The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Tom Lang · Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Posts: 80

JAMES CLELLAND, Private 42395, 9th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) is named on the DALSERF WAR MEMORIAL at Ashgillhead.
[Note that WILLIAM BICKERSTAFF is also listed on the same Panel - see later. (I have already posted re WILLIAM BICKERSTAFF)]

He formerly served as Private 52392, 10/11th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.

JAMES was born at Blackwood, Parish of Lesmahagow, on 21st July, 1899.

His parents were Adam Clelland, a Grocer of Bogside, Newmains, and Mary Cumming, a Domestic Servant of Camelon, Falkirk, who were married at Camelon, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, on 7th June, 1899.
His paternal grandparents were James Clelland, a Ploughman, and Mary Simpson.
His maternal grandparents were Donald Cumming, a Blacksmith, and Janet Bowie.

The 1901 CAMBUSNETHAN, WISHAW Census was taken on 31st March, 1901.
The family are listed at 6 Ivey Cottages, Chapel Road, Cambusnethan, as follows:
Adam Clelland, age 26, Head, Grocer, b Carluke.
Mary Clelland, age 34, Wife, b Dornoch, Sutherland.
JAMES CLELLAND, age 1, Son, b Lesmahagow.

The 1911 BIRKENSHAW, LARKHALL Census was taken on 2nd April, 1911.
The family are listed at 6 Clarks Buildings, Birkenshaw, Larkhall, as follows:
Adam Clelland, age 36, Head, Grocer, b Carluke.
Mary Clelland, age 45, Wife, b Dornoch, Sutherland.
JAMES CLELLAND, age 11, Son, Scholar, b Lesmahagow.
Donald Clelland, age 9, Son, Scholar, b Lesmahagow.
Adam Clelland, age 7, Son, Scholar, b Wishaw.
Mary Clelland, age 3, Daughter, b Larkhall.

JAMES joined the 10/11th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, as Private 52392. This was a Territorial Battalion, and he was later transferred to the 9th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and renumbered as Private 42395.

JAMES CLELLAND Died of his Wounds in France on 26th April, 1918, age 18.
The attached newspaper clipping states that he died in a Casualty Clearing Station.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) entry for JAMES shows that he is buried at HARINGHE (BANDAGHEM) MILITARY CEMETERY, West Vlaanderen, Belgium.
There are 807 casualties buried in this Cemetery.
His parents requested that his gravestone be inscribed:
"CHRIST SHALL CLASP THE BROKEN CHAIN CLOSER WHEN WE MEET AGAIN".

JAMES is commemorated at The Scottish National War Memorial (SNWM) in Edinburgh Castle.

The entry in Soldiers Died in the Great War (SDGW) shows that JAMES enlisted in Hamilton (probably the Hamilton Barracks in Almada Street). It also shows that he formerly served with the Highland Light Infantry as Private 52392, 10/11th Battalion.

The Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for JAMES shows that he was awarded The Victory Medal and The British War Medal.
The MIC is undated, which indicates that he went to France after 1915.

Conscription was introduced in January, 1916, after The Military Service Act was passed. So it is possible that he was conscripted like many, many, many others.

The "Soldier's Effects" record shows that his father Adam received his Outstanding Pay of £4/9/4, and a War Gratuity of £3/-/-.

A newspaper clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser dated 18th May, 1918, reads:
"CLELLAND - Died at Clearing Station, France, on 26th April, 1918, from wounds received in actions, Pte. James Clelland, Scottish Rifles, aged 18 and 9 months, beloved son of Mr and Mrs Clelland, Fontein Cottage, Birkenshaw, Larkhall.

"Man's inhumanity to man,
Makes countless thousands mourn".

"As we look at your picture which hangs on the wall,
The smile of your boyhood we can't but recall;
We miss you son, God knows, and mourn ye unseen,
And the memories are sacred of days that have been".

