The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu May 09, 2024 10:37 am Post subject:

W. GILROY
Walter Gilroy – age 19 – Private (S/3962) 9th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Walter joined his battalion in France in July 1915.
Born 1896 in Prestonpans. Son of Robert and Helen (Fraser) Gilroy of 32 Crown Square, Preston Links.
Missing in Action on 25 September 1915 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.

J. GORDON
James Gordon – age 27 – Private (6821) 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
James was a coal miner when he enlisted in August 1914. He joined his battalion in Belgium in December and was attached to the 175th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers in May 1915.
Born 1887 in Ballingry, Fife as James Pow Gordon. Son of John and Janet (Pow) Gordon of 32 Middle Street., Cuthill, Prestonpans.
Died of Wounds on 23 June 1915 and buried in Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium.

P. GUNN
Peter Gunn – age 40 – Sapper (146568) 175th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers.
Peter was a coal miner when he enlisted in February 1916. He joined the 184th Company in France in June 1916 and he was transferred to the 175th in October. Peter was evacuated to hospital in Chatham, Kent in November and rejoined in July 1917 but died in the 134th Field Ambulance a month later.
Born 1874 Coatbridge, Old Monkland, Lanarkshire. Son of the late Edward and Elizabeth (Hart) Gunn. Husband of Ellen (Banks) Gunn of 36 Summerlee Street, Prestonpans who he married in 1898 in Prestonpans.
Died of Wounds on 22 August 1917 and buried in Voormezeele Enclosures No.1 and No.2, Belgium.

J. HAMILTON
I cannot trace this man.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu May 09, 2024 11:22 am Post subject:

J. HAWTHORN
James Hawthorn – age 41 – Private (19038) 16th Battalion (2nd Edinburgh) Royal Scots
James was a brickworker in Cockenzie when he enlisted in December 1914 and was a well known junior footballer with Prestonpans Athletic. He landed with his battalion in January 1916.
Born 1875 in Calderbank, Old Monkland, Lanarkshire. Son of George and Lillie (Gilchrist) of 19 Hope Place, Levenhall, Musselburgh. Husband of Agnes (Ritchie) Hawthorn of 1 Hawthorne Terrace, Cockenzie who he married in 1898 in Tranent.
Missing in Action on 1 July 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.
Also named on the Cockenzie and Port Seton Burgh War Memorial.

T.K. HENDERSON
Thomas Kinloch Henderson – age 19 – Corporal (11531) 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots.
Thomas was a grocer in Prestonpans and as Private (906) had been a member of the Territorial 8th Royal Scots since March 1913. He enlisted in the Regular Army in August 1913 and landed with the 2nd Royal Scots at Boulogne in August 1914.
Born 1896 in Edinburgh. Son of William and Jane Harriet (Kinloch) Henderson of 65 High Street, Prestonpans.
Killed in Action on 23 March 1915 and buried in Godezonne Farm Cemetery, Belgium.

A. HERRIOT
Archibald Herriot – age 26 – Corporal (S/4192) 9th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Archibald landed with his battalion at Boulogne in July 1915.
Born 1891 in Loanhead, Lasswade, Midlothian. Son of John and Jane (Brown) Herriot of Harbour House, Morrison Haven, Prestonpans.
Killed in Action on 27 September 1917 and buried in Level Crossing Cemetery, Fampoux, France.

J. HEWITT
Joseph Hewitt – age 31 – Corporal (S/8263) 10th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
Born 1885 in Bailieston, Old Monkland, Lanarkshire. Son of William and Janet (Renwick) Hewitt of 40 Morrison's Haven, Prestonpans. Husband of Annie Penman Wilson (formerly Hewitt) of Huntly, Waikato, New Zealand who he married in 1909 in Prestonpans.
Missing in Action on 14 July 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu May 09, 2024 11:32 am Post subject:

C. HORNE
Charles Horne – age 19 – Deck Hand (9711/DA) H.M. Trawler Anworth , Royal Naval Reserve.
Charles enrolled in the RNR in November 1915 and joined the “Anwoth”. She was a hired trawler, in service as a minesweeper, then as a hydrophone vessel. He and two other crewmen drowned when their small boat capsized as it made its way to shore at Waxham near Great Yarmouth.
Born 1897 in Cockenzie, Tranent. Son of Charles and Margaret (Scott) Horne of 83 High Street, Prestonpans.
Died on Service on 10 December 1916 and buried in Prestonpans New Cemetery. (CWG)
Also named on the Cockenzie and Port Seton Burgh War Memorial.

