The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

spoons · Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:12 pm Post subject: Castle Douglas

The WW2 memorial is in very small script and not the best of conditions so will probably not be readable at the resolution that I have to post. I have a much higher resolution pic and, with the aid of zoom, the text can be made out. Please PM me if you want a copy.

UKNIWM Ref: 8549

OS Map Ref: NX 7673 6274 (by GPS)

spoons · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:03 pm Post subject:

I think this man is worthy of note, particularly for the combination of medals.

Name: O'HAIRE, JOHN J.
Initials: J J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 1st/5th Bn.
Age: 38
Date of Death: 14/10/1918
Service No: 241198
Awards: M M
Additional information: Medaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre (France). Son of William and Annie Monaghan O'Haire; husband of Isabella Davidson O'Haire, of 5, Marle St., Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: XVII. L. 6.
Cemetery: HOOGE CRATER CEMETERY

\Paul

Malcolm · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 184 Location: Edinburgh

The Malayan casualty was:
22137286 Corporal A.G. Shennan - killed at Johore 6 September 1950

Details
Surname SHENNAN
Firstname Andrew Griffen McKie
Service number 22137286
Date of death 06/09/1950
Decoration
Place of birth Castle Douglas
Other
SNWM roll THE CAMERONIANS (SCOTTISH RIFLES)
Rank Cpl
Theatre of death Malaya

Aye
Malcolm

Barrie Duncan · Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Hamilton

The circumstances surrounding Shennan's death are described in Volume IV of the Regimental History - a rather sad tale. He had been wounded twice after an attack on a bandit camp and was being carried out of the Jungle on a stretcher. The dense jungle and hilly terrain made travelling extremely difficult, especially with a wounded man on a stretcher. His platoon, No 5 of B Coy, made a sterling effort to get Andrew out in time, but sadly he never made it. Attempts had been made to airlift Andrew out with a helicopter, but the jungle was too thick for it to land.

His obituary in the Covenanter goes into slightly more detail, and makes special mention of two of his mates, Rfn Durie and Beveridge, for their 'superhuman' efforts when carrying the stretcher, and of Sjt Jackman, who sat with him everynight to keep insects off him and keep him company.

There is a photo of Cpl Shennan on the Cameronians website:

http://www.cameronians.org/gallery/gallery_action.html

His name will be recorded on the Armed Forces Memorial which is due to open in the National Memorial Arboretum this Autumn.

Adam Brown · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:01 pm Post subject:

And here are Cpl Shennans details from the AFM (Armed Forces Memorial) Roll of Honour

Surname: SHENNAN
Forenames/Initials : Andrew Griffin McKie
Rank: Cpl
Service Number: 22137286
Regiment/Corps: CAMERONIANS
Place of Birth/Home Town: Castle Douglas, Kirkbright
Date of Birth: 19 January 1931
Age: 19
Date of Death: 6 September 1950
Cemetery Name: Kranji Military Cemetery
Cemetery Address: Singapore
Grave Number: ASHES

Adam

DerekR · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 9:05 pm Post subject:

This man doesn't appear on the memorial:

Name: MARSHALL, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: Australian
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
Unit Text: 17th Bn.
Age: 37
Date of Death: 09/10/1917
Service No: 4157
Additional information: Son of John and Mary Jane Burns Marshall, of Rhone House, Kelton, Castle Douglas, Scotland.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 7 - 17 - 23 - 25 - 27 - 29 - 31.
Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

jamiemcginlay · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 930 Location: Glasgow

CWGC ENTRY:
Name: WILSON, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Corporal
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
Unit Text: 70 Field Coy.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 28/05/1942
Service No: 2130481
Additional information: Son of David Wilson, and of Margaret Wilson, of Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 4. D. 8.
Cemetery: DELHI WAR CEMETERY

Link to family memorial in Glenorchy Parish Churchyard, Dalmally:
http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/viewtopic.php?t=535&start=15&mforum=scottishwargraves

spoons · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:12 pm Post subject:

William Marshall is not listed here because he is listed on the Rhonehouse memorial. Many villages around Castle Douglas (up to 26 miles away) have a Castle Douglas postal address (following the village name) but each has their own memorial.