"Could we, our boy, have clasped your hand,
The son we loved so well,
Or kissed your brow when death was nigh,
And whispered "Dear Jim - Farewell".

"Christ shall clasp the broken chain,
Closer when we meet again".

A newspaper clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser dated 25th May, 1918, reads:
"LARKHALL AND THE WAR
<snip>
Mr and Mrs Clelland, Fontein Cottage, Birkenshaw, Larkhall, have received official intimation that their son, Private Jas. Clelland, Scottish Rifles, died in a Casualty Clearing Station in France on the 26th April from wounds received in action. He enlisted in November, 1917, and went to France in April. Private Clelland was in his 19th year. Previous to enlisting he was employed with Mrs Eadie, Broomhill Bakery, Larkhall.
<snip>".

The War Diary of the 9th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) shows that they were involved in an operation near the Canal at JUSSY, France, during the 21st to 23rd MARCH, 1918.
The Casualties reported in the Diary for this period were:
Killed Officers 3 Other Ranks 35
Wounded Officers 4 Other Ranks 131
Missing Officers 1 Other Ranks 146
Wounded and Missing Officers 3 Other Ranks 4
Gassed Other Ranks 6
Shell Shock Other Ranks 3

With no further details, I can only guess that JAMES CLELLAND was one of these Wounded Casualties (on 21/23 MARCH, 1918) who was taken to a Casualty Clearing Station, and where he later Died of his Wounds on 26 APRIL, 1918.

The 1921 Census for BIRKENSHAW, Larkhall, was taken on 19 June, 1921.

WILLIAM BICKERSTAFF's parents, and JAMES CLELLAND's parents and siblings are both listed at Fontein Cottage, Birkenshaw, Larkhall, as follows:

[William BICKERSTAFF's father died on 7 January, 1896. His mother re-married at Birkenshaw, Larkhall, on 6 October, 1899, to Adam PARK.]

Adam CLELLAND, Head, age 46, b Carluke, a Grocer.
Mary CLELLAND, Wife, age 54, b Dornoch, Sutherland.
Donald CLELLAND, Son, age 19, b Lesmahagow, a Clerk.
Adam CLELLAND, Son, age 17, b Cambusnethan, a Coal Miner Brusher.
Mary CLELLAND, Dau, age 13, b Larkhall, a Scholar

Adam PARK, Head, age 62, b Wishaw, a Coal Miner.
Martha PARK, Wife, age 58, b Dalserf.

This shows that the parents of JAMES CLELLAND and WILLIAM BICKERSTAFF were close neighbours, and this may be the reason for their choice to list their sons' names on the DALSERF WAR MEMORIAL, rather than the LARKHALL WAR MEMORIAL.

JAMES CLELLAND's father Adam Clelland, age 48, died on 6 Nov 1923 at Fontein Cottage, Birkenshaw, Larkhall. His death was reported by his son Donald.

His mother Mary Cumming or Clelland, age 66, died on 2 Feb 1932 at Fontein Cottage, Birkenshaw, Larkhall. Her death was reported by her son Adam.

Lest We Forget!

CWGC
----
Name: CLELLAND, J.
Rank: Private
Service No: 42395
Date of Death: 26th April, 1918
Age: 18
Regiment/Service: 9th Bn., Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Grave Reference: V. A. 12.
Cemetery: HARINGHE (BANDAGHEM) MILITARY CEMETERY
Other Info: Son of Adam and Mary Clelland, of Birkenshaw, Larkhall,
Lanarkshire. Native of Larkhall.

SNWM
----
Surname: CLELLAND
Forename: James
Rank: Pte
Service Number: 42395
Place of Birth: Larkhall
Date of Death: 26th April, 1918
Theatre of Death: Flanders
Cause of Death: Died
SNWM Roll: THE CAMERONIANS (SCOTTISH RIFLES)
Unit Name: In or attached to THE CAMERONIANS
Other Detail: 9th Bn.

[I don't know how to attach documents (or I've forgotten how)]
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.