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AUCHTERTOOL
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john burnett



Joined: 29 Jan 2007
Posts: 790
Location: Fife

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:31 pm    Post subject: AUCHTERTOOL Reply with quote

Think this is a civic memorial although it is situated within the kirk.
Thanks to Stewart Glasson for the photograph.


Fifeshire Advertiser 19 November 1921
"Memoral Window at Auchtertool"
A beautiful ceremony took place on Sunday afternoon in Auchtertool Parish Church at the unveiling of a war memorial stained glass window.
Rev JSW Irvine minister of the church preached to a specially large congregation.
The unveiling was performed by Mr D Rolland, grieve at Linnhead Farm, who lost two sons in the war.
The subject of the window is "Crowning the Warrior", a kneeling soldier receiving a crown of laurel wreaths from a angel.
There are over 40 names on the memorial of men from the parish who fell in the war, including a large number from Cowdenbeath, a part of which is in the parish of Auchtertool.

(There are in fact 33 WW1 names)
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john burnett



Joined: 29 Jan 2007
Posts: 790
Location: Fife

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:39 pm    Post subject: Auchtertool Reply with quote

Names on window are
1914-1919
William Aird
William Aitken
John Anderson
Thomas Braid
John Brown
James Bruce
Kenneth Cormack
Robert Davidson
Ebenezer Duffy
Peter Fairgrieve
Andrew Glancy
David Grierson
Harry Griffiths
Andrew Guthrie
James Hardie
James Hardie
David Kellock
Thomas Norman MacLean
David MacKenzie
James A Robertson
John Redpath
James Robson
David Rolland
Robert Arnott Rolland
Alexander Scott
William AG Stevenson
James Thayne
Samuel H Turnbull
Livingstone Waugh
James Wilson
James Williamson
William Wood
Alexander Yates

1939-1945
Thomas J Fernie
John Rae
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Tom Lang



Joined: 09 Jun 2011
Posts: 80

PostPosted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:00 pm    Post subject: Captain William Alexander Gibb Stevenson, 14th Bn HLI Reply with quote

Captain William Alexander Gibb Stevenson, 14th Bn HLI.

CWGC
Name: STEVENSON, WILLIAM A. G.
Initials: W A G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry
Unit Text: 14th Bn.
Age: 28
Date of Death: 20/12/1917
Awards: Mentioned in Despatches
Additional information: Son of Mrs. I. W. Stevenson, of 4, Kinburn Place, St. Andrews, Fife, and the late Rev. W. Stevenson.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/ Memorial Reference: IV. F. 13.
Cemetery: VALENCIENNES (ST. ROCH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY

(Please note that this cemetery was held in German hands from the early days of WW1 until 1 - 2 Nov 1918. This is an implication that Captain Stevenson was a POW when he died.)

SNWM
Surname: STEVENSON
Firstname: William Alexander Gibb
Date Death: 20/12/1917
Other: 14th Bn. (in German hands)
SNWM roll: THE HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY
Rank: Capt

My grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14Bn HLI, was killed on 24 Apr 1917, at Villers-Plouich, France.

My grandmother received a letter from Captain W. G. Stevenson, 'B' Coy, 14th HLI, dated 11 May, 1917, conveying his sympathy, and describing the circumstances of my grandfather's death.

This letter is of great importance to me and my family, as an artifact of my family's connection to WW1.

I write this, in humble memory of both these men (and everyone else), and wish to convey my family's gratitude to Captain Stevenson and his family for the sympathy and humanity shown in his letter to my grandmother.

The letter describes the preparations for the attack on Villers-Plouich, France.

The letter is written in pencil and on both sides of a sheet of paper with the green box lines you used to get in primary school for arithmetic.

I also wish to convey my family's gratitude for those who have created, built and maintain this website.

