The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

MagsD · Joined: 10 Mar 2012 Posts: 171 Location: West Lothian

Hello All,

Any ideas about this man? He is commemorated on the Kirknewton and East Calder Memorial
http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=438

He is listed as serving in the Royal Garrison Artillery. Spelling of surname could be a problem. I found two men:
96267, Gunner James McLuskie, died 28/12/1916. Been looking for a link to the area as he was not local

53379, James E McCluskey, later transferred to 510148, Labour Corps. Looks as if this man was discharged.

Feel as if I can't see the wood for the trees. What am I missing?

Thanks
Mags

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 3:27 pm Post subject:

Mags - I've tried lots of permutations (including LUSK and selecting "anywhere" in the surname on SNWM) but I keep coming back to JAMES CURRAN McLUSKIE.
He's listed on the Balmaghie Parish War Memorial in Kirkcudbrightshire.

James Curran McLuskie – age 24 – Gunner (69267) 121st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.
Born 1892 at Balmaghie. (Source: GRoS – Birth Register)
Son of John and Agnes (Henry) McLuskie of Loop Cottage, Bridge of Dee, Balmaghie.
(Source: CWGC and family grave in Balmaghie Parish Churchyard)
Killed in Action – 28 December 1916.
Commonwealth War Grave – Quarry Cemetery, Montauban, Somme, France.
Also listed on the Roll of Honour in Balmaghie Parish Church and on the Rhonehouse School Roll of Honour, now in the Rhonehouse village hall.

He is still in the area in 1911, aged 18, and Soldiers Who Died in the Great War has him born in Balmaghie, Resident in Bridge of Dee BUT enlisting in Edinburgh.

Could be I'm clutching at straws here!!

I didn't find him in the local newspapers when I was researching but I will recheck.

Ken
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Ken

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

Hi Mags,

Ken is correct in pointing you to James Curran McLuskie. The Stewartry Observer, 11 January 1917, p4F, states, 'He was employed for five years with the Oakbank Oil Company at Mid Calder.'

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

MagsD · Joined: 10 Mar 2012 Posts: 171 Location: West Lothian

Well done, both of you.
I kept coming back to him, however didn't have any link to the Kirknewton area. That little piece of info about the Oakbank Oil Company is the link. I'll be able to have a look in the local paper re his death.
Apologies too, notice I had typed the service number in the wrong order.

Thanks again Ken and Stuart.

Mags, a very happy bunny!

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:06 pm Post subject:

Well done that man!

Mags - just for information on the school memorial and on the family grave the name is McCluskie.
http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/viewtopic.php?t=178
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Ken

MagsD · Joined: 10 Mar 2012 Posts: 171 Location: West Lothian

Thanks Ken