The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 9:56 am Post subject:

SGT. PATRICK McATEE K.O.S.B.
Patrick McAtee, Military Medal – age 27 – Sergeant (240493) 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Patrick was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted as Private (1861) in September 1914. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 where he was wounded at Achi Baba Nullah in July. He was evacuated to hospital in Chester and later served in Egypt and Palestine before the battalion moved to France in April 1918. He was awarded a MM for bravery in the field on the Western Front.
Born 1890 in Paisley, Renfrewshire. Son of the late Andrew and Catherine (Conlon) McAtee of New Cumnock, Ayrshire. Husband of Mary (Graham) McAtee of Aisne Street, Kirkconnel who he married in 1915 in Glasgow. (from 1919 she was Mrs John Charles Ward of 24 Hyslop Street, Kelloholm, Kirkconnel)
Killed in Action on 31 October 1918 and buried in Harlebeke New British Cemetery, Belgium.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial and on the New Cumnock War Memorial.

PTE. Wm. McBRIDE K.O.S.B.
William Glover McBride – age 29 – Private (20486) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
William was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted. He joined his battalion at Gallipoli in October 1915 and then served in Egypt before the battalion moved to France in March 1916.
Born 1887 in Old Cumnock, Ayrshire. Son of Thomas (a coal miner) and Martha (Glover) McBride. In 1891 the family were in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire and in 1901 were in Mussleburgh, East Lothian. By 1911 Thomas and Martha were back in Ayrshire.
Husband of Helen Walker (Fairholm) who he married in 1914 in Newington, Edinburgh.
Missing in Action on 28 January 1917 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

PTE. ALEX. McCORMICK K.O.S.B.
Alexander McCormick – age 20 – Private (1514) 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Alexander landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915. He was fatally wounded on 12 July during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah and was buried at sea.
Born 1895 in Kirkconnel. Son of James and Agnes (Anderson) McCormick of St Conal's Square, Kirkconnel.
Died of Wounds on 21 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 10:04 am Post subject:

PTE. JOSEPH McDOWALL K.O.S.B.
Joseph McDowall – age 38 – Private (16879) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Joseph was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted in November 1914. He was posted to the 1st KOSB and landed with them at Gallipoli on 29 April 1915 but was killed a month later.
Born 1877 in Maybole, Ayrshire. Son of the late John and Jane (McLanahan) McDowall. Husband of Jessie (Black) McDowall of 15 Kingsway, Kirkconnel who he married in 1900 in Kirkconnel.
Missing in Action on 4 June 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.
His step-son, Walter Black, Private (17110) 8th KOSB was killed on 30 October 1915.

PTE. ANDREW McILROY K.O.S.B.
Andrew McIlroy – age 23 – Private (16827) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Andrew was a miner, living in Kirkconnel when he married in 1914. He joined his battalion at Gallipoli in May 1915 but was killed just over a month later.
Born c.1892 in Glasgow. Son of the late Peter McIlroy and of Susan (Airlie) McIlroy, later Mrs Milne. Husband of Annie (Taylor) McIlroy of 10 Quay Street, Saltcoats, Ayrshire who he married in 1914 in Kirkconnel.
Killed in Action on 21 June 1915 and buried in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 10:09 am Post subject:

PTE. RODERICK McKNIGHT K.O.S.B.
Roderick Campbell McKnight – age 20 – Private (240303) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
“Roddy” was employed at the Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel and was a member of the Territorial 5th KOSB. He was a bugler and was just 15 when he was mobilised as Private (1522) in August 1914. He was posted to the 1/4th battalion in Egypt in 1916 and served there and in Palestine before moving to France in April 1918.
Born 1898 in Muirkirk, Ayrshire. Son of James and Mary (Campbell) McKnight of 10 Nithside Cottages, Kirkconnel.
Died of Wounds on 2 October 1918 and buried in Proville British Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

