The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 9:44 am Post subject:

PTE. HENRY COWE, A.S.C.
Henry Cowe – age 24 – Private (M2/079419) Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps.
Henry declared that was a motor driver living at Middletown, Fountainhall, Stow when he enlisted in April 1915. He had in fact joined the Northumberland Constabulary in July 1913 and he was based at Ashington when he resigned to enlist. He joined the 319th Company at Rouen in France in May 1915. Henry died of bronchial pneumonia in the 22nd Casualty Clearing Station at Pernes-en-Artois.
Born 1893 in Melrose, Roxburghshire. Son of William and Euphemia (Simpson) Cowe of Middletown, Fountainhall, of Crookston, Heriot and of Muirhouse, Stow.
Died on Active Service on 30 June 1918 and buried in Pernes British Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Northumberland County Constabulary memorial. (See earlier post by John Durham)

PTE. ROBt. G. CROMBIE, R.S.
Robert Gilbert Crombie – age 27 – Private (202368) 5th/6th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
“Robin” and his father ran the Waverley Poultry Farm at Stow. He enlisted as Private (4264) in the Royal Scots but he was posted as Private (1914) to the Cameronians after the 1/5th and 1/6th Battalions merged in May 1916.
Born 1890 in Edinburgh. Son of William and Jessie (Gilbert) Crombie of Sunnybank, Stow.
Missing in Action on 20 May 1917 and named on the Arras Memorial, France.

PTE. JAS. H. DOIG, CANADIANS
James Henderson Doig – age 33 – Private (859249) 43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry.
In 1901 James was serving his apprenticeship as a joiner at Torsonce in Stow where his father was a gardener. He was a carpenter and was a member of the local militia, the 79th Regiment, Cameron Highlanders of Canada, when he enlisted at Winnipeg, Manitoba in November 1915. He had prior military service with the Royal Scots and with the King's Own Scottish Borderers. He sailed with the 179th Battalion from Halifax, Nova Scotia in October 1916 and was posted to the 43rd in France in November but he was killed less than three months later.
Born 1884 in Stow. Son of William and Jane (Henderson) Doig of Caldervan Lodge, by Balloch, Dunbartonshire and of Kirkclaugh, Gatehouse-of-Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Killed in Action on 2 February 1917 and buried in Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 9:56 am Post subject:

PTE. ROBt. FRIER, K.O.S.B.
Robert Frier – age 34 – Private (201541) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
In 1901 Robert was cycle engineer in Galashiels. He enlisted in the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars in January 1902 and joined the15th King's Hussars in India in January 1903. He returned to the UK in November 1909 and transferred to the Army Reserves in January 1910. He became a postman in December 1910 and was working in Stow, but no longer a reservist, when he enlisted. He joined his battalion in Egypt as Private (8650) and served in Palestine where he was killed.
Born 1882 in Galashiels. [Ladhope] Son of James and Jane (Brownlee) Frier of 10 Hall Street, Galashiels. Husband of Christina Binnie (Mann) Frier of Stow Brae, Stow who he married in 1914 in Stow.
Missing in Action on 18 April 1917 and named on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
Also named on the Galashiels War Memorial together with his younger brother George Frier, Lance Corporal (S/12110) 1/7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who died on 24 March 1918.

CPL. THOs. GOVENLOCK, BLACK WATCH
Thomas Govenlock – age 26 – Corporal (S/9028) 9th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
In 1911 Thomas was an under-gardener on the Bargany Estate in Dailly, Ayrshire. He may have moved to the Stirling area as he enlisted in Dunblane and he joined his battalion in France in October 1915.
Born 1890 at South Blainslie in Melrose, Roxburghshire. His father, a blacksmith, was living in Caddonfoot, Selkirkshire when Thomas was born.
Son of Thomas and Jane Ann Henderson (Hodgeson) Govenlock of Lee Place, Stow.
Missing in Action on 24 October 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.
Also named on the Dailly Parish War Memorial and (possibly) on the Cambusbarron War Memorial in Stirling as T. Gowanlock.

