The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

apanderson

Captain Charles Hamilton Anderson, Highland Light Infantry
Born 18th August 1888
Fell at Givenchy, 19th December 1914

Name: ANDERSON, CHARLES HAMILTON
Initials: C H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry
Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Date of Death: 19/12/1914
Additional information: Son of Nora Anderson, of Strathairly, Largo, Fife, and the late W. J. Anderson.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 37 and 38.
Memorial: LE TOURET MEMORIAL

Surname ANDERSON
Firstname Charles Hamilton
Date Death 19/12/1914
SNWM roll THE HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY
Rank Capt
Theatre of death F.& F

Lieutenant Alexander Ronald Anderson, Highland Light Infantry
Born 11th February 1884
Fell in action at Vieille Chapelle, 8th October 1915

Name: ANDERSON, ALEXANDER RONALD
Initials: A R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry
Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Age: 31
Date of Death: 08/10/1915
Additional information: Born at Glasgow. Son of Nora Kay Anderson, of "Strathairley" Largo, Fife, and the late W. J. Anderson. Born at Glasgow.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: XVII. C. 30.
Cemetery: CABARET-ROUGE BRITISH CEMETERY, SOUCHEZ

Surname ANDERSON
Firstname Alexander Ronald
Date Death 08/10/1915
Other 3rd Bn. (att. 1st Bn.).
SNWM roll THE HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY
Rank 2/Lt
Theatre of death Unknown

Captain Edward Kerr Anderson, Royal Flying Corps
Born 11th July 1896, killed while flying at Winchester, 16th March 1918 after active service in France

Name: ANDERSON
Initials: E K
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps
Secondary Regiment: Highland Light Infantry
Secondary Unit Text: and 5th Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 16/03/1918
Additional information: Son of Nora Anderson, of Strathairly, Largo, Fife, and the late W. J. Anderson, C.B.E.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: New ground 83.
Cemetery: NEW KILPATRICK PARISH CHURCHYARD

Surname ANDERSON
Firstname Edward Kerr
Date Death 16/03/1918
Other 5th Bn. (T.). (and R.F.C.).
SNWM roll THE HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY
Rank Capt
Theatre of death Unknown

Surname ANDERSON
Firstname Edward Kerr
Date Death 16/03/1918
Other Att. R.F.C. (T.), (5/H.L.I.).
SNWM roll ROYAL FLYING CORPS.
Rank Capt
Theatre of death Unknown

Lt. Colonel William Herbert Anderson VC, Highland Light Infantry
Born 29th December 1881, fell in action at Mericourt 25th March 1918

Name: ANDERSON, WILLIAM HERBERT
Initials: W H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry
Unit Text: 12th Bn.
Age: 36
Date of Death: 25/03/1918
Awards: V C
Additional information: Son of W. J. Anderson, C.B.E., of Strathairly, Largo, Fife, husband of Gertrude Campbell Anderson, of 23, Abingdon Court, Kensington, London.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. G. 36.
Cemetery: PERONNE ROAD CEMETERY, MARICOURT
Citation: An extract from the "London Gazette," dated 30th April, 1918, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery, determination, and gallant leading of his command. The enemy attacked on the right of the battalion frontage and succeeded in penetrating the wood held by our men. Owing to successive lines of the enemy following on closely there was the greatest danger that the flank of the whole position would be turned. Grasping the seriousness of the situation, Colonel Anderson made his way across the open in full view of the enemy now holding the wood on the right, and after much effort succeeded in gathering the remainder of the two right companies. He personally led the counter-attack and drove the enemy from the wood, capturing twelve machine guns and seventy prisoners, and restoring the original line. His conduct in leading the charge was quite fearless and his most splendid example was the means of rallying and inspiring the men during the most critical hour. Later on the same day, in another position, the enemy had penetrated to within three hundred yards of the village and were holding a timber yard in force. Colonel Anderson reorganised his men after they had been driven in and brought them forward to a position of readiness for a counterattack. He led the attack in person and throughout showed the utmost disregard for his own safety. The counter-attack drove the enemy from his position, but resulted in this very gallant officer losing his life. He died fighting within the enemy's lines, setting a magnificent example to all who were privileged to serve under him."

