The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

gourdongirl · Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:18 pm Post subject:

Name: CLARKE, Samuel
Initials: S
Nationality: UK
Rank: L/Cpl
Regiment/Service: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Unit Text: 1st Bn
Age: 28
Date of Death: 19/07/1944
Service No: 3061034
Awards:
Additional Info: Son of David and Jane Martin Clarke, husband of Alice Clarke of Elphinstone East Lothian
Casualty Type: CWD
Grave/Memorial Ref: III.B.13
Memorial: St Manvieu War Cemetery Cheux Calvados France

SNWM entry: Born in Edinburgh.

gourdongirl · Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:19 pm Post subject:

Name: WOOD, Walter Christie
Initials: W C
Nationality: UK
Rank: Pte
Regiment/Service: Kings Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: D.E.M.S Personnel
Age: 26
Date of Death: 16/03/1941
Service No: 3194807
Awards:
Additional Info:
Casualty Type: CWD
Grave/Memorial Ref: Panel 62 Column 2
Memorial: Plymouth Naval Memorial

SNWM entry: Born in Midlothian, died at sea.

gourdongirl · Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:19 pm Post subject:

Name: THOMSON, John
Initials: J
Nationality: UK
Rank: Sapper
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
Unit Text: 235 Field Park Coy
Age: 23
Date of Death: 14/06/1943
Service No: 2007038
Awards:
Additional Info: Son of Andrew and Helen Thomson of Elphinstone East Lothian
Casualty Type: CWD
Grave/Memorial Ref: IV.A.14
Memorial: Florence War Cemetery, Italy

SNWM entry: Born East Lothian

DelBoy · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 2:19 am Post subject: Lt. Andrew Burt

DelBoy · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 1:37 am Post subject: Pte. James Cowan

dixwimby · Joined: 19 Mar 2011 Posts: 1

William beck dickson and Robert Wight were related through his aunt Margaret marrying James Wight, his sister Helen beck dickson married Andrew Baird.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun May 09, 2021 4:01 pm Post subject:

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 12:45 pm Post subject:

The former mining village of Elphinstone was within the parish of Tranent so there is some overlap of the names.

PVT. ANDREW BAIRD 1/8 R. S.
Andrew Baird â€“ age 30 â€“ Private (917) 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots.
Andrew was a coal miner and a member of the local Territorial 8th Royal Scots. He was mobilised in August 1914 and he landed with his battalion at Le Havre in November 1914 but he was killed less than three months later.
Born 1885 in Tranent. Son of the late Beatrice (Fairgrieve) Baird (died 1908) and of Andrew Baird of Tranent.
Killed in Action on 29 January 1915 and buried in Bois-Grenier Communal Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Tranent War Memorial.

PVT. JOHN BEATTIE 2nd B. W.
I cannot identify this man.

LIEUT. ANDREW BURT 1/8 R. S.
Andrew Burt â€“ age 41 â€“ Lieutenant, 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots.
Andrew was the manager at Elphinstone Colliery, Tranent. He was commissioned in the local Territorial 8th Royal Scots in April 1911 and promoted in May 1913. He landed with the 1/8th Royal Scots at Le Havre in November and he and about 100 of his men were seconded to the Royal Engineers because of their mining experience.
Born 1873 in Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire. Son of Hutchison and Jane (Shaw) Burt. Husband of Catherine Annie Carlow (Mitchell) Burt of Fleet's Villa, Tranent who he married in 1899 in Shanghai, China.
Missing in Action on 18 December 1914 and named on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.
Also named on the Tranent War Memorial.

PVT. JAMES COWAN 1st CAM.
James Cowan â€“ age 20 â€“ Private (S/14258) 1st Battalion, Cameron Highlanders.
James enlisted in October 1914 and joined his battalion in France in March 1915.
Born 1895 in Tranent. Son of the late Barbara (Burnside) Cowan (died 1904) and of William Cowan of Northfield Farm Cousland, Dalkeith.
Missing in Action on 9 May 1915 and named on the Le Touret Memorial, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 12:50 pm Post subject:

PVT. Jn. CROOKSTONE 1/8 R. S.
John Rankine Crookston â€“ age 27 â€“ Private (5137) 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots.
John was a miner with the Lothian Coal Company and was living in Newtongrange, Cockpen, Midlothian when he enlisted as Private (4230) in the Territorial 8th Royal Scots in June 1908. He was discharged at the end of his term in June 1912. John re-enlisted in January 1915 and joined his battalion in France in September 1915.
Born 1889 in Elphinstone, Tranent. Son of Andrew and Agnes Robertson (Rankine) of Newbattle and Cockpen, Midlothian. Husband of Mary Morriel (Reid) Crookston of Lochgelly, Fife who he married in 1910 in Newbattle, Midlothian.
Killed in Action on 22 July 1916 and buried in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz, France.
Sp. Mem. 14. â€œBelieved to be buried in this cemeteryâ€
Also named on the Lochgelly War Memorial.

PVT. ADAM DENNISON N. F.
Adam Dennison â€“ age 21 â€“ Lance Corporal (290618) 1/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.
In 1911 Adam was a pit pony driver below ground in Amble, Northumberland. The family had moved from Elphinstone a year earlier. He enlisted as Private (7/2506) and landed with his battalion in France in April 1915.
Born 1895 in Elphinstone, Tranent. Son of William and Mary (Smith) Dennison of 18 Edwin Street, Amble, Northumberland.
Killed in Action on 26 October 1917 and buried in Poelcapelle British Cemetery, Belgium.
Also named on the Amble War Memorial.

PVT. W.B. DICKSON 8th YORKS.
William Beck Dickson â€“ age 35 â€“ Private (42834) 8th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment.
In 1901 William was a gardener in Elphinstone, Tranent but by 1911 he was an assistant to his uncle Robert Beck as a draper and commercial traveller in Upper Bangor, Caernarvonshire. He enlisted in late 1916 as Private (160551) in the Royal Field Artillery and was posted to the Yorkshires in France.
Born 1881 Tranent. Son of the late John Stirling Dickson (died 1915) and Helen (Beck) Dickson of of 9 New Row, Elphinstone, Tranent. Husband of Annie (Williams) Dickson of 2 Glan-Y-Mon Terrace, Llanfairfechan, Caernarvonshire who he married in 1912 in Bangor, Caernarvonshire.
Killed in Action on 12 February 1917 and buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm), Belgium.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 12:56 pm Post subject:

PVT. THOS. DOUGLAS 1/8 R. S.
Thomas Douglas â€“ age 19 â€“ Private (4639) 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots.
Thomas was a miner living in Newtongrange, Midlothian and employed by the Newbattle Coal Company when he enlisted in the Territorial 8th Royal Scots in June 1914. He was mobilised in August and landed with the 1/8th Royal Scots at Le Havre in November 1914. Thomas died in the 22nd Field Ambulance at Sailly. Born c.1896 in Tranent. Foster son of Joseph and Isabella (Maltman) Douglas of 23 The Square, Newtongrange.
Died of Wounds on 24 February 1915 and buried in Sailly-Sur-La-Lys Churchyard, France.

S/P R. FAIRGRIEVE R. E.
Robert Fairgrieve â€“ age 20 â€“ Sapper (231842) 179th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers.
Robert was a coal miner living with his grandmother in Elphinstone when he enlisted in January 1916. He was mobilised a year later and went to France in February 1917. Robert died of gas poisoning.
Born 1899 in Gladsmuir, Haddingtonshire/East Lothian. Son of the late Janet Fairgrieve (died 1901) and grandson of Isabella Fairgrieve of 14 New Row, Elphinstone, Tranent.
Died of Wounds on 13 July 1917 and buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Pte. THOMAS GRANT 3rd BRIGADE A. I. F.
Thomas Grant â€“ age 35 â€“ Private (441) 34th Battalion, Australian Infantry.
Thomas was a miner living with his parents in Cessnock, New South Wales when he enlisted in January 1916. He sailed from Sydney in May 1916 and arrived in England in June before moving to France in November 1916.
Born 1882 in Elphinstone, Tranent. Son of John and Martha (Davidson) Grant of Aberdare Road, Aberdare, New South Wales.
Killed in Action on 8 June 1917 and buried in Strand Military Cemetery, Belgium.