PTE. THOs. HARDIE, K.O.S.B.
Thomas Hardie – age 35 – Private (20405) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Thomas was employed as a surfaceman with the North British Railway Company when he enlisted. He joined his battalion at Gallipoli in October 1915 and then served in Egypt before they moved to France in March 1916. Thomas was killed on the first day of the battle of the Somme.
Born 1881 in Stow. Son of Thomas and Beatrice (Cranston) Hardie of Thornbank, Stow.
Missing in Action on 1 July 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.
Also named on the North British Railway Company memorial in Waverley Station in Edinburgh.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:02 am Post subject:

L.CPL. DAVID HILL, CAMERONS
David's name was added to the Stow Memorial in 2012 by his relative Danny Miles.
David Hill – age 25 – Lance Corporal (S/18675) 6th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders.
David was a police constable with Edinburgh City Police and was living at 13 Saunders Street, Edinburgh when he enlisted in June 1915. He joined his battalion in France in October.
Born 1891 in West Calder, Midlothian. Son of William and Agnes (Hamilton) Hill of Ferniehirst Cottages, Stow and of Smailholm Mains, Kelso.
Missing in Action on 13 August 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.
Also named on the “D” Division, Edinburgh City Police memorial in Torphichen Place Police Station, Haymarket.

CAPT. J.T.C. IRELAND, CHAPLAIN
The Rev. John Thomas Craig Ireland – age 45 – Chaplain 4th Class, Army Chaplains' Department.
John was educated at Daniel Stewart's College in Edinburgh and at Edinburgh University where he was a student of the Arts and Divinity and from where he graduated M.A. in 1896. He became a minister in the United Free Church of Scotland and served as a Chaplain in the South African Wars.
John was the minister of the Stow United Free Church when he was appointed a Chaplain to the Forces in September 1915 and he landed with the 10th Black Watch at Boulogne that same month before moving with them to Salonica in northern Greece in November. He was returning to duty after some leave when the Troopship “Transylvania” sailing from Marseilles was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-63 in the Gulf of Genoa off Cape Vado, Italy.
Born 1872 in Wemyss, Fife. Son of the late William Ireland (died 1914) and of Jessie Craig (Ireland) Ireland of Norfield, Buckhaven, Fife. Husband of Agnes (Walker) Ireland of Ness Bank, Inverness, of Stow and of 18 Braid Crescent, Edinburgh who he married in 1899 in Edinburgh.
Killed by enemy action/Lost at Sea on 4 May 1917 and named on the Savona Memorial, Italy.
Also named on the Daniel Stewart's College memorial, on the United Free Church memorial in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, on the Edinburgh University Old College memorial and on the University's Roll of the Fallen.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:09 am Post subject:

PTE. ROBt. JOHNSTON, S.R.
Robert Johnston – age 24 – Private (20733) 10th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Robert was educated at Fountainhall School, Midlothian and was a shepherd with his father at Oversheils, Stow when he enlisted in June 1915. He joined his battalion in France in October 1915 and was in the machine gun section when he wounded by a grenade. Robert died a week later in the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station at Bethune.
Born 1891 Meerless, Ettrick, Selkirk. Son of James and Isabella (Rae) Johnston of Overshiels, Stow and of Balvelachan, Callander, Perthshire.
Died of Wounds on 15 March 1916 and buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France.

L,CPL. THOs. H. KEDDIE, M.M. R.S.
Thomas Halliday Keddie, Military Medal – age 19 – Private (351061) 1/9th (Highlanders) Battalion, Royal Scots.
Thomas was awarded a MM as 3475 Pte. T. H. Keddie, R. Scots, in January 1917.
Born 1897 in Stow. Son of David and Robina (Halliday) Keddie of 10 Caledonian Road, Edinburgh.
In 1901 David was a railway signalman in Stow, by 1911 the family were in Stevenston, Ayrshire and by 1915 they were at Caledonian Road, Edinburgh where David was still a railwayman.
Killed in Action on 23 April 1917 and buried in Roeux British Cemetery, France.

