The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:18 pm Post subject: Cockburnspath, Berwickshire

Cockburnspath, Berwickshire
Location: Just off A1 at entrance to village.
OS REf: NT 776 711
Memorial Type: Cross

Adam

David McNay · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:07 pm Post subject:

Interesting recent addition of R Steel. Couldn't identify him on CWGC or SNWM. Anyone got any ideas about him?

john burnett · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 790 Location: Fife

Think this is him
Name: STEEL, ROBERT JOHN
Initials: R J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Date of Death: 29/10/1916
Service No: 202357
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 4 D.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

According to SDGW he was born in Cockburnspath, enlisted Edinburgh, residence Chirnside. Was formerly in Royal Scots (4046)

douglass · Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Haddington

Hi all,
just a note to say that Robert Steel was my grandfathers sisters son.
Very litltle is known of him, except the details as posted above.
He wasnt mentioned on any memorial in the U.K., so in 2003 I traced his relatives who were unaware that their father had a half brother.
As he was born in Cockburnspath, but resident of Chirnside we had a dilemma of what memorial should the inscription be put on if successful.
The council contacted Scottish Borders Council who made the relevant enquiries and was deemed that he should be put on the Cockburnspath Memorial which was done in November 2004.
I have checked all the local newspapers of the day and he isnt mentioned in the casualty lists etc so it appears that nothing is known of him which is a great pity.
I am forever scouring ebay, and family tree boards etc in the hope that something whether it will be information or medals/plaque will turn up.
i hope this is interesting to anyone who looks at the memorial.
I have started to compile a booklet about men from the Cockburnspath Parish who fought in the First World War which is comming along nicely except there are little photographic items of which i hope thru this someone somewhere will contact me with any information.
many thanks to all.
Douglas Steel

douglass · Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Haddington

There is a memorial tablet in the church yard at Cockburnspth about John Skeldon Grieve who was killed in. july 1916, which reads

IN MEMORY OF PRIVATE JOHN SKELDON GRIEVE 12TH BATT ROYAL SCOTS ONE OF THE FIRST TO VOLUNTEER IN THE GREAT WAR. KILLED IN ACTION ON THE SOMME JULY 8 1916

This is starting to erode as its made from sandstone, every time i look at it it seems to be getting worse, i have tried to trace any known relative but nothing to date. the council say they cant do anything without permission from relatives, im alwats tempted tp put sometype of clear glas/plastic cover over it but not sure what to do?, are there any historical memorial groups who aim to preserve memorials etc, i would gladly like any information on what can be done.
I can PM a photograph to anyone who wishes a look to see the damage and try to post a pic on this site but not sure if i have the correct software
many thanks
douglas steel

dhubthaigh · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:17 pm Post subject:

Douglas,

Thanks for the info. on Robert Steel, appreciated. Very interesting and great to see posts from those connected. Thats what the forum should be all about.

rgds.,
Mark

douglass · Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Haddington

In Memory on this day- Robert John Steel, Pte 202357, 5 th Scottish Rifles, Killed in action.
The following are extracts from the 5th Scottish Rifles History.
Attack to be made on Hazy Trench at 05.45hrs, the hour was not propitious, as the enemy was sure to be standing-to, and similar unsuccessful attempts had already been made at that hour. The element of surprise was to be achieved in this instance by dispensing with any barrage.
Attack was over in less than 30 minutes.
The moral of this isolated attack is that such affairs should not be worked out by the higher command without reference to the people on the spot. Had the battalion been consulted, the time of stand-to and manner of attack employed would not, it is almost certain, have been adopted.

Always thinking of you
Douglas Steel

douglass · Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Haddington

Hi all,
I am busy compiling a booklet about men fron the parish of cockburnspath area and have loads of information but very few on the photographs of the soldiers front. anyone that is willing to copy photographs will help speed this along and be very very much appreciated, even information would be very helpful as im sure i dont have everything.
please get in touch no matter how small the info is, always appreciated
douglas steel
douglassteel75@hotmail.com

Stewartry · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 274 Location: nr Nottingham

Name: GEDDES, GEORGE WATSON
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 11/04/1918
Service No: 40472
Additional information: Son of George Watson Geddes and Catherine Bryden Geddes, of Ramheugh Cottage, Cockburnspath, Berwickshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 5.
Memorial: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL

SDGW states formerly 4164 Royal Scots.

From Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser, 28 January 1916:
Mr George W. Geddes, British Linen Bank, Castle Douglas, has enlisted under Lord Derby's scheme, and has been attached to the 9th Royal Scots.

