The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:00 pm Post subject: Gavinton, (Langton Parish)

I'm afraid i don't have any photos but I do have a transciption:

Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton, Berwickshire

To Langton’s sons who died in the War 1914-1919 and 1939-1945

Faithful Unto Death

Captain W.C. Walker M.C. Camerons
Staff-Sgt. James Scouler Royal Field Artillery
L/Cpl. James Ireland King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Pte. John M. Mercer Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Pte. Henry G. Mercer King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Pte. Walter Patterson Royal Scots
Pte. John Scott Royal Scots
Pte. Thomas Scott King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Pte. William Black King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Pte. Robert Forrest Australian Infantry Force
Pte. Francis W. Elliot King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Pte. Robert Houliston M.T. A.S.C.

Greater Love Hath No Man Than This

Sgt. George Howie King’s Own Scottish Borderers

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Adam Brown · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:01 pm Post subject:

A few years ago I did a little bit of investigation and found out some deatils on thsoe named:

Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton, Berwickshire

1914-1918

BLACK, William Pte. King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Listed on the Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton

ELLIOT, Francis William 45472 Pte. 4th Bn. King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Died home 12.7.18. Born Langton. Enlisted Duns. Home Duns.
Buried in Langton Parish Churchyard, Gavinton.
Listed on the Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton

FORREST, Robert 921 Pte. 3rd Bn. Australian Infantry.
Died 22.7.16. Age 25. Son of Samuel and Nancy Pate Forrest of Middle Field, Duns. Born Lanark.
Commemorated on Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Somme, France
Listed on the Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton

HOULISTON, Robert P. M2/106928 Pte. 24th Motor Ambulance Convoy.
Royal Army Service Corps.
Died 26.2.1919. Age 28. Husband of Mary Tait Redpath Houliston, of Gavinton.
Buried in Belgrade Cemetery, Namur, Belgium.
Listed on the Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton

IRELAND, James 201050 L/Cpl. 2nd Bn. King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Killed in action 18.9.18 Son of Mrs. Margaret Elliot of Stobswood, Duns. Born Dornock. Enlisted Duns, Berwickshire. Home Gavinton.
Buried in Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, France.
Listed on the Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton.

MERCER, Henry Gray 201345 Pte. 1/4th Bn. King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Died of wounds 4.10.18. Age 21 Son of George and Elizabeth Middlemiss Mercer of Langton Kennels, Duns. Born Langton. Enlisted Duns. Home Duns.
Buried in Proville British Cemetery, France
Listed on the Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton.

MERCER, John Middlemiss S/3544 Pte. 11th Bn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Died 27.9.15 Age 20 Son of George and Elizabeth Middlemiss Mercer of Langton Kennels, Duns.
Commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.
Listed on the Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton

PATTERSON, Walter 19891 Pte. 16th Bn. Royal Scots
Died 3.5.17 Age 33. Son of Walter and Janet Patterson of Gavinton, Duns.
Buried in Roeux British Cemetery, France.
Listed on the Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton

SCOTT, John Pte. Royal Scots
Listed on the Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton

SCOTT, Thomas Pte. King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Listed on the Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton

SCOULLER, James Staff-Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
Listed as Scouler on Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton

WALKER, W.C. M.C. Captain. Camerons
Listed on the Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton

1939-1945

HOWIE, George 3190379 Sgt. 4th Bn. King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Died 7.1.45 Age 23. Son of James and Elizabeth Howie. Husband of Catherine Howie of Buckie, Banffshire.
Listed on the Langton Parish War Memorial, Gavinton

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IanA · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 949

IanA · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 949

Merseman · Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 339 Location: Duns, Berwickshire

The Buildings of Scotland - Borders, p321

Carved Celtic cross War Memorial, c1920.

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

WMR 81429

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 9:47 am Post subject:

LANGTON PARISH WAR MEMORIAL in Gavinton Village.

PTE. WILLIAM BLACK, K.O.S.B.
William Black – age 21 – Private (56321) 155th Company, Machine Gun Corps.
William joined the 1/4th King's Own Scottish Borderers in Egypt as Private (7213) and at some point transferred to the Brigade's company of the MGC. He served in Palestine but was killed at Gaza.
Born 1896 in Coldingham, Berwickshire. Son of John and Christina (Thomson) Black of Duns Mill, Langton.
Killed in Action on 19 April 1917 and buried in Gaza War Cemetery, Palestine.

