The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Mike Morley · Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2016 2:21 pm Post subject:

Name: MCNAIRNEY, THOMAS
Initials: T
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Corporal
Service Number: 3188646
Regiment/Service: Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, 5th Bn
Date of Death: 14/7/1943
Age: 27
Additional Information: Son of Samuel James Woods McNairney and Mary Ann Low McNairney, husband of Louise McNairney, of Edinburgh
Grave Reference: VI F 16
Cemetery: Syracuse War Cemetery

Wigtownshire Free Press (5/8/1943): Mrs McNairney, 10 John Simpson Drive, Stranraer, has received news from the War Office that her youngest son, Corpl T McNairney, serving with the 51st Division, has been killed in Sicily. He leaves a widow and young son. Corpl McNairney was formerly in the KOSB. His brother, Fusilier Sam McNairney, is a prisoner of war in Germany since 1940.

Mike Morley · Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2016 2:23 pm Post subject:

Name: KILPATRICK, CHARLES
Initials: C
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Chief Engineer Officer
Regiment/Service: Merchant Navy, MV California Star (London)
Date of Death: 4/3/1943
Age: 39
Additional Information: Son of James and Sarah Kilpatrick; husband of Emily DL Kilpatrick, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire
Panel Reference: 22
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial

Wigtownshire Free Press (8/7/1943): Missing at sea since March 4 1943 (now presumed lost), Charles Kilpatrick, chief engineer, beloved husband of Emily Kilpatrick, Balcraig, Portpatrick, and son of James W Kilpatrick and the late Mrs Kilpatrick, of Wingrove, Victoria Place, Stranraer, now 26 Harper Crescent, Largs.

MV California Star was torpedoed on 4/3/1943 and sunk by the German Submarine U 515, when northwest of the Azores on a voyage from Wellington, New Zealand to Cristobal, Panama to Liverpool with 6,434 tons of general and refrigerated cargo. Thirty-seven crew, eight gunners and four passengers were lost.

Also named on Portpatrick War Memorial

Mike Morley · Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2016 2:54 pm Post subject:

Name: AULT, REGINALD WILLIAM
Initials: RW
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Sergeant
Trade: Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
Service Number: 935055
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of Death: 3/7/1943
Age: 27
Additional Information: Husband of Elizabeth B Ault, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire
Grave Reference: Division 4, Grave 622
Cemetery: Campbeltown (Kilkerran) Cemetery

Wigtownshire Free Press (29/7/1943): On 3rd July (result of an accident), Reginald Ault. F/Sgt RAF, beloved husband of Elizabeth Whorlow, 42 Mt Vernon Street, Stranraer.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2016 7:46 pm Post subject:

Flight Sergeant AULT

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?3091-AC2-Christmas-Hughes-1667229-Died-3-7-43-Campbeltown-(Kilkerran)-Cem

Fokker F.XXII (ex. G-AFXR) of 1680 Flt, took off Tiree for a flight to Abbotsinch and back to Stornoway. Engine caught fire on return flight and crashed in West Loch Tarbert near Mull of Kintyre. A total of 20 crew and passengers were killed.
_________________
Ken

Mike Morley · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2016 8:37 pm Post subject:

Name: MCCLOY, JOHN ARRAS
Initials: JA
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers, 7th (Airborne) Bn
Date of Death: 23/9/1944
Age: 27
Additional Information: Son of Hugh and Jean McCloy, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire.
Panel Reference: Panel 4
Memorial: Groesbeek Memorial

Wigtownshire Free Press (12/10/1944): A considerable number of men from Wigtownshire were with the 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem. Among the killed was Pte John McCloy, whose home was at Parklea Gardens and whose father is an engine driver. Aged 27, he was a native of Stranraer, and served his apprenticeship as an ironmonger with Mr James McHarrie. Private McCloy had been in the army since April 1940. He was a former pupil of the Academy.