PTE. Wm. McKNIGHT S.H.
William McKnight – age 30 – Private (S/2810) 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.
William was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted in October 1914. He joined his battalion in France in January 1915 where he was employed as a sniper. He suffered a gas attack and died a day later in the 5th Casualty Clearing Station at Hazebrouck.
Born 1885 in Kirkconnel. Son of William and Elizabeth (Findlay) McKnight.
Husband of the late Agnes (Milligan) McKnight who he married in 1907 in Kirkconnel. Agnes, aged 25, died in 1912 in Kirkconnel.
Brother of Margaret, Mrs James Douglas of 6 Nithside Cottages, Kirkconnel, the guardian of his 3 children.
Died of Wounds on 6 May 1915 and buried in Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 10:17 am Post subject:

PTE. GEORGE McMILLAN R.S.F.
George McMillan – age 19 – Private (8204) 1/5th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
George was a miner with the New Cumnock Collieries when he enlisted in May 1915. He was wounded when he landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but recovered to rejoin his unit.
Born December 1896 in Mansfield Village, New Cumnock, Ayrshire. Son of William and Jane (Pearson) McMillan of Mansfield Village New Cumnock and of Riverside Terrace, Kirkconnel.
Killed in Action on 29 December 1915 and buried in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the New Cumnock War Memorial.

SGT. JAMES McMILLAN, D.C.M. R.S.F.
James McMillan, Distinguished Conduct Medal – age 31 – Sergeant (7661) 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
I can find little trace of James's connection to Kirkconnel but in 1916 the Kirkconnel Hero Fund Committee presented a gold watch to his father and to another Kirkconnel soldier, Lance Corporal Matthew Parker (see below) both of whom had been awarded a D.C.M.
James had been employed as a miner with the New Cumnock Collieries and was an army reservist. He landed as Private (7661) with the 1st Royal Scots Fusiliers at Le Havre on 14 August 1914. He was wounded and when he recovered he was posted to the 2nd RSF. James was awarded a D.C.M. for his actions on 15 June 1915 as 7661 Serjeant J. McMillan, 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. “For conspicuous gallantry when he led forward an attack with great bravery and skill until he found himself practically alone. He then carried in a wounded man under very heavy fire.”
James was killed on the first day of the 1916 Battle of the Somme.
Born 1885 in New Cumnock, Ayrshire. Son of James and Margaret (Jardine) McMillan of Burnview Cottage, New Cumnock.
Missing in Action on 1 July 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial and on the New Cumnock War Memorial.

PTE. JAMES McMINN S.G.
James McMinn – age 19 – Private (12126) 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards.
James was a farm servant when he enlisted in November 1914. He joined his battalion in France on 23 April 1915 but he was killed three weeks later. Born 1896 at Park Cottage in Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire as James Miller McMinn. Son of William and Janet (McWilliam) McMinn of Glenairlie Bridge, Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire.
Missing in Action on 16 May 1915 and named on the Le Touret Memorial, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial and on the Durisdeer War Memorials in Dumfriesshire.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 10:24 am Post subject:

PTE. JOSHUA MATHIESON A.&S.H.
Joshua Mathieson – age 19 – Private (S/15661) 11th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
Joshua was employed as a clerk at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted in January 1916. He was posted to the 14th Argylls in France in June 1916 and was transferred to the 11th Battalion on 10 August but was killed a month later.
Born 1898 in Kirkconnel. Son of the late Robert and Sarah (Reid) Mathieson of 23 Main Street, Kirkconnel.
Missing in Action on 15 September 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

and his brother

PTE. THOMAS MATHIESON K.O.S.B.
Thomas Mathieson – age 24 – Private (1253) King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Thomas was a miner with Sanquhar and Kirkconnel Collieries when he enlisted in the Territorial 5th KOSB in March 1913. He was mobilised in August 1914 but was transferred to the Scottish 12th Provisional Battalion in May 1915 and discharged from the Army on 6 June 1916 due to illness. He was awarded a Silver War Badge (499055) and resumed his employment in the Colliery, living in the family home at 23 Main Street, Kirkconnel. However his health broke down again and he was taken to the Western Infirmary in Glasgow, where he died of infectious jaundice.
Born 1893 in Kirkconnel. Son of the late Robert and Sarah (Reid) Mathieson of 23 Main Street, Kirkconnel.
Died on 19 November 1917 and buried in New Cumnock Old Church Cemetery, Ayrshire. (CWG)
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

