The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

mhomac · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 779 Location: South Lanarkshire

55.612880, -4.666260

Irvine Old Parish Church
47 Kirkgate
Irvine,
KA12 0DG

This is a magnificent Church full of history, memorials and stain glass windows. Well worth a visit.
Our thanks to Rev. Robert Travers for all his assistance and knowledge. Also to Session Clerk, David Whitelaw for allowing us to use his material from the Church website.

There are 2 large plaques on the outside walls of the Church. The names are listed by date and was compiled by the Minister of the Church, Rev. Henry Ranken, whose son died in service in 1914.
The plaques were paid for by the MP at that time, Hunter Weston.

Plaque 1

mhomac · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 779 Location: South Lanarkshire

The 4 sections of the first plaque.

mhomac · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 779 Location: South Lanarkshire

Plaque 2

mhomac · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 779 Location: South Lanarkshire

The 4 sections of the second plaque.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 7:44 pm Post subject:

The third name listed;
RANKEN, HARRY SHERWOOD.
Rank:Captain
Date of Death:25/09/1914
Age:31
Regiment/Service:Royal Army Medical Corps
Awards:V C.
Grave ReferenceA. 43.
CemeteryBRAINE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (France), for gallant conduct during the operations from 21st to 30th August 1914. Son of the Rev. Henry Ranken and Helen Morton Ranken, of The Manse, Irvine, Ayrshire. Native of Glasgow.

Victoria Cross Citation.
An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 28976, dated 13th Nov., 1914, records the following:-"For tending wounded in the trenches under rifle and shrapnel fire at Hautevesnes on 19th September and on 20th September continuing to attend to wounded after his thigh and leg had been shattered. (He has since died of wounds.)"

His biography and photograph are on the Glasgow University site at
http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/ww1-biography/?id=4508
_________________
Ken

mhomac · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 779 Location: South Lanarkshire

Thanks Ken.
We have further information and pictures to post including more about Harry Sherwood Ranken. Just takes time as I'm not too fast at uploading etc.
Best wished for the Festive Season.
Morag

mhomac · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 779 Location: South Lanarkshire

There is more information and pictures regarding Captain Harry Sherwood Ranken posted in Ayrshire - Individual Memorials.

Morag

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 12:58 pm Post subject:

I've just realised that this memorial is done in date of death order and with the full date listed. I've seen it before but it's not something I've seen before on a memorial with a long list of names. They've managed to put on a lot of infomation - date of death. rank and unit. It's very handy for anyone researching it.

Thanks

Adam

anne park · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 4:38 pm Post subject: John Reid 17 May 1915

John Reid Private S/8720 2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders b Irvine,Ayrshire e Glasgow Age 16 Died of Wounds Pas de Calais, France 17/05/1915 Son of Robert and Martha McIlroy Reid, of 25, Siemens St., Glasgow. Soldiers Will 3 Pages. Bethune Town Cemetery Fr 0080 Plot III Row D Grave 29 Evening Times 11-6-15 Page 3: Photo
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

anne park · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:25 am Post subject: Thomas Potts 25-9-1915

Thomas Potts Private S/9333 2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders b Dundonald,Ayrshire e Ayr Age 23 Killed in Action Pas de Calais, France 25/09/1915 Soldiers Effects: Father: Thomas. Loos Memorial M. R. 19 Panel 115 to 119 Evening Times 11-10-15 Page 6: Missing Irvine & Irvine Old Parish Church
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

anne park · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:29 am Post subject: Robert Mitchell 7-10-1915

Robert Mitchell Pte S/8740 8th Gordon Highlanders b Irvine,Ayrshire e Glasgow Killed in Action F&F 07/10/1915 Soldiers Effects: Father: Robert. Larch Wood (Railway Cutting) Cemetery, Zillebeke B 132 Plot III Row G Grave 03 Irvine & Irvine Old Parish Church
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

anne park · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:39 am Post subject: Matthew Struan Robertson 2-3-1916

Matthew Struan Robertson Capt 1st Gordon Highlanders Age 23 Killed in Action F & F 02/03/1916 Son of Matthew & Annie Robertson, Woodleigh, 9 Woodlands Rd; Darlington. Officers Book page 167. Will Probate date: 22 May 1916. La Clytte Military Cemetery, Reninghelst B 021 Plot I Row C Grave 23 Irvine & Irvine Old Parish Church
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

anne park · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:44 am Post subject: Robert Hislop Darroch 2-8-1917

Robert Hislop Darroch Serjeant S/3054 9th Bn. Gordon Highlanders b Lambhill,Lanarkshire e Motherwell Age 26 Died of Wounds West-Vlaanderen, Belgium 02/08/1917 Son of John and Isabella Darroch, of 13, Eglinton St., Irvine, Ayrshire. Born at Glasgow. Soldiers Effects: Mother: Isabella. Soldiers Will 4 Pages. Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery B 011 Plot XVII Row E Grave 02 Irvine & Irvine Old Parish Church
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

anne park · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:49 am Post subject: James Berry 6-12-1917

James Berry Pte S/40449 8th/10th Gordon Highlanders b Dundonald,Ayrshire e Irvine,Ayrshire Killed in Action F&F 06/12/1917 Soldiers Effects: Father Joseph. Arras Memorial M. R. 20 Panel 8 & 9
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

anne park · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:59 am Post subject: William Douglas 24-6-1918

William Douglas Pte 260251 1st Gordon Highlanders b Irvine,Ayrshire e Ayr Age 42 Died of Wounds F & F 24/06/1918 Formerly 278106 Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Soldiers Effects: Brother of Janet Wotherspoon, of 3, Bridgegate, Irvine, Ayrshire. Pernes British Cemetery Fr 0010 Plot V Row C Grave 21 Irvine & Irvine Old Parish Church
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.