The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

govangirl · Last edited by govangirl on Fri Oct 10, 2014 6:40 pm; edited 1 time in total

Irvine Herald 15 June 1917
"Springside soldier missing - Mrs James Templeton, 23 Kirkland Row, Springside has received official notification that her husband Private James Templeton R.S.F. serving in Egypt has been reported as missing since the 19th of April last. In civilian life he was a miner. Mrs Templeton would be very grateful to have any particulars of him from his comrades"

Kilmarnock Standard 21 June 1919
"LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED
PTE. JAMES TEMPLETON, R.S.F.
Mrs James Templeton, Springside, has been officially informed by the War Office that her husband, Private James Templeton, R.S.F., reported missing on 19th April 1917, is presumed to have been killed on that date while in action in Egypt. He joined up shortly after the outbreak of war, and after being trained was sent to the East. Before joining the colours he was employed in the mines at Springside. A quiet, unassuming, well- doing man, he was highly respected in the locality, and his death is greatly deplored. He leaves a widow and three children to mourn his loss"

CWGC Information

Name: TEMPLETON
First Name: James
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Unit: 1st/4th Bn.
Date of Death: 19/04/1917
Service No: 200809
Grave/Memorial reference: Panel 18
Cemetery: JERUSALEM MEMORIAL

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Mary

govangirl · Last edited by govangirl on Tue Sep 23, 2014 7:42 pm; edited 1 time in total

Kilmarnock Standard February 9th 1918 page 5
THE WAR
DREGHORN FARMERS SON KILLED
PRIVATE J. ESSLEMONT ADAMS STEEL, AYRSHIRE YEOMANRY
As briefly intimated in a previous issue of the “Standard” Private John Esslemont Adams Steel of the Ayrshire Yeomanry, youngest son of Mr Matthew Steel, J.P., Capringstone, Dreghorn was killed in action in Palestine on 27th December. He joined the Ayrshire Yoemanry shortly after the outbreak of war, and in the Spring of 1915 was drafted to the first line, with which he went to Gallipoli, where he served until the evacuation. He came through that disastrous campaign without injury. For a time he was stationed at Mudtoe, and afterwards he saw a good deal of hard fighting in Egypt and Palestine. He had not been home since he left the shores of Britain two years and four months ago. He had received his papers for a commission, but on the expectation of being released he had not presented them. He was called after the Rev. J. Esslemont Adams, B.D., M.C., formerly of Perceton and Dreghorn U.F. Church, now of Aberdeen, and at present on service as a chaplain with the forces. He was educated at Kilmarnock Academy and Irvine Royal Academy, and had just been six months left school when he joined the Yeomanry. It was his intention to follow farming. Familiarly know among his relations and companions as “Esslemont”, he was loved by them all for this bright and happy nature, the winsomeness of his manner, and the loyalty of his friendship, and throughout the parish of Dreghorn where he was well-known, his death has occasioned deep and heartfelt regret. The deepest sympathy is felt for the Capringstone family in the loss of one who was so lovable and promising. Deceased was only 21 years of age.
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Lance Corporal G G McCulley, writing to deceased’s mother, says:”All the boys who knew Esslemont - and few didn’t - are very much upset about his loss. He was always so cheery and bright, no matter where we were. I have known him since we were in Ayr in the 2nd line A.Y., and I can faithfully say I have lost one of the best pals any fellow could have, and you have lost as fine a son as any mother ever had. He fell doing his duty for King and country. It was on the morning of the 27th December as the Battalion were advancing that he met his death by a machine gun bullet. It went through his forehead and I think he would have died painlessly”
Rev. J. Esslemont Adams, B.D., in a letter from the western front to Mr Steel, says :- “I feel as if my heart would break. I have seen friend after friend taken, lost comrades with whom I have lived and alongside whom I have slept for months, watched scores - yes hundreds - in our hospitals as they sank to rest, and in these 3½ years of active service tasted the bitterness of grief as never before. But no loss has cut me to the heart like this one. Other losses have been those of old friends dear to me long before there was a war, or new and true friends made out here in France, but this is the loss of my own boy. Yours in deed and in truth, but mine too, for you gave him to me to call by my own name 21 years ago. When I read in the paper which came last night “Killed in action, John Esslemont Adams Steel” I was dumb and as one blinded and all I seemed conscious of was a voice whispering in my heart “The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away”. And when I thought of you and pictured all the dear ones who used to be round the table at Capringstone I felt I would give worlds to be able to go to you - to go not because I could say anything to comfort you (for words hurt, they do not heal when the sorrow is so real). I wanted just to grip your hand and look into your eyes and say “I am sorry”. If I can feel this bereavement, then I surely can, in measure, understand what it means to the father and mother who have lost their youngest born, and to the brothers and sisters. I know it is a sore sorrow. And yet is it not a proud sorrow? I look back to the days - those happy days in Dreghorn whose memory will be bright till my journey ends - when Esslemont was a little mite toddling about the house. And then I remember the schoolboy whom I used to see whenever I came down from Aberdeen, and as he grow towards manhood I realised what a fine man he was to be. But never did we reckon to the crime of a European war, and the day was near when he, still barely at manhood’s estate, would spring forward to defy our brutal foe. Your boy, the boy who has given himself in sacrifice for us all, was not the kind to hesitate. And now he has “made good”. He has not lost, he has won. He has gone with the battalions of glorious gallant men by the way of the Valley of the Shadow to his coronation and to the blessed happiness of the playing fields of God. That is what helps us to dry our eyes. He is more than conqueror. Dear Esslemont! He would have been a great citizen, but God has other and greater work for him in the Homeland. What a wonderful and radiant land it must be where such wonderful heroic youth are, while we are left here in the shame and suffering of these cruel years of war!!”

