The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Malcolm · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 184 Location: Edinburgh

Ratho Memorial, West Lothian.

Malcolm · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 184 Location: Edinburgh

List of names.
RATHO WAR MEMORIAL 1914 - 1918
Name Rank Unit
ADIE John CSM S R
BAILLIE Robert Pvt R Marine
BENNIE Walter Pvt G Hldrs
BINNIE George Pvt KOSB
BORTHWICK George Pvt RS
BRYCE James Pvt RS
CALLAN Thomas Pvt Can
CLARK Peter Pvt Lovat S
CLARKSON George Pvt RS
COOK William S Pvt MGC
DONALDSON John J Pvt Seaforth
DROVER Andrew L Cpl KOSB
DROVER Henry Pvt S R
DUNCAN Ronald Pvt S R
EWING James Pvt BW
FRAME Daniel Pvt RS
GIBSON Daniel Pvt RSF
GREIG William Pvt NZ
HISLOP George Sgt Vet C
HOGG James H Cpl KOSB
LEITCH Earnest Pvt RS
LEITCH John Pvt Can
LILY William Pvt Seaforth
McMAHON Patrick Pvt KOSB
MITCHELL Andrew Pvt RS
MITCHELL James Pvt RSF
MITCHELL John Pvt RS
MITCHELL John Pvt KOSB
MOIR James L Cpl KOSB
ORR Robert G Sgt Can
PATERSON Peter Pvt G Hldrs
PEAT William Pvt AIF
POLLOCK John Sgt Can H
POLLOCK Martin Lt Can H
RILLIE John Pvt RS
ROBERTSON H J Graeme Lt BW
ROBERTSON John Pvt RS
STOCKDALE Richard Pvt RS
TODD Fenwick Pvt RSF
WADELL John R Pvt R Marine
WHITELAW Geoffrey Lt L Gds
WHITELAW Robert Lt H Gds
WHITELAW William Lt A&S

1939 - 1945
Name Rank Unit
ANTHONY John RAF
BLAKELEY James Army
CAMPBELL Fred RN
DOWLING Frank RN
FORREST John RAF
MILNE William RN
RUSSELL George Army
WATMORE Robert Army

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:53 am Post subject:

I have moved this topic into Edinburgh - Civic rather than Lothians. Ratho presently falls within the City of Edinurgh boundaries.

It is a well kept memorial in a nice location. I photographed it last summer but haven't had the chance to post it.

Regards

Adam

Adam Brown · Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 7:14 pm Post subject:

Some more photos of Ratho's memorial

Adam

dhubthaigh · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:36 pm Post subject:

A three-fold loss

Name: WHITELAW, GEOFFREY LACY
Initials: G L
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Household Battalion
Age: 19
Date of Death: 14/04/1918
Additional information: Son of William and Gertrude Whitelaw (nee Thompson), of Hatton House, Kirknewton, Midlothian. Born at Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: B3. 223.
Cemetery: NAIRN CEMETERY

Name: WHITELAW, ROBERT HILARY LOCKHART
Initials: R H L
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Household Battalion
Age: 22
Date of Death: 28/05/1917
Additional information: Son of William and Gertrude Whitelaw, of Hatton House, Kirknewton, Midlothian. Native of Monkland, Nairn.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Officers, B. 7. 21.
Cemetery: ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN

Name: WHITELAW, WILLIAM ALEXANDER
Initials: W A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Unit Text: 3rd Bn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 14/02/1919
Additional information: Son of William and Gertrude Whitelaw, of Nairn; husband of Winifred Whitelaw, of Monkland, Nairn.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: C. 134.
Cemetery: EDINBURGH (LIBERTON) CEMETERY

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 11:03 pm Post subject:

ANTHONY, JOHN
Rank: Aircraftman 1st Class (W. Op./Air Gnr.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 144 Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 29/09/1939
Service No: 534149
Additional information: Son of James and Jane Anthony, of Kirknewton, Midlothian.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 4A. L. 9.
Cemetery: HAMBURG CEMETERY

An early war death, note this airman's rank. Soon after this all aircrew on bomber raids were at least a Sergeant.