Also: Killed in action on 23rd September during operations in NW Europe, Pte John Arras McCloy, aged 27 years, KOSB, 1st Airborne Division, son of Hugh and the late Mrs McCloy, 16 Parklea Gardens, Stranraer.

Mike Morley · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2016 8:37 pm Post subject:

Name: FERGUSON, ANDREW
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Wireman
Service Number: P/MX 78853
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy, HMS Belmont
Date of Death: 31/1/1942
Age: 20
Additional Information: Son of John and Janet Ferguson, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire.
Panel Reference: Panel 69, Column 2
Memorial: Portsmouth Naval Memorial

Wigtownshire Free Press (23/7/1942): An official intimation has been received by Mr & Mrs John Ferguson, 1 Dalrymple Street, Stranraer, to the effect that their son, Andrew Ferguson, who was serving with the Royal Navy, and was reported as missing in January last, must now be presumed to have lost his life. "Drew", who was 20 years of age, was an electrician before joining the Navy. He was a member of the Boys' Brigade for a considerable time and latterly was a Staff Sergeant. All who knew him held him in high esteem.

Mike Morley · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2016 8:37 pm Post subject:

Name: CARSWELL, THOMAS
Initials: T
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Service Number: 3320377
Regiment/Service: Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, 1st Bn
Date of Death: 15/7/1942
Age: 22
Additional Information: Son of Gilbert and Thomasina Carswell, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire.
Grave Reference: 13 D 5
Cemetery: Kirkee War Cemetery

Wigtownshire Free Press (13/8/1942): During July 1942 in Indian theatre of war, Thomas Carswell, Private, Cameron Highlanders, youngest son of Mr & Mrs G Carswell, 10 Marine Gardens, Stranraer.

Mike Morley · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2016 8:38 pm Post subject:

Name: MCCRAE, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Serjeant
Service Number: 1990881
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers, 220 Field Coy
Date of Death: 15/2/1944
Age: 27
Additional Information: Son of William and Janet McCrae; husband of Catherine Jack McCrae, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire.
Grave Reference: I R 6
Cemetery: Anzio War Cemetery

Wigtownshire Free Press (16/3/1944): Mrs McCrae, Foundry Lane, Stranraer, has received official intimation of the death in action of her husband, Sergeant John McCrae, Royal Engineers. Sergeant McCrae was serving in the Central Mediterranean area. He had been in the Army for four years and had been overseas since June. A son of Mr McCrae, Kirkmaiden, Sandhead, he was in his 27th year. Prior to enlisting he was employed with his uncle, Mr J Currie, joiner, Leswalt. He leaves a family of four young children.

Mike Morley · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2016 8:38 pm Post subject:

Name: HUGHES, GEORGE
Initials: G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Service Number: 3189168
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers, 2nd Bn
Date of Death: 12/2/1944
Age: 23
Additional Information: Son of Violet Hughes, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire.
Panel Reference: Face 10
Memorial: Rangoon Memorial

Wigtownshire Free Press (23/3/1944): Official news has been received by Mr & Mrs Hughes, 5 Murrayfield Gardens, Stranraer, that their son, Pte George Hughes, KOSB, was posted missing in Burma in February. Pte Hughes, who was 22 years of age, went overseas three and a half years ago. He was in the Territorials prior to the war and was mobilised in September 1939. At the time he was called up he was employed with the late Mr Jack, butcher.

Mike Morley · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2016 8:40 pm Post subject:

Name: FARRELL, ALEXANDER HAMILTON
Initials: AH
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Aircraftsman First Class
Service Number: 979215
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 286 Sqdn
Date of Death: 6 March 1942
Grave Reference: Sec U, Class 4, Grave 29
Cemetery: Stranraer (Glebe) Cemetery

Wigtownshire Free Press (12/3/1942): At St Athan's Hospital, Wales, on the 6th March 1942, L/AC Alexander Farrell, RAF, beloved husband of Margaret Norris.