CWGC Information

Name: STEEL
Initials: J.E.A
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Unit: 12th(Ayr and Lanark) Yoemanry
Age: 21
Date of Death: 27/12/1917
Service No: 295240
Additional Information: Son of Matthew and Marion Steel, of 14, Mansfield Rd, Reading. Native of Dreghorn, Ayrshire
Grave/Memorial reference: D. 69
Cemetery: JERUSALEM WAR CEMETERY
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Mary

govangirl · Last edited by govangirl on Sat Sep 27, 2014 2:26 pm; edited 1 time in total

Irvine Herald 8 September 1916
"Soldier wounded - Mr and Mrs William Walker. Overton, received official notice last week that their son, Pte Robert Walker, of the A and S Highlanders, had been wounded in France and is now in hospital. He went out to the front a little more than a month previously. An elder brother, Joseph Walker, was killed in action on July 15th last, and another brother, William, is also serving with the colours."

Irvine Herald 8 June 1917
"Dreghorn soldier killed - Mr and Mrs Wm Walker, Overton, Dreghorn received official information last week that their son Private Robert Walker, of the A and S H was killed in action on 23rd April. He enlisted on 8th March 1916 and after a short training was drafted to France in July. On 20th August he was wounded in the face by a piece of shrapnel. He also received a gunshot wound on left shoulder on 16th September. Deceased was in his 24th year. Before enlisting he was a tailor to trade and had worked for Messrs T and J Manson, Dreghorn for seven years. He was well known as a Christian worker. His older brother Lance Corporal Joseph Walker was killed at Montaubun in July 1916 and his eldest brother William is in the A and S H in France suffering from wounds on the shoulder received while in action."

Kilmarnock Standard5 August 1916
"DREGHORN SOLDIERS KILLED
LANCE-CORPORAL JOSEPH WALKER, ROYAL SCOTS
Mr and Mrs William Walker, Overton, Dreghorn parish, have received official notice that their son, Lance-Corporal Joesph Walker, of the Royal Scots, has been killed in action in France on 3rd July last. He enlisted first in Lochiel's Cameron Highlanders, but was discharged. He was accepted by the Royal Scots, and after training was sent to France at the beginning of this year. He was 27 years of age and a grocer to trade, serving in Overton Store, and was in situation with Lipton in Irvine, A. Fegurson in Kilmarnock, and a grocer in Ayr. His younger brother Robert left for France this week."

CWGC Information

Name: WALKER
First Name: Joseph
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment: Royal Scots
Unit: 11th Bn
Date of Death: 03/07/1916
Service No: 23543
Grave/Memorial reference: Pier and Face 6 D and 7 D
Cemetery: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

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Mary

govangirl · Last edited by govangirl on Tue Oct 07, 2014 5:43 pm; edited 1 time in total

Irvine Herald 8 September 1916
"Soldier wounded - Mr and Mrs William Walker. Overton, received official notice last week that their son, Pte Robert Walker, of the A and S Highlanders, had been wounded in France and is now in hospital. He went out to the front a little more than a month previously. An elder brother, Joseph Walker, was killed in action on July 15th last, and another brother, William, is also serving with the colours."

Irvine Herald 8 June 1917
"Dreghorn soldier killed - Mr and Mrs Wm Walker, Overton, Dreghorn received official information last week that their son Private Robert Walker, of the A and S H was killed in action on 23rd April. He enlisted on 8th March 1916 and after a short training was drafted to France in July. On 20th August he was wounded in the face by a piece of shrapnel. He also received a gunshot wound on left shoulder on 16th September. Deceased was in his 24th year. Before enlisting he was a tailor to trade and had worked for Messrs T and J Manson, Dreghorn for seven years. He was well known as a Christian worker. His older brother Lance Corporal Joseph Walker was killed at Montaubun in July 1916 and his eldest brother William is in the A and S H in France suffering from wounds on the shoulder received while in action."