[From the Lost Bombers website

http://www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=10266

Hampden L4126
Type Hampden
Serial Number L4126
Squadron 144
X1D PL-?
Operation Heligoland
Date 1 29th September 1939
Date 2 29th September 1939

Further Information
"Serial Range L4032 - L4211. 180 HP Hampden B.1s. Delivered by Handley Page (Cricklewood) between Aug38 and Jun39. First production order. L4032 had Wright Cyclone engines experimentally installed. L4038; L4041; L4075; L4076; L4086; L4091; L4105; L4115; L4118; L4141; L4144; L4150; L4170; L4196; L4201; L4204 were converted to Hampden TB.(Torpedo Bomber).

Airborne 0640 from Hemswell. At apx 1000 this Hampden crashed into the sea between Heligoland and Wangerooge, probably shot down by Oblt Gunther Specht (See L4121). L4126 was one of five 144 Sqdn Hampdens lost on this operation. See: L4121; L4127; L4132; L4134 F/O R.D.Baughan PoW Sgt N.M.Kirkus KIA AC1 J.Anthony KIA Sgt H.H.Turner KIA F/O R.D.Baughan was interned in Camps 9AG/L3. PoW No.634. Sgt Kirkus's elder brother, P/O C.F.Kirkus, was destined to to be KIA 14Sep42. See: BJ789. "

Roxy · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 3:46 pm Post subject:

I noticed that the Whitelaws, although commemorated in Ratho, appear to be native to Nairn. Geoffrey and William are commemorated on the Nairn War Memorial - Robert is not.

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.

ADP · Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 467 Location: Edinburgh

One from my family tree - PETER PATERSON.

Name: PATERSON
Initials: P
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Gordon Highlanders
Unit Text: 9th Bn.
Date of Death: 25/04/1917
Service No: S/7030
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. B. 28.
Cemetery: FEUCHY CHAPEL BRITISH CEMETERY, WANCOURT

Commemorated on his parents' headstone in Ratho Cemetery

Paterson
...
And also their son Peter, Pte 9th Gordon Hdrs
Killed in Action 25th April 1917, age 25 years
Buried at Feuchy, Arras, France

ADP

ADP · Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 467 Location: Edinburgh

And a more distantly related one from my family tree - FENWICK TODD.

Name: TODD, FENWICK
Initials: F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Age: 37
Date of Death: 26/09/1917
Service No: 40859
Additional information: Son of William Todd, of 185, Glasgow Rd., Clydebank, Glasgow; husband of Isabella Scott Todd, of Dalmahoy, Kirknewton, Midlothian.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 60 to 61.
Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL

ADP

ADP · Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 467 Location: Edinburgh

From the Pentlands Neighbourhood Partnership website:

Ratho War Memorial Revamp
13 December 2010

Ratho War Memorial has been revamped after it was highlighted during a community walkabout by elected members and the Ratho Environment Group. It was decided to remove the old shrubbery, redesign and install railings at the site. Ratho Primary School pupils were involved in the design and were assisted in the clearance and initial preparation of the site by Community Services. Ratho Community Council then obtained a Community Grant for the fabrication of the railings which were installed in October. The finishing touches were then completed by Ratho Primary Pupils and Ratho Environment Group who replanted the new flower beds supplied by the Council.

ADP

DelBoy · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:20 am Post subject:

A picture from before the railings around the memorial were removed, then later new ones reinstated.

Derek.

MagsD · Joined: 10 Mar 2012 Posts: 171 Location: West Lothian

Two of the brothers are named on the Kirknewton War Memorial: Geoffrey Lacey Whitelaw and Robert Hilary Lockhart Whitelaw. William Alexander is not mentioned. He is the father of Willie Whitelaw(1918-1999) Conservative MP and Cabinet Minister. Geoffrey Lacey Whitelaw is also remembered on the Loretto School Memorial.