PTE. JAMES MELVIN K.O.S.B.
James Melvin – age 20 – Private (201911) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
James was employed at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted. He joined his battalion in Egypt and served in Palestine, where he was wounded, before moving to France in April 1918.
Born 1898 in Kirkconnel. Son of James and Marion (Harkness or Brown) Melvin of 9 Holmhead, Kirkconnel.
Died of Wounds on 3 October 1918 and buried in Proville British Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 10:31 am Post subject:

PTE. JOSEPH MELVIN K.O.S.B.
Joseph Melvin – age 30 – Private (16196) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Joseph was a ploughman and was living in Kirkconnel when he enlisted. He was drowned when the troopship Royal Edward was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UB14 in the Aegean.
Born 1885 in Glasserton, Wigtownshire. Son of the late William Melvin and of Catherine (Milveen) Melvin of Kirkinner, Wigtownshire.
Killed by enemy action/Lost at Sea on 13 August 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial and on the Kirkinner Parish War Memorial together with his brother Charles Melvin, Private (1797) 10th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry who died on 25 September 1915.

PTE. ALEX. MILLAR K.O.S.B.
Note: the spelling of his name varies from one record to another.
Alexander Miller – age 27 – Private (1241) 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Alexander was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel and was living in Kirkconnel when he married in 1911. He played football as a half-back with Kello Rovers and with the Thornhill club. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June but was killed during the battle of Achi Baba Nullah.
Born 1888 in Dreghorn, Ayrshire as Alexander Cunningham Miller. Son of the late Samuel Millar and of Isabella (Cunningham) Millar of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Husband of Helen (Stirling) Millar of Kellobank, Kirkconnel who he married in 1911 in Catrine, Ayrshire.
Missing in Action on 12 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

PTE. FRANK MILLIGAN K.O.S.B.
Frank Milligan – age 28 – Private (13726) 7th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Frank was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel and lodged with Mr Hyslop of Main Street, Kirkconnel. He landed with his battalion at Boulogne in July 1915 but was fatally wounded two months later during the battle of Loos.
Born 1886 in Wilton, Hawick, Roxburghshire as Francis. Son of the late Joseph and Margaret (McGoay) Milligan of 19 Trinity Street, Hawick.
Died of Wounds on 29 September 1915 and buried in Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial and on the Hawick Roll of Honour together with his brother Magnes Milligan, Private (G/11121) who died on 1 August 1917.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 1:43 pm Post subject:

PTE. ROBERT MONTEITH K.O.S.B.
Robert Monteith – age 23 – Private (12263) 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Robert enlisted in October 1914 and landed with his battalion at Boulogne in May 1915 but was killed four months later during the battle of Loos.
Born 1891 in Kirkconnel as Robert John Goudie Monteith. Son of Robert and Maggie (Goudie) Monteith of 5 Holmhead, Kirkconnel.
Missing in Action on 25 September 1915 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

SGT. TOM MORRISON K.O.S.B.
Thomas Morrison – age 25 – Sergeant (240300) 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Thomas was educated at Sanquhar Public School. He lived with his sister Mrs. Mary Stevenson at 15 Polveoch Terrace, Kirkconnel and was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted in January 1915. As Corporal (1517) he landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 and later served in Egypt and Palestine where he was wounded in November 1917. He was able to rejoin his battalion in December and moved with them to France in March 1918.
Born 1893 in Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire. Son of William McGowan Morrison and of Mary Burgess (Glencross) Morrison.
Killed in Action on 1 August 1918 and buried in Raperie British Cemetery, Villemontoire, Aisne, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial, on the Sanquhar War Memorial and on the Sanquhar School memorial.