PTE. DAVID LAIDLAW, SEAFORTHS
David Laidlaw – age 25 – Private (S/7825) 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.
David was employed as a spinner in Stow when he enlisted in the Royal Scots Greys in September 1914. He was posted to the 1st Seaforths in France in August 1915 and was wounded at Loos in September. In December 1915 the battalion moved to Mesopotamia, landing at Basra late in the month. David was killed a few weeks later.
Born 1890 in Galashiels, Selkirkshire. Son of Hugh and Isobel Wilson Laidlaw of 21 Garfield Street, Hawick, Roxburghshire.
Missing in Action on 7 January 1916 and named on the Basra Memorial, Iraq
Also named on the Hawick Roll of Honour.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 11:01 am Post subject:

PTE. ANTHONY B. LAUDER, K.O.S.B.
Anthony Bell Lauder – age 41 – Private (201410) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Anthony served his apprenticeship as a house painter in Edinburgh where his father has been a railway guard. He enlisted as Private (8457), joined his battalion in Egypt and served in Palestine.
Born 1876 at Proctor Smithy in Kelso, Roxburghshire. Son of John and Jemima Gilroy (Bell) Lauder of Station Cottage, Fountainhall, Stow.
Died of Wounds on 14 November 1917 and buried in Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel.

PTE. Hy. T. LAURIE, R.S.
Note: All records show the family name as LAWRIE.
Henry Taylor Lawrie – age 28 – Private (40891) 17th Battalion, Royal Scots.
Henry was a gamekeeper at Nethershiels, Stow when he enlisted.
Born 1890 in Fettercairn, Kincardineshire as Lawrie. Son of the late Ellen (Reid) Lawrie (died 1894) and of James Lawrie of Surgeonshall, Fettercairn.
Husband of Jessie Forrest (Porteous) Lawrie of Nethershiels, Stow who he married in 1915 in Stow.
Missing in Action on 25 March 1918 and named on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
Also named on the Fettercairn Parish War Memorial as Henry T. Lawrie.

TPR. W. D. LINTON 2nd LIFE GUARDS.
Not listed by CWGC but under review.
Walter Dodds Linton – age 27 – Trooper (3245) Reserve Household Battalion, Life Guards.
Walter had been a booking clerk with the North British Railway Company and was a parcel porter at Waverley Station in Edinburgh when he enlisted in July 1917. He was at Windsor when he became ill and he was in the Cavalry Hospital Detention Rooms when he drowned while taking a bath.
Born 1890 at Cathaugh in Kirkhope, Selkirkshire. Son of David and Margaret (Dodds) Linton of Spences's Buildings, Stow.
Died on Service on 19 December 1917 and buried in Spittal Cemetery, Windsor.
Also named on the Ettrickbridge War Memorial in Kirkhope Parish Church.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 11:20 am Post subject:

CPL. JAs. LOUGH, R.S.
In 1901 the Lough family were at Cotland Place in Stow and in 1911 as Loch they were in Wishaw Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire.
James Loch – age 23 – Corporal (302852) 1/7th Battalion, Royal Scots.
James was an apprentice engineer at the Newmains Works near Wishaw in Lanarkshire and was a member of the Territorial 8th Highland Light Infantry. He was mobilised in August 1914 and as Private (7014) he volunteered for overseas service. A company of the Battalion was attached to the 1/7th Battalion of the Royal Scots and landed with them at Gallipoli in June 1915. He then served in Egypt and Palestine before his Division move to France in April 1918.
Born 1895 in Stow as James Lough. Son of the late James Pringle Lough (died 1899) of Torquhan, Stow and of Nellie Wood (Chisholm) Lough or Loch of Clyde Street, Carluke, Lanarkshire.
Killed in Action on 21 September 1918 and buried in Moeuvres Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Also named on the Carluke War Memorial in the Old Churchyard as Cpl. James Loch.

PTE. GREGOR McLEOD, S.R.
Gregor McLeod – age 26 – Private (20732) 1st Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Gregor was employed as a trapper when he enlisted in June 1915. He was mobilised in September and joined the 10th Cameronians in France in October. Gregor was wounded and evacuated home in September 1916 and he returned to France to join the 1st Battalion in May 1917.
Born 1891 in Middleton, Borthwick, Midlothian. Son of James and Agnes (Stewart) McLeod of Pirntaton, Fountainhall, Stow.
Killed in Action on 24 June 1917 and buried in St. Leger British Cemetery, France.