I don't think that William Wilson is listed on any Dumfries and Galloway Civic War Memorial unless he is the one listed at Glasserton.

\Paul

Adam Brown · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 6:40 am Post subject:

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:07 pm Post subject:

WW1 - NAMES
PTE. W. A. ANDERSON, KOSB
CPL. JAS. ARCHIBALD, A&SH
CPL. JNO. BAIRD, LONDON REG.
PTE. JNO. BROWN, SR
SGT. JNO. CARRADICE, CANADIANS
PTE. JONATHAN CARSON, RS
L/CPL. JOSEPH CAVEN, KOSB
PTE. THOS. COLVIN, CAMERONS
PTE. DAVID CROSBIE, HLI
AB. JNO.CURRIE, RND
PTE. ROBT. CURRIE, RSF
PTE. GEO. DEMPSTER CANADIANS (thought to be his brother WILLIAM)
CAPT. THOS. DUNN, KOSB
PTE. M. FERGUSON, KOSB
L/CPL. SAM. FERGUSON, RS
PTE. ARTHUR FITTON, RAF
PTE. ALEX. GAW, HLI
PTE. GEO. GEDDES, RS
CPL. SAM. HENRY, RE
PTE. W. L. HOGG, KOSB
PO. JNO. HUGHES, RND
PTE. THOS. HUGHES, KOSB
PTE. EVERARD IMRIE, CANADIANS
PTE. WM. IRELAND, KOSB
PTE. GEO. IRVINE, DCLI
PTE. JAS. JAMIESON, HLI
PTE. ROBERT JAMIESON, RS
PTE. T. JOHNSON, RASC
PTE. JNO. JOHNSTON, LONDON REG.
PTE. THOS. JOHNSTONE, RASC
DVR. WM. M. KELLY, RFA
CPL. DUNCAN M. KERR, KOSB
PTE. ROBT. KERR, RS
PTE. SAMUEL KIRK, SEAFORTHS
PTE. ALEX. LANDSBOROUGH, RS
PTE. GEO. LIVINGSTON, KOSB
PTE. ALEX. MANSON, AUSTRALIANS
RFLM. R. M. MEREDITH, KRRC
STO. ARCHIE MIDDLETON, RN - HMS INDEFATIGABLE
2.LT. A. R. S. MILLER, KOSB
PTE. JAS. MILROY, A&SH
PTE. WM. MURRAY, HLI
PTE. JNO. McADAM, KOSB
PTE. SAM. McGILL, KOSB
PTE. ROBT. McKAY, RAF
SGT. WM. McKIE, MANCHESTER REG.
1ST AM. ROBT. McLEOD, RAF
DVR. JAS. McNAUGHT, RFA
PTE. R. McQUEEN, KOSB
PTE. JAS. McROBERT, SR
PTE. ALAN McVAN, AUSTRALIANS
GNR. JNO. NISH, RFA
PTE. JNO. O'HAIRE, KOSB - MM (Br) MM (Fr) CROIX DE GUERRE
PTE. ROBT. PURDIE, RS
PTE. BEN RAE, GORDONS
2.LT. JAS. RAE, SEAFORTHS
PTE. ROBT. RAE, AUSTRALIANS
PTE. W. G. SHARP, SEAFORTHS
DVR. H. M. D. SMITH, RFA
PTE. ROBT. J. SMITH, A&SH
2.LT. R. P. SMITH, SEAFORTHS
PTE. BRUCE STEWART, RS
PTE. C. E. STEWART, LONDON SCOTTISH
SGT. JAS. STEWART, KOSB
SGT. JNO. STEWART, KOSB
SGT. JNO. TWEEDIE, KOSB
PTE. ROBT. WATSON, HLI
PTE. ANTHONY WEIR, HLI
LDG. STO. ROBT. WHITE RN - HMS INDEFATIGABLE

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:21 pm Post subject:

WW2 NAMES

A. M. 1ST. CLASS SAMUEL CHARTERS, RN
GDSMAN. THOMAS CLARK, SCOTS GUARDS
PTE. W. J. COCHRANE, 5TH BLACK WATCH
CPL. ALEX. CORSON, KOSB
LIEUT. E. CLARK CORSON, ROYAL GURKHA RIFLES
TPR. D. CARLISLE DUNBAR, ROYAL TANK REGIMENT
DAVID DUNLOP, MERCHANT NAVY
PTE. PATRICK DUNLOP, KOSB
SQUADRON LEADER PATRICK GIFFORD, DFC, RAF
PTE. SAMUEL R. GORDON CAMERON HIGHLANDERS
SPR. WM. I. HENDERSON, RE
PTE. R. JOHNSTONE, KOSB (9TH COMMANDO)
L/CPL. THOMAS KELSO, 2ND KOSB
O.S. WM. CAMPBELL McBRIDE, RN
PTE. JOHN McCORMACK, BLACK WATCH
L/CPL. W. McCOSKRIE, DLI
CQMS. W. McMINN, KOSB
SIG. GEO. F. McMINN, RCS
LAC. JAS. L. H. MACMURRAY, RAF
SGT. ROY McSKIMMING, 5TH CAMERON HIGHLANDERS
SGT. EDDIE ANDREAS HALS RILEY, RAF
AM2. J. R. ROSS, RAF
1ST. CLASS STOKER W. SEMPLE, RN
LIEUT. D. W. WARREN, RAMC
CPL. WM. WILSON, RE

MALAYA 1950 - BY ENEMY ACTION

Cpl. A. SHENNAN, 1st. CAMERONIANS

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:55 pm Post subject: CASTLE DOUGLAS WW1 - Alpha Order

PTE. W. A. ANDERSON, KOSB
William A. Anderson, Private (59226) 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots. Age 19.
William had originally tried to enlist in the Highland Light Infantry while he was working at the Allanton Colliery in Hamilton, Lanarkshire but was found to be under age and was discharged. He was a motor driver with R. Haugh, Motor Hirer in Castle Douglas when he re-enlisted as Private (7089) in the Training Battalion of the HLI in September 1917. He was posted to the 15th HLI as Private (57753) but transferred to the 2nd Royal Scots in France on 2 April 1918.
Born 1899 at St. Marylebone, London. Son of Regimental Sergeant Major William Jonathon Anderson of the Stewartry Volunteer Battalion of the KOSB and of Emily Anderson of Cotton Street, Castle Douglas.
Missing in action on 2 May 1918 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.
Also named on the St. Ninian's Episcopal Church memorial in Castle Douglas.

CPL. JAS. ARCHIBALD, A&SH
James Archibald, Corporal (43606) "C" Company, 16th Battalion (2nd Glasgow) Highland Light Infantry. Age 28.
James was educated at West Calder School in West Lothian and Boroughmuir High School in Edinburgh before becoming a Student of the Arts at Edinburgh University (1908 – 1911) He was a school master at Castle Douglas Higher Grade School when he enlisted in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in May 1916. As Corporal (5155) he joined the 14th Battalion in France in April 1917, was wounded at Cambrai in August and was evacuated to hospital in the UK. He was posted to the HLI and returned to France May 1918 but was wounded again on 23 August and died 3 days later in the 41st Casualty Clearing Station at Daours.
Born 1890 at West Calder, Mid Lothian. Son of James and Johan Brown (Law) Archibald of Limefield Mains, West Calder, Mid Lothian.
Died of wounds on 26 August 1918 and buried in Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.
Also named on the St. Andrew's Church memorial, now in the Castle Douglas Parish Church, on the West Calder War Memorial, on the Boroughmuir High School Memorial and on the Edinburgh University Roll of the Fallen.

CPL. JAS. BAIRD, LONDON REG.
James Baird, Lance Sergeant (6534 & 533298) 1/15th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles) Age 23.
James served his apprenticeship in the Bank of Scotland in Castle Douglas and he was working in the Kelso branch when he enlisted.
Born 1894 in Castle Douglas. Son of James and Isabella Baird of Glenrigg Place, Castle Douglas.
Killed in action on 6 April 1918 and buried in the Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.
Also named on the St. George's Church memorial, now in the Castle Douglas Parish Church and on the Bank of Scotland Memorial in Edinburgh.