PTE. RICHARD MORTON R.S.F.
Richard Terence Morton – age 30 – Private (17868) 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Richard was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted. He joined his battalion in Belgium in July 1915.
Born 1885 in Bombay India. Son of Robert and Catherine (Rowe) Morton of Galston, Ayrshire who married in 1884 in India. Husband of Janet (Hastie or Jackson) Morton, of Kellobank, Kirkconnel and of Halleaths Holm Farm Cottage, Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire who he married in 1909 in Morton, Dumfriesshire.
Died of Wounds on 26 September 1915 and buried in Brandhoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 1:53 pm Post subject:

PTE. JAMES MURRAY Q.O.C.H.
James Murray – age 24 – Private (S/18649) 7th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders.
James had served his apprenticeship as a joiner in Ecclefechan and had 5 years with the Territorial 5th King's Own Scottish Borderers. However he was working in Kirkconnel and he lodged in the Temperance Hotel with his friend Robert Hutton. They enlisted together in June 1915 and joined their battalion in France in October but less than a month later they were killed when a shell hit their dug-out.
Born 1891 in Ecclefechan, Hoddom, Dumfriesshire. Son of Company Sergeant Major John Murray of The Armoury, Ecclefechan and of Mary of High Street, Ecclefechan.
Missing in Action on 3 November 1915 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial and on the Hoddom Parish War Memorial together with his brother John Murray, Lance Corporal (12613) 5th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers who died on 7 January 1915.

CPL. JAMES NICOL K.O.S.B.
James Nicol – age 31 – Lance Corporal (240360) 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
In 1901 James Nicol, aged 15, was a miner lodging with the Mills family in Galston, Ayrshire and was in Catrine, Ayrshire when he married. As Private (1612) he landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915. He later served in Egypt and in Palestine.
Born 1885 in Loudoun, Ayrshire as James McDonald Gray.
Son of the late John and Hannah (Gray) Nicol. Husband of Kate or Catherine (Dick) Nicol of Crawick Mill, Kirkconnel who he married in 1904 in Catrine, Ayrshire. From 1918, she was Mrs. William Niven of 80 Damconner, Auchinleck, Ayrshire.
Missing in Action on 19 April 1917 and named on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:06 pm Post subject:

L/CPL. JOSEPH PALMER K.O.S.B.
Joseph Palmer – age 35 – Private (18155) 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Joseph was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted in January 1915. He joined the 1st KOSB at Gallipoli in July and then served in Egypt before the battalion moved to France in March 1916. He was wounded on the Somme in July and was evacuated to hospital in Kent. When he recovered he was posted to the 7th/8th KOSB in France but was wounded again in December. He was posted this time to the 6th KOSB but in the Spring offensive of 1917 he suffered multiple wounds and was evacuated to hospital near Brighton in Sussex where he died.
Born 1882 in Mouswald, Dumfriesshire. Son of John and Mary (Irving) Palmer. Husband of Agnes (McMurdo) Palmer of Kellobank, Kirkconnel who he married in 1905 in Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire. Later she became Mrs. John Rennie of 61 Kingsway, Kirkconnel.
Died of Wounds on 28 April 1917 and buried in Sanquhar Parish Churchyard Extension, Dumfriesshire.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

