The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 9:42 am Post subject:

1939 - 1945

PTE. PATRICK J. ALLISON, Royal Scots.
Patrick Joseph Allison – age 24 – Private (3055948) 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots.
Patrick was employed in the Dumfries and Maxwelltown Co-operative Society when he enlisted in 1938. He was captured at the fall of Hong Kong in December 1941.
Born 1918 in Dumfries. Son of Charles John and Teresa (Crosbie) Allison of 101 Shakespeare Street, Dumfries.
Killed on Active Service/Lost at Sea between 1 and 2 October 1942 and named on the Sai Wan Memorial, Hong Kong, China.
Patrick, and James Barbour (see below) had been Prisoners of War of the Japanese at Shamshuipo Barracks in Hong Kong and were being transported to Japan on the “Lisbon Maru” with almost 1850 prisoners and 780 Japanese troops when she was hit by a torpedo fired by the American submarine Grouper off the coast of China near Shanghai.

L/CPL. JAMES F. ANDERSON, R.E.M.E.
James Fergusson Anderson – age 36 – Lance Corporal (14515688) 6 Tank Brigade Workshops,
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
James and 45 REME personnel of the 6th Guards Tank Brigade workshop, stationed between Lenham and Charing in Kent, were killed by a flying bomb.
Born 1907 in Dumfries. Son of James and Mary Anderson of Thistle Cottage, Rosevale Street, Dumfries.
Killed by enemy action on 24 June 1944 and buried in Lenham Cemetery, Kent.
Also named on the St. Michael's Church memorial in Dumfries.

L/CPL. JAMES M. BARBOUR, Royal Engineers.
James Munro Barbour – age 26 – Lance Corporal (1872348) 40 Fortress Company, Royal Engineers.
James was captured at the fall of Hong Kong in December 1941. (See Patrick Allison above)
Born c.1916 in Yorkshire. Son of Thomas C. and Anne Barbour of Dumfries.
Killed on Active Service between 1 and 2 October 1942 and named on the Sai Wan Memorial, Hong Kong, China.

C.S.M. JOSEPH BEATTIE, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Joseph Beattie – age 41 – Warrant Officer Class II. Company Sergeant Major (3181273)
7th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Born 1898 in Dumfries. Son of William and Mary (Lennon) Beattie of Dumfries. Husband of Julia (Quinn) Beattie of College Street, Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
Died on Active Service on 23 April 1940 of heart failure at Maryhill Barracks in Glasgow and buried in Dumfries (St. Andrew's) Roman Catholic Cemetery.

FUS. THOMAS L. BEATTIE, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Thomas Lewis Beattie – age 26 – Fusilier (3132830) 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Thomas was a slater when he enlisted in September 1939. He was buried in Schnakenbek on the River Elbe but was re-interred in Hamburg in October 1946.
Born 1918 in Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of Sarah Helen Muir Beattie who was the wife of the late William Beck. Husband of Grace Campbell (Kirkpatrick) Beattie of 31 Holm Avenue, Troqueer, Dumfries who he married in 1940 in Dumfries while with the RSF at Ayr.
Killed in Action on 29 April 1945 and buried in Hamburg Cemetery, Germany.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 9:44 am Post subject:

FLY.OFFICER JACKIE BECK, D.F.M. Royal Air Force.
John Creighton Beck, Distinguished Flying Medal – age 23 – Flying Officer, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (52694) 512 Squadron, Transport Command, Royal Air Force.
Jackie was educated at St. Andrew's School and St. Joseph's College in Dumfries and worked in a bakery before he joined the RAF in March 1939. He was awarded the DFM in May 1942 as Flight Sergeant (637628) 61 Squadron, RAF, and promoted to Flying Officer in December 1943.
His C-47 Douglas Dakota took-off on 21 March 1944 from RAF Broadwell to carry out a daytime ferry flight. The aircraft crashed Watlington, Oxfordshire when it hit trees on high ground at 750 feet. Jackie was severely injured and died the following day.
Born 1920 in Dumfries. Son of John Creighton Beck and Robina (Wallace) Beck of 177 St. Michael's Street, Dumfries.
Died on Active Service on 22 March 1944 and buried in Dumfries (St. Andrew's) Roman Catholic Cemetery.

SIG. JOHN McG. BELL, Royal Corps of Signals.
John A. McG. Bell – age 21 – Signalman (2367378) 21 Army Tank Brigade Signals, Royal Corps of Signals.
John died as the result of an accident in Ipswich.
Born 1920 in Dumfries as John Alexander Bell. Son of the late William Henry Bell and of Jeannie Bell of 7 Goldie Avenue, Dumfries.
Died on Active Service on 14 December 1941 and buried in Dumfries Cemetery.

SGT. ANDREW BIRRELL, Royal Air Force.
Andrew James Birrell – age 19 – Sergeant (1825645) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Andrew and 10 other airmen lost their lives during a training flight from the station at Abbotsford, north-east of Victoria in British Columbia.
Born 1925 in Dunfermline, Fife. Son of Andrew and Eva Birrell of Locharbriggs, Dumfries.
Died on Active Service on 4 October 1944 and buried in Victoria (Royal Oak) Burial Park, British Columbia, Canada.

PTE. DAVID BISSET, Black Watch.
David Bisset – age 25 – Private (3323773) 7th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
David worked in his father's fishmonger business in Friars Vennel, Dumfries.
Born 1917 in Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of Walter and Margaret H. (Downie) Bisset of 6 Braehead Terrace, Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
Died of Wounds on 9 February 1943 and buried in Tripoli War Cemetery, Libya.
Also named on the St. Michael's Church memorial in Dumfries.

