The Scottish War Memorials Project

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 3:52 pm Post subject:

Another Victoria Cross winner on this memorial.

Name: TAIT, JAMES EDWARD
Initials: J E
Nationality: Canadian
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Unit Text: 78th Bn.
Age: 31
Date of Death: 11/08/1918
Awards: V C, M C
Additional information: Son of James Bryden Tait and Mary Johnstone Tait, of Maxwelltown, Scotland; husband of Jessie Spiers Aitken Tait, of 2440, El Camino Real, West Arcadia, California, U.S.A.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sp. Mem.
Cemetery: FOUQUESCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette", dated 24th Sept., 1918, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack. The advance having been checked by intense machine-gun fire, Lt. Tait rallied his company and led it forward with consummate skill and dash under a hail of bullets. A concealed machine gun, however, continued to cause many casualties. Taking a rifle and bayonet, Lt. Tait dashed forward alone and killed the enemy gunner. Inspired by his example his men rushed the position, capturing twelve machine guns and twenty prisoners. His valorous action cleared the way for his battalion to advance. Later, when the enemy counter-attacked our positions under intense artillery bombardment, this gallant officer displayed outstanding courage and leadership, and, though mortally wounded by a shell, continued to aid and direct his men until his death."
_________________
Ken

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 4:45 pm Post subject:

DelBoy · Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 11:31 pm Post subject:

Unveiled on Sunday 4th of June 1922.

Derek.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 8:37 am Post subject:

By one of those odd co-incidences I came across this postcard only this week.

_________________
Ken

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 1:30 pm Post subject: WW1 -ALPHA

The details of those listed on the memorial to the men of the Burgh of Maxwelltown and the Parish of Troqueer follows. as there are over 200 names it's going to take a little time and I'll have to post them in batches.
Lots of people have helped; Derek R, Derek (Delboy) Jim (IFTC), Mark, Paul and especially (again) Stuart. Thanks guys.
_________________
Ken

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 1:31 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

ALEXANDER, R. Q.M.S. CAMEL C.
Robert Alexander, Company Quartermaster Sergeant (T4/043616) Army Service Corps. attached to "S" Company, Camel Transport Corps. Age 34.
Born 1884 in Maybole, Ayrshire. Son of William Cochrane Alexander and of Jane (Muir) Alexander of 1 Corberry Ave Maxwelltown.
Killed in action 13 May 1918 and buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.

and his brother

ALEXANDER, W.M.C. PTE. GORDONS.
William Muir Cochrane Alexander, Private (S/7850) 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Age 25.
Born 1892 in Maybole, Ayrshire. Son of William Cochrane Alexander and of Jane (Muir) Alexander of 1 Corberry Ave Maxwelltown.
Died of wounds 19 March 1917 and buried in Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel, France.

ALLAN, ROBT. S. PTE. CAMERONS.
Robert Smith Allan, Private (S/13565) 7th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders. Age 23.
Born 1892 in Dumfries. Son of James and Marjorie (Smith) Allan of Maxwell St. Maxwelltown. Robert was a Postman in Dumfries.
Missing in action 25 September 1915 and listed on the Loos Memorial, France.

ALLAN, SAMUEL McT. PTE. KOSB.
Samuel McTear Allan, Private (34158) 1/5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 19.
Born 1899 in Dumfries. Son of Andrew and Susan (Gillespie) Allan of 34 Glasgow St. Maxwelltown. Samuel worked at Rosefield Mills when he enlisted in 1917.
Missing in action 29 July 1918 and listed on the Soissons Memorial, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 1:54 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

ANDERSON, RICHARD. PTE. KOSB.
Ricard Powell Anderson, Private (25119) Combined 7th/8th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 31.
Born 1885 in Edinburgh. Son of William Thomson Anderson and of Harriet (Foulner) Anderson of Bristo Place, Edinburgh. Husband of Bessie (Gibbs m.s. King) Anderson of 1 Nellieville Terrace, Troqueer Rd. Maxwelltown who he married in 1910 in Edinburgh.
Killed in action 9 April 1917 and buried in the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France.

