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Alexander Irving Harkness

 
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 4991
Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:55 pm    Post subject: Alexander Irving Harkness Reply with quote

Alexander Irving Harkness from Wamphray, died 8th Aug 1916, 17Bn HLI, died in France, known by his second name Irving, info from gravestone in Wamphray churchyard and 2 memorials in Wamphray.

Can't find him on SNWM or CWGC.

Fresh pair of eyes please?

\Paul
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Keptie



Joined: 24 Feb 2009
Posts: 937
Location: near Arbroath Angus

PostPosted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:34 am    Post subject: HLI query Reply with quote

Hi Paul

Had a quick look at the variations and there is

IRVING . A

Pte 2992 17th Bn HLI

death 9 Aug 1916

no next of kin

Cambrin Churchyard ext



The SCOTTISH NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL EDINBURGH CASTLE :

IRVING , ALEXANDER Pte 2992

Birth WAMPHRAY, DUMFRIESSHIRE
17th Bn HLI

death 9 August 1916

F & F theatre of war
===

I have not checked out the HLI on Soldiers died as I expect you will be able to find that

best wishes to you Paul


patrick w anderson



pat w anderson
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Keptie



Joined: 24 Feb 2009
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 12:15 pm    Post subject: HLI alexander Irving Harkness from Wamphray Dumfriesshire Reply with quote

Soldiers died in the Great War:

HLI 17th (Service )Bn (3rd Glasgow )

IRVING , ALEXANDER : Pte 2992

born Wamphray Dumfries shire

enlisted Glasgow

Kia 9 Aug 1916 F & F



I presume Wamphray is the same place as Newton Wamphray which is near Moffat ??

patrick w anderson
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, yes definately the man. I don't know why I never thought of him enlisting under his mother's maiden name. I guess he was underage at enlistment. Only 18 when he died in August 1916.

Yes Wamphray and Newton Wamphray are the same. Both names still in use today.

\Paul
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Adam Brown
Curator


Joined: 14 Dec 2006
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Location: Edinburgh (From Sutherland)

PostPosted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ah, Alexander Irving not Irving Harkness Embarassed

Thanks Pat

Cheers

Adam
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spoons



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PostPosted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

One memorial has him as Irving Harkness!

\Paul
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Keptie



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PostPosted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:51 pm    Post subject: Harkness Reply with quote

Paul & Alan

I did not find any mention of an alias on these indexes and as you said may have joined initially under age as he was only 18 when he was killed in action .


What does it say on the PRO medal roll ? What about his Military Will that will be held in Edinburgh ?

Pat

Patrick w anderson
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kinnethmont



Joined: 19 Dec 2006
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Location: Aberdeenshire

PostPosted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:11 pm    Post subject: Alexander Irving - HLI Reply with quote

His name to the Army was Alexander Irving and this is repeated by CWGC from that record.
His NOK have not supplied information to update the basic detail given by the Army.
His paybook will does not survive.
_________________
Jim

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

www.kinnethmont.co.uk
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ADP



Joined: 13 Jun 2008
Posts: 467
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

His April 1898 birth is registered as Alexander Irving, illegitimate son of Jane Irving (no father named). The middle name Harkness was added following his 1898 baptism (RCE dated September 1898). William Harkness and Jane Irving were registered as married in January 1914. Presumably he became known as Alexander Irving Harkness at that point.

Alexander's service return (nearest equivalent to death certificate) listed him as Alexander Irving.

In that era it was not uncommon for an illegitimate child to take the father's surname as a middle name, and then upon the parents' marriage to take on the father's surname, and move the mother's maiden surname to the middle name.

ADP
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for that ADP, all becomes clear. Keeps us on our toes though doesn't it?

\Paul
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Keptie



Joined: 24 Feb 2009
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:46 pm    Post subject: HLI Reply with quote

Thanks for that info ADP , good team work and a good result once again for all .

Pat w anderson
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JohnG



Joined: 24 Oct 2010
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Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:30 am    Post subject: Alexander Irving (Harkness) Reply with quote

Hi,

I was very interested in Alexander as he was my father's cousin and my father's sister is buried in the family plot at Wamphray. Was the request for info a general one or tracing family?

JohnG
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 11:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just idle curiosity really. I noticed at least one grave of a moderator of the church of Scotland at Wamphray and I wondered if this man might be related to James Harkness who also became moderator.

\Paul
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JohnG



Joined: 24 Oct 2010
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Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 8:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,

No relationship that I know about. If I turn anything up I'll post the info.
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