The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 4:17 pm Post subject:

CHARLES JOHNSTONE, MERKLAND, BORDER REGT.
Charles Johnston – age 24 – Sergeant (13279) 11th (Lonsdale) Battalion, Border Regiment.
Charles landed with his battalion at Boulogne in November 1915.
Born 1894 Gretna, Dumfriesshire. Son of James and Margaret Johnston of Merkland, Kirtlebridge, Kirkpatrick Fleming.
His brother John, Private (3824) Australian Infantry was a Prisoner of War in Germany and returned to Australia in March 1919.
Killed in Action on 19 April 1918 and buried in Bienvilers Military Cemetery, France.

DAVID LISTER, CRANBERRY, K.O.S.B.
David Lister – age 19 – Private (1898) 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
David was brought up in Kirkpatrick Fleming and was a ploughman at Wamphray, Dumfriesshire when he enlisted in September 1914. He landed with his battalion at Gallipiloi in June 1915 but died of heart failure in his dug-out.
Born 1896 in Annan, Dumfriesshire. Son of David and Janet Lister of Grahamshill Farm and of Cranberry Farm, Kirkpatrick Fleming and of Mouldyhills, Canonbie, Dumfriesshire.
Died on Active Service on 5 September 1915 and buried in Redoubt Cemetery, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey.

and his brother

STEWART LISTER, CRANBERRY, R.S.F.
Stewart Lister – age 24 – Lance Corporal (16968) 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Stewart was a farm servant at Middlebie, Dumfriesshire when he enlisted. He joined the 7th RSF in France in August 1915 and also served with the 1st Battalion before he moved to the 2nd RSF.
He was Mentioned in Despatches as Lister, No.16968 Pte. (actg. Lce.-Corpl.) S.
Born 1894 in Middlebie, Dumfriesshire. Son of David and Janet Lister of Grahamshill Farm and of Cranberry Farm, Kirkpatrick Fleming and of Mouldyhills, Canonbie, Dumfriesshire.
Killed in Action on 9 April 1918 and buried in Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard, Laventie, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 4:28 pm Post subject:

James McKay and Sarah Anne Smith married in Gretna in 1888 and on the census of 1891, 1901 and 1911 the family name is McKay. The children were registered as McKay but the family started to use the name MacKie at some stage.
However all of James's military records have McKay, whereas all of John's use MacKie.

JAMES MACKIE, REDHALL, K.O.S.B.
James Smith Mackie – age 23 – Private (23861) 6th Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Born 1893 in Gretna as James Smith McKay. Son of James and Sarah Ann (Smith) Mackie of Redhall Farm, Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Killed in Action on 9 April 1917 and buried in Bailleul Road West Cemetery, St. Laurent-Blangy, France.

and his brother

JOHN MACKIE, REDHALL, K.O.S.B.
John Mackie – age 21 – Private (40190) 7th/8th Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers.
John was employed by the Glasgow and South Western Railway Company as a porter at Rigg Station near Gretna when he enlisted. He was wounded just after he arrived at the Front in September 1916 and was killed three months later.
Born c. 1895 in Gretna. (Source: 1901 census but cannot trace on GRoS) Son of James and Sarah Ann (Smith) Mackie of Redhall Farm, Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Killed in Action on 15 December 1916 and buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery, France.
Also named on the G&SW Railway Company memorial now in Ayr Station.

A younger brother, born in 1898 in Gretna as Joseph Smith McKay, enlisted as Joseph MacKie, Private (5176) in the KOSB but was transferred as Private (42231) to the 16th Highland Light Infantry. He was badly wounded in December 1917 but recovered and was awarded a Military Medal in July 1918. He survived the war.

WILLIAM MARTINDALE, WOODHOUSEMILL, R.G.A.
William Martindale – age 32 – Gunner (206177) 296th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.
William was employed in Gretna when he enlisted in March 1918 and went to France in September. He was killed when sheltering behind a wall which was hit by a shell and collapsed on him.
Born 1885 in Hutton and Corrie, Dumfriesshire. Son of the late Edward Masterton Martindale and of Agnes (Coulthart) Martindale of Woodhousemill, Kirkpatrick Fleming. Husband of Margaret (Davidson) Martindale of Greycraig Kirtlebridge, Kirkpatrick Fleming and of Littledyke, Dalton, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire who he married in 1910 in Gretna.
Killed in Action on 24 October 1918 and buried in Wassigny Communal Cemetery, Aisne, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 4:36 pm Post subject:

The sons of Andrew and Isabella (Henderson) McCormick of Kirkpatrick, Fleming.

