The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

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

Coaltown of Wemyss - Kirckaldy District
UKNIWM Ref No. 5738

The Coaltown of Wemyss war memorial is a sandstone shrine set into the exterior wall of the village institute. It is constructed of sandstone and is of classical design, the grey granite tablets bearing the names of the dead in lead lettering being framed by pillasters which support a pediment above.
There are many fine memorials throughout the Kingdom of Fife constructed of Doddington stone such as the one here at Coaltown of Wemyss. Unfortunately due to the years of air pollution created by the collieries and industry in the area they have become rather dirty and grimy and this particualr sandstone does seem to require to be treated carefully when cleaning. These monuments must have looked particularly striking when first constructed however and since many of the heavy industries of the area have now departed it would seem to be high time that they were properly cleaned and restored to their original splendour, especially for the various WWI centeneries which are fast approaching.

WWI ROLL OF HONOUR:
Bell Robert
Berwick Robert
Cooper Andrew
Cunningham William
Dryburgh Alexander
Dryburgh Andrew
Dryburgh John C.
Dryburgh John H.
Dryburgh Walter H.
Dryburgh Walter R.
Foster Magnus
Goldie John
Graham Peter
Hutton David
Johnstone Andrew
Kidd James D.
Laing Robert
McBain William
McLaren Lawrence
McWhinnie Robert
Paterson Andrew
Reekie Thomas
Richardson Robert
Robertson John L.
Shand Peter
Stevenson Alexander
Stewart John
Venters Thomas
Webster Thomas
Wilkie Harry

WWII ROLL OF HONOUR:
Anderson Robert
Clark John
Givens William
Hill Charles
McLaren John
Milne James
Muirhead William

Alex Crawford · Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 29 Location: Fife

Hi,

Name: HILL, CHARLES BURTON
Initials: C B
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 75 Sqdn.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 30/08/1944
Service No: 1372387
Additional information: Son of James and Annie Hill, of Coaltown of Wemyss, Fife.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave Sec. XV. 76-80.
Cemetery: HELSINGBORG (PALSJO) MUNICIPAL CEMETERY

Charles was part of Flt Sgt D A Kings crew. They took off for a raid to Stettin at 2115hrs on 29th August 1944. The Lancaster HK594/AA-G failed to return. Flt Sgt King was the only survivor and was able to evade capture. Three of the crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, while Hill, Moon and Causley are buried at Helsingborg Municipla Cemetery.

F/S D.A.s.King Evd
Sgt J.P.Callan KIA
F/S W.D.Watson RNZAF KIA
F/S J.Fitzgerald RNZAF KIA
Sgt C.B.Hill (wop/ag) KIA
Sgt D.L.D.Moon KIA
Sgt H.W.Causley KIA

Sources
CWGC
Bomber Command Losses Vol 5 by W R Chorley

Regards,

Alex
_________________
If you don't ask, you will never know.

spoons · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:16 pm Post subject:

and from the 'lost bombers' website:

Type Lancaster
Serial Number HK594
Squadron 75
X1D AA-G
Operation Stettin
Date 1 29th August 1944
Date 2 30th August 1944

Further Information
"Serial Range HK535 - HK806 This aircraft was one of 200 Lancasters ordered from Vickers Armstrongs (castle Bromwich) as Mk.11s in Sep42 and changed to Mk.111s in Feb43, but built as Mk.1s from Oct43 to Feb45. Up to HK773 had Merlin 22 engines initially installed, thereafter Merlin 24 engines. HK594 was delivered to No.75 Squadron Jul44. No other key Raids traced. When lost this aircraft had a total of 65 hours. Airborne 2115 29aug44 from Mepal. Of those who were killed, three are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial while both Air Gunners and Sgt Hill are buried in Sweden at H_lsingborg (Palsj_) Municipal Cemetery. F/S D.A.s.King Evd Sgt J.P.Callan KIA F/S W.D.Watson RNZAF KIA F/S J.Fitzgerald RNZAF KIA Sgt C.B.Hill KIA Sgt D.L.D.Moon KIA Sgt H.W.Causley KIA "

john burnett · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 790 Location: Fife

Thanks to Ann Mirtle for the photo and Norman Myles for sending it.