The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 1:50 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

CAPT. JOHN BROWN, M.C. MANCHESTER REGT.
John Brown, Military Cross, Captain: 2/7th Battalion, Manchester Regiment. Age 29.
John was educated at Leys School, Cambridge and at Manchester University and was a member of the Officer Training Corps in both. He worked in the family business in Manchester until he enlisted, as a Private, in the Sherwood Foresters in September 1914 but was transferred to the 10th Lincolnshire Regiment. He was selected for officer training and in May 1915 was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and posted to the Manchester Regiment. He was awarded a M.C. for “striking ability while in command of a company during the last six months. His fine leading and disregard of personal danger have been an inspiring example to his men. In the action east of Ypres 8-10 October 1917, he held the front line against repeated counter attacks and patrols from his command brought in over 20 prisoners. When in the line east of Ypres 6-10 February 1918, he was untiring in improving the defences of his posts. Self-reliance and coolness under trying conditions are marked characteristics of this officer at all times."
Born 1888 in Heaton Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire. Son of William and Florence Fanny Brown of Stockport and of Netherlaw House, Dundrennan, Rerrick.
Missing in action on 21 March 1918 and named on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France.
Also named on the Leys School and Manchester University War Memorials.

PRIVATE DUNCAN CUTHBERTSON, RSF.
Duncan Luke Cuthbertson, Private (295312) 12th Battalion (Ayr and Lanark Yeomanry) Royal Scots Fusiliers. Formerly Private (2136) 1/1st Battalion, Ayrshire Yeomanry. Age 34.
Duncan enlisted as Private (2136) 1/1st Battalion, Ayrshire Yeomanry in November 1914 and landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in October /1915. He then served in Egypt, Palestine and France. He was wounded in Nieppe Forest in July 1918 and was still a patient in the Stobhill Military Hospital in Glasgow when he was found, drowned, in the Forth and Clyde Canal near the Glasgow Road Bridge in Bishopbriggs, Lanarkshire.
Born 1884 in Rerrick. Son of John and Helen (Agnew) Cuthbertson of Dundrennan.
Died 6 February 1919 and buried in Dundrennan Abbey Churchyard (CWG)
Duncan was almost certainly related to, and enlisted with, Robert Agnew. Pte 2134, Ayrshire Yeomary (see above)

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 2:09 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

PRIVATE WILLIAM DINNELL, KOSB.
William Dinnell, Private (14805) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 26.
William had worked for a merchant in Twyholm, Kirkcudbrightshire but was employed on the Netherlaw estate in Dundrennan when he enlisted in September 1914, together with his friend Robert Anderson, Private (14802) – see above. He was drowned when the troopship Royal Edward was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UB14 in the Aegean. Of the some 900 casualties, about 60 were from the 9th (Reserve) Battalion, KOSB as replacements for losses in the 1st Battalion.
Born 1889 in Kirkdale, West Derby, Lancashire. Son of George and Elizabeth Annie (McDonald) Dinnell of West Derby.
Killed on active service/Lost at sea on 13 August 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

PRIVATE JOHN HUXTABLE, RMLI.
John's story is told in Stuart Wilson's book "Answering the Call - Auchencairn and the First World War".
John Huxtable, Private (Plymouth/7763) H.M.S. Torch, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Age 44.
John enlisted in the Marines in 1895.
Born 1872 in Rerrick. Son of John and Janet (McKay) Huxtable of High Barend, Dundrennan.
Died on active service on 23 August 1917 and buried in Wellington (Karori) Cemetery, New Zealand.

PRIVATE GEORGE JOHNSTON, RFA.
George Johnston, Gunner (936009) "B" Battery, 121st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Age 22.
George enlisted in May 1915 and served on the Western Front where he was wounded.
Born 1895 in Rerrick. Son of James and Jemima (Reid) Johnston of Dundrennan.
Died of wounds on 26 August 1917 and buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 2:31 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

PRIVATE JOHN KERR, SCOTS GUARDS.
John Kerr, Private (12922) 1st Battalion, Scots Guards. Age 26.
John enlisted in January 1915 while living at 382 Mathieson Street, Giffnock, Renfrewshire. He joined his battalion in November 1915 and served at Ypres.
Born 1890 at Meikle Cocklick, Urr Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of Joseph and Janet (McQueen) Kerr of Overlaw, Rerrick. Husband of Alice Mary (Black) Kerr who he married in 1908 in Castle Douglas, Kelton, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Died of wounds on 11 July 1916 and buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Also named on the Glasgow Roll of Honour.