R. HULBERT
Note: Military records spell the family name as Holbart.
Richard Holbart – age 33– Lance Corporal (325198) 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots.
Richard was a coal miner in 1912. He joined his battalion in France as Private (1016) in December 1914.
Born 1885 in Marylebone, London as Richard Hulbert. Son of the late Richard Hulbert and of Mary (Cain) Hulbert. Husband of Catherine (Rogan) Hulbert of 62 Baker Street, Cuithill, Prestonpans who he married in 1912 in Musselburgh, Inveresk, Midlothian.
Killed in Action on 21 March 1918 and buried in Bancourt British Cemetery, France.

C. HUNTER
Charles Smith Hunter – age 39 – Private (S/11869) 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.
Born 1877 in Prestonpans. Son of the late Euphemia (Smith) Hunter (died 1898) and of the late Peter Hunter (died 1912) formerly of Prestonpans.
Died of Wounds/Buried at Sea on 21 July 1916 and named on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.

C. INGLIS
Charles Inglis – age 27 – Lance Corporal (7324) 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Charles enlisted at the outbreak of war and joined his battalion in Belgium in March 1915.
Born 1888 in Prestonpans as Charles Stewart Inglis.
Son of Andrew and Anne (Stewart) Inglis of 17 Middle Street, Prestonpans.
Missing in Action on 18 April 1915 and named on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu May 09, 2024 12:04 pm Post subject:

J. INGLIS
John Inglis – age 27 – Private (13692) 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
John enlisted at the outbreak of war and joined his battalion in Belgium in March 1915.
Born 1889 in Musselburgh, Inveresk, Midlothian. Son of Charles and Robina (Inglis) Inglis of 128 Summerlee Street, Prestonpans.
Missing in Action on 23 July 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.

G. JENKINS
George Jenkins – age 32 – Corporal (9046) 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots.
George was a coal miner when he enlisted in the Royal Scots in September 1904. He transferred to the Army Reserve in 1907 and was mobilised at the outbreak of war, landing with his battalion at Le Havre in August 1914. He was wounded in July 1915 and again in October when he was evacuated home. George was posted to the 13th Royal Scots in France in October 1916 but rejoined his old unit only to be killed a month later.
Born 1884 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire. Son of John and Jane (Berry) Jenkins of 33 Morrison's Haven, Prestonpans. Husband of Euphemia (Cunningham) Jenkins who he married in 1909 in Prestonpans.
Killed in Action on 13 November 1916 and buried in Serre Road Cemetery No.1, France.

and his brother

R. JENKINS
Robert Jenkins – age 23 – Gunner (6801) 10th Battery, 147th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.
Born 1893 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire. Son of John and Jane (Berry) Jenkins of 33 Morrison's Haven, Prestonpans.
Killed in Action on 20 November 1916 and buried in Bernafay Wood British Cemetery, Montauban, France.

A. JOHNSTON
Andrew Johnston – age 28 – Lance Corporal (7904) 5th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders.
Andrew had enlisted when he was 18 years old and was with the 2nd Battalion at Poona in India in August 1914. The battalion returned to England in November and landed at Le Havre in December 1914. Andrew was wounded three times and at some point was transferred to the 5th Battalion.
Born 1889 in Prestonpans. Son of James and Janet (Black) Johnston of Links Street, Musselburgh, Midlothian.
Missing in Action on 3 May 1917 and named on the Arras Memorial, France.

and his brother

B. JOHNSTON
Benjamin Johnston – age 31 – Second Lieutenant, 11th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps.
Benjamin was a miner at Prestongrange Colliery enlisted as a Private in the Royal Scots in August 1914. He landed in France as Sergeant (12319) with the 12th Royal Scots in May 1915 and was commissioned in the KRRC in September 1917. He became a prisoner of war and died of pneumonia in the Field Hospital at Graudenz in Poland. Benjamin was re-interred in 1921.
Born 1887 in Prestonpans as Benjamin Black Johnston. Son of James and Janet (Black) Johnston of Links Street, Musselburgh, Midlothian. Husband of Annie (McGuire) Johnston of 60 Eskside and of 27 Campie Gardens, Musselburgh who he married in 1907 in Musselburgh.
Died on Service on 3 November 1918 and buried in Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery, Poland.

