The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 6:39 pm Post subject:

Name: MCKINNON, D
Initials: D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Fusiliers, 5th Bn
Date of Death: 11/6/1921
Service Number: 7578
Grave Reference: 63
Cemetery: Ballantrae Parish Churchyard

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 6:45 pm Post subject:

Name: MCWHIRTER, W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Service Number: 42122
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry, 17th Bn
Date of Death: 2/12/1917
Age: 28
Additional Information: Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. David McWhirter, of Ballantrae, Ayrshire; husband of Dorothy MCorkindale (formerly McWhirter), of Lorn Place, Glebe St., Campbeltown, Argyllshire.
Grave Reference: II D 12
Cemetery: Duhallow ADS Cemetery

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 6:47 pm Post subject:

Name: MEIKLE, GILBERT
Initials: G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Fusiliers, 1st/5th Bn
Date of Death: 12/7/1915
Age: 21
Service No: 8356
Additional information: Son of Robert and Mary Meikle,of Ballantrae, Ayr.
Panel Reference: Addenda Panel
Memorial: Helles Memorial

Wigtownshire Free Press (5/8/1915): Pte Gilbert Meikle, 1st/5th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, was killed instantaeously on 11th July in the fighting at the Dardanelles by a bullet wound in the neck. Pte Meikle was born in Ballantrae parish 22 years ago, and at the time of enlistment, was a gardener at Pinmore House. The Commanding Officer (Colonel Pollok-McCall), in a letter to the soldier's parents (Mr Na dMrs Meikle, Crailoch, Ballantrae) speaks of their son as a fine, gallant fellow, in whom he took a great interest.

Also named on Colmonell Roll of Honour and Barrhill War Memorial

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 6:51 pm Post subject:

Name: MITCHELL, W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Gunner
Service Number: 69013
Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery, "Y" 9th TM Bty attd 9th Div HQ
Date of Death: 23/3/1918
Age: 33
Additional Information: Husband of Agnes Mitchell, of Ballochdowan, Ballantrae, Ayrshire.
Grave Reference: II G 7
Cemetery: Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 6:57 pm Post subject:

Name: MURRAY, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Middlesex Regiment, 1st Bn
Date of Death: 24/4/1917
Age: 25
Additional Information: Son of William and Mary Eliza Murray, of 120, University Avenue, Belfast.
Grave Reference: B 60
Cemetery: Cojeul British Cemetery, St Martin-sur-Cojeul

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:04 pm Post subject:

Name: SCOTT, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Service Number: 296068
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Fusiliers, 12th Bn
Date of Death: 6/11/1917
Age: 29
Additional Information: Son of Alexander and Elizabeth Scott, of Mains Cottage, Ballantrae, Ayrshire; husband of Sarah Scott, of Kirkbride Kennels, Crosshill, Ayrshire.
Grave Reference: M82
Cemetery: Beersheba War Cemetery

Also named on Crosshill War Memorial

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:09 pm Post subject:

Name: SHIELDS, WALTER
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Able Seaman
Service Number: J/21616
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy, HMS Hampshire
Date of Death: 5/6/1916
Age: 21
Additional Information: Son of Alexander and Agnes Shields, of 10, Deacon's Place, Girvan, Ayrshire.
Panel Reference: 12
Memorial: Plymouth Naval Memorial

Also named on Girvan War Memorial

HMS Hampshire was struck by a mine on 5 June 1916. She is the grave of Lord Kitchener and 736 other men.

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:48 pm Post subject:

Name: SKILLING, HUGH
Initials: H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Service Number: 12165
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Fusiliers, 6th/7th Bn
Date of Death: 10/8/1916
Age: 21
Additional Information: Son of John and Agnes Skilling, of Heronsford, Ballantrae, Ayrshire.
Panel Reference: Pier and Face 3c
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial

Wigtownshire Free Press (24/8/1916): Intimation has been received by Mr and Mrs John Skilling, Heronsford, that their son, Hugh, was killed in action in France on 9 August last, and that their son, James, in the same regiment viz 6/7th RSF, has been wounded and is now in hospital in Aberdeen. Private Hugh Skilling was employed by Mr Muir, contractor, Kilmarnock, in building operations at Laggan prior to enlisting at the outbreak of war and was one of the first volunteer contingent that left Ballantrae at the call of King and country two years ago. His parents have been employed on Laggan Estate for the last twenty-three years. Great sympathy is felt throughout the whole neighbourhood for Mr and Mrs Skilling in their heavy loss and anxiety. In a letter to Mr and Mrs Skilling the Captain commanding A Coy, 6/7th RSF, in the field, under date 16th August, writes - "I am very sorry to say that your son, Hugh, was killed in action yesterday (August 9th). We were being heavily shelled at the time, and one of the shells got the trench where your son was. I cannot tell you how sorry we all are to lose him, as he was one of the best men in the Company, and probably the best bomber we had. He came to France with me in May 1915 and he has died in one of the greatest battles in history. You have our deepest sympathy. Your son James is keeping quite well, though, of course, he feels the loss of his brother badly. You will miss Hugh dreadfully, as he must have been a good son. He was certainly a splendid soldier. All the officers wish to express their regret at your loss."

Also named on Heronsford War Memorial.

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:51 pm Post subject:

Name: SKILLING, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Service Number: 267622
Regiment/Service: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), 6th Bn
Date of Death: 21/3/1918
Age: 23
Additional Information: Son of Mary Skilling, of 99, Green St., Ayr, and the late James Skilling.
Panel Reference: Bay 6
Memorial: Arras Memorial

Wigtownshire Free Press (4/1/1917): Private John Skilling, Auchencrosh, was admitted to hospital in France on 4th November suffering from nephritis and is now in hospital in Cardiff. He joined the Army in September 1914, and went to France in August 1916. His brother, James Skilling, was also recently admitted to hospital in France, and is now convalescent. He joined the Army in November 1914 and went to France in April 1915. Both lads were gardeners before they became soldiers.

Wigtownshire Free Press (25/4/1918): Mr and Mrs Skilling, Auchencrosh, have received official intimation that their youngest son, Pte John Skilling, Black Watch, has been missing since 21 March. Pte Skilling, who was a gardener at St Leonard's, Dunfermline, when war broke out, enlisted in September 1914, and went to France in 1916. His brother, Pte James Skilling, Royal Scots, is suffering from a gunshot wound in the left arm, and from measles, and is in hospital in France. Prior to the war he was a gardener at the Tweed Vineyards, Clovenford, Galashiels. He enlisted in November 1914, and went to France in April 1915.

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:56 pm Post subject:

Name: TEMPLETON, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots, 2nd Bn
Date of Death: 26/1/1920
Age: 23
Service Number: 59801
Additional information: Husband of Jessie Templeton, of New Cottages, Ballantrae
Grave Reference: 303
Cemetery: Ballantrae Parish Churchyard

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:36 pm Post subject:

Name: WRIGHT, ROBERT
Initials: R
Nationality: Irish
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Irish Rifles, 18th Bn attd Royal Irish Fusiliers, 2nd Bn
Date of Death: 7/11/1917
Age: 21
Additional Information: Only son of David and Marion Dunlop Wright, of The Moat, Dundonald, Belfast. Born at Downan, Ballantrae, Ayrshire.
Grave Reference: XX B 13
Cemetery: Gaza War Cemetery

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:43 pm Post subject:

Name: YOUNG, HARRY
Initials: H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery, 61st Siege Bty
Date of Death: 4/3/1919
Age: 29
Additional Information: Son of John and Margaret Young, of Wick, Caithness; husband of Annie Hannah Young, of Ballantrae, Ayrshire.
Grave Reference: B5
Cemetery: Ath Communal Cemetery

Also named on Bower, Caithness War Memorial

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:43 pm Post subject:

Alexander W Turnbull. Unable to trace at present.

Mike Morley · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 8:08 pm Post subject:

Name: AGNEW, R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Service Number: 202883
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers, 1st Bn
Date of Death: 19/4/1918
Age: 34
Additional Information: Son of John and Isabella Agnew; husband of Margaret Agnew, of Drummond's Buildings, Ballantrae, Ayrshire.
Grave Reference: III B 27
Cemetery: Lille Southern Cemetery

Mike Morley · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 8:17 pm Post subject:

Name: ANDERSON, ANDREW
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Service Number: 33091
Regiment/Service: Wiltshire Regiment, 7th Bn
Date of Death: 10/2/1917
Age: 28
Additional Information: Son of Andrew and Jeanie Anderson. Husband of Isabella M. Anderson, of Colonel St., Port Patrick, Wigtownshire. Native of Auchtermacain, Port Patrick.
Cemetery: III B 14
Cemetery: Doiran Military Cemetery

Note: SNWM states Pte Anderson was service number 2240, Ayrshire Regiment attd to Wiltshire Regt.