Mike Morley · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2016 4:44 pm Post subject:

Name: HENRY, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Service Number: 1647344
Regiment/Service: Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 8th Bn
Date of Death: 16/10/1944
Age: 27
Additional Information: Son of William and Agnes Henry, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire; husband of Jane Henry, of Stranraer.
Grave Reference: VI B 1
Cemetery: Bologna War Cemetery

Wigtownshire Free Press (2/11/1944): Mrs William Henry, 27 Agnew Terrace, Stranraer, has received official intimation that her husband, Private Henry, has been killed in action while serving with the Central Mediterranean Forces. Private Henry enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1940, and was subsequently transferred to the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and went through the whole of the Middle Eastern campaign. A painter by trade, he was 28 years of age. He leaves a widow and one child. His mother also resides at Agnew Terrace.

Mike Morley · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2016 4:44 pm Post subject:

Name: DAVIDSON, ALEXANDER BRADFORD
Initials: AB
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Serjeant
Service Number: 2326455
Regiment/Service: Royal Corps of Signals, Eighth Army Signals
Date of Death: 10/12/1944
Age: 32
Additional Information: Son of George and Sarah Davidson, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire.
Grave Reference: II H 11
Cemetery: Cesena War Cemetery

Wigtownshire Free Press (28/12/1944): News has been received of the death in action of Sergt Alexander B Davidson, of the Royal Corps of Signals, who was serving with the Eighth Army in Italy. A son of Mr and Mrs George Davidson, 49 Mount Vernon Rd, Stranraer, Sergt Davidson was in the employment of the GPO before being mobilised in September 1939. He served in France and was in the Dunkirk evacuation, and afterwards took part in operation in the Western Desert, Tunis, Sicily and Italy. In pre-war days he was well known in local football circles, and on occasion kept goal for Stranraer; but it was in the Summer League that he was most prominent. Before going to Africa he was a member of an Army team of Signallers that achieved remarkable success. Three of Sergt Davidson's brothers are in the Services. One is in Port Said, another with the BLA on the Continent, and the youngest is at sea. By a stroke of fortune Sergt Davidson and his brother James, while in the Middle East, met in Cairo on one occasion. In his last letter the Sergeant, who was 31, indicated that he might be getting leave soon, and his people had been looking forward to his being home in the New Year.

Mike Morley · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2016 4:45 pm Post subject:

Wigtownshire Free Press (23/5/1940) reported: LOSS OF PRINCESS VICTORIA. FIVE STRANRAER MEN MISSING.

Warrant Engineer W Graham
Chief Petty Officer James Coupethwaite
Chief Petty Officer James McCalmont
Petty Officer Alexander Little
Petty Officer James Little

The newspaper provided background to each of the fatalities.

Name: GRAHAM, W
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Fifth Engineer Officer
Regiment/Service: Naval Auxiliary Personnel (Merchant Navy), HMS Princess Victoria
Date of Death: 18/5/1940
Age: 33
Additional Information: Husband of Margaret Graham, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire.
Panel Reference: Panel 18, Column 2
Memorial: Liverpool Naval Memorial

Warrant Engineer W Graham, a native of Kilmarnock, had been at sea since his youth. He was married seven years ago, and his house is at Mount Vernon Road, where his wife and two children reside. He was on leave not long ago and his wife had just received a pass to travel to the vicinity of the port from which the vessel was operating. During the winter Warrant Officer Graham called at the Free Press office with a message of thanks to the Stranraer ladies who had sent gifts of comforts to the crew.

James Coupethwaite has already been identified by Ken Morrison earlier in the thread but repeated here for neatness.