PTE. WILLIAM BLACK, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
William Black – age 36 – Private (3184055) 5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
William worked as a coach painter in Dumfries and had served as a Territorial since March 1924.
He was buried in Achim but was re-interred in Becklingen in September 1946.
Born c.1909 in Dumfries. Son of Peter and Bella Black of Dumfries. Husband of Mary (Walker) Black of 20 Irish Street, Dumfries who he married in 1929 in Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 30 April 1945 and buried in Becklingen War Cemetery, Germany.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 9:49 am Post subject:

FT/SGT. DAVID A. BRIGGS, Royal Air Force.
David Abel Briggs – age 19 – Sergeant (1590037) 467 Squadron, Bomber Command, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
David was educated at Dumfries High School before entering a Government scheme for training engineers for the RAF. His Lancaster bomber took-off from RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire for a raid on Stettin but was never heard from again.
Born 1924 in Dumfries. Son of David Abel Briggs and Margaret Briggs of 2 Goldie Crescent, Nithside, Dumfries.
Missing in Action on 6 January 1944 and named on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

PTE. R. BROADFOOT, Parachute Reg. 5th Batt. (Scot).
Robert Broadfoot – age 21 – Private (3189292) 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps.
Robert was a regular soldier who had served with the KOSB in India. He joined the 5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion and served with them in Italy in 1943 until he was transferred to the 1st Battalion. In January 1944 he visited his home for the first time in 6 years and in September took part in the airborne landings at Arnhem where he was made a Prisoner of War. He was repatriated and returned to Dumfries in June 1945 but less than a year later he died at Andover in Hampshire.
Born 1921 in Dumfries. Son of Robert and Annie Broadfoot of 169 College Street, Dumfries.
Husband of Elizabeth Rae (Robertson) Broadfoot of Dumfries who he married in 1945 in Dumfries. Died on Service on 20 March 1946 and buried in Troqueer Cemetery, Dumfries.

A.C.1. DAVID BROWN, Royal Air Force.
Not listed by CWGC.
David was a civilian labourer at the Air Ministry Depot at Heathhall in Dumfries. There is no mention of military service on his death certificate. He died in Dumfries Infirmary.
Born c.1912 in ??? Son of the late William Brown and of Emily (Davidson) Brown of 30 Millburn Avenue, Dumfries. Husband of Agnes Jane McCormick (Wylie) Brown of 6 Heathhall Terrace, Dumfries who he married in 1940 in Dumfries.
Died on 22 June 1941 and buried in Dumfries (St. Michael's) Cemetery.

FT/SGT. ERIC BROWN, Royal Air Force.
Eric Brown – age 20 – Sergeant, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (638323) No.2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, Coastal Command, Royal Air Force.
Eric's Blenheim's was on a night-time cross country navigation flight from RAF Catfoss in Yorkshire when the aircraft flew into Burbage Moor near Ringinglow in the Peak District.
Born 1921 in Dumfries. Son of John Brown and the late Mary Carnochan (Reid) Brown of 34 Lockerbie Road, Dumfries.
Died on Active Service on 26 January 1941 and buried in Dumfries (St. Michael's) Cemetery.
Also named on the St. Mary's Church memorial in Dumfries.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 9:58 am Post subject:

PTE. LOFTUS H. W. BROWN, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Loftus Hill Warwick Brown – age 20 – Private (14554276) 5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Loftus was educated at Dumfries Academy before being employed at the Minerva Printing Works in Dumfries. He served in the Home Guard until he was called up when he was 18.
Born 1925 in Kilmarnock. Son of William and Jessie (Ross) Brown of 6 Janefield Gardens, Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 16 February 1945 and buried in Mook War Cemetery, Netherlands.
Also named on the Maxwelltown West Church memorial.

SGT. OWEN McD. BROWN, Royal Air Force.
Owen McDavid Brown – age 20 – Sergeant/Flight Engineer (1822937) 158 Squadron, Bomber Command, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Owen's Halifax bomber took off from RAF Lissett, near Bridlington, Yorkshire for a raid on the railyards at Tergnier but was involved in a mid-air collision over Ly-Fontaine, Picardy, France.
Born 1924 in Dumfries. Son of Owen J. Brown and Janet Brown of 3 Leafield Road, Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 18 April 1944 and buried in Grand-Seraucourt British Cemetery, Aisne, France.
Also named on the St. Michael's Church memorial in Dumfries.

CAPT. SAMUEL J. BROWN, East African Forces.
Samuel John Brown – age 49 – Captain (83232) Pioneer Corps.
Born 1893 in Dumfries. Son of the late Samuel Brown (Town Clerk) and of Helen Ruickbie (Thomson) Brown of Morton Villa, Lovers Walk, Dumfries. Husband of Josephine (Hall) Brown.
Died on Active Service on 15 October 1942 and buried in Moshi Cemetery, Tanzania.
Also named on the St. Michael's Church memorial in Dumfries.

CPL. JAMES BYRON, M.M., King's Own Scottish Borderers.
James Byron, Military Medal – age 22 – Corporal (3197626) 4th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
James was educated at Dumfries High School before working at Carmichael's of Powfoot, Dumfriesshire. He had been in the army for 3 years. He was awarded the M.M. in April 1945.
He was buried in Achim but was re-interred in Becklingen in September 1946.
Born 1922 in Greenock, Renfrewshire. Step-son of William Warwick and son of Mary (Byron) Warwick of 27 Goldie Avenue, Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 23 April 1945 and buried in Becklingen War Cemetery, Germany.