I am honoured to share this letter (transcribed by my family) in the memory of this brave man:

France
11th May 1917

Dear Mrs. Lang,
I expect that you will have
received from the War Office news of your
husband’s death in action on the 24th
April last [No 37091 Pte Lang R.]
Please accept our very sincere sympathy
in your bereavement. I feel very
sorry that I have not been able to let
you know before now but have been
waiting for news confirming his death.
Your husband was
one of six orderlies who were asked
for from my company to act as
Brigade runners the night before the
attack took place & so far as I can
discover your husband he was killed
outright by a shell first before our
first wave went forward.
Your husband was one of the last draft
which came to my company & always
did his work well. Unfortunately there
have been many changes in the Company
among the officers recently what with

(End of front page)

(Back page)

some going off altogether, others going
on courses, so that your husband’s
platoon Commander has hardly had
time to make the acquaintance of the
new men.
This is a cruel War and daily all
the noblest and best are laying
down their lives in the cause of
freedom so there is consolation
to know that your husband died
a hero’s death at his post
doing his duty nobly to the last.
Should I have any
further word of your husband’s
place of burial which unfortunately
is unknown to us at present,
I shall let you know urgently,
Believe me.
Yours sincerely,
W.G Stevenson
Captain B coy 14th HLI
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.


Last edited by Tom Lang on Mon Oct 08, 2012 7:46 pm; edited 3 times in total
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Tom Lang



Joined: 09 Jun 2011
Posts: 80

PostPosted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Captain Stevenson is also commemorated on the 14th Bn HLI website at:
http://www.14hli.co.uk/died/stevensonwag.html
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.
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Tom Lang



Joined: 09 Jun 2011
Posts: 80

PostPosted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:33 pm    Post subject: Capt William Alexander Gibb Stevenson, 14th Bn HLI 'B' Coy. Reply with quote

I found this on the web at:
http://www.archive.org/details/rollofhonourroll00univ

There's a problem with the website right now, so Ill try to get a better description later.

(this is an exact cut'n'paste)

ROLL OF HONOUR «8

* William Alexander Gibh Stevenson, ALA. 1911,

Student in Divinity, 1911-14. Ca])tain, 14tii (Service)
Eattalion, The Hi^liland Light Infantry. l^orn
14th February 1889. XVounded at Canibrai, 25th
November 1917. Died a ])risoner in a German
Hospital, 20th December 1917. Mentioned in Sir
D. Haig's Despatches, 22nd December 1917.

Kindest Regards,
Tom Lang.
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.
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Tom Lang



Joined: 09 Jun 2011
Posts: 80

PostPosted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:52 pm    Post subject: Capt William Alexander Gibb Stevenson, 14th Bn HLI, 'B' Coy. Reply with quote

My translation:

ROLL OF HONOUR

* William Alexander Gibb Stevenson, ALA. 1911,

Student in Divinity, 1911-14. Captain, 14th (Service)
Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry. Born
14th February 1889. Wounded at Cambrai, 25th
November 1917. Died a prisoner in a German
Hospital, 20th December 1917. Mentioned in Sir
D. Haig's Despatches, 22nd December 1917.
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.
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Tom Lang



Joined: 09 Jun 2011
Posts: 80

PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:01 pm    Post subject: Capt William Alexander Gibb Stevenson, 14th Bn HLI 'B' Coy. Reply with quote

Captain Stevenson is listed in the University of St Andrews Roll of Honour and Roll of Service book:

[img]http://ia700401.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?[/img]

[img]http://ia700401.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?[/img]

We salute you Sir!
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.
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Tom Lang



Joined: 09 Jun 2011
Posts: 80

PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ooops... that didn't work too well.

The book is available online at:
http://www.archive.org/details/rollofhonourroll00univ

Sorry for my newbie efforts
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.
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Tom Lang



Joined: 09 Jun 2011
Posts: 80

PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ooops No 2...

Capt Stevenson's photograph is on the Roll of Honour page opposite page 22. He is described on page 23, and in the Roll of Service entry on page 102.

Kindest Regards,
Tom Lang.
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.
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Tom Lang



Joined: 09 Jun 2011
Posts: 80

PostPosted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:09 am    Post subject: Capt William Alexander Gibb Stevenson, 14th Bn HLI 'B' Coy. Reply with quote

Here is a link to the page on the Auchertool Church website, listing the names on the Memorial stained-glass window.

http://www.auchtertoolkirk.org.uk/articles/

Note that Captain Stevenson is the son of Rev. Stevenson, who served at the church.
Rev. Stevenson also wrote a book on the history of the church.

The entry on the church website for Captain Stevenson notes that there is a family plaque outside.

Is there someone close-by who would be able to visit the church and take some close-ups of the window and the plaque outside?