ALEXANDER McCORMICK, COVE RAILWAY COTTAGES, CAMERON HRS.
Alexander McCormick – age 19 – Private (S/18626) 5th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders.
“Alick” was in farm service when he enlisted in June 1915. He joined his battalion in France in October 1915.
Born 1897 in Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Missing in Action on 16 July 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.

IRVING J. McCORMICK, COVE RAILWAY COTTAGES, K.L-POOL REGT.
Irving John McCormick – age 27 – Lance Serjeant (3384 & 355562) 1/10th (Scottish) Battalion, The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
Irving had been an electrical wireman in Govan, Glasgow in February 1913 but was living in Liverpool when he enlisted as Private (3384) in the Liverpool Scottish. He landed with his battalion at Le Havre in November 1914. Later he served as Corporal (39893) in the Labour Corps before he rejoined his old battalion.
Born 1889 in Kirkpatrick Fleming. Husband of Helen (Douglas) McCormick of 112 King Street, Govan, Glasgow who he married in 1912 in Govan. Helen died of TB in the Shieldhall Fever Hospital in Glasgow on 1 February 1913.
Husband of Lavinia (Churchard) McCormick of 98 Newmarket Street, Norwich who he married in 1916 in Norwich.
Killed in Action on 19 June 1918 and buried in Houchin British Cemetery, France.

THOMAS McCORMICK, COVE RAILWAY COTTAGES, CAMERON HRS.
Thomas McCormick, Military Medal – age 27 – Private (S/18205) 1st Battalion, Cameron Highlanders.
Thomas was a policeman in Liverpool when he enlisted. He joined his battalion in France in October 1915. He was wounded in August 1916 and awarded a M.M. for his work in carrying despatches as the brigade runner in May 1918.
Born 1891 in Kirkpatrick Fleming. Husband of Edith (Midgley) McCormick of 23 Duke Street and of 4 Townley Street, Harle Syke, Burnley who he married in 1916 in Burnley.
Died of Wounds on 29 October 1918 and buried in Premont British Cemetery, Aisne, France.
Also named on the Bunley Roll of Honour.

Their elder brother Walter McCormick (born 1886) enlisted as Private (5887) in th Coldstream Guards in December 1904. He landed in France on 12 August 1914. He was discharged from the army due to wounds in July 1915 and awarded a Silver War Badge (303921)

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 4:45 pm Post subject:

ANDREW McMINN, NORTHANGLE, S.R.
Andrew McMinn – age 20 – Private (38415) 5th/6th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).
The 1/5th and 1/6th Battalions merged in May 1916.
Born 1898 in Collin, Torthorwald, Dumfriesshire. Son of James and Agnes (Hislop) McMinn of Northangle, Kirkpatrick Fleming and of Greycraig, Kirtlebridge, Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Killed in Action on 23 October 1918 and buried in Ovillers New Communal Cemetery, Solesmes, France.

GEORGE MUNDELL, NEWTON, SEAFORTH HRS.
All records spell his name as Mundle.
George Mundle – age 32 – Private (235280) 9th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.
George enlisted as Private (5053) in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and served with them as Private (302481) Later he transferred to the 9th Seaforths.
Born 1885 in Chapelknowe, Half Morton, Dumfriesshire. Son of William and Margaret (Davidson) Mundle of Newton, Kirkpatrick Fleming. Husband of Maggie Jane F. (Cochrane or Ireland) who he married in 1905 in Dornock, Dumfriesshire. In 1911 George, Maggie and their son Robert, age 4, were at Peatford, Dryfesdale, Dumfriesshire.
Missing in Action on 11 April 1918 and named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

JOSEPH ROME, THE OAKS, K.O.S.B.
Joseph Rome – age 20 – Private (45532) King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Joseph was a traction engine driver. He died in Middlesex War Hospital, St Albans, Hertfordshire.
Born 1898 in Kirkpatrick Fleming. Son of David and Catherine (Brown) Rome of The Oaks, Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Died on 25 April 1919 and buried in Kirkpatrick Fleming Cemetery. (CWG)

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 4:51 pm Post subject:

JOHN SWORD, HOLLEE, A.&.S.H.
John Sword – age 18 – Private (2238) 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
John was a farm servant when he enlisted in August 1914. He was posted to his battalion in France in February 1915 but died of a head wound in the 13th General Hospital in Boulogne.
Born 1897 in Gretna, Dumfriesshire. Son of William and Jemima (Hall) Sword of Hollee, Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Died of Wounds on 28 May 1915 and buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France.

and his brother

WILLIAM SWORD, HOLLEE, R.G.A.
William Sword – age 23 – Gunner (59087) "X" 9th Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.
William enlisted in November 1915 and went to France in March 1916.
Born 1893 in Half Morton, Dumfriesshire. Son of William and Jemima (Hall) Sword of Hollee, Kirkpatrick Fleming. Husband of Annie Anderson (Mars or Parker) Sword of Hurkledale, Cummertrees and of Hallhill Cottages, Irongray, Kirkcudbrightshire who he married in 1914 in Dalton, Dumfriesshire.
Died of Wounds on 19 July 1916 and buried in La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie, Somme, France.

GEORGE THOMSON, COVE QUARRY COTTAGE, K.O.S.B.
George Thomson – age 31 – Private (38385) 8th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
George was a munitions worker, living in Lady Street, Annan when he married on Christmas Eve 1915. He served as Private (23222) in the 1st King's Own Scottish Borderers before he was transferred to the KOYLI while in France.
Born 1885 at Cummertrees, Dumfriesshire. Son of William and Janet (Burgess) Thomson of Cove Cottage and of Irvington, Kirkpatrick Fleming. Husband of Mary (Millar) Thomson of Clone Farm, Palnackie, Buittle, Kirkcudbrightshire who he married in 1915 in Blythswood, Glasgow.
(Source: Millar family grave in Crossmichael Parish Churchyard and GRoS – Marriage Register)
Missing in Action on 1 October 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:00 pm Post subject:

C. B. THOMSON, TOPPINGHEAD, GORDON HRS.
Cunningham Black Thomson – age 18 – Private (S/3985) 9th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.
He enlisted at Inverkeithing, Fife and landed with his battalion at Boulogne in 9 July 1915. Less than three months later he was killed at he battle of Loos.
Born 1897 in Kirkpatrick Fleming. Son of the late George Thomson and of Margaret (Black) Thomson of Toppinghead, Kirkpatrick Fleming, of Annan and of 5 Knowe Terrace, Inverkeithing and of 1 Hope Street, Inverkeithing, Fife; and step-son of Andrew Thomson.
George died in 1898 in Kirkpatrick Fleming and Margaret re-married to Andrew Thomson in 1903 in Kirkpatrick Fleming. In 1911 Andrew 36 and Cunningham 13 were at 20 Victoria Terrace, KPF but I cannot trace the rest of the family.
Missing in Action on 25 September 1915 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.

and his brother

JAMES THOMSON, TOPPINGHEAD, H.L.I.
James Thomson – age 27 – Lance Corporal (1749 & 240313) 1/6th (City of Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.
James was a tramway car conductor in Glasgow and was living at 233 Holmlea Road in Cathcart when he enlisted. He joined his battalion in Egypt in 1916 and served in Palestine before moving to France in April 1918. He was Mentioned in Despatches for his actions in Palestine. James died of influenza in hospital in Douai near Arras.
Born 1891 at Millcroft, Annan. Son of the late George Thomson and of Margaret (Black) Thomson of Toppinghead, Kirkpatrick Fleming, of Annan and of 5 Knowe Terrace, Inverkeithing and of 1 Hope Street, Inverkeithing, Fife; and step-son of Andrew Thomson.
George died in 1898 in Kirkpatrick Fleming and Margaret re-married to Andrew Thomson in 1903 in Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Husband of Margaret C. Thomson of 5 Knowe Terrace, Inverkeithing, Fife.
Died on Active Service on 3 November 1918 and buried in Douai British Cemetery, Cuincy, France.
Also named on the Glasgow Corporation Tramways Langside Depot Memorial, now in the Parkhead depot, and on the Glasgow Roll of Honour.

D&G Standard 11/10/1916 p.3 Kirkpatrick Fleming Soldier Killed
Mrs Thomson 5 Know Terrace, Inverkeithing, Fifeshire has received information from the War Office that her youngest son Private C. B. Thomson, Gordon Highlanders who was reported wounded and missing at the battle of Loss is now reported killed on that date.

D&G Standard 30/11/1918 p.7 Kirkpatrick Fleming Soldier Killed
Mrs Thomson 5 Knowe Terrace Inverkeithing has received intimation of the death of her husband, Lance Corporal A (sic). Thomson, Highland Light Infantry, in hospital in France from influenza. He was the third son of the late Mr George Thomson, Toppinghead, and grandson of the late Mr Nichol Thomson, Bonshawside, Kirtlebridge, where Lance Corporal Thomson was born. He was employed as a tramway car conductor in Glasgow upto the outbreak of war.

D&G Standard 9/10/1915 p.5
Private Wm. Thomson, of the Gordon Highlanders, has been admitted to the General Hospital, Boulogne, suffering from severe gunshot wounds to the face. Private Thomson is the sixth son of the late Mr George Thomson, Toppinghead.
William, Private (S/3987) went to France in May 1915 and served with the 8th, 9th and 2nd Battalions of the Gordon Highlanders.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:09 pm Post subject:

1939 – 1945

JOHN R. BELL, A.C.1. W/O. R.A.F.
John Rogerson Bell – age 20 – Aircraftman 1st Class (550003) 10 Squadron, Bomber Command, Royal Air Force.
John's Whitley bomber took off from RAF Dishforth in Yorkshire for a 'Nickel' raid, the dropping of propaganda leaflets over German cities, but was lost without trace over the North Sea.
Born 1918 in Kirkpatrick Fleming. Son of Robert Thomas Bell and Jane Ann (Johnston) Bell of Broats Farm, Annan, Dumfriesshire.
Missing in Action on 2 October 1939 and named on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.
Also named on the Kirkpatrick Fleming Parish Church memorial.

JOHN P. CROSSAN, SPR. R.E.
John “Jackie” Pitt Crossan – age 19 – Driver (3189347) 4 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers.
Born 1921 in Kirkpatrick Fleming. Son of John and Mary Scott (Crosbie or Pitt) Crossan of Cove Gates, Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Missing in Action on 4 April 1941 and named on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt.
Also named on the Kirkpatrick Fleming Parish Church memorial.

RANDOLPH FORTEITH, CPL. R.E.
Randolph Sinclair Forteith – age 25 – Corporal (14327137) Royal Engineers.
Randolph was a “Driver with HM Forces” when he died at home of tuberculosis.
Born 1922 in Kirkpatrick Fleming. Son of James and Mary Ann or Margaret (Sinclair) Forteith of Newton, Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Died on Service on 23 July 1947 and buried in Kirkpatrick Fleming Cemetery. (CWG)

JANET T. JOHNSTON, N.A.A.F.I.
Janet Thomson Johnston – age 21 – Canteen Worker; Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes.
Janet died of tuberculosis in the Dumfries and Galloway Sanatorium in Lochmaben.
Born 1921 in Kirkpatrick Fleming. Daughter of Peter Donaldson Johnston and of Isabella (Thomson) Johnston of Newton, Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Died on 28 June 1942 and buried in Kirkpatrick Fleming Cemetery.
Also named on the Kirkpatrick Fleming Parish Church memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:17 pm Post subject:

DAVID LITTLE, PTE. K.O.S.B.
David John Little – age 27 – Private (2386744) “D” Company, No.14 Platoon, 7th (Airborne) Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers (Galloway), 1st Airlanding Brigade.
The first of the Horsa gliders carrying the 7th Battalion KOSB landed at Arnhem on the first day of the battle, Sunday 17 September 1944, to secure the Ginkel Heath position, designated as DZ-Y for the 4th Parachute Brigade. On 25 September the battalion were defending the perimeter near Oosterbeek Hoog Railway Station and that night the survivors were withdrawn to cross back over the Rhine.
David was captured and died of illness as a Prisoner of War in Eilenberg, Germany but was re-interred in Berlin in September 1947.
Born 1917 in Gretna, Dumfriesshire. Son of Janet Little of Kirkpatrick Fleming, Dumfriesshire.
Died on Service on 3 January 1945 and buried in Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany.
Also named on the Kirkpatrick Fleming Parish Church memorial.