ARMOUR, ROBERT M. PTE. KOSB.
Robert Merry Armour, Private (241124) 1/5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 24.
Born 1894 in Maxwelltown, Troqueer. Son of james and Helen (Hope) Armour of " Meninwood" Pleasance Ave. Maxwelltown. Robert was a linotype operator with a Dumfries newspaper when he enlisted in June 1915. He served at Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine. Wounded at Gaza he rejoined the battalion in France and was killed at Ypres.
Killed in action 10 October 1918 and buried in the Zantvoorde British Cemetery, Belgium.

AUSTIN, HENRY V. PTE. SEAFORTHS.
Henry Vicars Austin, Private (S/13530) 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. Age 29.
Born 1887 in Dundrennan, Rerrick, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of Henry Vicars Austin and of Helen (Carnochan) Austin of 3 Old Bridge St. Maxwelltown. Husband of Janet (Jardine) Austin of 14 Market St. and later of 30 Glasgow St. Maxwelltown who he married in 1914 in Dumfries.
Henry worked in Johnstone & Co. Aerated Water Manufacturer.
Missing in action 22 February 1917 and listed on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 2:13 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

AXSON, ALFRED. SGT. KOSB.
Alfred Axson, Segeant (240022) 1/5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 23.
Born 1894 in Dumfries. Son of Captain George Henry Axson, 5th KOSB and of Ellen Bell (Young) Axson of 7 Nellieville Terrace, Troqueer Rd. Maxwelltown.
Killed in action 8 November 1917 and buried in the Gaza War Cemetery, Palestine.

BANNERMAN, ERIC. 2nd LT. A&SH.
Eric Bannerman, 2nd Lieutenant, 1/8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Age 20.
Born 1897 in Edinburgh. Son of William and Jane or Jeannie Augusta (McKean) Bannerman of The Holm, Maxwelltown. Eric was a Law apprentice in his father's firm of solictors when he enlisted for officer training at the Inns of Court OTC in January 1916. He was commissioned in February 1917.
Killed in action 20 November 1917 and buried in the Ribecourt Road Cemetery, Trescault, France.

and his brother

BANNERMAN, ROBT. G. LT. RFA.
Robert Gilroy (Roy) Bannerman, Lieutenant, 157th (City of Aberdeen) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Age 21.
Born 1894 in Edinburgh. Son of William and Jane or Jeannie Augusta (McKean) Bannerman of The Holm, Maxwelltown. A member of Edinburgh University OTC he was commissioned as 2nd Lt. in June 1915. Promoted to Lt. in July 1916. He was killed near Montauban on the Somme.
Killed in action 25 July 1916 and buried in the Quarry Cemetery, Montauban, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 2:38 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

BARBOUR, HASTINGS. LT. RAF.
Hastings Duncan Barbour, Lieutenant, 102nd Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Age 18.
Born 1899 in Dumfries. Son of William and Annie Forbes (Duncan) Barbour of Castle Douglas Rd. Maxwelltown. Hastings worked in the Commercial Bank in Dumfries when he enlisted in April 1917.
Killed in action 21 October 1917 and buried in the Roeselare Communal Cemetery, Belgium.

BEAULY, WILLIAM. L/C. KOSB.
William Beauly, Lance Corporal (241175) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 39.
Born 1878 in Langholm, Dumfriesshire. Son of Thomas and Alexander Agent (Milroy) Beauly. Husband of Sarah Jane (McKie) Beauly of 1 Welldale Terrace, Maxwelltown.
Killed in action 15 May 1918 and buried in Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, France.

BELL, JOHN H. GUNNER RGA.
John Henry Bell, Gunner (121305) 319th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Age 22.
Born 1896 in Maxwelltown, Troqueer. Son of William and Agnes (Henry) Bell of 60 College St. Maxwelltown. John was a painter in Gretna when he enlisted in October 1916. He served at Vimy Ridge, Arras and Kemmel. He died in the 8th Stationary Hospital in Wimereaux.
Died of wounds 1 May 1918 and buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 2:58 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

BENNETT, JAS. PTE. KOSB.
James Bennett, Private (240445) 1/5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 23.
Born 1893 in Maxwelltown, Troqueer. Son of Thomas and Agnes (Laurie) Bennett of 21 Church St. Maxwelltown. James was a storekeeper at Ironhirst Peatworks in Dumfries when he enlisted. He was wounded at Gallipoli and evacuated to Malta before rejoining his battalion in Egypt.
Died of wounds received at Gaza on 23 April 1917 and buried in Deir el Belah War Cemetery, Palestine.

and his father,

BENNETT, THOMAS. PTE. KOSB.
Thomas Bennett, Private (311211) 2/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Formerly Private (240521) King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 54.
Born 1863 in Maxwelltown, Troqueer. Son of James and Janet (Boyle) Bennett. Husband of Agnes (Laurie) Bennett who he married in 1889 in Dumfries. Thomas was working with his son at Ironhirst Peatworks when he enlisted in September 1914. He served in Egypt and Palestine and was injured at Gaza. He was transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers in Cairo in August 1917 and was killed in a fall from his barracks.
Died on active service 8 September 1917 and buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

BENNETT, JOHN. PTE. SEAFORTHS.
John Bennett, Private (S/13008) 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. Age 23.
Born 1893 in Maxwelltown, Troqueer. Son of James and Jane (Douglas) Bennett of 37 Church St. Maxwelltown.
Missing in action 12 October 1916 and listed on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 3:18 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

BIGGAR, GEORGE. PTE. KOSB.
George Whithorn L. Biggar, Private (40799) 2nd Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Formerly Private (25396) King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 38.
Born 1878 in Penrith, Cumberland. Son of James and Mary (Brownridge)Biggar of the White Hart Stables in Dumfries where James was the Posting Master. Husband of Marion (Bryson) Biggar of 3 High St. Maxwelltown who he married in 1903 in Dumfries. George was a groom at the Posting establishment in Dumfries when he enlisted in July 1916.
Missing in action 26 February 1917 and listed on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

BIGGAR, WM.F. 2nd LT. WEST YORKS.
William Francis Wilson Biggar, 2nd Lieutenant, 10th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) Formerly Corporal (216536) Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) Age 26.
Born 1893 in Chorlton, Manchester. Son of William Wilson Biggar and of Frances Biggar of Victoria Rd. Maxwelltown. William worked for the Royal Insurance Co. in Dumfries and then Edinburgh where he enlisted in September 1914 in the 10th Hussars. He transferred to the 2nd Dragoons and then to the infantry in the West Riding Regt. He was commissioned in May 1917. Severely wounded near Arras in October 1917 he was evacuated to the UK. He had recovered from his wounds when he contracted influenza and died in the Military Hospital in Edinburgh Castle on 20 October 1918. He is buried in Troqueer Cemetery. (CWG)

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 3:39 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

BLACK, GEORGE. PTE. KOSB.
George Black, Private (7773) 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 36.
Born 1878 in Dumfries. Son of Jane Black. Husband of Wilhelmina (Gibson) Black of 20 David St. Maxwelltown. George was working as a slater when he enlisted in September 1914.
Missing in action 22 June 1915 and listed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

BLACK, JOHN M. L/C. RSF.
John Murray Black, Private (12262) Combined 6th/7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Age 25.
Born 1892 in Closeburn, Dumfriesshire. Son of John and Annie (Lind) Black of 1 Old Bridge St. Maxwelltown. Husband of Agnes (Reid) Black who he married in 1911 in Troqueer. John was a coal-miner in Old Cumnock, Ayrshire when he enlisted. He died in the No.37 Field Hospital.
Died of wounds 9 April 1917 and buried in the Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France.

BLACKLOCK, WM. 2nd LT. BLACK WATCH.
William Blacklock, 2nd. Lieutenant, 11th (Reserve Battalion) Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) Age 38.
Born 1877 in Troqueer. Son of James and Mary Elizabeth (Wannop) Blacklock. William was apprenticed in the stationery business before he emigrated to South Africa. Returning in 1910 he opened his own business in Dumfries. He enlisted in September 1914 in the Royal Scots and was commissioned in May 1915. He served with the Black Watch in Egypt and Salonica where he contracted dysentery. William died in hospital in Malta while being invalided home.
Died on active service 12 September 1916 and buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 3:59 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

BLAND, WILLIAM. PTE. KOSB.
William Bland, Private (29522) Combined 7th/8th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Formerly Private (2439) Lothian & Borders Horse Yeomanry. Age 19.
Born 1898 in Maxwelltown, Troqueer. Son of William and Mary (McClure) Bland of 4 Swanlea Terrace, Maxwelltown. William was a baker when he enlisted in November 1914.
Missing in action 9 April 1917 and listed on the Arras Memorial, France.