PTE. DONd. M. MALLEN, H.L.I.
Donald Miller Mallen – age 30 – Private (40190) 1/5th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.
Donald was a forester on the Portmore Estate, Eddleston in Peeblesshire when he enlisted as Private (7624) in the 8th Royal Scots in October 1914. He was posted to France in August 1916 and was transferred to the HLI. He was wounded in March 1918 and evacuated home . Donald returned to France in August but was wounded at Moeuvres and died two days later in the 19th Casualty Clearing Station at Boisleux-St. Marc near Arras.
Born 1888 at Mitchellston Cottage, Stow. Son of the late Elizabeth (Miller) Mallen (died 1915) and of George Mallen of Bow Cottage, Stow.
Died of Wounds on 21 September 1918 and buried in Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux-St. Marc, France.
Also named on the Eddleston Section of Peebles War Memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 11:26 am Post subject:

PTE. JAs. H. MONRO, R.S.F.
James Hume Monro – age 39 – Private (20582) 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
James was a tailor in Stow when he enlisted in November 1915. He was posted to the 6th/7th RSF in France in November 1916 but was transferred to the 1st Battalion. James died in the 8th Casualty Clearing Station at Duisans near Arras.
Born 1878 in Stow. Son of John and Margaret (Hume) Monro of Cotland Place, Stow.
Died of Wounds on 7 May 1917 and buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, France.

PTE. WALTER NICOL, K.O.S.B.
Walter Nicol – age 21 – Private (20619) 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Walter was a shepherd when he enlisted in June 1915. He joined his battalion in France in October.
Born 1895 in Stow. Son of Walter and Margaret (Little) Nicol of Overshiels, Stow.
Missing in Action on 30 July 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.

CPL. ROBt. OLIVER, S.R.
Robert Oliver – age 31 – Corporal (20730) 11th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
In 1901 the family were at Allanshaws Farm in the former Landshaw Parish, Melrose but very near to Stow and near to Lauder in Berwickshire. Robert joined the 10th Cameronians in France in October 1915. At some point he was transferred to the 11th Battalion which had sailed from France for Salonika in northern Greece in November 1915.
Born 1887 in Ladhope/Landshaw, Melrose, Roxburghshire. Son of Robert and Marion (Clark) Oliver of Stow.
Missing in Action on 19 September 1918 and named on the Doiran Memorial, Greece.
Also named on the Lauder Parish War Memorial and on the Lauder United Free Church memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 11:39 am Post subject:

PTE. Wm. OVENS, A.S.C.
William Mitchell Ovens – age 33 – Private( M2/194156) 818th Mechanical Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps.
William was a baker's van man in Stow when he enlisted in 1915 and he was posted to Mesopotamia. He died there of pneumonia and was buried in Kazvin (now Qazvin) British War Cemetery but he was re-interred in Tehran.
Born 1888 in Kirkhope, Selkirkshire. Son of John and Margaret (Hunter) Ovens of Netherhowden, Oxton, Channelkirk, Berwickshire. Margaret died in December 1919. Husband of Elspeth Simpson (Wilson) Ovens of Townhead, Stow who he married in 1912 in Channelkirk.
Died on Service on 26 November 1919 and buried in Tehran War Cemetery, Iran.
Also named on the Channelkirk Parish War Memorial.