The Kilmarnock Standard of 2 June 1917 had the same article as that printed in the Irvine Times on 8 June. It also contained a photo of Robert
CWGC Information

Name: WALKER
Initials: R
Rank: Private
Unit: 11th Bn.
Date of Death: 23/04/1917
Service No: S/10309
Grave/Memorial reference: E. 22
Cemetery: TANK CEMETERY, GUEMAPPE

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Mary

govangirl

CWGC Information

Name: WATSON
First Names: Robert Gilles
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Unit: 1st Bn.
Age: 28
Date of Death: 16/04/1918
Service No: 205332
Additional Information: Son of William and Elizabeth Watson, of Drummuir Cottage; husband of Margaret Stewart McLinton Watson, of Perceton Row, Irvine, Ayrshire
Grave/Memorial reference: XV. R. 29
Cemetery: CABARET-ROUGE BRITISH CEMETERY, SOUCHEZ
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Mary

govangirl · Last edited by govangirl on Tue Oct 07, 2014 6:11 pm; edited 1 time in total

Irvine Herald
Dreghorn Soldier Missing - Mrs Clara Watt, Fernlea Cottage, Dreghorn, has received official notice that her husband, Lance-Corporal Francis Watt, of the R.S.F., is reported missing somewhere in France since one of the engagements at the commencement of the "big push". He enlisted along with several other Dreghorn men shortly after the outbreak of war, and was in C Coy. of the R.S.F. Previous to joining the colours he was employed as a miner with Messrs A. Kenneth & Sons, coalmasters."

Irvine Herald
"DREGHORN
Dreghorn Soldier Killed - Mrs F Watt, Fernlea Cottage, Dreghorn, has received official notice that her husband, Lance-Corporal F Watt, 2nd Battalion R.S.F., reported missing on July 30th 1916, is believed to have been killed on or since that date. He enlisted shortly after war was declared in August, 1914, and had been in the push in France for a long time. Prior to joining the colours he was a miner employed by Messrs A. Kenneth and Sons."

Kilmarnock Standard 18 August 1917
"DREGHORN SOLDIER KILLED
LANCE-CORPORAL FRANK WATT, R. S. F.
Above is a portrait of Lance-Corporal Frank Watt, 2nd Battalion R.S.F., was was reported missing on 30th July, 1916, and is now believed to have been killed on or since that date. Corporal Watt, whose widow resides at Fernlea Cottage, Dreghorn, enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war. Previously he was employed as a miner at Merrs A Kenneth & Sons Colliery"

CWGC information

Name: WATT
First Name: Francis
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Unit: 2nd Bn.
Date of Death: 30/07/1916
Service No: 12439
Grave/Memorial reference: Pier and Face 3 C
Cemetery: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

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Mary

govangirl · Last edited by govangirl on Fri Oct 10, 2014 6:27 pm; edited 1 time in total

CWGC Information

Name: WYLIE
First Names: Andrew Cunningham
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Unit: 1st/4th Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 1/10/1918
Service No: 52735
Additional Information: Son of Andrew and Isabella Wylie, of 2, Springfield Row, Springside, Kilmarnock
Grave/Cemetery reference: Panel 6
Cemetery: VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL

Kilmarnock Standard 7 December 1918
"SPRINGSIDE MAN KILLED
PRIVATE ANDREW WYLLIE, R.S.F.
Mr and Mrs Wyllie, 2 Springhill Row, Springside, have received official intimation that their second son, Private Andrew Wyllie, R.S.F., was killed in action on 1st October. He enlisted in May of this year, and had only been in France three weeks. He was employed with Messrs Baird & Co., Nethercraig Collieries, before joining the colours"

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Mary

govangirl

The Royal Naval Divisiion Service records for 1914-1920 shows Matthew's date of birth as 14 April 1897 and his address as Dundonald Road, Dreghorn, Ayrshire

CWGC Information

Name: MCKENNA
Initial: M
Rank: Able Seaman
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Unit: Drake Bn. R. N. Division
Age: 21
Date of Death: 03/04/1918
Service No: Clyde Z/3882
Additional Information: Son of Mrs A Lindsay, of 17, Low Glencairn St, Kilmarnock
Grave/Memorial reference: IV. F. 11
Cemetery: FINS NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, SOREL-LE-GRAND
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Mary

govangirl · Last edited by govangirl on Sat Sep 27, 2014 2:08 pm; edited 1 time in total

Kilmarnock Standard 11 December 1915
SPRINGSIDE SOLDIER KILLED
Official notice was received this week that Private Wm. Ferguson, of the R.S.F., was killed at the Dardanelles on the 15th of last month. He enlisted about a year ago, and went to the Dardanelles about six months ago. He resided for some time at Overton, but was staying at Kirkland Rows, Springside, when he joined the Army. He leaves a widow and three children. He was employed as a miner in Springhill Colliery.