SGT. MATTHEW PARKER, D.C.M. K.O.S.B.
Matthew Parker, Distinguished Conduct Medal – age 25 – Sergeant (240100) 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Matthew was educated at Sanquhar Public School. He was a miner with the Sanquhar and Kirkconnel Mining Company and had been a member of the Territorial 5th KOSB for three years when he enlisted as Private (10344) in the Royal Scots Fusiliers in April 1911. He was working at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he was mobilised with the 5th KOSB in August 1914 and as Lance Corporal (1046) he landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915. He was awarded a DCM “For conspicuous gallantry on the 14th September, 1915, on the Gallipoli Peninsula. In the course of mining operations the gallery in which Lance-Corporal Parker was working broke through into one of the enemy's galleries. By accurate fire he held off the Turks, who began firing and throwing bombs into our gallery, until he was driven back by fumes, which extinguished all the lights. So soon as the air cleared he returned, and, under heavy fire from the enemy, he plugged up the breach between the two galleries, and thus enabled the charge to be laid which destroyed the enemy's galleries. His bravery and devotion to duty were very marked.”
He then served in Egypt and Palestine where he was killed at Gaza.
Born 1890 in Craigie, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Son of Matthew and Sarah (Dunn) Parker of Crawick Mill, of Kellobank, Kirkconnel and of Windyedge, Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire.
Missing in Action on 19 April 1917 and named on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial, on the Sanquhar War Memorial and on the Sanquhar School memorial.

and his brother

SGT. ROBERT PARKER K.O.S.B.
Robert Parker – age 32 – Sergeant (396) 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Robert his father and brother Matthew had been miners at Gateside Colliery before they moved to Fauldhead Colliery in Kirkconnel. Robert, Matthew and a third brother Allan were mobilised with the 5th KOSB in August 1914 but ill-health prevented Robert from joining his brothers in the overseas draft. He died of a perforated stomach ulcer in the Military Hospital at Stobhill in Glasgow.
Born 1883 in Barleith, Riccarton, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Son of the late Elizabeth (McKerrow) Parker (d.1884) and of Matthew Parker of Crawick Mill, of Kellobank, Kirkconnel and of Windyedge, Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire.
Died on Service on 11 October 1915 and buried in Sanquhar Parish Churchyard Extension. (CWG)
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial and on the Sanquhar War Memorial.

PTE. Wm. PATERSON K.O.S.B.
William Paterson – age 28 – Private (8516) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
William was educated at Sanquhar Public School and was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted in February 1915. He joined his battalion at Gallipoli on 9 May 1915 but was killed a month later.
Born 1887 in Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire as William James Paterson. Son of the late Elizabeth (Gray) Paterson (d.1889) and of Robert Paterson of Penpont, Dumfriesshire. Husband of Janette (Harper) Paterson who he married in 1914 in Kirkconnel (from 1921 Mrs. Robert Richard Sullivan) of 88 Main Street, Kirkconnel.
Missing in Action on 4 June 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial and on the Sanquhar School memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:14 pm Post subject:

PTE. JOHN RAFFERTY M.G.C.
John Rafferty – age 23 – Private (33952) 187th Company, Machine Gun Corps.
John was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted as Private (4467) in the King's Own Scottish Borderers in July 1915. He transferred to the MGC and went out to Mesopotamia, to the 14th Indian Division, in mid-1916.
Born 1893 in Chapleton, Glassford, Lanarkshire. Son of the late Sarah (O'Donnell) Rafferty and of Arthur Rafferty. Husband of Euphemia Love (McKenna) Rafferty of 15 New Buildings, Main Street, Kirkconnel who he married in 1914 in Kirkconnel.
Died of Wounds on 2 February 1917 and buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

PTE. Wm. RENNIE CAN.
William Rennie – age 31 – Private (904847) 10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry.
William had been a pit-head labourer in Kirkconnel in 1901 and then worked for the Glasgow Tramways before he emigrated to Canada where he was a motorman in Edmonton, Alberta when he enlisted there in March 1916. He sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia in November 1916 and joined his battalion in France in April 1917. He was wounded in August and treated at the 3rd Australian General Hospital in Abbeville. He rejoined his battalion in November 1917 and managed a visit to his family home in Kirkconnel in January 1918.
Born 1886 in Kirkmichael, Dumfriesshire as William Walker.
Son of the late Jane (Walker) Rennie and of John Rennie of Kellobank, Kirkconnel who married in 1887 in Kirkmichael. Jane died in 1895 in Kirkconnel. Husband of Mary (Dryden) Rennie of Edmonton, Alberta who he married there in 1911.
Killed in Action on 28 September 1918 and buried in Naves Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