Kindest Regards,
Tom Lang.
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.
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john burnett



Joined: 29 Jan 2007
Posts: 790
Location: Fife

PostPosted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 7:00 pm    Post subject: Auchtertool Reply with quote

Thanks to Stewart Glasson for the photograph.

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Tom Lang



Joined: 09 Jun 2011
Posts: 80

PostPosted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 10:01 pm    Post subject: Capt William Alexander Gibb Stevenson, 14th Bn HLI Reply with quote

Many, many, grateful thanks to you John and your friend Stewart Glasson.
I'll add this photo to my 'dossier' on this officer.

Kindest Regards,
Tom Lang.
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.
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john burnett



Joined: 29 Jan 2007
Posts: 790
Location: Fife

PostPosted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 2:16 pm    Post subject: Auchtertool Reply with quote

Thanks to Stewart Glasson for the photographs.



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Tom Lang



Joined: 09 Jun 2011
Posts: 80

PostPosted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 4:23 pm    Post subject: Auchtertool Parish Church Reply with quote

To John and Stewart,

Thanks once again for these photos.

It is difficult to express my gratitutde. The words 'Thank You' are all I have.

Kindes Regards,
Tom Lang.
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.
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Tom Lang



Joined: 09 Jun 2011
Posts: 80

PostPosted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:18 pm    Post subject: Auchtertool Parish Church - Roll of Honour Reply with quote

Names on the list are:

(* signifies The Supreme Sacrifice)

(Left Column)
James Aird
* William Aird
David Aitken
* William Aitken
* John Anderson
Robert Arnott
Donald M. Ballingal
James Ballingal
James Bathgate
Andrew Bernard
John Bernard
James Bolan
Joseph Borthwick
David B. Braid
David Braid
* Thomas Braid
Robert Brough
George Brown
* John Brown
Peter Brown
* James Bruce
William Bruce
John Carmichael
William Clark
James Clusker
Henry H. Combes
* Kenneth Cormack
John Coutts
James Cumming
Andrew Daniels
James Davidson
* Robert Davidson
Andrew Davie
Robert Doig (Sen)
Robert Doig (Jun)
David Donaldson
* Ebenezer Duffy
George Duncan
James Duncan
John Edgar
* Peter Fairgrieve
Harry Farquharson
James Fernie
Thomas Fernie
David Finlay
Angus Finlayson
Robert Finlayson
John Flockhart

(Middle Column)
* Andrew Glancy
John W. A. Glendinning
David A. Glendinning
James Goodall
Peter Gorman
* David Grierson, M.M.
James Grierson
Robert Grierson
* Harry Griffiths
* Andrew Guthrie
* James Hardie
James Harvey
Joseph Hepburn
Stewart Herd
Oscar Hirstendahl
Alexander Hodges
Archibald Howden
Thomas Innes
James S. W. Irvine
John Keir
Andrew Kellock
* David Kellock
Forbes Kellock
John Kellock
Peter Kinnell
Dugald G. Livingstone
Victor H. Livingstone
Wiliam Livingston
James McAvoy
David MacDonald
William McIntyre
Charles MacKay
James R. MacKay
* David MacKenzie
Robert T. MacKie
James McLaughan
* Thomas MacLean
Peter McMartin
David Malcolm
Alexander Marshall
Robert Marshall
Edward Mill
Andrew Mitchell
John Mitchell
Frederick Morris
Andrew Moyes
William Moyes
David Murdoch
John Naysmith

(Right Column)
Richard Ramage
* John Redpath
Gordon Riddle
* James A. Robertson
Thomas Robertson
* James Robson
William Rodger
* David Rolland
* Robert A. Rolland
William Rolland
John Ronaldson
Alexander Russell
Peter Russell
James Rutherford
* Alexander Scott
John Scott
John Scott (Jun).
John P. Scott
James Seath
John Seath
James Sherriff
William Simpson
Alexander Smith
James Stanley
Alastair G. Stevenson
John W. Stevenson, M.C.
Robert Stevenson
* William G. Stevenson
James Stocks
Alexander Sturrock
* James Thayne
Donald Thomson
* Samuel H. Turnbull
William Turner
George Watson
James A. Watt
Alexander Waugh
* Livingstone Waugh
Robert Welsh
Andrew Wilkie
* James Williamson
* James Wilson
Walter Winning
William Winning
* William Wood
Neil Wyse
* Alexander Yates
William Young
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.
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