CAPT. ARTHUR P. CAIRNS, 1/7th Gurkha Rifles.
Arthur Patrick Cairns – age 32 – Second Lieutenant (EC/1913) 7th Gurkha Rifles.
Arthur was educated at St. Joseph's College and served his apprenticeship as a chemist in Dumfries. After qualifying he went to Ceylon and worked for 4 years with Cargill & Co. before moving to a senior position in India with Park, Davis & Co. Manufacturing Chemists. At the outbreak of war he was commissioned in the Gurkha Rifles and served in Burma.
Born 1909 in Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire. Dumfries. Son of John and Elizabeth Cairns of 28 Galloway Street, Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
Missing in Action on 18 April 1942 and named on the Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar. (Burma)

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:03 am Post subject:

W/O. EDWARD CALLANDER, D.F.M., Royal Air Force.
Edward Callander, Distinguished Flying Medal – age 27 – Warrant Officer (1061420) 115 Squadron
Bomber Command, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Born 1917 in Dumfries. Son of Edward and Isabella (Bryden) Callander of 52 Friars Vennel, Dumfries.
Killed while a Prisoner of War on 7 March 1944, at Mauthausen Concentration Camp, Germany, and named on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

As mentioned in an earlier post (page1) a family member has researched Edward's military record and I have taken some of the information from undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/c/edwardcallander.html

In 1936, aged 19, Callander joined the French Foreign Legion. In Spring 1940 he was among the Legionnaires who formed part of the Anglo-French forces that took part in the Battle of Narvik in northern Norway. For his part in the operation, Callander was awarded the Croix de Guerre. Meanwhile, France had fallen to the Germans, and Callander returned to Britain, where he joined the RAF as a rear gunner on Wellington bombers. His luck ran out during a raid over Stuttgart on the night of 6 May 1942, and Callander ended up as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft 3.
While a POW, Callander escaped on three occasions. On the first occasion he was part of a large group who tunnelled their way out. Having been recaptured, he later evaded his captors while being returned to the camp. In 1944 Callander made his third escape and apparently made it as far as the port of Danzig on the Baltic before being recaptured. This time he was not returned to his camp, instead being shot by the Gestapo.

The citation for his DFM. London Gazette 2/9/1941 p.5102 as Sgt.1061420 No.75 (N.Z.) Squadron

On the morning of 24/7/1941, he was Air Gunner in the rear turret of Wellington R1457, captained by Sgt. Saunders, which was detailed to carry out a daylight bombing attack on the battleship 'Gneisenau' at Brest. He was No.2 in the rear section of a formation of 12 aircraft and, in this position, was exposed to the full attention of the enemy and at one stage he counted no less than 5 manoeuvring to attack. As his aircraft approached the target, an ME109 came up behind and below and opened fire at long range of approximately 600 yards. He immediately replied with a long burst and the enemy aircraft turned away and was lost to sight. Immediately they had passed through the flak area, one of three enemy aircraft which had been circling above, dived to the attack with with cannon & machine gun fire. The enemy was driven off at 300 yards range but returned to make a second attack. A further burst of 500 rounds was pumped into him and the speed of of the enemy dropped noticeably and smoke was seen to come from it. It then went down with black smoke pouring from its cowling & engine and was seen to burst into flames several thousand feet below.
In a simultaneous attack, No.3 of his formation was unfortunately shot down and this left him further exposed. A further attacker was dealt with so effectively that no other enemy dared come within range. During most of these attacks in which he fired 1200 rounds, he was without the help of his front turret which had been damaged and put out of action by enemy fire. Again, on the night of 12/13th June 1941 when returning from a raid on Hamm, his aircraft was attacked by 3 Ju.88's. One attacked from the port bow, rejoined the other 2, then attacked in line astern on the port quarter, breaking away underneath. Each attack was met with such accurate and withering fire that the first 2 were driven off and the third is claimed as probably destroyed. He is probably the finest Air Gunner to have passed through this squadron and the experience gained during 4 years service with the French Foreign Legion plus great coolness, skill and courage he has displayed on all occasions merits his high recognition.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:07 am Post subject:

PTE. ALEXANDER S. CAMERON, Seaforth Highlanders.
Alexander Stewart Cameron – age 33 – Private (2817099) 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.
Alexander had been a postman in Dumfries. He died in the Cambridge Military Hospital in Aldershot Garrison, Hampshire.
Born 1910 in Newington, Edinburgh. Son of Robert and Margaret Cameron of 7 Crathie Avenue, Dumfries.
Died on Active Service on 6 June 1942 and buried in Dumfries (St. Michael's) Cemetery.
Also named on the St. Mary's Church memorial in Dumfries and as Alexander Stuart Cameron on the Post Office Memorial in Dumfries.

FUS. ROBERT CAMPBELL, Enniskillen Fusiliers.
Robert Campbell – age 27 – Fusilier (3134100) 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Robert was a painter employed by the Dumfries and Maxwelltown Co-operative Society.
Born 1915 in Ardrossan, Ayrshire. Son of Robert and Rose (Hamilton) Campbell of Dumfries.
Missing in Action on 18 February 1943 and named on the Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar

PTE. JOHN CARNEY, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
John Carney – age 33 – Lance Corporal (3183946) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
John was educated at St. Andrew's school in Dumfries and had served with the KOSB for 15 years.
Born 1907 in Terregles, Kirkudbrightshire. Son of William and Janet (Templeton) Carney of 29 Stakeford Street, Nithside, Dumfries. Husband of Mary Carney of Eddlewood near Hamilton, Lanarkshire.
Missing in Action between 1 & 2 June 1940 and named on the Dunkirk Memorial, France.

PTE. JAMES CAVEN, Border Reg. 1st Airborne.
James Caven – age 19 – Private (14563521) 1st (Airborne) Battalion, Border Regiment.
James was working in a local factory when he joined the army, aged 18. He landed at Arnhem on the first day of the battle, Sunday 17 September 1944, to secure the Drop Zone (DZ-Y) and Landing Zone (LZ-Z), near Oosterbeek Hoog Railway Station, for the 1st Parachute Brigade.
Born 1924 in Dumfries. Charles Alexander Caven and of Thomasina (Meechan) Caven of Hill Avenue, Troqueer, Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 21 September 1944 and buried in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Netherlands.