Another brother, Thomas, as a Company Sergeant Major in the Cameron Highlanders was awarded a Military Medal in 1917 and a Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1918. The citation for the latter reads: 5593 C.S.M T. Johnston, Cam'n Highrs. (Musselburgh).
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When most of his company officers had become casualties in an advance he led an attack on a pill-box which was holding up the advance. He afterwards did excellent work in reorganising the various units near him and encouraged the men during the work of consolidation by moving about in the open under heavy fire. He set a splendid example to a11."
Thomas was discharged from the Army on 11 November 1918 and awarded a Silver War Badge.

M. KEENAN
Martin Keenan – age 23 – Private (325043) 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots.
Martin was a coal miner with the Summerlee Coal Company in Prestonpans when he enlisted as Private (697) in the Territorial 8th Royal Scots in October 1911. He was mobilised in August 1914 and landed with the 1/8th Battalion at Le Havre in November 1914.
Born 1895 in Bellshill, Holytown, Lanarkshire. Son of the late John Keenan (died 1906) and of Sarah (Lawlor) Keenan of Summerlee Street, Prestonpans.
Husband of Bridget (Croken) Keenan of Pottery Building, Clelland, Lanarkshire who he married in 1916 in Shotts, Lanarkshire.
Missing in Action on 10 April 1918 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu May 09, 2024 12:22 pm Post subject:

R. KELLY
Robert Kelly – age 31 – Sapper (146565) 250th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers.
Robert was a coal miner living with his family at 25 Summerlee Street, Prestonpans when he re-enlisted in February 1916. He had previously served with the Royal Garrison Artillery, enlisting in August 1902. He transferred to the Army Reserve 1905 and was mobilised in August 1914. He went to France in February 1915 before being discharged at the end of his term of service in August 1915.
He joined his unit in Belgium in March 1916.
Born 1884 in Coatbridge, Old Monkland, Lanarkshire. Son of John and Mary (Collins) Kelly of Middle Street, Cuthill, Prestonpans. Husband of Mary (Banks) Kelly who he married in 1910 in Tranent, Haddingtonshire/East Lothian and who died in 1918 in Prestonpans,
Killed in Action on 15 June 1916 and buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium.

A. KENNEDY
Alexander Kennedy – age 31 – Private (43107) 5th/6th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
In 1911 Alexander was a coal miner living with his family at 27 Morrison's Haven, Prestonpans.
He joined the 1st King's Own Scottish Borderers in Gallipoli in August 1915 as Private (17834)
At some point he transferred to the Cameronians in France where the 1/5th and 1/6th Battalion merged in May 1916. Alexander died in the 53rd General Hospital at Wimereax.
Born 1889 in Pollockshaws, Kinning Park, Renfrewshire as Alexander Wilson Kennedy. Son of the late Robert Kennedy (died 1903) and of the late Mary (Wilson) Kennedy (died 1913)
Died of Wounds on 30 April 1918 and buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France.

P. LOURIE
Peter Lowrie – age 20 – Corporal (325185) 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots.
Peter was a coal miner with the Edinburgh Coal Company and was living his uncle and aunt John and Susan Thomson at 41 High Street, Prestonpans when he enlisted in th Territorial 8th Royal Scots in March 1914. He was mobilised in August and landed as Private (983) with the 1/8th Battalion at Le Havre in November 1914. Peter was promoted to Corporal in July 1916.
Born 1897 in Edinburgh. Son of Robert and Mary (Thomson) Lowrie.
Missing in Action on 16 May 1917 and named on the Arras Memorial, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat May 11, 2024 1:36 pm Post subject:

A. LUMSDEN
Alexander Lumsden – age 35 – Private (3/2086) 1st Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Alexander's service number and his early arrival in France (September 1914) suggests that he was a reservist.
Born 1878 in Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland. Son of the late Alexander Lumsden (died 1906) and of Janet (Ramsay) Lumsden of 5 West Pans, Levenhall, Musselburgh, Midlothian. The family were living in Prestonpans by 1891.
Missing in Action on 29 October 1914 and named on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

and his brother

J. LUMSDEN
James Lumsden – age 33 – Private (9246) 1st Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
James landed with his battalion at Le Havre in August 1914.
Born 1881 in Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland. Son of the late Alexander Lumsden (died 1906) and of Janet (Ramsay) Lumsden of 5 West Pans, Levenhall, Musselburgh, Midlothian. The family were living in Prestonpans by 1891.
Missing in Action on 31 October 1914 and named on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