PTE. FRANCIS W. ELLIOT, K.O.S.B.
Francis William Elliot – age 22 – Private (45472) 4th (Reserve) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Frank was educated at Berwickshire High School in Duns and managed the farm at Raecleughhead, Langton with his father. He had been called up a few weeks earlier but he contracted pneumonia while in training and died in the Ceres Auxiliary Hospital in Cupar, Fife.
Born 1895 in Langton. Son of William and Elizabeth Johnston (Rankin) Elliot of Langton.
Died on Service on 12 July 1918 and buried in Langton Parish Churchyard. (CWG)
Also named on the Berwickshire High School memorial.

PTE. ROBERT FORREST, A.I.F.
Robert Forrest – age 25 – Private (921) 3rd Battalion, Australian Infantry.
Robert was working as a butcher and was living at Barrack Street, Sydney, New South Wales when he enlisted in August 1914. He sailed in October and took part in the initial landings at Gallipoli in April 1915 but he contracted dysentery and was evacuated to 1st General Hospital in Cairo in June. He was able to rejoin his battalion but he was wounded in August and again evacuated to hospital in Egypt. He returned to Gallipoli and served until the Allied troops were withdrawn in December. The battalion sailed to France in March 1916 but Robert was killed four months later at Pozieres.
Born 1891 in Lanark. Son of Samuel and Nancy Pate (Dunlop) Forrest of Middle Field, Langton.
Missing in Action between 22 and 27 July 1916 and named on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 9:54 am Post subject:

DRV. ROBERT HOULISTON, M.T., A.S.C.
Robert Porter Houliston – age 28 – Corporal (M2/106298) 24th Motor Ambulance Convoy, Royal Army Service Corps.
Robert had served his apprenticeship with Alex. Luke & Son in Duns and was a motor mechanic living at 61 Castle Street, Duns when he enlisted in June 1915. He joined 399 Company, GHQ Ammunition Park in France in August 1915. He was promoted to Corporal and posted to 24th MAC in October 1918. Robert died of pneumonia in the 48th Casualty Clearing Station at Namur in Belgium.
Born 1891 in Coldstream, Berwickshire. Son of Robert and Isabella (Porter) Houliston of Camp Moor Cottage. Langton. Husband of Mary Tait (Redpath) Houliston of Marchmont, Polwarth, Berwickshire and of Gavinton, Langton who he married in July 1914 in Polwarth.
Died on Service on 26 February 1919 and buried in Belgrade Cemetery, Belgium.

L/CPL. JAMES IRELAND, K.O.S.B.
James Ireland – age 21 – Lance Corporal (201050) 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
In 1911 James, aged 14, was in Longformacus, Berwickshire with his family.
Born 1897 in Dornock, Dumfriesshire. Son of Margaret (Ireland) Elliot of Stobswood, Langton.
Margaret married Alexander Elliot in 1903 in Dornock, Dumfriesshire.
Killed in Action on 18 September 1918 and buried in Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Longformacus Parish War Memorial.

PTE. HENRY G. MERCER, K.O.S.B.
Henry Gray Mercer – age 21 – Private (201345) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Henry joined his battalion in Egypt as Private (8380) and served in Palestine before they moved to France in April 1918.
Born 1897 in Langton. Son of the late Elizabeth Reid (Middlemiss) Mercer (died 1911) and of George Mercer of Langton Kennels.
Died of Wounds on 4 October 1918 and buried in Proville British Cemetery, France.

and his brother

PTE. JOHN M. MERCER, A.&S. HRS.
John Middlemiss Mercer – age 20 – Private (S/3544) 11th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
John landed with his battalion at Boulogne in July 1915 but he was killed three months later during the battle of Loos.
Born 1895 in Langton. Son of the late Elizabeth Reid (Middlemiss) Mercer (died 1911) and of George Mercer of Langton Kennels.
Missing in Action on 27 September 1915 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 9:59 am Post subject:

PTE. WALTER PATTERSON, R. SCOTS.
Walter Patterson – age 33 – Private (19891) 16th Battalion (2nd Edinburgh) Royal Scots.
Walter was working as a barman and living at 47 Queen Street in Edinburgh when he enlisted in November 1914. He landed with his battalion at Le Havre in January 1916. He was wounded in July 1916 and was treated at the 1st Canadian General Hospital at Etaples. Walter was able to rejoin his battalion in December.
Born 1884 in Edrom Berwickshire. Son of Walter (died September 1917) and of the late Janet (Nelson) Patterson (died 1914) of Gavinton, Langton.
Killed in Action on 3 May 1917 and buried in Roeux British Cemetery, France.

