The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

David McNay · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:23 pm Post subject: Walter McLay

Walter McLay is listed on the First World War memorial for the Union Bank of Scotland.

The accompanying Roll of Honour book has the following information:

Branch: Glasgow
Private, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 1914-15. France. Died April 1915.

There is no-one on the CWGC matching those details. There is a Walter McLay, A&SH service number 8059 listed as having been killed in 1914 on the SNWM. This matches SDGW.

A search on Ancestry reveals a man named Walter Maclay listed as A&SH with a number matching that on SNWM, but his occupation is Brass Moulder. However, there is reference in his records to his having died. A pension was awarded to his widow and she later received his 1914 Star.

I attach a page from his service records that seems fairly conclusive.

Another page mentions that he was presumed dead in April 1915 while a Prisoner of War in Germany. The above page counters that with a correct date of death.

Two things:

1. Do we have a genuine non-comm here?
2. What is the likelihood that this is my Union Bank man? At the moment I don't feel there is enough evidence to confirm this. The staff records are "locked" for 100 years so I cannot access them in order to confirm a possible previous employment, either as a brass moulder or as a soldier for almost 8 years.

David McNay · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:43 pm Post subject:

Waler McLay married Margaret Johnston in Edinburgh in 1911, where he is listed as a Commissionaire. It's possible that's what he worked for the Union Bank as, but I'd need to go back to the Staff Records - I'll try emailing them to see what they can give me. Occasionally they will check the records even though they are locked.

David McNay · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:46 pm Post subject:

I have now downloaded his death entry in the "service returns" from Scotlands People - the closest you can get to a death certificate from the GROS. It lists Private Walter McLay, Killed in Action 26/08/14 in France, serving with the 2nd Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.

I will download the rest of his service record and submit this case to the CWGC.

David McNay · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 1:02 pm Post subject:

Does anyone have an email address for the CWGC? How do you submit this informaton?

I would prefer to do it myself rather than go through the IFTCP or someone on the GWF.

spoons · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 1:27 pm Post subject:

try http://www.cwgc.org/faqs_answer.asp?faqid=5&menuid=14&submenuid=18&menu=sub

and

http://www.cwgc.org/contact.asp?menuid=7&submenuid=2&catid=1

and use the contact form (button on the second page).

\Paul

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

spoons · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:15 pm Post subject:

His MIC spells his name Maclay and gives an address of 145 Albion Rd, Sale nr Bradford.

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

Paul

That spelling, Maclay, ties with his details on the service file, the address ties with the NOK details (widow).
Walter Maclay was a former Regular who was recalled from the Reserve and mobilised at Stirling on 5th August 1914. He landed in France on the 10th and was killed in action on the 26th at the Aisne.
_________________
Jim

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

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

David McNay · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 8:27 pm Post subject:

While he isn't a non-comm, it wil still be worth contacting the CWGC in order for the incorrect surname to be corrected.

The service record has a note that this man was initially "presumed" dead in April 1915 - this would initially tie it in with the Bank employee.

I will contact the Banks archives tomorrow in order for them to check their records - they might have a note of previous employment. It may also mention the capacity he worked for the bank in - it's possible he was a commissionaire.

David McNay · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:53 am Post subject:

I have emailed the Bank Archives this morning. Keep your fingers crossed for a positive response.

David McNay · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:09 am Post subject:

Moving this to the queries section as my question regarding non-commemoration has been answered yet the query about his employment remains.

David McNay · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 11:50 am Post subject:

Got a reply from the Bank Archives today, which doesn't particularly help much.

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

David

It certainly adds to the confusion. It is possible, but I think it is very unlikely Maclay died in a hospital, as suggested.
It may be he was not in the Bank's employ, but worked there as a member of the Corps of Commissionaires.
_________________
Jim

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

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

David McNay · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 11:09 pm Post subject: Re: Walter Maclay, A & S H

apanderson · Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:50 am Post subject:

SNWM Details:

Surname MacLAY
Firstname Walter
Service Number 8059
Date Death 26/08/1914
Decoration
Place of birth Stirling
Other 2nd Bn.
SNWM roll THE ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS
Rank Pte
Theatre of death F.& F.