ARTHUR S. LAWRENCE, L.A.C. R.A.F.
Arthur Stephen Lawrence – age 33 – Leading Aircraftman (1352068) Royal Air Force.
Arthur was a motor driver when he died of tuberculosis at Wicketthorn, Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Born 1912 in Bridge, Kent. Son of the late William Richard Lawrence and of Olive Lucy (Whitehead) Lawrence. Husband of Mary Graham (Anderson) Lawrence of 1 Grahamfield, Kirkpatrick Fleming who he married in 1942 in Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Died on 13 January 1946 and buried in Kirkpatrick Fleming Cemetery. (CWG)

WALTER McEWAN, BDR, R.A.
Walter McEwan – age 21 – Bombardier (1148471) 172 Field Regt. Royal Artillery.
Walter was employed in Carlisle when he enlisted. He served in North Africa and Sicily before he landed in Italy.
Coriano Ridge was the last important ridge in the Adriatic sector in the autumn of 1944. Its capture was the key to Rimini and eventually to the River Po. German parachute and panzer troops resisted attacks on their positions between 4 and 12 September 1944.
Born 1923 in Gretna, Dumfriesshire. Son of James and Jane McEwan, of Newton, Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Killed in Action on 6 September 1944 and buried in Coriano Ridge War Cemetery, Italy.
Also named on the Kirkpatrick Fleming Parish Church memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:23 pm Post subject:

WILLIAM J. MALONE, CPL. K.O.S.B.
William James Malone – age 28 – Corporal (3195323) 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
William was a County Council water supply employee at Kirtlebridge, Kirkpatrick Fleming when he enlisted in 1940.
2nd KOSB were in India when war broke out in September 1939. After tough jungle training they sailed with the 7th (Indian) Division to Burma in September 1943 and crossed into the Arakan.
William was buried in the battlefield cemetery at Akyab but was re-interred in Taukkyan in May 1952.
Born 1915 in Cummertrees, Dumfriesshire. Son of Henry and Robina Agnes (Moffat or McEwen) Malone of Burnhead, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire. Husband of Violet (Ashburn) Malone of Eaglesfield, Lockerbie who he married in 1941 in Lockerbie.
Killed in Action on 15 February 1944 and buried in Taukkyan War Cemetery, Maynamar (Burma)
Also named on the Kirkpatrick Fleming Parish Church memorial.

STANLEY PENDRIGH, L/SGT. K.O.S.B.
Stanley Pendrigh – age 26 – Lance Sergeant (3191870) Headquarters Company, Signals Platoon, 7th (Airborne) Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers (Galloway), 1st Airlanding Brigade.
The first of the Horsa gliders carrying the 7th Battalion KOSB landed at Arnhem on the first day of the battle, Sunday 17 September 1944, to secure the Ginkel Heath position, designated as DZ-Y for the 4th Parachute Brigade. On 25 September the battalion were defending the perimeter near Oosterbeek Hoog Railway Station and that night the survivors were withdrawn to cross back over the Rhine.
Stanley was buried near the Hartstein Hotel in Oosterbeek but was re-interred in August 1945.
Born 1918 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Son of John Pendrigh, and of Annie (Graham) Pendrigh of Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Killed in Action on 25 September 1944 and buried in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Netherlands.
Also named on the Kirkpatrick Fleming Parish Church memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:29 pm Post subject:

IRVING R. WALLACE, GDN. S.G.
Irving Rae Wallace – age 20 – Guardsman (2701138) Scots Guards.
Irving was a railway clerk at Carlisle when he enlisted. He served as the gunner in a Churchill Tank in the 3rd Armoured Battalion of the Scots Guards and, as part of the 6th Guards Tank Brigade, landed at Normandy on 20 July 1944. He was killed near Estray and was buried there but was re-interred in November 1945.
Born 1923 in Kirkpatrick Fleming. Son of Nathaniel and Agnes (Rae) Wallace of Wickettorn House, Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Killed in Action on 6 August 1944 and buried in Hottot-les-Bagues War Cemetery, Calvados, France.
Also named on the Kirkpatrick Fleming Parish Church memorial.

A report on the loss of his tank states “They were the crew of the tank “TAY” of which 2696468 Serjeant J. BIRSS, was the commander. On 6th August 1944, during the attack on the crossroads at ESTRY, this tank was seen to go forward through a hedgerow to engage a PANTHER tank which had just knocked out a tank of the troop in front. Nothing more was heard or seen of the tank as the direction of the attack swung off to the right, but a fire was seen later in the place where the tank had been last seen.
It was impossible to get to the place until the 14th August owing to the presence of the enemy. The tank was then found burnt out and holed through the front plate by a large projectile. Serjeant BIRSS was found and indentified dead on the ground some 5 yards from the tank. Two unidentifiable bodies were found in the turret which in all probability, were Guardsman WALLACE and Guardsman McINTYRE, the gunner and operator.” (Source: ww2talk.com forum)
_________________
Ken