The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison

The Wigtownshire Free Press 26/2/1920 reported the military funeral at Whithorn Cemetery of John Irvine.
John had died at the home of his aunt and uncle Elizabeth and Joseph Dodds of 125 George Street, Whithorn on 19 February and was buried on Sunday 22 February 1920.
He is named on the Whithorn War Memorial.
John had enlisted in the Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1907 and was with his Regiment in Gibraltar at the outbreak of war, moving to France in November 1914. He was awarded the Military Medal in September 1916. John served throughout the war and was discharged due to illness in March 1919.
Fortunately his service record survives (Found by "Stewartry") and there is a strong link between this illness and his subsequent death.
The case for John Irvine, Military Medal – age 34 – Private (9502) 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, has been submitted to the In From the Cold Project.
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Ken

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 5:05 pm Post subject:

Terry Denham of the In From the Cold Project has just told me that John Irvine has been added to the CWGC Register.
He was transferred to Labour Corps before he was discharged and is listed under that unit.
We have identified where he is buried in Whithorn Cemetery but his name is not on the family gravestone so the method of marking his death is still to be resolved.
A big thank you to Mike Morley and Stuart Wilson for all their investigative work.

IRVINE, JOHN.
Rank:Private
Service No:223287
Date of Death:19/02/1920
Age:34
Regiment/Service:Labour Corps 516th Agricultural Coy.
Awards:M M
Panel Reference:
Memorial:UNITED KINGDOM BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE
Additional Information:Son of the late William and Margaret Irvine.

JOHN IRVINE,
John Irvine, Military Medal – age 34 – Private (9502) 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
John joined the Army in 1907 and had served for four years in South Africa. He was with his Regiment in Gibraltar at the outbreak of war and moved to France in November1914.
He was awarded the M.M. in September 1916. John served throughout the war and was discharged due to illness in March 1919. He died at his aunt's home in Whithorn.
(Source: Service Record, London Gazette 19/9/1916 p.9201, WFP 7/9/1916 5a and WFP 26/2/1920 p.5e)
Born 1886 in Prescott, Liverpool. (Source:Service Record and GRO – Birth Index)
Son of the late William and Margaret (Johnston) Irvine.
Nephew of Joseph and Elizabeth Dodds of 125 George Street, Whithorn
Died – 19 February 1920.
Buried in Whithorn Cemetery. (Source: WFP 26/2/1920 p.5e)
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Ken

spoons · Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 11:29 am Post subject:

Great work by all - amazing that a man who won the MM could still be missing.

\Paul