and his brother

PRIVATE JOSEPH KERR, AUSTRALIANS.
Joseph Kerr, Private (2155) 11th Battalion, Australian Infantry. Age 30.
Joseph was working as a labourer when he enlisted in March 1915 at Geralton in Western Australia. He sailed from Freemantle in June arriving in Egypt in July and Gallipoli in August. In September he was evacuated to hospital due to illness and it was November 1915 before he was able to re-join his unit. After the evacuation from Gallipoli the battalion moved to France arriving at Marseilles in April 1916. Joseph was killed at Contalmaison near Pozieres during the Battle of the Somme.
Born 1886 in Meikle Richorn, Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of Joseph and Janet (McQueen) Kerr of Overlaw, Rerrick and later of Park of Tongland.
Killed in action between 22 to 25 July 1916 and named on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Somme, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 2:52 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

LIEUT. GRAHAM M. MAITLAND, IRISH GUARDS
Graham Floranz McDowall Maitland, 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards. Age 35.
Graham was educated at Marlborough College and at Trinity College, Cambridge. He rowed for Cambridge in the Boat Race in 1901 and was called to the Bar at Inner Temple in July 1905. He spent some time surveying in British Columbia before he returned to the UK. Gazetted as a 2nd Lt. on 12 August 1914, he was Mentioned in Despatches in December 1914. He was killed in action at Klein Zillebeke, Flanders.
Born 1879 at Cumstoun House, Twynholm, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of David and Ellinor Frances (Scott) Maitland of Dundrennan.
Missing in action on 1 November 1914 and named on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Also named on the Twynholm Parish War Memorial.

LIEUT. JAMES C. MITCHELL, PUNJAB RIFLES.
James Campbell Mitchell, Lieutenant: Indian Army Reserve of Officers, attached to 56th Punjabi Rifles (Frontier Force) Age 32.
James was employed by the Mercantile Bank of India in Calcutta and pre-war was a Captain in the Calcutta Vounteer Rifles. He took up a commission in the Punjab Rifles in September 1914 and served in Egypt and Aden before moving to Mesopotamia where the regiment took part in the relief of the British forces in Kut-el-Amara. He was killed while commanding the machine gun section at the Battle of the Wadi at Shiekh Saad.
Born 1883 at Boreland of Dryfe, Hutton Parish Dumfriesshire. Son of John and Mary (Campbell) Mitchell of Auchanbony, Dundrennan and of Arden House, Allesley, Coventry.
Killed in action on 13 January 1916 and named on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 3:10 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

PRIVATE JAMES McCRAE, AUSTRALIANS.
James McCrae, Private (3884) 21st Battalion, Australian Infantry. Age 22.
James was brought up and educated in Dundrennan before the family emigrated to Australia in 1914. He was farming when he enlisted in October 1915 at Melbourne, Victoria and sailed from there in February 1916, arriving at Marseilles in 1916. He was killed near Pozieres in the Somme sector when bringing in a wounded comrade.
Born 1893 in Minnigaff, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of Gavin and Janet (Campbell) McCrae of Yeo, Colac, Victoria. Formerly of Riddick, Rerrick.
Missing in action on 6 August 1916 and named on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Somme, France.

PRIVATE WILLIAM McGILL, GORDON HDRS.
William McGill, Private (S/7796) 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Age 17.
William enlisted in November 1914 and joined his battalion in France in February 1915. He was reported missing at Nueve Chapelle.
Born 1897 in Barton Regis, Bristol. Son of James McGill of Stockmoss Smithy, Dundrennan and of the late Agnes (Hannah) McGill of Crossmichael, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Missing in action on 11 March 1915 and named on Le Touret Memorial, France.

PRIVATE JOHN McMINN, RFA.
John McMinn, Gunner (169904) "C" Battery, 187th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Age 21.
John was a farm servant at Netherlaw, Dundrennan when he enlisted in October 1915. He was killed at Ypres.
Born 1896 in Crossmichael, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of John and Janet (Edgar) McMinn of Netherlaw and of Burnfoot, Dundrennan, Rerrick.
Died of wounds on 18 September 1917 and buried in The Huts Cemetery, Belgium.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 3:27 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

PRIVATE MALCOLM McVITIE, ROYAL HDRS.
Malcolm's story is told in Stuart Wilson's book "Answering the Call - Auchencairn and the First World War".
Malcolm McVitie, Private (291643) 1/6th (Perthshire) Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) Age 21.
Malcolm enlisted in April 1916.
Born 1897 in Auchencairn, Rerrick. Son of William and Jane (Thomson) McVitie of Hazelfield Cottage, Auchencairn.
Missing in action on 21 March 1918 and named on the Arras Memorial, France.

L-CORPL. JOHN RAE, KOSB.
John Rae, Lance Corporal (26950) 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 30.
John was posted to the 6th KOSB before transferring to the 2nd Battalion.
Born 1887 in Kirkcudbright. Son of John and Mary (McLellan) Rae of Barcloy Farm, Dundrennan.
Missing in action on 7 June 1918 and named on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

SERGT. WILLIAM L. RAE, RFA.
William Lawrie Rae, Sergeant (665762) 381st Battery, 158th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Age 27.
William was working as joiner with his father when enlisted in April 1915. He served at Armentieres, Ypres, Messines and Wychaete. William was killed near Zillebeke Lake, Ypres.
Born 1890 in Dundrennan, Rerrick. Son of John Bennett Rae and of Elizabeth (Clark) Rae of Ashdale, Dundrennan.
Died of wounds on 30 June 1917 and buried in Brandhoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 3:47 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

PRIVATE WILLIAM RODAN, DURHAM L.I.
William Rodan, Private (375706) 1/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. Formerly Private (52796) East Yorkshire Regiment. Age 39.
Having served his apprenticeship in Annan, Dumfriesshire, William was working as a draper in Chesterfield, Derbyshire when he enlisted in December 1915. He was mobilised as Private (52796) in the 25th Provisional Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment in June 1916 and was posted to the DLI. He was captured and made a Prisoner of War on 27 May 1918 at Ramecourt on the first day of the Battle of the Aisne. William died of dysentery at St. Erme Outre et Ramecourt, Aisne.
Born 1878 at Barcloy, Dundrennan, Rerrick. Son of William and Lilias (Haining) Rodan of Auchnebony, Rerrick. Husband of Winifred (Moore) Rodan of Chesterfield, Derbyshire who he married in 1914 in Chesterfield.
Died on active service on 17 July 1918 and buried in St. Erme Communal Cemetery Extension, Aisne, France.

PRIVATE JOHN SEMPLE, AYR YEOMANRY.
John Semple, Private (2096) 1/1st Battalion, Ayrshire Yeomanry. Age 28.
John was a ploughman at Craigraploch, Rerrick when he enlisted in November 1914. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in October 1915 where they were attached to the 52nd (Lowland) Division as dismounted troops.
Born 1888 in Thornhill, Morton Parish, Dumfriesshire. Son of William and Mary (Brown) Semple of New Street, Thornhill. Husband of Jeanie (Johnstone) Semple who he married in 1906 in Old Cumnock, Ayrshire. Killed in action on 28 December 1915 and buried in Pink Farm Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the Morton Parish War Memorial in Thornhill.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 3:59 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

PRIVATE WILLIAM TELFER, AUSTRALIANS.
William Telfer, Private (2819A) 51st Battalion, Australian Infantry. Age 26.
William was living at Brookton, Western Australia when he enlisted August 1915 at Perth, WA in the 28th Battalion, AIF. He sailed from Freemantle in November 1915 and was transferred to the 51st Battalion in March 1916 at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt. William arrived at Marseilles in June 1916 and was killed near Pozieres.
Born 1889 in Anwoth Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of John and Jane or Jeannie (Irvine) Telfer of Nether Corsock, Parton, Kirkcudbrightshire and of Kirkcarswell, Rerrick.
Killed in action on 16 August 1916 and buried in Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle, France.
Also named on the Corsock War Memorial.

PRIVATE MICHAEL WALLACE, SCOTS GUARDS.
Michael Wallace, Guardsman (10164) 1st Battalion, Scots Guards. Age 22.
In 1911 Michael, aged 18, was a carter at Knockbrex estate, Borgue, Kirkcudbrightshire. He then became a policeman in the City of Glasgow “D” division and was living at 60 Nicholson Street in Glasgow when he enlisted August 1914. He joined his battalion in France on 2 December 1914.
Born 1892 in Kirkcudbright. Son of Michael and Elizabeth Jane (Rae) Wallace of Rattra and of Boreland of Borgue; and of Kirkcarswell Farm, Dundrennan.
Missing in action on 25 January 1915 and named on Le Touret Memorial, France.
Also named on the Borgue Parish War Memorial, on the City of Glasgow Police Memorial and on the Glasgow Roll of Honour.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 4:27 pm Post subject: WW2 - ALPHA

1939 WORLD WAR 1945.

The first two men on the memorial are thought to be brothers and the sons of Joseph and Elizabeth Kellett (Bell) Bateman of West Kirkcarswell, Rerrick.