PTE. Wm. PORTEOUS, S.R.
Willie Porteous – age 26 – Private (20731) 5th/6th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Willie was a ploughman when he enlisted in May 1915. He joined the 10th Cameronians in France in October 1915 but he was invalided home due to illness in April 1916 and had returned to the front in September 1917. Willie died in the 10th Casualty Clearing Station at Lijssenthoek.
Born 1891 in Stow as William. Son of William and Isabella (Fleming) Porteous of Nethershiels, Stow.
Died of Wounds on 3 October 1917 and buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

PTE. ALEX. M. PRINGLE, K.O.S.B.
Alexander Martin Pringle – age 22 – Private (200303) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Alexander had been a member of the Territorial 4th KOSB and as Private (4491) he joined the battalion in Egypt, serving in Palestine where he was fatally wounded.
Born 1896 in Stow. Son of William and Elizabeth (Brockie) Pringle of Earlston Road, Stow.
Died of Wounds on 5 December 1917 and buried in Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 11:45 am Post subject:

PTE. ALEX. RUTHERFORD, K.O.S.B.
Alexander Rutherford – age 20 – Private (4485) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Robert was a baker in Lauder in Berwickshire and was a member of the Territorial 4th KOSB when he was mobilised in August 1914. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but he was killed a month later during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah.
Born 1895 in Stow. Son of James and Janet (Wilson) Rutherford of Jessiefield, Stow.
Missing in Action on 12 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the Lauder Parish War Memorial.

PTE. ADAM G. SCOTT, K.O.S.B.
Adam Gunn Scott – age 30 – Private (29398) 7th/8th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Adam was employed as a tailor with Aikman & Co in Lauder when he enlisted in the summer of 1916.
Born 1887 in Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire. Son of Adam Gourlay Scott and of Euphemia (Baillie) Scott of Stow. Husband of Janet Quarrie (Wylie) Scott of 13 Elgin Place and of 5a, Dewar Place, Edinburgh, and of Bank Cottage, Lauder who he married in 1911 in Edinburgh.
Missing in Action on 23 July 1918 and named on the Soissons Memorial, France.
Also named on the Lauder Parish War Memorial and on the Lauder Parish Church memorial.

L.CPL. GEO. J. SMITH, SEAFORTHS
George Jopling Smith – age 23 – Lance Corporal (S/9226) 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.
George was a surfaceman with the North British Railway Company in Galashiels, Selkirkshire when he enlisted in early 1915. He joined his battalion in France in November but in December 1915 they moved to Mesopotamia, landing at Basra late in the month. He was wounded during the advance to relieve Kut in 1916.
Born 1893 in Stow. Son of George and Mary (Jopling) Smith of Laurel Bank, Stow.
Missing in Action on 22 February 1917 and named on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.
Also named on the North British Railway Company memorial in Waverley Station in Edinburgh.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 11:53 am Post subject:

SEC. LT. JOHN STUART, BLACK WATCH
John Stuart – age 20 – Second Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion attached to 4th/5th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
John was commission from an Officer Cadet Unit in August 1917.
Born 1898 in Edinburgh. Son of the late William Stuart of Burnhouse, Stow (died 1916) and of Sue Campbell (Williams) Stuart of Luffness Mill House, Aberlady, East Lothian.
Killed in Action on 28 July 1918 and buried in Buzancy Military Cemetery, France.
His brother Donald, a Major with the 1st Gordon Highlanders, died on active service on 5 August 1940 and is buried at Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel.

PTE. PETER SWANSTON, K.O.S.B.
Peter Swanston – age 19 – Private (7430) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Peter was living in Stow when he enlisted. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but he was killed a month later during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah.
Born 1895 in Westruther, Berwickshire. Son of James and Christina (Temple) Swanston of Threepwood, Melrose, Roxburghshire.
Missing in Action on 12 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

PTE. ROBERT TOD, K.O.S.B.
Note: All military records had Todd but all civil records have Tod.
Robert Todd – age 22 – Private (201703) 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Robert was a ploughman at Borderhouse Mains when he enlisted in June 1915. He joined the 1st KOSB at Gallipoli as Private (20388) and then served in Egypt before they moved to France in March 1916. He was wounded there and evacuated home before being posted to the 1/5th KOSB in Egypt as Private (9342). He served in Palestine where he was wounded at Gaza and evacuated to hospital in Port Said in April 1917. Robert was killed at the capture of Mughar in November.
Born 1895 in Liberton, Midlothian as Tod. Son of Robert and Jessie (Weir) Tod of Burnhouse, Stow and of Corsehope, Heriot, Midlothian.
Killed in Action on 13 November 1917 and buried in Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel.
Also named on the Heriot Parish War Memorial as Tod.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 11:58 am Post subject:

GUNR. Wm. WALKER, R.F.A.
William Walker – age 27 – Gunner (174352) 36th Division Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery
William was in the employment of a grocer and wine merchant in St. Boswells, Roxburghshire when he enlisted in January 1915 and he joined the Army Veterinary Corps in France as Private (SE/3993) at the end of that month. He was wounded on two occasions and at some point was transferred to the RFA. William was killed while delivering ammunition to the front line.
Born 1890 in Stow. Son of the late James Walker (died 1910) and of the late Isabella (Ross) Walker (died 1912) of Stow.
Killed in Action on 5 October 1918 and buried in Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery, Belgium.

SGT. ARCHd. R. WOOD, K.O.S.B.
Archibald Robertson Wood – age 29 – Sergeant (200215) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Archibald was a postman and as a member of the Territorial 4th KOSB he was mobilised in August 1914. As Sergeant (4103) he landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but he was wounded and made a prisoner of war after the battle at Achi Baba Nullah in July. Archibald died of dysentery in the hospital in Smyrna (now Izmir) in Turkey and was buried in the Anglican Cemetery there, but he was re-interred in Baghdad after the war.
Born 1889 in Galashiels. [Ladhope] Son of William Wood (Head Postman at Galashiels) and of Jane McGillivray (Murray) Wood of 175 Scott Street, Galashiels. Husband of Cecilia (Henderson) Wood of Townhead, Stow who he married in 1914 in Montrose, Angus.
Died on Service on 29 October 1918 and buried in Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq.
Also named on the Galashiels War Memorial.

and his brother

PTE. KENNh. C. WOOD, K.O.S.B.
Kenneth Cameron Wood – age 20 – Private (6475) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Kenneth was a postman and as a member of the Territorial 4th KOSB he was mobilised in August 1914. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but he was killed a month later during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah.
Born 1895 in Galashiels, Selkirkshire. Son of William Wood (Head Postman at Galashiels) and of Jane McGillivray (Murray) Wood of 175 Scott Street, Galashiels.
Missing in Action on 12 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the Galashiels War Memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 2:29 pm Post subject:

1939 – 1945

SIG. ROBERT ALLAN, ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS
Robert Allan – age 24 – Signalman (2327586) 5 Searchlight Brigade Signals, Royal Corps of Signals.
The Brigade was formed as a searchlight brigade to protect the British Expeditionary Force's bases just before the Battle of France. Robert was killed during the evacuation from the French coast.
Born 1916 at Ashiestiel Farm Cottages in Caddonfoot. Selkirkshire. Son of Elizabeth (Allan) Turnbull of “Lauder”, Channelkirk, Berwickshire. She had married John Turnbull in 1930 in Greenlaw, Berwickshire.
Missing in Action between 28 May 1940 and 2 June 1940 and named on the Dunkirk Memorial, France.
Also named on the Channelkirk Parish War Memorial in Oxton Village, Berwickshire.

SEC. LT. ADAM THORBURN BROWN, L.O.B. YEOM.
Adam Thorburn Brown – age 36 – Second Lieutenant (87960) 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps.
Adam was educated at Cargilfield School in Edinburgh, Marlborough College in Wiltshire and at Brasenose College, Oxford before becoming a Chartered Accountant. He gained a commission with the L&B Yeomanry in June 1939 and, on reaching Le Havre in January 1940, they became the first cavalry regiment of the first Territorial Army division to land in France. Surrounded at St Valery-en-Caux, only 3 officers and 17 other ranks managed to escape.
Born 1904 in Rhu, Dunbartonshire. Son of the late Adam Thorburn Brown (died 1928) and of Agnes Halliday (Boog-Scott) Thorburn Brown of Torquhan, Stow. Husband of Elizabeth Ann (Simpson) Thorburn Brown of Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh and of Gullane, East Lothian who he married in 1935 in Marylebone, London.
Missing in Action on 5 June 1940 and named on the Dunkirk Memorial, France.
Also named on the Cargilfield School, Marlborough College and Brasenose College memorials.
His older brother Thomas Elliot Thorburn Brown, age 22, Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers died on 20 September 1918 and is also named on this memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:03 pm Post subject:

PTE. HALL BROWN, BLACK WATCH
Hall Brown – age 32 – Private (2763460) 5th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
The 5th Black Watch landed at Normandy on D-Day 6 June 1944 but Hall was killed six days later near Breville. He was re-interred in Ranville in July 1945.
Born 1911 at the Old School House in Stow as Hall Dodds Brown. Son of the late Agnes Hall (Brown) Dodds (died 1939) of the Old School House, Stow.
Agnes had married Thomas Melrose Dodds in 1919 in Stow. He died at 4 Station Road, Stow in January 1944.
Killed in Action on 12 June 1944 and buried in Ranville War Cemetery, France.

CARP. CHARLES CLARK, MERCHANT NAVY
Charles Anderson Clark – age 45 – Carpenter, S.S. River Lugar, Merchant Navy.
Charles joined the Royal Navy in November 1915 and served on the Monitor HMS Prince Rupert until he was discharged in February 1919.
The “River Luger”, with a cargo of iron ore, was in convoy sailing from Freetown, Sierra Leone to Barry in South Wales when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-69 south of the Canary Islands.
Born 1896 in Leith, Edinburgh.
Son of Charles and Agnes Christie (Reid) Clark of Galashiels, Selkirkshire.
Husband of Jane (Young) Clark of Earlston Road, Stow who he married in 1919 in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham.
Killed by enemy action/Lost at Sea on 26 June 1941 and named on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
His eldest son Charles Rupert Clark was also a carpenter in the Merchant Navy and was also torpedoed but survived the war.

The Southern Reporter 23/9/1943 - Swedish Gold Medal
Mrs A. Clark, Earlston Road, Stow, has received a gold medal surmounted by a gold crown and the Swedish colours, from the Swedish Consulate General in London, and the following letter;
Dear Madam, —This Office has learnt with deep regret of the death at sea of your husband, C. A. Clark, and beg you to accept my sincere sympathy in your great loss. As you may be aware, your husband was member of the crew of the British steamer s s. xxxx that went to the rescue in Mid-Atlantic of the survivors of the Swedish s.s.xxxx . For his part in the rescue he was awarded a gold medal by the Swedish Government, and the Swedish authorities have now consented to the medal being handed over to his next-of-kin. I have pleasure, therefore, in forwarding it to you herewith. For your information and that of your children, I enclose memorandum giving details of the rescue. —Yours faithfully (for the Consul General), Kiele A. Aalson, Vice-Consul.
The Swedish s.s.xxxx bound in convoy from a British port to the United States, was torpedoed in Mid-Atlantic and sank within a few minutes. There was a strong wind blowing and the sea was fairly heavy, and some members of the crew who had taken refuge on a raft were picked up by the British s.s.xxxx . Others who wore clinging to some wreckage were rescued by a ship’s lifeboat from the same vessel. The survivors in due course were landed in the United States and subsequently repatriated. When they reached Sweden they made known the facts of the rescue to the Swedish authorities, and also told them of the kind treatment they had received at the hands of the master and crew of the s.s.xxxx .

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:12 pm Post subject:

L.CPL. ALEXANDER DOUGLAS, M.M. BLACK WATCH
Alexander Douglas, Military Medal – age 33 – Private (3196426) 5th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Alexander was awarded a M.M. for conspicuous gallantry in Sicily. The official account told how on the 18/19 July 1943 at Sterre he lay on the open road with a Bren gun and maintained it throughout the whole of the night and part of the next day. A tank attacked him, and the ground around was sprayed by fire. How he survived was a miracle, but his courage and tenacity were a source of inspiration to his platoon who were in a very exposed position. His action in thus maintaining his gun in action played a large part in holding the small bridgehead.
Alexander had rejoined his battalion in Normandy in July 1944 but he was fatally wounded near Le Butte on the River Dives and buried at La Mesnal. He was re-interred at Banneville in September 1945.
Born 1911 in Yarrow, Selkirkshire as Alexander Anderson Douglas. Son of the late Frank Douglas (died 1940) and of Catherine (Redpath) Douglas of Crookston South Mains, Heriot, Stow.
Died of Wounds on 19 August 1944 and buried in Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery, France.