Doesn't appear on SNWM. (or if he does I can't find him)

Anne

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:29 pm Post subject:

The Anderson brothers came from a well known Glasgow family and they are commemorated by a memorial in Glasgow Cathedral. Lt Col Wm Anderson VC is also commemorated on several other memorials across Scotland.

Regards

Adam

apanderson · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:07 pm Post subject:

I should have added a link to the Glasgow Cathedral page showing the memorial, so, see: http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=5095

Anne

spoons · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 4:35 pm Post subject:

The grave of William McCaw at Tynron lists 8 grandsons lost in the Great War.

http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/viewtopic.php?t=291&mforum=scottishwargraves

\Paul

adb41 · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 178 Location: Stornoway

From the Isle of Lewis:
41 Habost (Ness) lost 4 men

Seaman ALEX JOHN CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 41 Habost, Ness,
Son of John and Isabella Campbell, of 41, Habost, Ness, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Venerable
Service number: 11999/DA
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 20
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Was never found
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 32
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Private MURDO CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 41 Habost, Ness,
Service unit: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Date of death: 1917 at the age of 30
Died of wounds in Palestine
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Seaman MURDO CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 41 Habost, Ness,
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: March 1919 at the age of 19
Was discharged, medically unfit
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Wireless Operator NORMAN CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 41 Habost, Ness,
Service unit: Royal Engineers
Date of death: 1917 at the age of 27
Died in hospital in Manchester
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

10 Portnaguran

Private ALEX MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 10 Portnaguran,
Service unit: Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 14 December 1914 at the age of 20
Killed in action in France
Mentioned on family gravestone in Eye Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Seaman NORMAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 10 Portnaguran,
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Macleod, of 10, Portnaguran, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Venerable
Service number: 1186TC
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 20
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Seaman WILLIAM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 10 Portnaguran,
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Macleod, of 10, Portnaguran, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMY Lydian
Service number: 3398A
Date of death: 25 September 1915 at the age of 28
Ship sunk by shore battery
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 14
Mentioned on family gravestone in Eye Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Seaman ANGUS MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 10 Portnaguran,
Son of Donald and Christina Maclean Macleod, of 10, Portnaguran, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Victory
Service number: 3303/A
Date of death: 24 June 1916 at the age of 27
Died at home.
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery, grave D. 1. 53.
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)
Was released from internment in Holland for medical reasons

In Lewis, there is also the story of the blind widow from 39A Balallan whose four sons were called up in succession, leaving her to cope on her own. Of these, three died. She was sent congratulations by HM the King on the four sons she had sent into battle. There was no word from the King after the war.

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 12:08 pm Post subject:

I've found a refrence to five Fraser brothers from Edinburgh lost in the First World War, all in the Royal Scots. In 1927 their mother was at the unveiling of the City of Edinburgh War Memorial.

Alistair McEwen has found a family that may fit the bill in the 1901 census.

Hugh Fraser 52
Elizabeth Fraser 40
Elizabeth Fraser 17
Katie Fraser 15
Alex Fraser 14
Barbara Fraser 12
Hor?? Fraser 9 (possibly Homer?)
Donald Fraser 9
James Fraser 8
Hugh Fraser 5
Henry Fraser 3

And from that, this man may possibly be one of the five brothers. His mother was living in Holyrood Terrace in 1927 which fits with the CWGC address. The father and age match the Census information.

FRASER, Donald
01-Jul-16
Royal Scots
19211
16th Bn
Serjeant
Born Edinburgh
Age 25
III. O. 7.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Fraser, of 7, Holyrood Terrace, Edinburgh.
Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle

Not conclusive proof though.

Holyrood Terrace is now gone and replaced with Abbeyhill Crescent (Thanks to ADP for finding that out).

I've checked what local memorials we have on the forum and I couldn't find any Frasers. They are not on the Canongate War Memorial either.

Thanks

Adam

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

Adam

Some things do not tie up here and it appears that some fiction is involved.

Donald Fraser is certainly of the family in 1901. His file survives and confirms born Cannongate. Also that his mother was residing at 9 Elliot St. ( off Albert St. ? ) between Nov 1914 and Oct 1919. At the latter date only Alexander and Hugh are alive. Donald was left a sum of money in the will of 768 James Fraser, Gordon Highlanders who I take to be his brother. The only Henry I could find was also in the Gordons and born Cannongate.

Donald and Homer were twins born 31 Aug 189 at Thomsons Court, 9 Abbey Strand EDI. Father Hugh was a mason, Jy.

If these are the only children, none born after 1901 should have been serving.
I found Alexr. in Australia. He joined the AIF as N38769 but was discharged on 29 Sept 1916 , medically unfit - not due to misconduct, having served one month. Reason for discharge was " Mental Deficiency ". He was still alive and in a Hospital for the Insane in Sept 1920. He may have died before the memorial was raised but the cause of death was certainly no due to war service.

Donald b Cannongate , e Edinburgh ( Service file)

Name: FRASER
Initials: D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots
Unit Text: 16th Bn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 01/07/1916
Service No: 19211
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Fraser, of 7, Holyrood Terrace, Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. O. 7.
Cemetery: GORDON DUMP CEMETERY, OVILLERS-LA BOISSELLE

Homer b Edinburgh, e & r Leith

Initials: H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots
Unit Text: 9th Bn.
Date of Death: 23/04/1917
Service No: 352482
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. G. 26.
Cemetery: BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX

Henry b Cannongate, e Leith

Name: FRASER
Initials: H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Corporal
Regiment/Service: Gordon Highlanders
Unit Text: 8th/10th Bn.
Date of Death: 31/07/1917
Service No: S/18013
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. H. 13.
Cemetery: WHITE HOUSE CEMETERY, ST. JEAN-LES-YPRES

James b Cannongate, e Edinburgh

Name: FRASER, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Gordon Highlanders
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Date of Death: 29/10/1914
Service No: 768
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 38.
Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:03 pm Post subject:

Excellent work Jim.

The reference was 'The Scotsman' from 12.11.1927 when Prince Henry met Mrs Fraser at the unveiling of the City war memorial.

The article says she had five sons killed in the war. She mentioned her sons had served in the Royal Scots in France and Gallipoli. From that I suppose it doesn't mean they all served in the Royal Scots, however it would mean one of the sons would have to have been in the 1/4th, 1/5th or 1/7th Royal Scots to serve in Gallipoli.

Now I've got some dates for four brothers I'll see if I can find anything in the local papers about the fifth brother. Perhaps Hugh served in the Royal Scots in Gallipoli and survived?

Thanks

Adam

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

Adam

It seems unlikely there were other sons in this family. The parents married in 1884 and the 1891 Census shows only Elizabeth, Catherine, Alexander and Barbara.
If correct we know of five sons in the army, albeit one for a month who was living in 1920 and that only two sons were still living in Oct 1919.

I suspect Alexander is being counted as war related death rather than revealing, assuming they knew, he was a lunatic.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:32 pm Post subject:

Jim

That's an interesting suggestion. With him being in Australia it would be easier to pretend he was dead from the war rather than admit the truth perhaps?

The article also mentioned the mother wearing 10 medals from her sons which didn't tally either because if someone had served a Gallipoli they would have had a 1914-15 Star and with 5 dead sons getting at least two medals each that would have been 11 medals.

If there were tales about dead sons who weren't dead then perhaps we shouldn't believe that any actually served in Gallipoli though.