A. MACFARLANE
Andrew Kerr Macfarlane – age 21 – Private (6986) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Andrew was a coal miner when he enlisted in August 1914. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in April 1915.
Born 1894 in Musselburgh, Midlothian as Andrew Kerr. Son of Marion (Kerr) Macfarlane and step-son of Peter Macfarlane of 30 Morrison Haven, Prestonpans who married there in 1899.
Missing in Action on 4 June 1915 an named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

W. MACKIE
William Mackie – age 27 – Private (13971) 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
William landed with the 7th KOSB at Boulogne in July 1915. At some point he transferred to the 6th Battalion.
Born 1892 in Prestonpans. Son of Thomas and Jane (Thomson) Mackie of 258 High Street, Prestonpans.
Missing in Action on 24 March 1918 and named on the Pozieres Memorial, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat May 11, 2024 1:46 pm Post subject:

T. MAIN
Thomas Main – age 36 – Private (325274) 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots.
Thomas was a coal miner when he enlisted as Private (1147) in the Territorial 8th Royal Scots in September 1914. He landed as Private (1147) with the 1/8th Battalion at Le Havre in November 1914 but due to illness he was evacuated home in January 1915, He re-joined the 1/8th Battalion in France in August 1915. He was involved in a vehicle accident and was evacuated to the Norfolk War Hospital, Norwich in December 1916. While there he was diagnosed with a heart disease from which he died.
Born 1881 in Prestonpans. Son of the late Thomas Main (died 1898) and of the late Catherine (Ritchie) Main (died 1915) of Prestonpans. Husband of Grace (Arthur) Main of 103 High Street, Prestonpans who he married in 1908 in Edinburgh.
Died on Service on 7 May 1917 and buried in Prestonpans New Cemetery. (CWG)

A.B. MELROSE
Alexander Bisset Melrose – age 23 – Private (325557) 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots.
Alexander was a postman living at 5 Pyper's Wynd in Prestonpans when he enlisted in November 1914 as Private (1877) He was posted to France in June 1917 and joined the 1/8th Royal Scots in August.
Born 1895 in Gladsmuir, Haddingtonshire/East Lothian. Son of Janet (Smart) Melrose and of George Melrose of Uphall, West Lothian.
Missing in Action on 24 March 1918 and named on the Arras Memorial, France

G. MELROSE
Not listed by CWGC.
George Melrose – age 35 – Private (332965) 9th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.
George was a carter when he enlisted in May 1916. He was discharged from the army due to illness in February 1918 and he was awarded a Silver War Badge (331452). George became a brewery carter but he died from cancer in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Born 1883 in Garvald, Haddingtonshire/East Lothian. Son of the late Agnes (Melrose) Inglis (died 1910) and step-son of the late Robert Inglis (died 1900) Husband of Alexandrina Janet Millar of 11 High Street, Prestonpans who he married in 1913 in Dirleton, Haddingtonshire/East Lothian.
Died – 14 May 1918.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat May 11, 2024 1:56 pm Post subject:

A.M. MILLAR
Andrew McLeod Millar – age 21 – Private (7342) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Andrew landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in April 1915.
Born 1895 in Cowdenbeath, Auchtertool, Fife. Son of George and Isabella (McLeod) Millar of 29 Summerlee Street, Prestonpans.
Died of Wounds on 30 May 1917 and buried in Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Belgium.

J. MOODIE
John Moodie – age 28 – Private (7340) 7th/8th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
John joined the 2nd KOSB in France in March 1915 and then served with the 1st KOSB before joining the 7th/8th Battalion.
Born 1880 in Prestonpans as John Wallace Moodie. Son of the late Robert Moodie (died 1911) and of Isabella (Wallace) Moodie of Ayres Wynd, Prestonpans and of 102 Newbiggin, Musselburgh, Midlothian.
Missing in Action on 23 July 1918 and named on the Soissons Memorial, France.