Name: COUPETHWAITE, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Carpenter
Regiment/Service: Naval Auxiliary Personnel (Merchant Navy), HMS Princess Victoria
Date of Death: 18/5/1940
Age: 36
Additional Information: Son of William and Margaret Coupethwaite; husband of Agnes Morton Coupethwaite, of Ayr.
Panel Reference: Panel 18, Column 2
Memorial: Liverpool Naval Memorial

Chief Petty Officer James Coupethwaite (36) whose home was in Glenoch Street, succeeded his father as a carpenter in the cross-channel service. He served his time as a joiner in Stranraer and had been with the LMS Company for several years. His wife and two children are at present in Ayr.

Name: MCCALMONT, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Boatswain
Regiment/Service: Naval Auxiliary Personnel (Merchant Navy), HMS Princess Victoria
Date of Death: 18/5/1940
Additional Information: Husband of Mary McCalmont, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire.
Panel Reference: Panel 18, Column 2
Memorial: Liverpool Naval Memorial

Chief Petty Officer James McCalmont served in the last war in the Royal Naval Reserve when he was engaged in mine sweeping. A native of Larne, he had had his home in Stranraer for a good many years. His service on the Stranraer-Larne route was broken by a period of deep sea sailing in merchant ships. CPO McCalmont's home was at Mount Vernon Road, where his wife and nine of a family reside. He had several escapes in the last war and was confident about the outcome of the present struggle.

Name: LITTLE, ALEXANDER
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Donkeyman
Regiment/Service: Naval Auxiliary Personnel (Merchant Navy), HMS Princess Victoria
Date of Death: 18/5/1940
Age: 51
Additional Information: Son of Robert and Mary Little; husband of Jane Little, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire.
Panel Reference: Panel 18, Column 2
Memorial: Liverpool Naval Memorial

Petty Officer Alex Little, Mount Vernon Road, who is married and has a family of five, is a native of the district. As a young man he was engaged in agriculture and acted as a dairyman at Kildrochet before coming to Stranraer where he obtained a post with the LMS Steamers several years ago.

And his brother ...

Name: LITTLE, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Greaser
Regiment/Service: Naval Auxiliary Personnel (Merchant Navy), HMS Princess Victoria
Date of Death: 18/5/1940
Age: 36
Additional Information: Son of Robert and Mary Ann Little.
Panel Reference: Panel 18, Column 2
Memorial: Liverpool Naval Memorial

Petty Officer James Little (32), like his brother was also interested in farming, and for a time was in Kirkcudbright. After a spell in the coal business in Wigtown he came back to Stranraer to take up employment in the Galloway Creamery. Just after the war began he joined the Princess Victoria to work along with his brother. His home address is 4 Castle Court.

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:19 pm Post subject:

Name: TOMLIN, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Driver
Service Number: 192566
Regiment/Service: Royal Army Service Corps
Date of Death: 30/3/1941
Age: 24
Additional Information: Son of William and Isobell Tomlin; husband of Thomasina Tomlin, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire.
Grave Reference: 7 D 15
Cemetery: Benghazi War Cemetery

Wigtownshire Free Press (17/4/1941): By enemy action during March 1941, Driver William Tomlin, only son of Mr and Mrs Tomlin, Galston, Ayrshire, and beloved husband of Ina Diven, 6 Greenvale St, Stranraer.

Also named on Galston War Memorial.

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:20 pm Post subject:

Name: CASEY, ROBERT SMITH
Initials: RS
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Service Number: 3188902
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers, 5th Bn
Date of Death: 21/4/1941
Age: 20
Additional Information: Son of David McDowall Casey and Jeannie McCaig Casey, of Stranraer.
Grave Reference: Sec V Class 4 Grave 45
Cemetery: Stranraer (Glebe) Cemetery

Wigtownshire Free Press (24/4/1941): Mr and Mrs David Casey, 11 St John Street, Stranraer, have received news of the death, as a result of an accident, of their eldest son, Private R S Casey. Before the war, Casey was employed with the Co-operative Society at Sheuchan Parks. He had been on service since the outbreak of hostilities. He is to be buried at Stranraer on Friday.