With ten medals it could be three from James, three from Henry and two each from Donald and Homer. Alexander wouldn't have any.

Thanks

Adam

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

The medals were as you suggest. James and Homer received the Star for 1914/1914-15, the others had W & V only.
In Oct 1919 his mother declared Alexander was in Australia " address unknown ". That might be true, but it is likely she was aware he was in State care.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

Adam Brown · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 11:25 am Post subject:

Many thanks Jim, it's a very sad story whichever way you look at it.

There are still a few unanswered questions. Why does only one son have details in the CWGC database for example? I know it's not a unique case but it seems strange. Do you know when the details of NoK were collected by the IWGC?

At what point did she become a mother who had lost five sons in the war? Of course if she had been in another part of Edinburgh during the war years and moved back to the Canongate afterwards it may have been easier to explain the missing fifth son as a war death rather than admit the truth to people who had known the boys when they were growing up.

Perhaps the local papers from the time might hold more clues?

Thanks

Adam

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

spoons · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:39 pm Post subject:

Four McCheyne brothers on the Kells (New Galloway) memorial.

Name: McCHEYNE, ALEXANDER JOSEPH
Initials: A J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders
Unit Text: 7th Bn.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 28/04/1916
Service No: S/18008
Additional information: Son of James and Mary McCheyne, of New Galloway, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 119 to 124.
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

Name: McCHEYNE
Initials: D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Corporal
Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders
Unit Text: 7th Bn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 13/03/1917
Service No: S/13563
Additional information: Son of James and Mary McCheyne, of Richmond Hill, Miniota, Manitoba, Canada.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. H. 12.
Cemetery: AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

Name: McCHEYNE, FRANCIS WALLACE
Initials: F W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy
Unit Text: H.M.S. "Narbrough."
Age: 19
Date of Death: 12/01/1918
Service No: J/64207
Additional information: Son of James McCheyne, of New Galloway, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 27.
Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL

Name: McCHEYNE, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: "D" Coy. 1st Bn.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 03/10/1917
Service No: 12298
Additional information: Son of James and Mary McCheyne; husband of Janet Mc Cheyne, of 24, Rolland St., Maryhill, Glasgow. Native of New Galloway, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 50.
Cemetery: BLEUET FARM CEMETERY

spoons · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:42 pm Post subject:

Four McLelland brothers from Crossmichael. Thanks to Ken Morrison for the research.

4 BROTHERS - Note all records (military and civil) spell the name as McClelland.

Listed here by date of death.

PTE. ROBERT McLELLAND, GORDON HRS.
Robert McClelland, Private (S/7830) 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Age 23.
Born 1893 at Kirkmabreck, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of David McClelland and his first wife Jane (Johnston) McClelland of Crossmichael. Enlisted December 1914.
Missing in action 17 May 1915 and listed on La Touret Memorial, France.

PTE. DAVID McLELLAND, GORDON HRS.
David McClelland, Private (1340) 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Age 20.
Born 1895 at Crossmichael. Son of David McClelland and his second wife Janet (Fisher) McClelland of Danevale Crossing, Crossmichael. Mobilised August 1914.
Missing in action 25 September 1915 and listed on the Loos Memorial, France.

PTE. JOHN McLELLAND, GORDON HRS.
John James McClelland, Private (9764) 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Age 28.
Born 1887 at Kirkmabreck, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of David McClelland and his first wife Jane (Johnston) McClelland of Crossmichael.
Killed in action 19 December 1915 and buried in La Clytte Military Cemetery, Belgium. Also listed on the Colvend War Memorial.

PTE. JOHNSTONE McLELLAND, HLI
Served as James Johnston.
James McClelland, Private (13664) 14th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. Age 22.
Born 1894 at Kirkmabreck, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of David McClelland and his first wife Jane (Johnston) McClelland of Crossmichael.
Missing in action 28 November 1917 and listed on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France.