SGT. W. S. COLLINS, Royal Air Force.
William Stewart Collins – age 20 – Sergeant, Air Gunner (591325) 49 Squadron, Bomber Command, Royal Air Force.
William was educated at Noblehill School and Dumfries Academy before he joined the RAF as boy entrant. He had two years of training at the RAF school and was employed on administration duties before transferring to operational work as a rear-gunner. William's Lancaster bomber took-off from RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire for a raid on Karlsruhe but was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Abee in Belgium. He was buried at Brusthem Airfield but was re-interred at Heverlee in February 1947.
Born 1921 in Dumfries. Son of William Stewart Collins, sub-postmaster at Galloway Street Dumfries and Mary Isabella (Watson) Collins of 11 Balmoral Road, Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 3 September 1942 and buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:11 am Post subject:

STKR. ROBERT J. COLTART, HMS Chanticleer, Royal Navy.
Robert John Coltart – age 19 – Stoker 2nd Class (P/KX 142768) H.M.S. Chanticleer, Royal Navy.
Robert was employed by Robertson & Co. at their sawmill in Dumfries. Robert's ship, the Sloop HMS Chanticleer, was struck by a torpedo from the German submarine U-515 while escorting a convoy. Her stern was blown off and she was taken in tow to Ponta Delgado, Azores. 28 members of the ship's company were lost.
Born 1924 in Dumfries. Son of Janet (Coltart) Rae of 79 Stakeford Street, Nithside, Dumfries.
Missing in Action/Lost at Sea on 18 November 1943 and named on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire. Also named on the Maxwelltown West Church memorial.

GNR. ALBERT CONNELL, Royal Artillery.
Not listed by CWGC/SNWM - Possibly:
Joseph Albert Connell – age 28 – Gunner (?) Royal Artillery.
A bricklayer, he died of tuberculosis in the Lochmaben Sanatorium.
Born 1920 in Dumfries. Son of John and Ethel (Smith) Connell of 17 Sunderries Avenue, Dumfries.
Died on 22 November 1948.

SGT. (W.O./A.G.) WILLIAM G. CORMACK, Royal Air Force.
William George Cormack – age 21 – Sergeant, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (985764)
101 Squadron, Bomber Command, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
William served his apprenticeship as a chemist in Dumfries. His Wellington bomber took-off from RAF Bourne, Cambridgshire for a raid on Bremen but crashed near the target. He was buried at Delmenhorst but was re-interred in Becklingen in August 1946.
Born 1920 in Dumfries. Son of John Craig Cormack and Mary (Roberts) Cormack of Westfield, Eastfield Road, Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 4 June 1942 and buried in Becklingen War Cemetery, Germany.
Also named on the St. Mary's Church memorial in Dumfries.

SAPR. HUGH COUPLAND, Royal Engineers.
Hugh Coupland – age 26 – Sapper (1896328) 241 Field Company, Royal Engineers.
Hugh was working as a builder in Dumfries when he enlisted in January 1940.
Born 1918 in Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of ??? Husband of Rachael Maxwell (Williamson) Coupland of 132 St. Michael's Street Dumfries who he married in 1942 in Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 7 January 1945 and buried in Brunssum War Cemetery, Netherlands.

SGT. THOMAS L. CRAVEN, Royal Air Force.
Thomas Lockerbie Craven – age 21 – Sergeant, Air Gunner (1565815) 158 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Thomas was employed in the showroom of the electricity department of Dumfries Town Council.
His Halifax bomber took off from RAF Lissett, near Bridlington, Yorkshire for a raid on Berlin but crashed near Martensmuhle where he was buried. His body was re-interred in Berlin in May 1947.
Born 1922 Lockerbie, Dryfesdale, Dumfrieshire. Son of William Lockerbie Craven and Jessie McCartney (Bell) Craven of 33 Rae Street, Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 1 September 1943 and buried in Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany.
Also named on the Townhead Church memorial now in St. Michael's Church in Dumfries.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:18 am Post subject:

SAPR. COLIN CROSBIE, Royal Engineers.
Colin McDonald McLeod Crosbie – age 41 – Sapper (2967518) Royal Engineers.
Colin was killed in an accident in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
Born 1899 in Caerlaverock, Dumfriesshire. Son of Mary Ferguson Crosbie. Husband of Jane or Jean Sherwell (Chalmers) Crosbie of 145 High Street, Dumfries and formerly of Norfolk Cottage Caerlaverock, Dumfriesshire who he married in 1927 in Caerlaverock.
Died on Active Service on 16 April 1941 and buried in Caerlaverock Parish Churchyard, Dumfriesshire.

PIPER JOHN CROSBIE, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
John Crosbie – age 20 – Private (3190340) King's Own Scottish Borderers and 3rd Special Service Battalion, Army Air Corps.
John was an apprentice plasterer in Dumfries. He served with the Territorials and was a member of the KOSB band. John's unit, No. 7 Commando, was re-designated 3rd Special Service Battalion on 24 October 1941 and was sent to take part in the battle of Crete, landing at Suda Bay on 26 May and assisting in the evacuation of the Allied forces.
Born 1920 in Dumfries. Son of James and Jessie (Wemyss) Crosbie of 32 Shakespeare Street, Dumfries.
Died of Wounds on 26 May 1941 and buried in Suda Bay War Cemetery, Crete, Greece.

PTE. JAMES DALE, London Scottish.
John James Dale – age 24 – Private (3188289) 5th/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.
James had joined the Gordons in 1936 and had been evacuated from France in 1940. He served with the re-formed 51st Division in North Africa and was wounded in October 1942. He rejoined his battalion in January 1943 and returned to the UK in December 1943. He landed at Normandy on D-Day.
Born c.1920 in Dumfries. Son of John James Dale and Jane Dale of 7 Nithside Avenue, Dumfries.
Husband of Robina Gibb (Greig) Dale of Aberdeen who he married in 1942 in Aberdeen.
Killed in Action on 19 July 1944 and buried in Ranville War Cemetery, Clavados, France.