PTE. Wm. SHANKLAND K.O.S.B.
William Shankland – age 29 – Private (21319) 89th Company, Machine Gun Corps.
William was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted. He was posted as Private (16344) to the 1st King's Own Scottish Borderers and went out to Egypt in August 1915. He moved to France in March 1916 and was transferred to the MGC.
Born 1887 in Kirkconnel. Son of the late Janet (Henderson) Shankland and of James Shankland of Carserigg, Kirkconnel.
Killed in Action on 3 December 1916 and buried in Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Somme, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:21 pm Post subject:

PTE. JOHN SHARPE R.H.
John James Lorimer Sharpe – age 27 – Private (202625) 4th/5th (Angus and Dundee) Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
John was the son of a dairyman and had spent some time in Kilmarnock learning dairy work before being employed in Fife. He enlisted in the Scotttish Horse Yeomanry and was posted as Private (7352) to the 4th/5th Black Watch in France in 1916. John contracted a kidney disease and died in hospital at Wimereux.
Born 1890 in Kirkconnel. Son of John and Euphemia (Lorimer) Sharpe of The Vennel. Kirkconnel.
Died on Active Service on 6 April 1917 and buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

PTE. THOMAS SINNETT K.O.S.B.
Note: There are various spellings of the family name.
Thomas Sinnit – age 20 – Private (202071) 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Thomas was resident in Kirkconnel when he enlisted in the KOSB, serving in the 2nd and 1st KOSB before he joined the 1/5th Battalion.
Born 1898 at West Seales Cottages, Gretna, Dumfriesshire as Thomas Sinnit. Son of James and Agnes Sinnit. In 1901 the family, as Sinnett, were at Lowtherton, Dornock, Dumfriesshire - James Sinnett 27, Agness 26, James 6, Thomas 3, Maggie 1.
Killed in Action on 4 October 1918 and buried in Zantvoorde British Cemetery, Belgium.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

PTE. EDWARD SMITH Q.O.C.H.
Edward Smith – age 43 – Private (S/10592) 2nd Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Edward had been a miner in Kirkconnel for seven years when he enlisted as Private (S/16731) in the Cameron Highlanders in January 1915. He was transferred to the Black Watch in January 1916 and posted to Mesopotamia.
Born 1873 in New Cumnock, Ayrshire. Son of the late James and Jane (Templeton) Smith of New Cumnock, Ayrshire.
Killed in Action on 22 April 1916 and buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:27 pm Post subject:

CPL. RICHARD SMITH R.E.
Richard Smith – age 22 – 2nd Corporal (139118) 180th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers.
Richard was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted as Private (11763) in the 6th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders in October 1914. He landed with his battalion at Boulogne in July 1915 but later he transferred to the Royal Engineers.
Born 1896 in Blackbraes, Muiravonside, Stirlingshire. Son of John and Margaret (Hardie) Smith of 89 Kingsway, Kirkconnel. Husband of Ellen (Bone) Smith of Nithside Cottages, Kirkconnel and of Coleman, Alberta, Canada who he married in 1917 in Kirkconnel.
Killed in Action on 4 October 1918 and buried in Unicorn Cemetery, Vendhuile, Aisne, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.
The wedding took place in the church by special privilege granted to men serving in France, and the banns were proclaimed from the church steps the day previous to the wedding. The bridegroom had then served 2 ½ years in France, and had come straight from the trenches to get married. The bridegroom was killed in action one month before the end the war.