BORTHWICK, SAMUEL. PTE. S.R.
Samuel Borthwick, Private (14605) 11th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Age 36.
Born 1880 in Kirkton, Kirkmahoe, Dumfriesshire. Son of John and Janet (Steel) Borthwick. Husband of Isabella Margaret (Wallace) Borthwick of 14 Maxwell St. Maxwelltown who he married in 1915 in Dumfries. Samuel was a crane-driver at Kirkpatrick Fleming Quarries when he enlisted. He contracted Dysentery and died in the 4th Canadian Hospital.
Died on active service 25 June 1916 and is buried in the Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery. Greece. Also listed on the Kirkmahoe Parish War Memorial.

BROCKIE, JOHN. PTE. R.S.
John Brockie, Private (353401) 1/9th (Highlanders) Battalion, Royal Scots. Age 22.
Born 1896 in Peebles. Son of Alexander and Margaret (Kerr) Brockie of 10 Church St. Maxwelltown. John was working in Rosefield Mills when he enlisted in January 1915.
Died of wounds 6 August 1918 and buried in the Senlis French National Cemetery, France. Also listed (with his brother James) on the Peebles War Memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 4:24 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

BROWN, JOHN A. DRUMMER KOSB.
John Alexander Brown, Private (40159) Combined 7th/8th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 19.
Born 1897 in Dumfries. Son of Henry and Jessie (Kempsell) Brown of 2 Nellieville Terrace, Troqueer Rd. Maxwelltown. John was an apprentice engineer in Rosefield Mills when he enlisted in August 1914. He was killed on the Somme near Martinpauch.
Missing in action 15 September 1916 and listed on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

BRYDEN, PETER. PTE. KOSB.
Peter Bryden, Private (25581) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 36.
Born 1881 in Torthorwald, Dumfriesshire. Son of William and Annie (Black) Bryden. Husband of Maggie (Richardson) Bryden who he married in 1909 in Dumfries.
Died of wounds 20 April 1917 in the 13th Stationary Hospital and buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France.

BUCHANAN, HENRY N. PTE. HLI.
Henry Nicholson Buchanan, Private (38133) Combined 10th/11th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. Age 29.
Born 1888 in Lockerbie, Dryfesdale, Dumfriesshire. Son of James and Helen (Nicholson) Buchanan. Husband of Elizabeth Chambers Buchanan of 15 King St. Maxwelltown. Henry was employed in Lipton's the grocers in Dumfries when he enlisted in December 1916.
Died of wounds 21 November 1917 and buried in the Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, France.
Note: CWGC spell this name as Buchannan and it appears that way on a "family" gravestone in Dumfries (St. Michael's) Cemetery.

BURNS, THOMAS. PTE. RSF.
Thomas Burns, Private (17675) 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Age 22.
Born 1893 in Maxwelltown, Troqueer. Son of Thomas and Catherine (Cassidy) of 23 Church St. Maxwelltown.
Missing in action 25 September 1915 and listed on the Loos Memorial, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 1:26 pm Post subject: WW1 - ALPHA

CALLANDER, JAS. G. QMS. KOSB.
James Galloway Callander, Sergeant (9419) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Age 30.
Born 1886 in Maxwelltown, Troqueer. Son of George and Elizabeth (Galloway) Callander of Dumfries, Maxwelltown and Dalbeattie.
Killed in action 21 August 1915 and buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. Also listed on Dalbeattie War Memorial.
Jim's story can be found at: www.sonsofgalloway.org.uk/kosb/otherstories.shtml

CALLANDER, SAMUEL. PTE. RS.
Samuel Callander, Private (26568) 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots. Age 20.
Born 1897 in Maxwelltown, Troqueer.Son of Robert and Agnes (Wallace) Callander of Glasgow St. Maxwelltown. Samuel was a baker when he enlisted in September 1915.
Killed in action 20 May 1918 and buried in the Sandpits British Cemetery, Fouquereuil, France.