
Born 1919 in Burnmouth, Ayton. Son of the late Robert Johnston (died 1938) and of Agnes (Lauder) Johnston of Partanhall, Burnmouth, Ayton.
Killed in Action/Lost at Sea on 25 November 1941 and named on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2021 3:02 pm Post subject:

JOHN J. RENWICK
John James Renwick – age 22 – Leading Aircraftman (1553276) 2909 Squadron, RAF Regiment, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
With the capitulation of Italy in September 1943 both Allied and German forces in the Mediterranean moved to take over the Italian-held areas. British forces landed on the island of Cos but within a month German forces landed and overran the British and Italian positions. John died of wounds and was buried in Cos War Cemetery but was re-interred in Rhodes in July 1957.
Born 1921 in Findo Gask, Perthshire. Son of John James Renwick and Mary Calderwood (McLean) Renwick of The Kennels, Ayton Castle and of Gosford, East Lothian.
Died of Wounds on 3 October 1943 and buried in Rhodes War Cemetery, Greece

ROBERT SPOUSE
Robert Spouse – age 29 – Seaman (LT/JX 211070) H.M. Trawler Rosemonde, Royal Naval Patrol Service.
Robert was a fisherman before he joined the navy in 1941. The Boulogne based “Rosemonde” was requisitioned by the French Navy as minesweeping trawler and on 3 July 1940 she was seized by the Royal Navy at Southampton. On 13 January 1942 she left Milford Haven enroute to Gibraltar together with two other trawlers but lost them in stormy weather. The other trawlers arrived at Gibraltar on 22 January. The German submarine U-581 reported sinking a small naval vessel by torpedoes on 19 January. This is thought to have been the “Rosemonde”.
Born 1912 in Burnmouth, Ayton. Son of William and Grace (Aitchison) Spouse of Cowdrait, Burnmouth, Ayton.
Missing in Action/Lost at Sea on 22 January 1942 and named on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial, Suffolk.

and his brother

ABRAHAM SPOUSE
Abraham Spouse – age 25 – Leading Stoker (C/KX 84962) H.M.Submarine Phoenix, Royal Navy.
Abraham was a fisherman before he joined the navy in 1935. In April 1940 “Phoenix” and three other submarines moved from Hong Kong and were stationed in Alexandria, Egypt to patrol in the Aegean Sea and eastern Mediterranean waters. It is believed that the “Phoenix” was most likely sunk on 16 July 1940 off Augusta, Sicily by the Italian torpedo boat Albatros.
Born 1915 in Ayton. Son of William and Grace (Aitchison) Spouse of Cowdrait, Burnmouth, Ayton.
Missing in Action/ Lost at Sea on 21 July 1940 and named on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2021 3:08 pm Post subject:

ALEXANDER SPRATT
Alexander Spratt – age 25 – Guardsman (2696036) 1st Battalion, Scots Guards.
Alexander was a farm labourer when he enlisted. He died in the Edenhall Hospital, Inveresk near Edinburgh from a kidney disease contracted while on service.
Born 1918 in Chirnside, Berwickshire. Son of Andrew Wilson Spratt and of Margaret (Forrest) Spratt of Chirnside and of Peelwalls, Ayton.
Andrew died there in April 1943.
Died on 17 March 1943 and buried in Chirnside Parish Churchyard. (CWG)

ARCHIBALD C. STEBBING
Archibald Chisholm Stebbing – age 27 – Lance Corporal (3189993) 4th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
The 4th KOSB had landed in Belgium in the autumn of 1944 and fought through Holland into Germany, taking part in the capture of Bremen. Archibald was killed near the village of Birgte to the south of Bremen and was re-interred in April 1947.
Born 1917 in Ayton. Son of John Scott Stebbing and Jane Ann (Chisholm) Stebbing of Gunsgreen Gardens, Ayton.
Killed in Action on 4 April 1945 and buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.

WILLIAM H. T. SWANSTON
William Haig Trotter Swanston – age 27 – Leading Aircraftman (970056) 153 Maintenance Unit Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
William was a motor engineer in Ayton when he enlisted in October 1939. He married just before he went overseas in August 1940. 153 MU was formed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya in June 1941. He escaped at the fall of Singapore but he was captured on Java in March 1942. He was moved to Ambon Island about a year later and then to Muna or Moena Island where he died in the Raha Camp. William was re-interred in Ambon in November 1946.
Born 1917 in Ayton. Son of the late Margaret (Whysker) Swanston (died 1938) and of John Swanston of Oaklands Cottage, Ayton. Husband of Margaret Catherine (Wilson) Swanston, of Harbour Cottage, Burnmouth, Ayton who he married in 1940 in Burnmouth, Ayton.
Died on Service on 24 December 1944 and buried in Ambon War Cemetery, Indonesia.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2021 3:12 pm Post subject:

ROBERT K. WALKER
Not listed bt CWGC.
Robert Kay Walker – age 23 – Aircraftman (?) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Robert was a motor driver when he enlisted. He served for three years and was in Egypt when he was seriously injured in a road accident in Cairo. He was evacuated home and discharged from the RAF in November 1945. Robert became ill with tuberculosis and died in the County Hospital at Gordon, Berwickshire.
Born 1922 in Mordington, Berwickshire. Son of Robert and Emily (McLennan) Walker of 3 Hillfield, Burnmouth, Ayton.
Died on 11 April 1946 and buried in Ayton Parish Churchyard.

THOMAS WEATHERSTON
Thomas Weatherston – age 24 – Corporal (3054540) 1st Battalion, Royal Scots.
Thomas was a regular soldier with the 1st Royal Scots and had deployed to France with the BEF on 21 September 1939 as part of 2nd Division. By 26 May 1940 as the BEF withdrew to Dunkirk the 2nd Division was ordered to fight ‘to the last round and last man’ as part of an outer defensive perimeter to cover the evacuation from Dunkirk. After a desperate defence, together with the 2nd Norfolk Regiment in the area of the village of Le Paradis, and after appalling losses and virtually out of ammunition, the 1st RS had effectively ceased to exist by 30 May.
Born 1915 in Coldingham, Berwickshire. Son of Robert and Mary Elizabeth (McCormick) Weatherston of Whiterig, Ayton,
Missing in Action on 27 May 1940 and named on the Dunkirk Memorial, France.
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Ken