J. McAULAY
John McAuley – age 22 – Rifleman (1447) 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.
John was a coal miner when he enlisted and he joined his battalion in Belgium in March 1915.
Born 1893 in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire as McAuley. Son of Patrick and Annie (Clark) McAuley of 50 Morrison Haven, Prestonpans.
Missing in Action on 9 May 1915 and named on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

J. McFARLANE
James MacFarlane – age 34 – Private (12956) 13th Battalion, Royal Scots.
James landed with his battalion in France in July 1915.
Born 1881 in Edinburgh as McFarlane. Son of the late Peter MacFarlane and of Anne (McCall) MacFarlane of 11 Summerlee Street, Prestonpans. Husband of Janet Sharp (Scott) McFarlane of 47 Middle Street, Cuthill, Prestonpans who he married in 1901 in Prestonpans.
Killed in Action on 15 September 1915 and buried in Fosse 7 Military Cemetery (Quality Street), Mazingarbe, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat May 11, 2024 2:03 pm Post subject:

D. McGROARTY
Dennis McGroarty – age 24 – Private (352418) 1/9th (Highlanders) Battalion, Royal Scots.
Dennis was a coal miner at Prestonpans when he enlisted.
Born 1892 in Wishaw, Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire. Son of Patrick and Elizabeth (Mulherron) McGroarty, of 14 Kirk Street,Coatbridge, Lanarkshire.
Husband of Sarah (Boyle) McGroarty of 69 Summerlee Street, Prestonpans who he married in 1913 in Tranent. In 1922 she became Mrs George Dunn Hanratty of 61 Middle Street, Cuthill, Prestonpans.
Killed in Action on 23 April 1917 and buried in Brown's Copse Cemetery, Roeux, France.
Also named on the Coatbridge War Memorial.

A. McKENZIE
Alfred McKenzie – age 21 – Private (S/5082) 10th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Alfred landed with his battalion at Boulogne in September 1915. They moved to Salonica in northern Greece in November 1915.
Born 1896 in Prestonpans as Alfred Alexander McKenzie. Son of Alfred and Helen (Baillie) McKenzie of 130 High Street, Prestonpans.
Missing in Action on 9 May 1917 and named on the Doiran Memorial, Greece.

W.A.S. McKERRELL
William Archibald Struthers McKerrell – age 27– Lieutenant, 4 Squadron, Royal Air Force and 8th Battalion, Royal Scots.
William was an engineer from Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, South Africa when he married in 1915 in Prestonpans. He was a Lieutenant with the 1/8th Royal Scots in July 1917 and joined the Royal Flying Corps in December 1917. William went to France in March 1918.
Born 1890 in South Africa. Son of the late William and Christina (Sneddon) McKerrell. Husband of Margaret McAndrew Baikie (Meek) McKerrell, of "Woodbine," Prestonpans who he married in 1915 in Prestonpans.
Died of Wounds on 10 April 1918 and buried in Chocques Military Cemetery, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat May 11, 2024 2:20 pm Post subject:

P.H. McKINLAY
Peter Horn McKinlay – age 27 – Private (325336) 13th Battalion, Royal Scots.
Peter was living with his parents at Redburn Dairy, Prestonpans when he enlisted in the Territorial 8th Royal Scots in October 1914. He was posted to 1/8th Battalion in July 1917 and transferred to the 13th Battalion on 9 August but he was killed two weeks later.
Born 1890 in Prestonpans. Son of the late George McKinlay (died 1915) and of Margaret (Horn) McKinlay. Husband of Roy (Cunningham) of 205 High Street, Prestonpans who he married in 1916 in Prestonpans.
Missing in Action on 22 August 1917 and named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

J.I. McLAGAN
James Innes McLagan – age 34 – Sergeant (3/3775) 1st Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
James had enlisted as Private (7591) in the Black Watch in 1900. He was an electric pump attendant when he re-enlisted as Private (5457) in the Scottish Horse Yeomanry in August 1914 but he was discharged a month later. However he joined the 2nd Black Watch in France in December 1914.
Born 1882 in Bervie, Kincardineshire. Son of Thomas and Ann (Innes) McLagan of Perth. Husband of Robina (Jollie or Pettigrew) Mclagan of 33 Crown Square, Prestonpans who he married in 1906 in Edinburgh.
Died of Wounds on 7 September 1916 and buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-l'Abbe, France.

R.D. McLEAN
Robert Drysdale McLean – age 19 – Second Lieutenant, “C” Battery, 64th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.
Robert was educated at George Heriot's School in Edinburgh before attending Edinburgh University in 1916. He was a member of the Officer Training Corps and he was commissioned in the RFA in June 1917. He joined his Brigade in July and was killed near the Ypres-Poperinghe Road in October
Born 1898 in Edinburgh. Son of Robert Drysdale McLean and of Catherine Francis M. (Dever) McLean of High Street, Prestonpans and of Musselburgh.
Killed in Action on 26 October 1917 and buried in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No.3, Belgium.
Also named on the George Heriot's School War Memorial and Roll of Honour and on the Edinburgh University Old College War Memorial and Roll of the Fallen.