My files indicate that he was part of a draft from the 2/9th Royal Scots which embarked at Folkestone on 31 August 1916, arriving at Boulogne the same day. At 20 Infantry Base Depot, Etaples on 3 September 1916. Transferred (on paper) to 4th (Res) KOSB and to posted to 1st KOSB on 11 September; proceeded to join Bn two days later.

Douglas, if you are still researching these men, then I hope this is of interest.

Stuart
_________________
www.sonsofgalloway.org.uk
5th KOSB
Stewartry RoH
ATC Auchencairn book

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 9:54 am Post subject:

and his brother

Name: GEDDES, WILLIAM BRYDEN
Initials: W B
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Northumberland Fusiliers
Unit Text: 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Bn.
Secondary Regiment: Royal Engineers (176943)
Secondary Unit Text: formerly
Age: 31
Date of Death: 11/09/1917
Service No: 48079
Additional information: Son of George Watson Geddes and the late Catherine Brydon Geddes, of Ramheugh Cottage, Castle Dykes, Cockburnspath, Berwickshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

George is also listed on the Castle Douglas Memorial as
PTE. GEO.GEDDES, RS
_________________
Ken

Merseman · Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 332 Location: Duns, Berwickshire

The Scotsman, 2nd May 1921

COCKBURNSPATH - The memorial cross erected by the inhabitants of the parish of Cockburnspath, Berwickshire was unveiled on Saturday by Mrs Usher of Dunglass, when a large company was present. A short address was given prior to the unveiling by the Earl of Home.

The Buildings of Scotland - Borders, p174

War Memorial. 1920s. Celtic cross on a large inscribed base.

DelBoy · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:32 am Post subject: Memorial Transcription

THESE MEN OF
COCKSBURNPATH
PARISH AND
DUNGLASS ESTATE
LAID DOWN THIER
LIVES IN THE
GREAT WAR
1914 - 1919

THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE

G. Binnie
G. Brown
R.S. Buglass
T. Fairbairn
J.D. French
T. Gray
G.W. Geddes
W.B. Geddes
J.S. Grieve
J.J. Laing
A. Lauder
R. Litster
G.C. Lugton
D. McFarlane
J.C. Nelson
A. Oliver
R. Pearson
G. Paxton
J. Paxton
J.P. Paxton
G. Renton
A. Ritchie
A. Ritchie
H. Ross
J. Rutherford
R. Rutherford
J. Scambler
T. Scott
J.D. Shiell
J. Spiden
P. Stewart
A. Utterson
J.W. Walker
W.A. Watson
J.W. Wightman

(Addition)

R. Steel

DelBoy · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:41 am Post subject: Pte. Peter Stewart

WW1
P. Stewart

(Glasgow Herald 24th June 1915)
"Private Peter Stewart, of the 2nd King's Own Scottish Borderers, is reported as having been missing since April 23. He is the only son of Mr William Stewart, Blackburn, Grantshouse."

CWGC
STEWART, PETER
Rank: Private
Service No: 16825
Date of Death: 23/04/1915
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers 2nd Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 22.
Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

SNWM
Surname: STEWART
Forename: Peter
Rank: Pte
Service number: 16825
Place of birth: Cockburnspath Berwick
Date of death: 23 April 1915
Theatre of death: F&F
Cause of death: Killed in action
SNWM roll: THE KING'S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS
Other detail: 2nd Bn.

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

WMR 53468

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 3:26 pm Post subject:

JOHN and ROBERT RUTHERFORD were sons of Peter and Isabella (Johnston) Rutherford of Red Row, Cockburnspath.

ROBERT RUTHERFORD, Private (16669) 13th Battalion, Royal Scots. Age 23.
RAPERIE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLEMONTOIRE, Aisne, France.

His brother is named on the Kelso War Memorial in Roxburghshire as:

PTE. JOHN RUTHERFORD.
John Rutherford – age 37 – Private (20743) 15th Battalion (1st Edinburgh) Royal Scots.
Note: CWGC list him as 1/5th Battalion but his service record shows 15th.
John was a tailor in Kelso when he enlisted in February 1915. He was posted to 2nd Royal Scots in France in June 1915 but was wounded in March 1916 and treated at the 6th British Red Cross Hospital in Etaples before being evacuated to Brook War Hospital in Woolwich, London.
After he recovered he was posted to the 15th Royal Scots in November 1916.
Born 1880 in Cockburnspath, Berwickshire. Son of Peter and Isabella (Johnston) Rutherford, of Cockburnspath.
Husband of Mary Ellen Royce (Read) Rutherford of 22 The Square, Kelso who he married in 1911 in Kelso.
Killed in Action on 31 May 1917 and buried in Mindel Trench British Cemetery, St. Laurent-Blangy, France.
Also named on the memorial in Kelso North Church.
_________________
Ken