PTE. JOHN SCOTT, R. SCOTS.
John Scott – age 19 – Private (48235) 11th Battalion, Royal Scots.
John was a farm labourer at Easter Printonan, Eccles, Berwickshire when he enlisted in April 1917. He joined his battalion in Belgium in June but he was killed four months later at Passchendaele.
Born 1898 in Edrom, Berwickshire. Son of Thomas and Jane (Kirk) of Easter Printonan and of Gavinton, Langton.
Missing in Action on 12 October 1917 and named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

and his brother

PTE. THOMAS SCOTT, K.O.S.B.
Thomas Scott – age 24 – Private (30870) 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Born 1894 in Greenlaw, Berwickshire. Son of Thomas and Jane (Kirk) of Easter Printonan and of Gavinton, Langton.
Missing in Action on 18 August 1918 and named on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 10:06 am Post subject:

S/SERGT. JAMES SCOULLER, R.F.A.
James Todd Scouller – age 36 – Fitter Staff Sergeant (90532) “C” Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.
In 1901 James was an engineering fitter, living with his family at the Schoolhouse in Duns, Berwickshire. By 1911 he was a draughtsman with the North British Locomotive Company in Springburn, Glasgow and was living at Broomfield Road in Springburn when he enlisted. He landed in France in September 1915. James was wounded on 10 April 1917 and evacuated to Gilroes Hospital at Barrow-upon-Soar, Leicestershire where he died of septic meningitis.
Born 1881 in Duns, Berwickshire. Son of the late Jane Matthews (Kerr) Scouller (died 1894) and of John Scouller, retired headmaster of Duns Public School, of Victoria Lodge, Gavinton, Langton (he died in August 1917)
Died of Wounds on 9 June 1917 and buried in Duns Cemetery. (CWG)
Also named on the Duns Burgh and Parish War Memorial and on the North British Locomotive Company memorial (as HLI).

CAPT. W. G. WALKER, M.C., CAMERONS.
William Gray Johnstone Walker, Military Cross and Bar – age 31 – Captain, General List, attached to the 8th Division Trench Mortar Batteries.
William had been educated at Berwickshire High School in Duns and was the Resident Secretary of the Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society of 13 St. Andrew's Square, Edinburgh when he enlisted in the Royal Scots in September 1914 and as Private (2318) he landed with the 1/9th (Highlanders) Battalion at Le Havre in February 1915. He was selected for officer training and was commissioned in the 6th Cameron Highlanders in July 1915 and was transferred to the General List for service with Trench Mortar Batteries in May 1916. He was awarded his first MC in June 1916 as Temp. 2nd Lt. (temp. Lt.) William Gray Johnstone Walker, Genl. List., attd. T.M. Bty.
“For conspicuous gallantry during operations. For several days, he directed fire from an exposed position under machine gun, rifle and shell fire, and showed the greatest coolness and courage. On one occasion he persisted in digging out some infantry men who had been buried, and although himself wounded carried on till they had all been rescued.”
He was awarded a second MC in June 1917 as 2nd Lt. (A. /Capt.) William Gray Johnstone Walker, M.C., Gen. List.
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in keeping his mortar battery in action for several days under intense hostile bombardment. His fire had great effect upon enemy strong points and dug-outs, and his conduct throughout was a splendid example of coolness and ability to all ranks.”
Born 1886 in Langton. Son of the late Margaret Isabella (Gray) Walker (died March 1917) and of the Rev. Johnstone Walker, M.A., of Langton United Free Church.
Killed in Action on 18 July 1917 and buried in Poperinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Also named on the Berwickshire High School memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 10:10 am Post subject:

1939-1945

SERGT. GEORGE HOWIE, K.O.S.B.
George Howie – age 23 – Sergeant (3190379) 4th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
George had served his apprenticeship as a plasterer and was working with a builder when, as a member of the Territorial 4th KOSB, he was mobilised in September 1939. George was killed with many others on the Dutch/German border when mines for an anti-tank mine-field were exploded by German artillery shells. 17 KOSB men and 30 Royal Engineers were killed.
Born 1920 in Edrom, Berwickshire. Son of James and Elizabeth Jane (Aitichison) Howie of Gavinton, Langton. Husband of Catherine Mary Jessie (Beaton) Howie of 19 Harbour Street, Buckie, Rathven, Banffshire who he married in 1943 in Buckie when he was a Lance Corporal in the KOSB.
Killed in Action on 7 January 1945 and buried in Brunssum War Cemetery, Netherlands.
_________________
Ken