CWGC Information

Name: FERGUSON
First Name: William
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Unit: 1st/4th Bn.
Date of Death: 15/11/1915
Service No: 8286
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 72 to 75
Cemetery: HELLES MEMORIAL
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Mary

govangirl · Last edited by govangirl on Thu Oct 09, 2014 7:52 am; edited 1 time in total

In William's will, which is on scotlandspeople, he states "In the event of my death I give the whole of my property and effects to my sister Mrs Andrew McGhee, Greenwood Rows, Dreghorn, Ayrshire, Scotland" dated 01/08/1918.

The record of soldiers died in the Great War shows William was born in Irvine and enlisted in Irvine.

Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald 25 October 1918
"DREGHORN
LANCE-CORPL. WILLIAM McLEAN R.S.F.
(Killed)
Mrs Andrew McGhee, Greenwood Rows, Dreghorn, has received official intimation that her brother, L.-Corpl. William McLean, R.S.F., who was recently reported missing, has been killed in action. Lance-Corpl. McLean is a native of Irvine. He was in the Army before war broke out, but on account of having had his foot broken in South Africa he received his discharge. When war broke out he again joined up in August, 1914. In civilian life he was a miner, and was employed in Montgomeriefield Pit. He was a young unmarried man, 26 years of age."

CWGC Information

Name: McLEAN
Initial: W
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Unit: 8th Bn
Date of Death: 19/09/1918
Service No: 12390
Grave/Memorial reference: I. E. 14
Cemetery: DOIRAN MILITARY CEMETERY

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Mary

govangirl · Last edited by govangirl on Fri Oct 10, 2014 7:09 pm; edited 1 time in total

The 1911 census shows John living with his parents, Allan and Jane, and siblings Allan, Mary, Minnie, James, David and Jessie and his cousin John at 134 Hunters Row, Main Street, Dreghorn.

Kilmarnock Standard 25 January 1919
"THE WAR
DREGHORN MAN DROWNED
MR JOHN S PATERSON, WIRELESS OPERATOR
The S.S. Northumbria was mined in the North Sea on 9th inst., and only two of those on board were picked up alive. Among the men who perished was Mr John S Paterson, senior wireless operator, son of Mr and Mrs Allan Paterson, Main Street, Dreghorn. Mr Paterson had been at sea for two years and five months, and had a very remarkable experience. Before he lost his life he had been on three ships, each of which was torpedoed and sunk, and on each occasion he was fortunate to be among the survivors, the third occasion being exactly on his 20th brithday. Mr Paterson was a young man of much promise. While working as a miner in Craig Pit he was seized with an ambition to become a wireless operator, and in order to qualify himself he travelled to Glasgow five nights a week. He showed considerable aptitude for the work, and on recieving an appointment he so commended himself by his intelligence and ability that he rapidly rose to a position of seniority and responsibility. He was a great favourtie among a wide circle of friends in the Dreghorn district, and the deepest sympathy is felt for his parents in their sad bereavement. Deceased was in his 21st year. Two elder brothers have been serving in the East since the outbreak of the war."

CWGC Information

Name: PATERSON
First names: John Scollick
Rank: Wireless Operator
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit: S.S. Northumbria (London)
Age: 20
Date of Death: 09/01/1919
Additional Information: Son of Allan and Jeanie M Paterson, of Main St., Dreghorn, Ayrshire
Cemetery: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

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Mary

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 6:53 pm Post subject:

Mary, I think that this is the first time I have seen a post-war Mercantile Marine death. Thanks for posting it.
There are details of the sinking when the "Northumbria", sailing from Baltimore to Sunderland struck two mines off Middlesbrough, at: http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?148539
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Ken

govangirl · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 11:02 am Post subject:

govangirl · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 3:33 pm Post subject: Dreghorn Memorial - Adam Jones

CWGC Information

Name: JONES
Initials: A.C.
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Unit: 2nd Bn
Age: 30
Date of Death: 10/04/1918
Service No: 34897
Additional Information: Husband of Annie Jones, of Greenwood Dreghorn, Irvine, Ayrshire
Grave/Cemetery reference: III. D. 8
Cemetery: CROIX-DU-BAC BRITISH CEMETERY, STEENWERCK
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Mary

govangirl

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Mary