The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

allan1047 · Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 1:21 pm Post subject: John Rankin, Kilsyth.

I am researching my grandfather, John Rankin, and I thought I had found him. He lived at 10 Queenzieburn, Kilsyth, in the 1911 census, the address my father was born later that year. I knew he was killed in WW1 and thought I had him as he was the only John Rankin listed on the memorial. After seeing a posting of John Rankin I now have my doubts. My grandfather was born in 1883 and therefore a lot older than the one posted. Also he was married on 1904, not August 1914.
The attestation of John Rankin was for 1911, not 1904 (King George came to the throne in 1910)
His parents were John Rankin and Mary Laird (Larbert, Sterling)
His widow was Mary McFarlane Chalmers
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Just new to the Scottish War Memorials Project, so not up to the system yet.
I have researched a lot of the names on the Kilsyth Memorial and hope to start posting them soon
Thanks allan1047
Perth Western Australia

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 2:25 pm Post subject:

Delboy posted this on the Kilsyth War Memorial thread

WW1
John Rankin

Also listed on Kirkintilloch memorial.

(Glasgow Herald 14th May 1915)
"The fatalities amongst the Kilsyth Territorials have been increased by the news in a letter from Captain Frew that Private John Rankin has been killed in action, being shot through the heart. Private Rankin, who was 21 years of age, was employed as a miner before he left with the Territorials. He was married in August."

(Kirkintilloch Herald 19th May 1915)
"Mrs John Rankin, who resides in Bank Street (Bank Road?), Kirkintilloch, has received word of the death of her husband, Private John Rankin, "D" Company, 7th A.&.S.H. This intimation came from Captain Frew, who wrote Mrs Rankin to the following effect.- "I presume you will have heard ere of the sad death of your husband, Private John Rankin, from a shot through the heart. The battalion was ordered to attack a very difficult German position, and your husband was well forward when he fell shot. If it is any relief to you to know, his death was instantaneous. Your husband was a great favourite with everyone in "D" Company, and on behalf of his comrades and myself, will you please accept our warmest sympathy. He was carefull buried by his comrades, and a wooden cross with his name and regimental number was erected." Private Rankin was a native of Kilsyth."

CWGC
RANKIN, JOHN
Rank: Private
Service No: 1358
Date of Death: 25/04/1915
Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 1st/7th Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 42 and 44.
Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

SNWM
Surname: RANKIN
Firstname: John
Service Number: 1358
Date Death: 25/04/1915
Place of birth: Kilsyth Stirlingshire
Other: 1/7th Bn.
SNWM roll: THE ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS
Rank: Pte
Theatre of death: F.& F.

Last edited by DelBoy on Thu Aug 29, 2013 4:38 pm; edited 3 times in total

The only other John Rankin I can find is

SNWM
Surname RANKIN
Firstname John
Service Number 9595
Date Death 25/01/1915
Decoration
Place of birth Kilsyth.
Other
SNWM roll SCOTS GUARDS
Rank Gdsm
Theatre of death F. & F.

CWGC
RANKIN, JOHN
Rank:Private
Service No:9595
Date of Death:25/01/1915
Regiment/Service:Scots Guards
1st Bn.
Panel ReferencePanel 3 and 4.
MemorialLE TOURET MEMORIAL
Additional Information:

I'm not sure what you are looking for - a memorial where he is listed?
_________________
Ken

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 2:58 pm Post subject:

From SDGW
Pte 9595 John Rankin, Scots Guards. Born Kilsyth. Resident Dalmellington, Ayrshire. Enlisted Kilsyth. (which sounds like a reservist)
He has gained an "E" but is listed on the Dalmellington War Memorial as John Rankine.
http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=717&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
_________________
Ken

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 3:12 pm Post subject:

The 1915 Valuation Roll for Dalmellington shows a John Rankin, Collier as a tenant of the Dalmellington Iron Company at 21 Knoweview, Waterside Street.
I assume that his widow Mary returned to Kilsyth as in 1917, in Glasgow, she remarried to a James O'Donnell, a coal miner of Croy. Her address was 101 Main Street, Kilsyth.
_________________
Ken

allan1047 · Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:23 am Post subject: john rankin

thanks for the info. Will need to do some more research.
allan1047

allan1047 · Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:30 am Post subject: john rankin

found a John Rankin in the 1911 census. He was a boarder at 12 Drumtrocher St in Kilsyth.
He was 21 and a hewer in the coal mines. He was born in Kilsyth.
This is the same address he put on his attestation for the territorials.
This is 1358 John Rankin 7th A&SH
allan1047

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire