The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

jrah60 · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 1:28 pm Post subject: Ardrossan Academy, Ayrshire

Ardrossan Academy, Sorbie Road, Ardrossan, North Ayrshire KA22 8AR

OS Grid Ref: NS 240425

The following information was extracted from the school website www.ardacad.co.uk and A History of Ardrossan Academy 1882 – 2007 which commemorated the 125th Anniversary of the school.

Ardrossan Academy was founded during the 1882-3 academic year. It was a higher grade school which meant it was the first school in the area
to teach secondary education. For most of the first 50 years of its history the school was sited in South Crescent in the buildings which until recently housed St. Peter’s Primary School. As the school population expanded a new site was needed and the Academy moved to its present site in Sorbie Road, the official opening of the new school taking place on October 6, 1933. The Old Building is the only part still standing today.

The combined WW1 & WW2 Memorial is situated in the main assembly hall.

The WW1 memorial was unveiled on 29th May 1922 by Lieutenant-General Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston KCB, DSO, MP.

1914 – 1918
IN MEMORY OF THOSE
OF THE ACADEMY
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN THE GREAT WAR

Adamson Robert T.
Adamson George A.
Alexander Archd. C.E.
Alston John
Armour Andrew B.
Blair Hector
Blair John
Blakely John D.
Brown J. Ritchie
Bruce James A.
Chrystie James A.
Clark Wm. F.H.
Cunningham James
Donaldson Francis T.
Ewing Douglas
Fleming William
Fulton Andrew
Gibb James Shirra
Goodwin Matt. D.
Hamilton George B.
Higgins Hugh
Hill Stephen B.
Hofmeyr Richd. D.
Jack James M.
Kerr John Peter
Kerr John A.C.
Lauchland Raymond
Linton H. McEwan
MacDonald Geo. C.
MacGavin Robert C.
McIlroy James
McKay Douglas
Meadows C. Bentley
Menzies William
Miller James B.S.
Muir Alex.
Neill Robert
Neill Thos. W.R.
Ogden Charles F.
Oliphant William
Rankin John
Ritchie Wm. J.
Robertson Jas. S.
Sillars H.F. Lionel
Simpson James D.
Smith James R.
Stevens J. Bright
Stevenson Geo. Arthur
Todd James C.
Urquhart Ian S.
Wallace Hugh
Wallace Tom
Watson P. Seton
Watt Edwin H.

THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE

On the 8th April 1949 the Rector wrote:- “ On an April afternoon the pupils of the school sat reverently before the flag-draped memorial in the Hall. They were joined by many of the town and district who sought to honour the sons of the Academy who had passed through the Gates of Learning to enter those of the Grave in defence of freedom which no true man gives up but with his life. On the dais beneath the tablet many civic and clerical dignitaries were assembled and with them the members of the Staff who, as was but fitting, had donned full academic dress of gown and hood in token of respect for the solemn occasion. After prayer was offered by the Rev. Geddes Ritchie, t Memorial was unveiled by the Rt. Hon. The Earl of Eglinton, who thereafter gave an address, and Prefect Alastair MacGregor read the names of the fallen. The Memorial was now handed over to the School by J. Whitelaw Esq., president of the Former Pupils’ Club. After acceptance on behalf of the Academy by the Rector, the Rev. T.K. Potts dedicated the Memorial in prayer, and the School Choir sang the lament “The Flowers of the Forest””.

The memorial is inscribed as follows:-

ALSO IN THE WORLD WAR
1939 – 1945

Adam William G.
Adams William G.
Aird Alexander S.
Allan James
Bell William
Barr Ralph A.W.
Bodin Hugh A.
Bradley Ian D.
Campbell Alexander B.
Campbell Kenneth *
Cairns Thomas R.
Carswell James A.C.
Coleman Sidney K.
Cowan Walter D.
Cumming George S.
Deans Ernest
Deans George
Dickie William
Eastabrook Richard
Fleming Archibald J.
Freedman Joseph G.
Gillespie William
Henderson Alexander D.
Henry Walter
Hogarth Alexander
Hoskins Norman
Hughes William N.
Hunter Donald G.
Hunter James
Irvine Thomas G.
Jack Robert R.
Jenkins Martin
Kelly James
Kelly Robert M.
Kerr Matthew
Laird James B.
Latta John F.
MacGregor Ian B.
McGreish Joseph C.
McInnes John H.
MacMillan Alan
McMillan Alexander D.
McQueen Ronald
MacTavish Gordon
Maule P. Ritchie
Mellor John G.
Merrie John W.
Miller Alexander M.
Montgomerie Hugh M.
Montgomerie William A.L.
Morrison Samuel
Muir John
Parker Ronald H.
Pritchard John
Robertson Robert W.
Ross Eric S.
Roy Matthew I.
Seggie George C.
Shearer Robert W.
Sheffield Joseph
Simpson Alexander
Simpson Ernest R.
Wards William M.
Watson Thomas M.
Wilson Robert
Yuille John B.