C.S.M. G. BATEMAN, 13th BATT. KING'S REGT.
George Bateman, Warrant Officer Class II, Company Sergeant Major (3186664) 13th Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool) Age 28.
Born 1913 in Netherlaw Cottages, Rerrick. Son of Joseph Bateman and of Elizabeth Kellett (Bell) Bateman of West Kirkcarswell, Rerrick. Husband of Helen (Milby) Bateman who he married in 1940 in Castle Douglas, Kelton Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Died on active service 26 July 1942 and buried in Kirkee War Cemetery, Poona, India.
The 1st and 13th Battalions of The King's formed the intial core of the Chindits. During training in the Achband jungle in Central India CSM Bateman was swept away when attempting to cross the fast-flowing Sunwar River.

SGT. A/G. R. BATEMAN, RAF.
Robert Bateman, Sergeant/AirGunner (632703) 101 Squadron, Bomber Command, Royal Air Force. Age 26.
Born 1918 in Rerrick.
Killed in action on 14 January 1944 and buried in Lautenthal Village Cemetery but re-interred in Hanover War Cemetery, Germany in January 1947.
Robert's Lancaster from RAF Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire, was shot down by a night fighter, crashing at Lautenthal near Goslar.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 4:55 pm Post subject: WW2 - ALPHA

CPL. R. BUCHANAN, 1st PARACHUTE REGT.
Robert Buchanan, Corporal (3065436) 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps. Age 21.
Robert joined the Scots Guards in 1941 before transferring to the Paras. He had served in Libya, Tunisia, Sicily and Italy. Robert was second-in-command of 7 Platoon, “S” Company when, on Sunday 17 September 1944, men of the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st Airborne Division started to land at Arnhem as part of Operation Market Garden.
Born 1923 in Kelton Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of Mr & Mrs James Buchanan of Culnaightrie, Auchencairn, Rerrick.
Missing in action on 18 September 1944 and listed on the Groesbeek Memorial, Netherlands.
His brother, CSM William J. Buchanan, was wounded and captured at Arnhem, but survived the war..

DVR. J.M. KELLY, RASC.
John Martin Kelly, Driver (T/219445) Royal Army Service Corps. Age 31.
John had been a grocer in Kirkcudbright for about 13 years when he enlisted in 1940. He was killed when the lorry he was driving overturned near Queniborough in Leicestershire.
Born 1911 in Kirkcudbright. Son of Alexander and Mary (Martin) Kelly. Husband of Minnie Stewart (McDowall) Kelly who he married in 1937 in Rerrick.
Died on active service on 7 December 1942 and buried in Kirkcudbright (St. Cuthbert) Old Churchyard. (CWG)

L/CPL. C. MacGILL, 1st BATT. LDN. SCOTTISH.
Cameron MacGill, Lance Corporal (2878553) 1st Battalion, The London Scottish, Gordon Highlanders. Age 26.
Born 1918 in Rerrick. Son of Cameron and Catherine (McDowall) MacGill of Kirkcarswell, Rerrick. Cameron was educated at Kirkcudbright Academy.
Killed in action on 24 April 1945 and buried in Argenta Gap War Cemetery, Ferrara, Italy.

SGT. Ft/Eng. D. MENZIES, RAF.
David Menzies, Sergeant/ Flight Engineer (3020036) 78 Squadron, Bomber Command, Royal Air Force. Age 19.
Born 1925 in Rerrick. Son of John Carson Menzies and of Grace Blacklock (Young) Menzies of Knockbrex, Kirkcudbright and of Annan, Dumfriesshire. . David was educated at Kirkcudbright Academy.
Killed in action on 6 October 1944 and buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.
David's Halifax bomber took off from RAF Breighton, near Selby in Yorkshire, for a raid on the synthetic oil plants at Scholven-Buer near Gelsenkirchen. It was hit by anti-aircraft flak and crashed at Gahlen near Scermbeck. All of the crew were killed and were buried in Kirchhellen Cemetery but were re-interred in Reichswald in May 1947.
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Ken