The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

JOHN RAE · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 17 Location: London

Hello to everyone, my name is John.

I have been researching into my family history recently.
Today 26th Aug 08, I decided to start on the family military side.
My uncle, Sergt James Rae, 12th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was unfortunately killed in 1917. His army number was S/1641 and I believe the S in front of his number means the 12th Battalion was part of Kitchener's Army. I am not sure if this is the case.

I tried the council sites of Bridge of Allan and Denny and Dunipace to see if he was remembered on any WW1 Memorials. This turned out to be a fruitless task.

Through good luck or even a miracle, I have come across this excellent site of yours, which has shown me, that his name is on both the Bridge of Allan and Denny and Dunipace WW1 Memorials.
Gaining this information was very satisfying, but better was to come as I searched further afield on the site and came across the Stirling and Central Scotland and Other Memorials page.
I was amazed to see my uncle's name on the Carrongrove Paper Mill, Stoneywood/Fankerton, Denny, page.
H was one of three uncles working in the mill before he joined the Argylls in 1914.

I would mention at the time I lived at Fankerton, both Stoneywood and Fankerton were hamlets only known to the people who lived in them.

I was born at 3, Morgan Street, Hamilton, in 1935. Most probably the house has been demolished by now.
My parents then moved to Fankerton in 1937 when my father found employment in Carrongrove Mill.
In all, three related families were employed in the mill, and all three families occupied mill houses which were owned by the mill owner, a Mr Morgan Wallace who was a millionaire. If one lost his employment in the mill, he also lost his mill house. Luckily this never happened to us.

I myself served my apprenticeship between Carrongrove and Stoneywood Mills. Carrongrove supplied the steam power for Stoneywood Mill. Both mills were eventually taken over by Inveresk Group of Companies.
I am also a life member of The Royal Dragoon Guards.
Finding this information on my uncle has given me great satisfaction.

Best Regards,

John Rae, nephew of Sergt James Rae.

spoons · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject:

Hi John, welcome to the forum - glad you have found it of use.

If you have any info on your uncle (a picture perhaps?) this would be a very welcome addition to the posts concerning the memorials he is on - perhaps you could post any info about him there?

\Paul

DerekR · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:39 am Post subject:

John,
Welcome to the project.

Name: RAE, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Unit Text: 12th Bn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 08/05/1917
Service No: S/1641
Additional information: Son of John and Isabella Rae, of Allan Park Crescent, Bridge of Allan.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: DOIRAN MEMORIAL - Greece
_________________

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

spoons · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject:

Odd that he is buried in Greece, his medal index card shows he first served in France. Nothing on the reverse by the way.

\Paul

Roxy · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject:

John,

Welcome aboard. As well as the information available from this (excellent) site, if you are looking for information regarding a relative who fought in The Great War, I would recommend The Great War Forum. Many of the contributers here are also members of the GWF.

regards,

Roxy
_________________
Remembering my ggf, Pte Thomas Roberts, 10 SR, killed 25 Sep 15 at Loos.
Also remembering Flt Lt Al Squires and CXX/3 killed 2 Sep 06 in Afghanistan.

JOHN RAE · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 17 Location: London

Hello Paul,
As far as I can make out the 12th Bttn of the Argylls moved to Salonika in November 1915.
Even so, his medal records should have shown he served in this part of the world.
I have no idea where the 12th Battn were engaged before Nov 1915.

Replying to your previous post I'm afraid I haven't any photos of my uncle.
I do appreciate your interest and posts in these matters, and thankyou for finding his war medal records.

Regards,
John.

DerekR · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:09 pm Post subject:

The 12th Bn. embarked from the UK to France in September 1915 as part of the 26th Division but on the 2nd November 1916 they embarked for Salonika.
_________________

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

JOHN RAE · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 17 Location: London

Derek,
Many thanks for that most important piece of information regarding the 12th Battalion.

Regards,

John.

JOHN RAE · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 17 Location: London

Hello All,
I am seeking information on my grandfather's brother James Boyle, B/6907, Cameronians ( Scottish Rifles ) who was killed on 18th April 1917.
I have found thro' CWGC that he is remembered on the Glasgow Western Necropolis Memorial, his grave/memorial no being P2371.
I'm afraid this is all I know about his time in the army.
Any help in finding when, and where he joined up, and where he was killed would be appreciated.

Regards,

John.

spoons · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 2:53 pm Post subject:

John, I think you might be better re-posting this in the Queries and Requests section, more people are likely to see it

\Paul

JOHN RAE · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 17 Location: London

Thanks for that Paul, I will do that.

Regards,

John.

David McNay · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:56 pm Post subject:

No need, I'll move this topic.

apanderson · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject:

Well . . . . . . . . . guess what??

See:http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/viewtopic.php?t=129&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30&mforum=scottishwargraves (Page 3)

Jings John, what a run of good luck you're having!!

Anne Very Happy

*Woops - looks link the link hasn't worked!

Trying again: http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/viewtopic.php?t=129&start=30&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=&mforum=scottishwargraves

If this doesn't work, Scottish War Graves Project, Glasgow & Dunbartonshire Board, Glasgow Western Necropolis, Page 3 of thread.

spoons · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 7:47 am Post subject:

if you need Boyle's medal index card, PM me your email address. No service record or pension record on Ancestry.

\Paul

JOHN RAE · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 17 Location: London

Thanks for the switch over David.

Regards,
John.