“THE SOULS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE IN THE HAND OF GOD”

* On the 13th March 1942 Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell, RAF a former pupil of the Academy was awarded the Victoria Cross (posthumous). He met his death at Brest 1941.
The following is the citation from the London Gazette of 13 March 1942.

“ROYAL AIR FORCE
The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the under-mentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery:-
Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell (72446), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (deceased), No 22 Squadron.
The following details are given in "The London Gazette," of 13th March, 1942:
Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell was the pilot of a Beaufort aircraft detailed to attack an enemy battle cruiser in Brest Harbour at first light on the morning of the 6th April, 1941. The ship was in a position protected by a stone mole bending round it, and rising ground behind on which stood batteries of guns. Other batteries clustered thickly round the two arms of land which encircled the outer harbour, while three heavily armed anti-aircraft ships moored nearby guarded the cruiser. Even if an aircraft penetrated these formidable defences it would be almost impossible, after attacking at low level, to avoid crashing into the rising ground beyond. Knowing all this, Flying Officer Campbell ran the gauntlet of the defences and launched a torpedo at point-blank range, severely damaging the battle cruiser below water-line, so that she was obliged to return to the dock whence she had come only the day before. By pressing home the attack at close quarters in the face of withering fire, on a course fraught with extreme peril, this officer displayed valour of the highest order.”

After the Second World War the former pupils’ club decided to raise funds to buy 10 acres of land adjacent to the school to be used as playing fields for the pupils and former pupils of the school and in memory to the sons of the Academy who fell in the Second World War.

John Houston

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 3:45 pm Post subject:

"The WW1 memorial was unveiled on 29th May 1922 by Lieutenant-General Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston KCB, DSO, MP."

How ironic that the man who was the cause of so many deaths at Gallipoli and in France should unveil a memorial to the fallen.
_________________
Ken

anne park · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:17 am Post subject: John Douglas Blakely

John Douglas Blakely 2nd Lt 9th Gordon Highlanders b Saltcoats Age 22 Killed in Action F & F 09/04/17 Son of Robert & Jean L F Blakely, 20 Kingsborough Gdns; Glasgow. Officers Book page 166. Born at Saltcoats, Ayrshire. Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez Fr 0924 Plot XVII Row K Grave 19
_________________
Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

govangirl

CWGC Information

Name: CLARKE
Initials: W F H
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Unit: 3rd Bn
Cemetery/Memorial reference: O. 1
Cemetery: SALONIKA (LEMBET ROAD) MILITARY CEMETERY

William is also on the Saltcoats Memorial

_________________
Mary

Adam Brown

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 6:59 pm Post subject:

They have also given him an "E" and kept him at 2nd Lt.
The Glasgow University RoH has him as a Captain
http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/ww1-biography/?id=2214
as does his medal card (althogh they did have a problem with his third name)
Medal card of Clark, William Folk Hunter
Royal Scots Fusiliers Second Lieutenant
Royal Scots Fusiliers Attached Royal Munster Fusiliers Captain
_________________
Ken

govangirl

CWGC Information

Name: ALEXANDER
First names: Archibald Charles Edward
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Unit: 3rd. Bn. attd. 2nd. Bn.
Age: 26
Additional information: Son of W.R.E. Alexander, J.P. of Constitutional Club, Charing Cross, London
Cemetery/Memorial reference: Panel 12 and 13
Cemetery: LE TOURET MEMORIAL

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald 19 March 1915
"DEATHS
IN ACTION
ALEXANDER - Killed in action on March the 12th, Lieutenant Archibald Charles Edward Alexander, Royal Scots Fusiliers, elder son of W.R.E. Alexander, J.P., of Boydston, Ardrossan, Ayrshire, and late of 66 Park Street, Grosvenor Square, London, W."

_________________
Mary

anne park · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 7:36 am Post subject: Charles Fraser Ogden

Charles Fraser Ogden Pte S/15943 8th/10th Gordon Highlanders b Glasgow 03/11/1898 e Ardrossan Age 19 Killed in Action F&F 24/04/1917 Son of Charles Henry Ogden & Elspeth Fraser. Educated Ardrossan Academy. 1901 Census: 175 Glasgow St. Roll of Honour: Page 134. Occ: Working in office of City Analyst, Glasgow. Soldiers Effects: Father: Charles Henry. Arras Memorial M. R. 20 Panel 8 & 9 Ardrossan & Ardrossan Academy, Ayrshire
_________________
Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

govangirl

CWGC Information

Name: ADAMSON
First names: Robert Thorburn
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment: Royal Scots
Unit: 4th Bn
Age: 23
Date of Death: 23/04/1917
Additional information: Son of the Rev. Robert M. Adamson, of Saint John's Manse, Ardrossan, Ayrshire. M.A. (Edinburgh University)
Memorial reference: Bay 1 and 2
Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL

Robert is the brother of George Addis Adamson who is also on the memorial. Both brothers are also on the Ardrossan memorial
_________________
Mary

govangirl · Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald 2 November 1917

govangirl

CWGC Information

Name: OGDEN
First names: Charles Fraser
Rank: Private
Regiment: Gordon Highlanders
Unit: 8th/10th Bn
Date of death: 24/04/1917
Service no: S/15943
Memorial reference: Bay 8 and 9
Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL

Charles is also on the Ardrossan Memorial

De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918

_________________
Mary

govangirl

CWGC Information

Name: RITCHIE-BROWN
First name: John
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps
Unit: attd. H. Q. 43rd Heavy Artillery Group Royal Garrison Artillery
Age: 43
Date of Death: 07/11/1916
Additional Information: Third son of Dr. and Mrs. J. Ritchie-Brown, of Saltcoats, Ayrshire, Scotland. Served in South African Campaign
Cemetery/Memorial reference: Plot 3. Row C. Grave 13
Cemetery: FORCEVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY AND EXTENSION

John was born on 11 July 1873 and the family were living at Holly House, Windmill Street in the 1881 and 1891 census

John is also on the Saltcoats Memorial

Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald November 7th, 1916

_________________
Mary

govangirl

CWGC Information

Name: ARMOUR
First Names: Andrew Barclay
Rank: Private
Regiment: Highland Light Infantry
Unit: "C" Coy 17th Bn
Age: 21
Date of Death: 01/07/1916
Service No: 16296
Additional Information: Son of Andrew Barclay Armour and Maggie Hamilton Armour, of 58, Hamilton St., Saltcoats, Ayrshire
Cemetery/Memorial reference: Pier and Face 15 C
Cemetery: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

Andrew is also on the Saltcoats Memorial

Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald 8th September 1916

_________________
Mary

govangirl

CWGC Information

Name: STEVENS
First names: John Bright
Rank: Private
Regiment: Canadian Infantry
Unit: 27th Bn
Age: 28
Date of Death: 21/07/1917
Service no: 1550
Additional information: Son of John Campbell Stevens and Mary Jane Stevens, of St. Ives, Seamill, West Kilbride. Born at Ardrossan
Cemetery reference: N. A. 77
Cemetery: ARDROSSAN CEMETERY

John is also on the West Kilbride Memorial and the Ardrossan Memorial
_________________
Mary

govangirl

CWGC Information

Name: SMITH
First names: James Ritchie
Rank: Private
Regiment: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Unit: "D" Coy. 2nd Bn.
Age: 33
Date of Death: 25/03/1918
Service no: 201185
Additional information: Son of John Ramsay Smith, of 612, Crow Rd., Jordanhill, Glasgow
Memorial reference: Panel 37 to 38
Memorial: POZIERES MEMORIAL

The record of soldiers died in the Great War shows James was born in Ardrossan, lived in Langbank and enlisted in Glasgow

James is also on the Ardrossan Memorial
_________________
Mary