The Scottish War Memorials Project

spoons · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 7:32 pm Post subject: Wamphray

Not listed on UKNIWM.

Located inside Wamphray parish church at OS Map Ref NY 131 965. This is a rural community with no real centre and the church is best located using the OS Map Ref. My thanks to a very helpful session clerk who opened up the church for me.

spoons · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 7:33 pm Post subject:

Name: GIBSON, JOHN MURRAY
Initials: J M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 51 Sqdn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 25/04/1941
Service No: 642202
Additional information: Son of James Alexander Gibson and Elizabeth Gibson, of Moffat, Dumfriesshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 43.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

from the lost bombers website:

Whitley Z6482 Information
Type Whitley
Serial Number Z6482
Squadron 51
X1D MH-?
Operation Kiel
Date 1 24th April 1941
Date 2 25th April 1941

Further Information
Serial range Z6461 - Z6510. 50 Whitley Mk.V. Delivered by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft between 24Dec40 and 8Feb41. Contract No.106962/40. Airborne 2135 24Apr41 from Dishforth. Lost without trace. all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/S J.P.wilson KIA P/O G.H.Kidd KIA F/S K.E.Taylor KIA Sgt A.H.Norris KIA Sgt J.M.Gibson KIA

Adam Brown · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject:

Well done finding this 'unknown' civic memorial Paul.

It's strange that the First World War plaque has so much detail but doesn't show ranks.

Adam
_________________
Scottish Monuments & Memorials

spoons · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 9:49 pm Post subject:

Interesting also that they are in date order and the first two listed were killed on the 'inglorious 12th'.

Harkness and Waugh are both commemorated on stones in the churchyard.

\Paul

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 548 Location: Aberdeenshire

Paul

Does the headstone date of death and forenames for Harkness tie with the memorial details?
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

dhubthaigh · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 6:01 am Post subject:

spoons · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 7:13 am Post subject:

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 548 Location: Aberdeenshire

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 548 Location: Aberdeenshire

This man did not serve under the name given on the memorial. He was born Alexander Harkness Irving at Newton, Wamphray on 29th April 1898.

He served under his true name, Alexander Irving, and is commemorated by CWGC and SNWM as given below. CWGC were not provided with details of his NOK.

He enlisted in the 17th HLI (Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Battalion ) at Glasgow and landed in France 22nd Nov 1915. I note the date on the memorial is a day out with that on CWGC.

Name: IRVING
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry
Unit Text: 17th Bn.
Date of Death: 09/08/1916
Service No: 2992
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: P. 44.
Cemetery: CAMBRIN CHURCHYARD EXTENSION

Surname IRVING
Firstname Alexander
Service Number 2992
Date Death 09/08/1916
Decoration
Place of birth Wamphray Dumfriesshire
Other 17th Bn.
SNWM roll THE HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY
Rank Pte
Theatre of death F.& F.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 11:32 pm Post subject: Re: Wamphray

Stewartry · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 140 Location: nr Nottingham

Paul, another good find. And well done to Jim on the Harkness/Irving issue.