ORD/SIG. THOS. DALZIEL, HMS Hood, Royal Navy.
Thomas Dalziel – age 18 – Ordinary Signalman (P/JX 225377) H.M.S. Hood, Royal Navy.
During the Battle of the Denmark Strait, the battlecruiser “Hood” was struck by several German shells from the “Bismark”. She exploded and sank.
Born 1922 in New Abbey, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of James and Margaret Dalziel of 25 Goldie Avenue, Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
Missing in Action/Lost at Sea on 24 May 1941 and named on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.

SGT. ALBERT DAVIDSON, M.M. Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Albert Davidson, Military Medal – age 21 – Corporal (14214428) 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Albert worked as a builder in Dumfries. He was awarded the M.M. in February 1945 as 14214428 Lance Sergeant Albert Davidson, Royal Scots Fusiliers of Gasstown, Dumfries.
Born 1923 in Holywood, Dumfriesshire. Son of Catherine Davidson and grandson of Mary Davidson, of Gasstown, Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 5 November 1944 and buried in Mierlo War Cemetery, Netherlands.
Also named on the St. Michael's Church memorial in Dumfries.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:20 am Post subject:

PTE. ROBERT DENARD, Seaforth Highlanders.
Robert Denard – age 27 – Private (3194288) 5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.
Robert was killed during the battle to capture the hill-top village of Francofonte.
Born 1915 in Greenock, Renfrewshire. Son of Peter and Maria (Slimmons) Denard of 46 Rosefield Road, Troqueer, Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 14 July 1943 and buried in Syracuse War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy.

CPL. THOMAS DENHOLM, 7th K.O.S.B. (Airborne).
Thomas Denholm – age 35 – Corporal (3190552) 7th (Galloway) Airborne Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Thomas was employed as a bookbinder at the Dumfries and Galloway Standard. He landed at Arnhem on the first day of the battle, Sunday 17 September 1944, to defend the Drop Zones for 4 Parachute Brigade, due to arrive the following day. They continued in their role of defending an ever decreasing perimeter in the area of Oosterbeek until the night of 25/26 September when the remainder of the battalion withdrew across the Rhine.
Born 1909 in Dumfries. Son of Thomas and Rachel Murdoch (Atkinson) Denholm of 120 St. Michael's Street, Dumfries.
Missing in Action on 25 September 1944 and named on the Groesbeek Memorial, Netherlands.
Also named on the St. Michael's Church memorial in Dumfries.

SAPR. ROBERT DEVLIN, Royal Engineers.
Robert Devlin – age 36 – Sapper (14530746) 234 Field Company, Royal Engineers.
Sapper “Jock” Devlin died after VE Day as result of mine wounds and was buried in Cemetery No.2 Bedburg, Germany. Later he was re-interred in the Reichswald Forest Cemetery.
Born 1909 in Annan, Dumfriesshire. Son of Peter and Maria (Nicholson) Devlin of 72 Queensberry Street, Dumfries. Husband of Agnes Tinning (Houston) Devlin of 53 High Street, Dumfries and of Troqueer, who he married in 1940 in Dumfries.
Died of Wounds on 16 June 1945 and buried in Reichswald Forest Cemetery, Germany.

TPR. SAM DICKIE, Royal Armoured Corps.
Samuel Dickie – age 27 – Lance Corporal (7943601) 46th (The Liverpool Welsh) Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps.
Samuel was educated at Dumfries Academy and was indentured with a firm of Chartered Accountants in Dumfries before taking a post with a potato merchant.
Born 1915 in Dumfries. Son of late Samuel Dickie who had managed the Dumfries Gasworks, and of Christina Helen (Calder) Dickie of 10 Glebe Terrace, Dumfries.
Died of Wounds on 22 July 1942 and buried in El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.
Also named on the Cornets Club memorial in Castledykes Park, Dumfries, and on the St. Michael's Church memorial in Dumfries.

A.C.1. JOHN DONALD, Royal Air Force.
John Donald – age 19 – Aircraftman 2nd Class (977404) Bomber Command, Royal Air Force.
John was educated at St. Andrew's School in Dumfries and was working as a waiter in Bexhill-on-Sea when he enlisted in January 1940. He was killed in a road accident at Axton, Huntingdonshire.
Born 1921 in Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of William McCrae Donald and of Jessie Storrie (Lilly) Donald of Church Street, Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
Died on Active Service on 8 September 1940 and buried in Dumfries (St. Andrew's) Roman Catholic Cemetery.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:24 am Post subject:

L.A.C. M. DONECHY, Royal Air Force.
Martin Donechy – age 23 – Leading Aircraftman (1550017) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Martin was an apprentice baker in Dumfries when he joined the RAF in 1941. He was fatally wounded during an enemy air raid on a jungle airstrip in Burma.
LAC Ronald Halliday was killed in the same raid (see below).
Born 1922 in Hutchesontown, Glasgow. Son of ??? Foster son of Mr. J. Mitchell of Janefield Drive, Dumfries.
Died of Wounds on 17 February 1945 and buried in Taukkyan War Cemetery, Myanmar. (Burma)

PTE. ALEXANDER DOUGLAS, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Alexander Douglas – age 33 – Private (3186481) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Alexander was a regular soldier and had served in India before embarking for France in 1939. He was evacuated from the beaches at Dunkirk and returned to France on D-Day 6 June 1944.
Born 1910 in Dumfries. Son of William and Jane C. Douglas of Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 19 July 1944 and buried in Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France.

FUS. JOHN S. DOUGLAS, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
John Stewart Douglas – age 18 – Fusilier (14436592) 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
John was an electrician in Dumfries.
Born 1925 in Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of the late Andrew Douglas, and of Margaret (Copland) Douglas (latterly Mrs Howarth) of 64 Queen Street, Castle Douglas, and of Sale, Cheshire.
Killed in Action on 26 June 1944 and buried in St. Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux, Calvados, France.