PTE. THOMAS SPENCE S.H.
Thomas Spence – age 26 – Private (4180) 8th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.
Thomas was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted in October 1914. He joined the 2nd Seaforths in France in January 1915 but was wounded at the Somme in July 1916 and evacuated to hospital in the UK. Thomas returned to France in November 1916 but was killed two months later when his dugout was hit by a shell.
Born 1890 in Kirkcolm, Wigtownshire. Son of Andrew and Mary (Turner) Spence of Riverside Terrace, Kirkconnel.
Killed in Action on 15 January 1917 and buried in Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, Somme, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

L/CPL. JAMES STEWART K.O.S.B.
James Stewart – age 24 – Lance Corporal (29583) 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
James landed as Private (1244) with the 1/5th KOSB at Gallipoli in June 1915. Later he served with the 2nd Battalion before he joined the 6th KOSB in France in January 1917. He died in the 12th Casualty Clearing Station in the village of Proven near Ypres.
Born 1893 in Kirkconnel. Son of Robert and Jessie or Janet Love (Stewart) of 24 Main Street, Kirkconnel.
Died of Wounds on 24 September 1917 and buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:33 pm Post subject:

PTE. JAMES STITT CAN.
James Stitt – age 25 – Private (80246) 31st Battalion, Canadian Infantry.
James had been a shepherd before he emigrated to Canada in 1913. He was farming when he enlisted at Calgary, Alberta in April 1915. He sailed from Quebec in May 1915 but spent some time in hospitals in England due to illness and he joined his battalion in France in March 1916. James died in the 4th Canadian Field Ambulance at Albert.
Born 1890 in Kirkconnel. Son of James and Janet (Brown) Stitt of Gareland, Kirkconnel.
Died of Wounds on 25 September 1916 and buried in Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

PTE. ERNEST TAYLOR M.G.C.
Ernest Taylor – age 34 – Private (98121) 244th Company, Machine Gun Corps.
Ernest, a Yorkshireman, had come to Kirkconnel a few years earlier. He enlisted as Private (21847) in the Highland Light Infantry but transferred to the MGC before going to France. He died of heart failure in his dug-out in the front line trenches.
Born 1884 High Hoyland, Wortley, West Yorkshire. Son of George and Elizabeth (Hanson) Taylor.
Died on Active Service on 3 February 1918 and buried in Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Mory, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

PTE. JOSEPH TAYLOR K.O.S.B.
Joseph Taylor – age 19 – Private (1301) 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Joseph was employed at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but was killed a month later in the battle at Achi Baba Nullah.
Born 1896 in Galston, Ayrshire. Son of the late Samuel Taylor and of Mary (McGhee) Taylor (from 1907 Mrs. James Gordon) of Kellobank, Kirkconnel.
Missing in Action on 12 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:38 pm Post subject:

PTE. ANDREW TAYLOR K.O.S.B.
Andrew Taylor – age 19 – Private (16967) 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Andrew was a miner at Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel when he enlisted in December 1914. He landed with his battalion at Boulogne in May 1915 but was killed four months later during the battle of Loos.
Born 1895 in Muirkirk, Ayrshire. Son of the late Andrew Taylor and of Jane (Donnachie) Taylor of 37 Main Street, Kirkconnel and of 3 Holmhead, Kirkconnel.
Missing in Action on 25 September 1915 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

and his brother

PTE. Wm. TAYLOR K.O.S.B.
William Taylor – age 32 – Private (16719) 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
William was a miner when he enlisted in November 1914. He joined his battalion in Belgium in April 1915 but just a month later he was killed at Ypres.
Born 1882 in Longbenton, Tynemouth, Northumberland as William Donnachie Taylor. Son of the late Andrew Taylor and of Jane (Donnachie) Taylor of 37 Main Street, Kirkconnel and of 3 Holmhead, Kirkconnel. Husband of Janet (Roy) Taylor of 10 Polvesch Terrace, Kirkconnel who he married in 1904 in Kirkconnel.
Missing in Action on 6 May 1915 and named on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