PVT. JAMES KERR 5th G.H.
James Kerr â€“ age 28 â€“ Private (292219) 1/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.
James enlisted as Private (S/4526) and landed with the 10th Gordons at Boulogne in July 1915.
Born 1889 in Elphinstone, Tranent. Son of the late Mary (Reid) Kerr (died 1911) and of George Kerr of The Butts, Tranent.
Missing in Action on 23 April 1917 and named on the Arras Memorial, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 1:02 pm Post subject:

PVT. JOHN A. MAIN CAN. F. A.
John Archibald Main â€“ age 24 â€“ Gunner (87258) 5th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery.
John was farming in Alberta when he enlisted at Lethbridge in June 1915. He sailed from Canada in August and after some time in England he landed in France in January 1916.
Born 1892 in Elphinstone, Tranent. Son of Joseph and Margaret (Archibald) Main of Bankhead House, Tranent.
Killed in Action on 7 June 1916 and buried in Dickebusch New Military Cemetery, Belgium

PVT. ROM MENNUCCI R. G. A.
Romolo Mennucci â€“ age 39 â€“ Gunner (205801) 119th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.
Rom was living at Strawberry Row in Elphinstone when he enlisted as Private (1207) in the Territorial 8th Royal Scots in September 1914 but was discharged in October having found to be â€œirregularly enlistedâ€. He obviously re-enlisted at a later date and he died in the 45 Casualty Clearing Station.
Born c.1879 in Saltocchio, Bagni di Lucca, Tuscany, Italy. Son of Michele and Rachele (Pellegrinni) Mennucci. Husband of Mary (Caldwell) Mennucci of 3 School Square, Elphinstone, Tranent who he married in 1902 in Paisley, Renfrewshire.
Died of Wounds on 7 September 1918 and buried in Bac-Du-Sud British Cemetery, Bailleulval, France

Pte. J. NELSON CHESHIRE REG.
Joseph Nelson â€“ age 32 â€“ Private (245982) 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.
Joseph served his apprenticeship as a baker in Duns, Berwickshire and was employed there for a number of years before moving to Dunbar in East Lothian. He enlisted as Private (8134) in the King's Own Scottish Borderers in Duns in November 1915 and was posted as Private (204346) to the South Lancashire Regiment in France but was transferred to the 10th Cheshires. Joseph was wounded in May 1918 and then posted to the 1st Battalion in September but was fatally wounded a few weeks later and died in the 38th Casualty Clearing Stations at Awoingt near Cambrai.
Born 1886 in Elphinstone, Tranent. Son of the late Joseph Nelson (died 1915) and of Janet (Wood) Nelson of 31 North Street, Duns and of Elphinstone, Tranent.
Died of Wounds on 24 October 1918 and buried in Awoingt British Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Duns War Memorial on the Duns Parish Church memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 1:10 pm Post subject:

PVT. JAMES POTTER 2nd A.& S. H.
James Potter â€“ age 33 â€“ Private (3/7261) 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
James was a miner when he enlisted in the Army Reserve in August 1914. He joined his battalion in France in November 1914 and died in the 16th Field Ambulance.
Born 1881 in Prestonpans, East Lothian. Son of the late James and Robina (Ritchie) Potter formerly of Prestonpans.
His own son, also named James, (whose mother Janet (Smith) Kyle had died in 1912 in Old Cumnock, Ayrshire) was in the care of a Mrs Arnott of 15 New Row, Elphinstone and later of Elizabeth Laurie Mllar of 24 Bridge Street, Tranent.
Died of Wounds on 19 January 1915 and buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.

PVT. ALEX. SCOTT 2nd S. G.
Alexander Scott â€“ age 24 â€“ Private (10179) 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards.
Alexander was employed by the Northern Oil Company at their Polton Pit, Bonyrigg when he enlisted. He joined his battalion in France in February 1915 but he was killed three months later.
Born 1891 in Elphinstone, Tranent as Alexander Livingston Scott. Son of the late Elizabeth (Smith) Scott (died 1914) and of John Scott of Bonnyrigg, Cockpen, Midlothian.
Missing in Action on 16 May 1915 and named on the Le Touret Memorial, France.
Also named on the Bonnyrigg War Memorial.