PTE. JNO. BROWN, SR
John Brown, Private (40780) 2nd Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Age 36.
John was a butcher when he enlisted as Private (25115) in the KOSB in June 1916. He was posted to the Scottish Rifles in France in September 1916. John was reported to have been accidentally killed at Aziecourt le Bas near Peronne and buried in Tincourt British Cemetery.
Born 1882 in Castle Douglas. Son of John and Jessie (Kirkpatrick) Brown of the Railway Station, Castle Douglas.
Accidentally killed on Active Service on 1 April 1917 at Peronne and "interred in Tincourt British Cemetery" but named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.
Also named on the St. George's United Free Church memorial, now in the Castle Douglas Parish Church.
Tincourt village, near Peronne, was occupied by British troops in March 1917 but on 23 March 1918 was evacuated and recovered, in a ruined condition, about 6 September.It may be that John's grave was lost during this time.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 3:20 pm Post subject: CASTLE DOUGLAS WW1 - Alpha Order

SGT. JNO. CARRADICE, CANADIANS
John Carradice, Sapper (491103) No. 2 Field Company, Canadian Engineers. Age 26.
John had worked in the Foundry in Castle Douglas before he emigrated to Canada in 1912. He was a mechanic and served with the 22nd Regiment of Militia when he enlisted as Private (400937) at London, Ontario in May 1915. He sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia in March 1916 and transferred to the Engineers before going to France in November. He was posted to 2nd FC in February 1917. John died in the 7th Casualty Clearing Station at Noeux-les-Mines near Bethune.
Born 1891 in Hutchesontown, Glasgow. Son of John Carradice and Helen Turnbull of Railway Terrace, Castle Douglas. Husband of Mrs. Isabel H. Carradice of Thomas Street, Ingersoll, Ontario and of 122 South Water Street, Galt, Ontario.
Died of wounds on 4 August 1917 and buried in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Trinity United Free Church memorial, now in the Castle Douglas Parish Church and on the Ingersoll War Memorial in Ontario.

PTE. JONATHAN CARSON, RS
Jonathan Carson, Private (4000 & 351400) 1/9th Battalion, Royal Scots. Age 34.
Jonathan enlisted in Edinburgh in October 1915 and joined his battalion in France in December 1916. He was killed at Vimy Ridge.
Born 1883 in Castle Douglas. Son of William and Mary (Martin) Carson of Railway Terrace, Castle Douglas. Husband of Catherine Campbell (Brown) Carson who he married in 1916 in Leith South, Edinburgh.
Missing in action on 8 April 1917 and named on the Arras Memorial, France.
Also named on the St. Andrew's Church memorial, now in the Castle Douglas Parish Church.

L/CPL. JOSEPH CAVEN, KOSB
Joseph Caven, Private (240907) 7th/8th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 27.
In 1911 the family were at Campbelton Farm Dairyhouse, Twynholm where Joseph was a ploughman. He enlisted in January 1915 and was an engine driver when he served in the 2/5th KOSB Transport Service. He was posted to the 7th/8th KOSB and then the 6th KOSB before returning to the 7th/8th Battalion.
Born 1891 in Hardgate, Urr Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of the late James Caven and of Isabella (Davidson) Caven. Husband of Helen (McCormick) Caven (later Mrs. Gibson) of 109 Cotton Street, Castle Douglas who he married in 1916 at Castle Douglas.
Killed in action on 23 July 1918 and buried in Buzancy Military Cemetery, France.
Also named on the St. Andrew's Church memorial, now in the Castle Douglas Parish Church, on the Kelton Parish Church Memorial and on the Twynholm War Memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 3:59 pm Post subject: CASTLE DOUGLAS WW1 - Alpha Order

PTE. THOS. COLVIN, CAMERONS
Thomas Colvin, Private (S/16659) 2nd Battalion, Cameron Highlanders. Age 19.
Thomas was a postman in Castle Douglas when he enlisted in January 1915. He was posted to his battalion in France on 13 April 1915 but was wounded on 10 May at Hill 60 during the 2nd Battle of Ypres and died of wounds in the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul.
Born 1895 in Castle Douglas. Son of James and Mary (Murray) Colvin of 35 St Andrew's Street and of Academy Place, Castle Douglas.
Died of wounds on 13 May 1915 and buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord) France.
Also named on the St. Andrew's Church memorial, now in the Castle Douglas Parish Church, and on the Rolls of Honour in Castle Douglas Post Office and the Carpet Bowling Club.