L/CPL. ROBERT DOUGLAS, Royal Scots.
Robert Douglas – age 32 – Lance Corporal (3053715) 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots.
Robert was captured at the fall of Hong Kong and died of diphtheria while a Prisoner of War of the Japanese.
Born 1909 in Kinghom Quay, Dumfries. Son of Adam and Mary (McLellan) Douglas.
Died on Active Service on 11 August 1942 and buried in Sai Wan War Cemetery, Hong Kong, China.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:27 am Post subject:

PTE. FRANK DUNLOP, Cameron Highlanders.
Frank Dunlop – age 23 – Private (2930369) 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.
Frank was employed at the Carnation condensed milk factory in Dumfries. As a Reservist he was mobilised in September 1939 and served with the 1st Battalion in France. He was evacuated from the beaches at Dunkirk and then spent 3 years “in America” (see below) before being posted with the re-formed 2nd Battalion to Italy in December 1943.
Born 1920 in Dumfries. Son of James and Eliza (Kirk) Dunlop of 30 Whitesands, Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 15 May 1944 and buried in Sangro River War Cemetery, Italy.
Also named on the Carnation factory memorial now in the Dumfries Museum.

"in America"
The 4th battalion, Cameron Highlanders, sailed from Liverpool on 9 August 1940 in HMT “The Empress of Australia”. They reached Halifax, Nova Scotia on 19 August. Leaving Halifax on 23 August, it arrived at Aruba, Dutch West Indies on 3rd September 1940, having dropped off 250 men at Bermuda, and remained there until 12 February 1942. The battalion arrived back in the Clyde on 24 March and began training in England and the Shetlands until December when it was renamed 2nd battalion.

MARINE ARTHER DYE, H.M.S. FIJI Royal Marines.
Arthur Dye – age 19 – Marine (PO/X 4640) Royal Marines, H.M.S. Fiji.
The light cruiser “Fiji” was attacked and sunk by German aircraft off the Island of Crete.
Born 1922 in Leeds.
Son of Arthur and Elizabeth (Brunton) Dye of 8 Aldermanhill Road, Dumfries. Arthur Dye, senior, was a Sergeant in the 1st KOSB when he married Elizabeth Brunton in 1911 in Bombay.
Killed in Action/Lost at Sea on 23 May 1941 and named on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.
Also named on the Townhead Church memorial now in St. Michael's Church in Dumfries.

PTE. PETER McD. DYER, Lincolnshire Regiment.
Peter McDowall Dyer – age 30 – Private (3195679) 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment.
Peter joined the KOSB in June 1940 and was transferred to the Lincolns in February 1943 when he went overseas.
Born 1913 in Stranraer, Wigtownshire. Son of Charles and Fanny Dyer. Husband of Janet Millar (Dickson) Dyer of 23 Friars Vennel, Dumfries who he married in 1937 in Dumfries.
Died of Wounds on 13 September 1943 and buried in Salerno War Cemetery, Italy.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:35 am Post subject:

PTE. ROBERT S. FALLAS, Royal Marine Commandos.
Robert Scott Fallas – age 21 – Lance Corporal (PO/X 4043) 40 Commando, Royal Marines.
Robert was educated at St. John's School in Dumfries and was an apprentice chemist in Maxwelltown when he joined the Marines in May 1939. He served at Gibraltar for over a year and in August 1942 took part in the Dieppe Raid. 40 and 41 Royal Marine Commando landed on the south-east corner of Sicily, south of Syracuse in July 1943.
Born 1921 in Cummertrees, Dumfriesshire – as Robert Scott. Son of John and Jane Fallas.
Husband of Margaret (McCubbin or Wilson) Fallas of Ivy Place, Newton Stewart and of Tarbert, Argyllshire who he married in 1942 in Dumfries.
Missing in Action on 17 July 1943. and named on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire

STKR. JOHN FARRELL, Royal Navy.
John Joseph Farrell – age 32 – Stoker 2nd Class (D/KX 560427) H.M.S. Lanka, Royal Navy.
John was employed at the Carnation condensed milk factory in Dumfries.
HMS Lanka was a naval shore-base at Colombo in Ceylon. It seems probable that John was on board the troopship “Khedive Ismail” bound for Columbo from Mombasa when she was torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese submarine I-27 on 12 February 1944.
Born 1911 in Dumfries. Son of John Dowling Farrell and Helen Rose Farrell of 19 Terregles Street, Maxwelltown, Dumfries. Husband of Margaret (Travers) Farrell of Kilmarnock who he married in 1943 in Kilmarnock.
Missing in Action/Lost at Sea on 12 February 1944 and named on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Also named on the Carnation factory memorial now in the Dumfries Museum.

PTE. JOHN FARRIES, Cameron Highlanders.
John Farries – age 25 – Private (2933805) 5th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.
John was educated at Brownhall School in Dumfries and became a blacksmith with Stewart's Granite Sculptors in Dumfries and a well known local footballer.
Born 1917 in Dumfries. Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. McClure of Bodin Lea, Georgetown Road, Gasstown, Dumfries.
Missing in Action on 28 October 1942 and named on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt.
Also named on the St. Michael's Church memorial in Dumfries.

CAPT. JOHN FERGUSSON, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
John Fegusson – age 23 – Captain (258653) 5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Born 1922 in Dumfries. Son of David Fergusson, B.L. Solicitor, and of Christian J. (Stark) Fergusson, an artist and one of the “Glasgow Girls”, of Southdean, Rotchell Road, Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
Died of Wounds – 18 February 1945 at Nijmegen, Holland and buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Netherlands.
Also named on the St. Michael's Church memorial in Dumfries.

PATRICK FINDLEY, Merchant Navy S.S. Taberg.
I cannot trace this man on any local records nor is he named on CWGC/SNWM.
As he was serving on a foreign ship it may be that his death was not reported to the British authorities.
The Swedish cargo ship SS Taberg, in convoy from Glasgow to Huelva in southern Spain, was torpedoed by Italian submarine Gugliemo Marconi and sank west of Gibraltar on 6 June 1941.