PVT. DAVID M. SCOTT 1/8 R. S.
David Scott â€“ age 27 â€“ Private (325036) 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots.
David was a coal miner living at 49 Loch Road, Tranent and working for the Edinburgh Coal Company when he enlisted as Private (649) in the Territorial 8th Royal Scots in March 1911. He was mobilised in August 1914 and landed with the 1/8th Royal Scots at Le Havre in November 1914. He was evacuated to England in August 1915 and returned to his battalion in March 1916.
Born 1889 in Tranent. Son of the late David Main Scott (died 1915) and of Mary Gray Scott of 15 Park Road, Tranent.
Missing in Action on 22 July 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.
Also named on the Tranent War Memorial.

PVT. WILL. SMITH 10th G. H.
Now known to be:
William Smith â€“ age 30 â€“ Private (143410) Royal Air Force.
William was a coal miner when he enlisted in September 1914. He landed as Private (5224) with the 10th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders at Boulogne in July 1915. At some point he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and he was discharged from the RAF in February 1919. William died in the Edinburgh War Hospital at Bangour of post operative heart failure on a Gun Shot Wound.
(Registered at Ecclesmachar, Linlithgowshire)
Born 1890 in Elphinston, Tranent. Son of John and Marian (Kerr) Smith of Orchard House, Pencaitland and of Broomrigg, Pencaitland, Ormiston.
Died of Wounds on 31 July 1920 and buried in Ormiston Old Churchyard. (CWG) Also named on the Ormiston War Memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 1:14 pm Post subject:

PVT. JOHN STEWART 1/8 R. S.
John Stewart â€“ age 32 â€“ Private (774) 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots.
John of the Square, Elphinstone was a coal miner and a member of the Territorial 8th Royal Scots. He was mobilised in August 1914 and landed with the 1/8th Battalion at Le Havre in November 1914.
Born 1882 in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Son of the late Agnes (Porter) Stewart (died 1899) and of John Stewart. Husband of Agnes Duncan (Arnott) Stewart, from 1916 Mrs. Robert Fairgrieve, of 16 New Row, Elphinstone, Tranent who he married in 1908 in Tranent.
Died of Wounds on 8 March 1915 and buried in Rue-du-Bacquerot (13th London) Graveyard, Laventie, France.
Also named on the Tranent War Memorial.

PVT. JOHN THOMSON 3rd R. S.
John Thomson â€“ age 27 â€“ Private (1693) 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Scots.
John was a coal miner who lived with his father in Elphinstone. He joined the 2nd Royal Scots in France in December 1914. He died of pneumonia in the Flora Stevenson's Military Hospital at Craigleith, Edinburgh.
Born 1890 in Inveresk, Midlothian. Son of the late Elizabeth (Morris) Thomson (died 1899) and of John Thomson of 39 Strawberry Lane, Elphinstone.
Died on Service on 21 March 1916 and buried in Elphinstone Cemetery. (CWG)

PVT. JAS. VALENTINE 16th R. S.
James Valentine â€“ age 21 â€“ Private (34403) 16th Battalion (2nd Edinburgh) Royal Scots.
By 1911 the family had moved to Tranent.
Born 1896 in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. Son of Alexander and Mary Elizabeth (Joss)Valentine of Myles Farm, Elphinstone, Tranent.
Killed in Action on 9 April 1917 and buried in Roclincourt Valley Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Tranent War Memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 1:18 pm Post subject:

Q.M.S. ROBERT WIGHT 1/8 R. S.
Robert Wight â€“ age 41 â€“ Company Quartermaster Sergeant (33) 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots.
Robert was a long standing member of the Territorial 8th Royal Scots. He was mobilised in August 1914 and landed with the 1/8th Battalion at Le Havre in November 1914.
Born 1874 in Tranent. Son of James and Margaret (Dickson) Wight of Retreat Cottage, Elphinstone. Husband of Margaret (Dodds) Wight of Main Street, Elphinstone who he married in 1908 in Tranent.
Missing in Action on 16 May 1915 and named on the Le Touret Memorial, France.