PTE. WILLIAM HUNTER, K.O.S.B.
Thought to be:
William Adam Hunter – age 19 – Private (3056522) 1st Battalion, Royal Scots.
At the outbreak of the war, the 1st Battalion was at Aldershot as part of 4th Infantry Brigade and it deployed to France with the British Expeditionary Force. It moved to Lecelles in September, and in May 1940 moved into Belgium. All but one of the men buried in Bruyelle War Cemetery died in May 1940, during the battle on the line of the river Scheldt before the final withdrawal to Dunkirk ahead of the German advance.
Born 1920 in Gordon, Berwickshire. Son of James and Margaret Ann (Houliston) Hunter of Muirhouse Cottages, Stow and of St. Boswells, Roxburghshire.
Killed in Action on 21 May 1940 and buried in Bruyelle War Cemetery, Belgium.

CPL. ANGUS J. MILNE, CAMERONIANS S.R.
Angus John Milne – age 20 – Lance Corporal (14214466) 1st Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
The 1st Cameronians arrived at Rangoon from India in February 1942 and returned to India in May. The battalion joined Special Force’s 111th Indian Infantry Brigade in April 1943 and entered Burma in March 1944. The brigade was formed as a Long Range Penetration Brigade attached to the Chindits.
Born 1923 in Tannadice, Angus. Son of John Honey Milne and Mary (McGhie) Milne of Stow.
Missing in Action on 6 April 1944 and named on the Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:20 pm Post subject:

STOKER THOMAS McQUEEN, ROYAL NAVY
Possibly – but the connection to Stow is not known.
Thomas McQueen – age 22 – Stoker 1st Class (D/KX 101346) H.M.S. Gloucester, Royal Navy.
After German paratroopers landed on Crete on 20 May, the light cruiser “Gloucester” was assigned to interdicting any efforts to reinforce the German forces on the island. On 22 May, while in the Kythira Strait, north of Crete, she was attacked by "Stuka" dive-bombers and was hit but not seriously damaged. The “Gloucester” was attacked again and sustained three more hits and sank.
Born 1918 in Rerrick, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of Thomas Seaton McQueen and Jane (Aitken) McQueen of Dunscore, Dumfriesshire.
Killed in Action/Lost at Sea on 22 May 1941 and named on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.
Named on the Dunscore Parish War Memorial.

FT. SGT. ROBERT MONTGOMERY, R.A.A.F.
Robert Montgomery – age 28 – Leading Aircraftman (4113) Royal Australian Air Force
Robert was a radio mechanic living in Sydney, New South Wales when he enlisted at Laverton in Victoria in March 1939. He had trained as a Radio Operator and was a trainee Observer when a DH-84 Dragon aircraft of the No.1 Air Observers School at Cootamundra in NSW crashed two miles south west of the Cootamundra aerodrome.
Born 1912 in Edinburgh. Son of Charles Nicoll Montgomery and Swannie Lena Kissock (Hendrie) Montgomery of 32 Stanford Avenue, Brighton, of Ferniehirst, Stow and of Edinburgh.
Died on Service on 11 November 1940 and buried in Williamstown General Cemetery, Victoria, Australia.

L.CPL. CHRISTOPHER J. MULLINS, K.O.S.B.
Christopher John Mullins – age 20 – Lance Corporal (3065832) 5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
5th KOSB landed at Ostend in the autumn of 1944, taking part on the strongly contested assault landings on Walcheren Island, at the mouth of the Scheldt. They then fought through into Germany and were attacking a German village on the Dutch border when Christopher was killed.
Born 1923 in Stow.Son of James and Grace Tweddle (Young) Mullins of Ferniehirst, Stow.
Killed in Action on 21 January 1945 and buried in Sittard War Cemetery, Netherlands.