L/STKR. JAMES FLETCHER, HMS Courageous, Royal Navy.
James Fletcher – age 24 – Leading Stoker (D/KX 83166) HMS Courageous, Royal Navy.
James was employed as a baker in High Street, Dumfries when he joined the navy in 1933. He served on the China Station before being posted to the battleship “Royal Oak”. He joined the aircraft-carrier “Courageous” on 9 August 1939 and was thought to be the first man from Dumfries to fall in action when the "Courageous" was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-29 off the south-west coast of Ireland.
Born 1915 in Dalton, Dumfriesshire. Son of Thomas and Annie McDonald (Fraser) Fletcher of Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
Missing in Action/Lost at Sea on 17 September 1939 and named on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:42 am Post subject:

PTE. JOHN GARDINER, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
John Gardiner – age 23 – Private (3188363) King's Own Scottish Borderers.
John was returning from leave when the motor cycle, on which he was a passenger, left the road and hit a tree near Kirkton, Roxburghshire. He died the following day in Hawick Hospital. The driver George William McVittie Gordon, Private (3189647) KOSB was killed.
Born 1917 in Dumfries. Son of John and Euphemia (Marshall) Gardiner of 14 Crathie Avenue, Dumfries. Husband of Mary (Rae) Gardiner of 31 Johnstone Street, Annan who he had only just married in 1941 in Annan.
Died on Active Service on 5 July 1941 and buried in Dumfries (St. Michael's) Cemetery.

and his brother

STKR. NORMAN GARDINER, HMS Quorn, Royal Navy.
Norman Gardiner – age 20 – Stoker 1st Class (P/KX 152477) H.M.S. Quorn, Royal Navy.
Norman was employed in Robertson's sawmill in Dumfries when he enlisted in March 1942.
The destroyer “Quorn” was an escort for convoys of personnel during the Normandy Landings. She was sunk during an German attack on the British assault area.
Born 1924 in Dumfries. Son of John and Euphemia (Marshall) Gardiner of 14 Crathie Avenue, Dumfries.
Missing in Action/Lost at Sea on 3 August 1944 and named on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.

PTE. THOMAS GILCHRIST, London Scottish.
Thomas Gilchrist – age – 28 – Trooper (3190553) 116th (9th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders) Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps.
Thomas was working as a builder in Dumfries when he enlisted in 1939. He had spent 3 years in Burma when he was wounded on 17 February 1945. The 9th (Donside) Battalion had arrived in India in May1942 and were converted to an armoured regiment, designated 116th Regiment.
Born c.1917 in Lanarkshire. Son of Thomas and Margaret (Boyd) Gilchrist. Husband of Mary Paterson (Kerr) Gilchrist of 25 King Street, Maxweltown, Dumfries who he married in 1939 in Dumfries.
Died of Wounds on 21 February 1945 and buried in Meiktila in Burma. He was re-interred in 1951 in Taukkyan War Cemetery, Myanmar. (Burma)

PTE. DOUGLAS GILLON, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Douglas Gillon – age 19 – Private (14656477) King's Own Scottish Borderers and No. 4 Commando.
Douglas had been employed at the Carnation condensed milk factory in Dumfries.
No. 4 Commando had taken part in the landings on Walcheren Island in November 1944 and in 1945 they returned to Walcheren to defend the northern coastal areas, including Wissenkerke on the island of Noord Beveland.
Born 1925 in Dumfries. Son of Michael and Annie (Grant) Gillon of 164 College Street, Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 20 January 1945 and buried in Wissenkerke General Cemetery, Zealand, Netherlands.
Also named on the Carnation factory memorial now in the Dumfries Museum.

A/B. JAMES P. GLOVER, HMS Kite, Royal Navy.
James Paterson Glover – age 22 – Able Seaman (D/JX 348630) H.M.S. Kite, Royal Navy.
The sloop “Kite” was escorting a convoy to Murmansk when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-344 off the Norwegian coast.
Born 1921 in Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of William John and Margaret McKenzie (Kirkpatrick) Glover of Dumfries.
Missing in Action/Lost at Sea on 21 August 1944 and named on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

W.O. PILOT ANTHONY J. GRAY, Royal Air Force.
Anthony James Gray – age 23 – Warrant Officer, Pilot (1567857) 17 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Anthony was serving in Japan as part of the Commonwealth occupation force when his Spitfire developed engine trouble and crashed into the sea.
Born 1923 - Registered in Dumfries and in Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of David Haining Gray and Ruby Maud (Anthony) Gray of Dumfries.
Died on Service on 27 June 1946 and buried in Yokohama War Cemetery, Japan.
Also named on the former Laurieknowe Church memorial now in Troqueer Parish church.

L/CPL. JOHN GRIERSON, Seaforth Highlanders.
John Grierson – age 22 – Private (3194270) 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.
John was employed by the Dumfries and Maxwelltown Co-operative Society.
Born 1920 in Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of Robert and Margaret Grierson of Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 22 January 1943 and buried in Tripoli War Cemetery, Libya.
Also named on the St. Michael's Church memorial in Dumfries.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:46 am Post subject:

L.A.C. R. B. HALLIDAY, Royal Air Force.
Ronald Bryden Halliday – age 28 – Leading Aircraftman (1064912) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
He was killed during an enemy air raid on a jungle airstrip in Burma. LAC Martin Donechy died as a result of the same raid (see above).
Born 1916 in Dumfries. Son of the late James and Margaret (Henderson) Halliday of 16 Municipal Terrace, Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 13 February 1945 and buried in Taukkyan War Cemetery, Myanmar. (Burma)
Also named on the Townhead Church memorial now in St. Michael's Church in Dumfries.