PTE. ROBERT THRELFALL H.L.I.
Robert Threlfall – age 39 – Private (38316) 10th/11th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.
In 1911 Robert Threlfall, aged 32, was a coal miner, boarding with the Andrews family at Old Nithside Cottage, Kirkconnel. He had been born in England.
Born 1878 in Morecambe, Lancashire. Son of the late Henry Threlfall and of Thomasine (Lupton) Threlfall. He named his youngest brother William and his sister Mrs. Annie (Threlfall) Porter as his legatees.
Missing in Action on 22 June 1917 and named on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:49 pm Post subject:

PTE. JAMES WALKER K.O.S.B.
James Walker – age 33 – Private (16682) 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
James was a miner when he enlisted in November 1914. He joined his battalion in Belgium in April 1915 but was killed a month later.
Born 1882 in Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire. Son of James and Elizabeth (Wells) Walker who married in Lochmaben in 1881.
In 1891 James was living with his grandfather Michael Wells in Lochmanben while his parents were at Knowe Cottage, Kirkconnel. He was a farm servant at Knowe when he married in 1904.
Husband of Ellen (Jamieson) Walker of 17 Polveoch Terrace, Kirkconnel who he married in 1904 in Riccarton Ayrshire.
Missing in Action on 6 May 1915 and named on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

PTE. JAMES WALLACE R.S.F.
This name is out of sequence on the memorial and looks to be a late addition.
James Wallace – age 37 – Private (8184) 1/5th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
James was a miner when he enlisted. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but was wounded on 12 July during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah. He was being evacuated when he died and he was buried at sea.
Born 1879 in Carmichael. Lanarkshire as James Dick Wallace. Son of Robert and Margaret (Dick) Wallace of Glespin, Douglas, Lanarkshire. Husband of Margaret (McLatchie or Simpson) Wallace of Main Street, Kirkconnel who he married in 1899 in Glasgow. In 1901 James and Margaret and their daughter Margaret who had been born in Kirkconnel, were living at Craigbank in New Cumnock and in 1911 they were at Waterside Place in Old Cumnock, both in Ayrshire.
Died of Wounds/Buried at Sea on 20 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

PTE. JAMES WELSH K.O.S.B.
James Welsh – age 21 – Private (240684) 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
James was a miner when he enlisted in October 1914. He landed as Private (2241) at Gallipoli in June 1915 but was wounded at Achi Baba Nullah in July and evacuated to hospital in Cairo. He rejoined his battalion and then served in Egypt and Palestine where he was killed at Gaza.
Born 1896 in Govan, Plantation, Glasgow as James McCall Welsh.
Son of George and Margaret (Brown or Hunter) Welsh of Holmhead, Kirkconnel who had married in Kirkconnel on 31/12/1884.
Missing in Action on 19 April 1917 and named on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial.

PTE. WALTER WILSON R.S.F.
Walter Wilson – age 36 – Private (25167) 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Walter had been a grocer in Dalmellington in Ayrshire when he married in 1909 and later in Ayr but stated that he was a railway carriage lampman, living at Longacre Terrace in Ayr when he enlisted in December 1915. He was mobilised in August 1916 and joined the 2nd RSF in France in December 1916. He was evacuated to hospital in Leicester due to illness in February 1917 and was posted to the 1st RSF in France in June before transferring to the 6th/7th RSF in August.1917. Walter was moved back to the 1st Battalion in May 1918 and had just returned from leave when he was killed.
Born 1882 in Glencairn, Dumfriesshire. Son of the late Mary Wilson. Husband of Sarah Ann (Carruthers) Wilson of 8 Longacre Terrace, Ayr, of Station View, Kirkconnel and of Crossroads, Closeburn, Dumfriesshire who he married in 1909 in Closeburn.
Killed in Action on 2 September 1918 and buried in Ecoust-St. Mein British Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Kirkconnel Parish Church WW1 memorial, on the Glencairn Parish War Memorials in Moniaive and on the Closeburn Parish War Memorial.