PVT. PETER WILSON 5th CAM.
Peter Wilson â€“ age 20 â€“ Private (S/11628) 5th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders.
Peter landed with his battalion at Boulogne in May 1915 but he was killed four months later during the battle of Loos.
Born 1895 in Tranent. Son of Peter and Jessie (Kerr) Wilson of Elphinstone and of Maddiston, Muiravonside, Falkirk.
Missing in Action on 25 September 1915 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.
Also named on the Maddiston section of the Muiravonside War Memorial.

PVT. PETER WOOD 7/8 K. O. S B.
Peter Wood â€“ age 21 â€“ Private (40302) 7th/8th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Peter enlisted as Private (1570) in the Royal Scots and was posted to the KOSB in France.
Born 1895 in Elphinstone, Tranent as Peter Hyde Wood. Son of John and Mary (Hyde) Wood of Tranent Road, Elphinstone.
Missing in Action on 15 September 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 1:41 pm Post subject:

1939-45

CLARKE, Samuel, Lance Corporal, Black Watch[/b]
Samuel Clarke â€“ age 28 â€“ Lance Corporal (3061034) 1st Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
1st Black Watch landed at Normandy on the evening of D-Day 6 June 1944. Samuel was killed near Bas de Fontenay and was re-interred in June 1945.
Born 1915 in Tranent. Son of David and Jane (Martin) Clarke of 15 John Street, Tranent. Husband of Alice (Higgins) Clarke of 3 Buxley Road, Elphinstone who he married in 1940 in Tranent.
Killed in Action on 19 July 1944 and buried in St. Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux, France
Also named on the Tranent War Memorial.

JOHNSON, Joseph, Private, 5th/7th Bn. Gordon Highlanders
Joseph Johnson â€“ age 22 â€“ Private (3604245) 5th/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.
Joseph died near Reviers and was re-interred in February 1945.
Born 1922 in Liverpool. Son of Francis Joseph Johnson and of Margaret Mary (Doyle) Johnson. Husband of Annie Firth (Thomson) Johnson of Elphinstone who he married in 1942 in Tranent as Joseph Francis Johnson.
Died of Wounds on 4 September 1944 and buried in Bayeux War Cemetery, France.

SMITH, Robert D. Sergeant, Royal Air Force
Robert Davidson Smith â€“ age 22 â€“ Sergeant (1325126) 269 Squadron, Coastal Command, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
The squadron flew Lockheed Hudsons from RAF Kaldadarnesis, Iceland. Most of their attention was directed towards detecting and destroying U boats. Robert was a wireless operator and air gunner on his aircraft which was on a reconnaissance flight North of Iceland when one engine failed and the aircraft ditched north-west of ÃsafjÃ¶rÃ°ur. The crew of four were all killed and are buried in the Fossvogur Cemetery in ReykjavÃk.
Born 1920 in Cranston, Midlothian. Son of William and Jean Oliver (Johnstone) Smith of Tranent Road, Elphinstone. Husband of Elizabeth Sheddon Raeburn (Kerr) Smith of Elphinstone who he married in 1941 in Tranent.
Died on Active Service on 30 April 1942 and buried in Reykjavik (Fossvogur) Cemetery, Iceland.

THOMSON, John, Sapper, Royal Engineers
John Thomson â€“ age 23 â€“ Sapper (2007038) 235 Field Park Company, Royal Engineers.
John had been a joiner and was serving in the Royal Engineers when he married in December 1940.
I suspect that he was a Prisoner of War when he died as the Allies did not land on Italy until September 1943.
Born 1919 in Aberlady, East Lothian. Son of Andrew and Helen (McKenzie)Thomson of The Pleasance, Aberlady. Husband of Janet Louden (Rintoul) Thomson of Elphinstone who he married in 1940 in Tranent.
Died on Service on 14 June 1943 and buried in Florence War Cemetery, Italy.
Also named on the Aberlady War Memorial and on Aberlady Church memorial.

WOOD, Walter, Private, King's Own Scottish Borderers
Walter Christie Wood â€“ age 26 â€“ Private (3194807) King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Walter was serving as a Gunner on a Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship.
Born 1914 in Tranent. Son of Robert and Janet (Christie) Wood of Strawberry Lane, Elphinstone.
Died on Active Service/Lost at Sea on 16 March 1941 and named on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.
_________________
Ken