PTE. SAMUEL HANNAH, 7th K.O.S.B. (Airborne).
Samuel Hannah – age 33 – Private (3191024) “C” Company, No.9 Platoon, 7th (Galloway) Airborne Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Samuel was employed at the Carnation condensed milk factory in Dumfries. He landed at Arnhem on the first day of the battle, Sunday 17 September 1944, to defend the Drop Zones for 4 Parachute Brigade, due to arrive the following day. They continued in their role of defending an ever decreasing perimeter in the area of Oosterbeek until the night of 25/26 September when the remainder of the battalion withdrew across the Rhine.
Born 1912 in Dalmellington, Ayrshire. Son of Andrew and Helen Hannah. Husband of Mary Jane (Traynor) Hannah of 10 Nithsdale Avenue, Dumfries who he married in 1937 in Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 24 September 1944 and buried in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Netherlands. Also named on the Carnation factory memorial now in the Dumfries Museum.

FL/SGT. JAMES HARDING, Royal Air Force.
James Harding – age 25 – Flight Sergeant, Air Gunner (997847) 102 Squadron, Bomber Command, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
James enlisted in 1940 and served with the RAF in the Middle East for three years before returning to UK to train as an Air Gunner. His Halifax bomber took-off from RAF Pocklington, Yorkshire for a raid on Hanover but was shot down by a night-fighter near Wardenburg. He was buried there but was re-interred in Sage in July 1947.
Born 1920 in Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of James Maxwell Harding and of Matilda (Muir) Harding of 10 Welldale Terrace, Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
Killed in Action on 5 January 1945 and buried in Sage War Cemetery, Germany.

PTE. ROBERT HARDING, Army Air Corps.
Robert Harding – age 29 – Private (7634096) 6th Battalion (10th Royal Welch Fusiliers) The Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps.
Robert's battalion was part of the Athens occupation force in the winter of 1944-5 as a civil war developed. They became involved in street battles with Greek rebels in December and early January.
Born 1916 in Dumfries. Son of Robert and Jane Margaret (Dinnell) Harding, of Gasstown, Dumfries.
Died on Active Service on 4 January 1945 and buried in Phaleron War Cemetery, Greece.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:50 am Post subject:

SUB. LIEUT. IAN HENDRIE, R.N.V.R., Royal Navy.
Ian Hendrie – age 32 – Sub-Lieutenant: H.M.S. Hebe, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.
The minesweeper “Hebe” was sunk by a mine laid by the German submarine U-453, off Bari, Italy.
Born 1911 in Dumfries. Son of George Thom Hendrie and Charlotte (Oughton) Hendrie of Dumfries.
Missing in Action/Lost at Sea on 22 November 1943 and named on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.

L/BDR. DAVID M. HIDDLESTONE, Lanarkshire Yeomanry.
David Maxwell Hiddleston – age 23 – Lance Bombardier (325690) 155 (The Lanarkshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery.
David was captured at the fall of Singapore in February 1942 and died as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese in Formosa.
Born 1920 in Ardrossan, Ayrshire. Son of John and Mary McLean (McCaughtrie) Hiddleston of 16 Janefield Gardens, Dumfries.
Died on Active Service on 20 September 1943 and buried in Sai Wan War Cemetery, Hong Kong, China. The remains of those who died as prisoners in Formosa (now Taiwan) were brought to Hong Kong for burial at Sai Wan in 1946.
Also named on the Townhead Church memorial now in St. Michael's Church in Dumfries.

PTE. ROBERT HIGGINS, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Robert Higgins – age 24 – Private (3191840) 7th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Robert served his apprenticeship as a printer in Dumfries and was a well known local sportsman. He died of pneumonia in a military hospital in Egypt. Until 1944 the 7th KOSB were based in the UK. It seems likely that Robert was en route to join the 2nd Battalion in India when he was taken ill.
Born c.1918 in Glasgow. Son of Robert and Janet (Thorburn) Higgins formerly of 178 Lockerbie Road, Dumfries. The family moved to Markinch in Fife in 1941. Husband of Emma (Auld) Higgins of High Heaton, Newcastle-on-Tyne who he married in 1942 in Newcastle.
Died on Active Service on 2 December 1942 and buried in Fayid War Cemetery, Egypt.

CPL. WILLIAM R. HILL, Royal Air Force.
William Reid Hill – age 24 – Corporal (946736) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
William was a partner in the Johnstone, Hill & Co. Aerated Water Manufacturers in Dumfries. At the outbreak of war in 1939 he joined the RAF Police. William was a member of the British Sumatra Battalion, the unofficial name given to some 500 men, from all three services, who had been captured in Sumatra a month after the fall of Singapore. They were the only unit to work from the Burma end of the infamous Thailand-Burma Railway. He died at Mergui in Lower Burma.
Born 1918 in Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of James Harper Hill and Mary (Reid) Hill of Crescendo, Glasgow Street, Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
Died on Active Service on 23 June 1942 and buried in Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Myanmar. (Burma) Also named on the Maxwelltown West Church memorial.

LIEUT. JOSEPH HUNTER, 7th K.O.S.B. (Airborne).
Joseph (Joey) Maclean Hunter – age 24 – Lieutenant (186115) Officer Commanding No.13 Platoon in “D” Company, 7th (Galloway) Battalion, Airborne, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Educated at Dumfries Academy, Fettes College and Edinburgh University, he joined the Royal Corps of Signals. He was commissioned in the KOSB in May 1941 and saw action in North Africa and Sicily where he was wounded and evacuated back to the UK. He landed at Arnhem on the first day of the battle, Sunday 17 September 1944, to defend the Drop Zones for 4 Parachute Brigade, due to arrive the following day. They continued in their role of defending an ever decreasing perimeter in the area of Oosterbeek until the night of 25/26 September when the remainder of the battalion withdrew across the Rhine.
Born 1920 in Dumfries. Son of Dr. Joseph Maclean Hunter, M.P. (for Dumfriesshire) and Jean Augusta Hadley Hunter, M.D. Husband of June (Shires) Hunter, of Notting Hill, London who he married in 1944 in Westminster, London.
Killed in Action on 21 September 1944 and buried in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Netherlands.
Also named on the Cornets Club memorial in Castledykes Park, Dumfries.