PTE. DAVID CROSBIE, HLI
David Crosbie, Private (42018) 17th Battalion (3rd Glasgow) Highland Light Infantry. Formerly Private (5778) KOSB. Age 38.
David was a stone mason when he enlisted as Private (5778) in the King's Own Scottish Borderers in November 1916. He was transferred to the HLI in France in January 1917 and served in the Lewis Gun Section.
Born 1879 in Buchan, Castle Douglas. Son of Martha Crosbie, latterly an Hotel Keeper of Queen Street, Castle Douglas. Husband of Jane McGregor (Wilson) Crosbie of 19 Newmarket Street, Castle Douglas who he married in 1910 at Castle Douglas.
Missing in action on 2 December 1917 and namedon the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Also named on the St. George's Church memorial, now in the Castle Douglas Parish Church, and on the Roll of Honour in the Carpet Bowling Club.

AB. JNO. CURRIE, RND
John Currie, Able Seaman (Clyde Z/7080) Drake Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Age 20.
John had served his apprenticeship as a stationer and was a bookseller when he enlisted in November 1915. He joined Drake Battalion in France in December 1916. He was killed by a shell at Station Road, not far from Beaucourt near the Ancre River as the battalion was withdrawing from the front line.
Born 1897 in Castle Douglas. Son of John Thomson Currie and of Helen (Austin) Currie of 61 Cotton Street, Castle Douglas.
Killed in action on 26 February 1917 and buried in Queen's Cemetery, Bucquoy, France.
Also named on the St. Andrew's Church memorial, now in the Castle Douglas Parish Church.

and his brother

PTE. ROBT. CURRIE, RSF
Robert Currie, Private (40785) 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Age 24.
Robert had been an apprentice gardener at Laurieston Hall, Balmaghie, Kirkcudbrightshire and was employed at Arniston House, Gorebridge near Edinburgh when he enlisted in the 1/7th Battalion, Royal Scots in September 1914. He was badly injured in the Gretna train accident in May 1915, with a leg broken in two places. After recovering he was posted to the 1st RSF in France in November 1916.
Born 1893 in Castle Douglas. Son of John Thomson Currie and of Helen (Austin) Currie of 61 Cotton Street, Castle Douglas.
Missing in action on 4 June 1917 and named on the Arras Memorial, France.
Also named on the St. Andrew's Church memorial, now in the Castle Douglas Parish Church.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:50 pm Post subject: CASTLE DOUGLAS WW1 - Alpha Order

PTE. GEO. DEMPSTER, CANADIANS
The memorial inscription is incorrect. The Stewartry Roll of Honour lists 3 Dempsters of Castle Douglas - George and Gordon both served with with the RFA and survived the war. The third, William R. Dempster, is as detailed below. (All three brothers were born in the USA)

William Robert Dempster, Private (22155) 8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) Age 26.
William was a farm labourer in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan when he joined the local unit the Winnipeg Rifles. This was renamed as the 8th Battalion and William and his fellow soldiers were re-enlisted in September 1914 at Valcartier, Ontario. They arrived in England in October and moved to Ypres in Belgium in April 1915.
Born 1889 in Quincy, Massachusetts, USA. Son of the late Robert Dempster and Janet (Gordon) Dempster. Robert died in 1908 at Barre, Vermont, USA. Step-son of William Cumming of Millbrae, Maxwelltown. who married Janet Dempster at Castle Douglas in 1913. In 1901, aged 11, William was at King Street, Castle Douglas with sister Mabel (15) and brothers George (8 ) and Gordon (6) All four born in the USA. In early 1911 he was working on Meickle Knox Farm, in Buittle Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire but later that year he left for Canada.
Killed in action on 14 June 1916 and buried in the Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium.
Also named, as W. R. Dempster, on the Trinity United Free Church memorial, now in the Castle Douglas Parish Church; and on the Maxwelltown/Troqueer War Memorial.
William's brothers, George and Gordon, both served with the Royal Field Artillery and survived the War. George as Driver 7461 was awarded a Military Medal (London Gazette 14/9/1917 p. 9606) and Gordon as Gunner 4324 & 655717.