The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

andrew pugh · Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 6

Good Morning
I am new to this forum and this is my first post, and would like some information regarding Thomas Houston MM and bar. I would like to try and find out if he is commemorated on a memorial of some kind in Scotland. He served with the 2nd Battalion H.L.I his service number is 10892 and he was killed on the 24/03/1918.He came from Shettleston.He is listed on the Arras Memorial in France
Hope someone can help,

Kind Regards Andy.

David McNay · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 6:50 am Post subject:

He is not listed on the Roll of Honour for the City of Glasgow. I also had a look for any churches in Shettleston we have here, but didn't see his name listed.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 10:08 am Post subject:

The London Gazette
Publication date:16 February 1917 Supplement:29953Page:1758
The undermentioned have been awarded a Bar to their Military Medal:
......10892 Cpl. T. Houston, High. L.I.
198115 Sapper F. Pooock, R.E.
9634 Cpl. F. Potter, R.F.A.
17192 Sjt. C. F. Russell, M.G. Corps.
(The awards of the Military Medal abovementioned were published in the London Gazette dated 14th September, 1916.)
[Publication date:12 September 1916 Supplement:29749Page:9001]

Medal card of Houston, Thomas
Highland Light Infantry 10892 Private
Highland Light Infantry 10892 Corporal

Andy - Welcome to the Forum.
There is a Thomas Houston on the Eastbank Church memorial but, as there is no mention of his MM and Bar, I suspect that this is the Cameron Highlander who is listed in the Glasgow Roll of Honour rather than your man.
[HOUSTON Thomas Private Cameron Highlanders Shettleston]

http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=5297&highlight=houston
_________________
Ken

andrew pugh · Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 6

The reason I have made an inquiry is this, while researching my Gt Uncle who was a Royal Fusilier I came across an unknown Private of the H.L.I who was found at the same small mass grave where my Great Uncle was found. I researched the Unknown H.L.I Private who is buried in Bancourt British Cemetery France. On a list that was given to me by the C.W.G.C it lists what was found on this mans remains, it states that he had the ribbon for the Mons Star and the ribbon for the MM on his tunic, I felt that I should research him and to cut a long story short I have found him he is Corporal Thomas Houston of the 2nd Battalion H.L.I killed on the 24/03/1918. The C.W.G.C agree that I am right and it is now in the hands of the MOD for the final decision they tend to always agree with the C.W.G.C. I would now like to try and find if there are any living relatives. He had 4 sisters. So I will be asking for some further information about them.It took me about 8 years to find him so we can soon put a name to his headstone.
Kind Regards Andy

spoons · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 6:56 pm Post subject:

What a great story, congratulations.

\Paul

tanyagar · Joined: 01 Sep 2013 Posts: 121 Location: France

Yes, well done there!
tanyagar

andrew pugh · Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 6

Hi Paul.
What i am trying to do now is try and find out if and when any of his sisters got married and had children who will be alive now.Their names were as follows.
In 1901 the family were living at 206 Westmuir Street, Parkhead
Father John Houston born 1861,Mother Susan Houston (Sweeney) Born 1863. Son Thomas Houston Born 1889,Daughter,Susan Houston Born 1891, Daughter Lizzie Houston Born 1893, Daughter Annie Houston Born 1894, Daughter Jeanie Houston Born 1898. I cannot find any trace of them after the 1901 Census.
I have a copy of his Army Will signed in 1916 leaving all his effects to his mother in the event of his death I think she was living in Wellshot Buildings where ever that is.Any tips where to start on this research. I am not a local person I live in Suffolk,East Anglia. Hope someone can help as it would be nice to let any living family member know about their Relative Thomas Houston MM
Kind Regards Andy

spoons · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 8:37 pm Post subject:

Well I don't think you could have timed this better - three new guides just made available yesterday http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=8781

I think I would try and find him in the 1911 census (available through Scotlands People) and then identify the local newspaper for the area and the local primary and secondary schools. Letters to all 3 might produce some results - a lot of local schools are now getting involved in researching their local history from WW1. If you can tie him to Shettleston, there is an ACF unit on Killin St and they might take up the challenge.

Again, good luck

\Paul

andrew pugh · Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 6

Hi Again Paul.
If Corporal Thomas Houston is not commemorated on his local memorial how do I start the process of trying to get his name recorded on a memorial? which he dearly deserves.The other difficult thing about tracing his sisters and their families is that their surname would have changed, probably been easier if he had brothers.

Regards Andy

jrah60 · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 9:25 pm Post subject:

Hi Andy,

From scotlandspeople
1944 HOUSTON SUSAN SWEENEY F 77 SHETTLESTON GLASGOW CITY/LANARK 644/01 0169

Susan Houston (Widow) died 10th March 1944 at 872 Shettleston Road.
Her death was witnessed by her daughter Elizabeth Mitchell.

John

spoons · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 9:35 pm Post subject:

sent Andy a PM

\Paul

Theletterwriter · Joined: 25 Nov 2010 Posts: 45 Location: East Kilbride

Andy

Wellshot Road forms a junction with Shettleston Road so his mother was still living in the area at the time of Thomas' death.

Douglas

[quote="andrew pugh"]Hi Paul.
What i am trying to do now is try and find out if and when any of his sisters got married and had children who will be alive now.Their names were as follows.
In 1901 the family were living at 206 Westmuir Street, Parkhead
Father John Houston born 1861,Mother Susan Houston (Sweeney) Born 1863. Son Thomas Houston Born 1889,Daughter,Susan Houston Born 1891, Daughter Lizzie Houston Born 1893, Daughter Annie Houston Born 1894, Daughter Jeanie Houston Born 1898. I cannot find any trace of them after the 1901 Census.
I have a copy of his Army Will signed in 1916 leaving all his effects to his mother in the event of his death I think she was living in Wellshot Buildings where ever that is.Any tips where to start on this research. I am not a local person I live in Suffolk,East Anglia. Hope someone can help as it would be nice to let any living family member know about their Relative Thomas Houston MM
Kind Regards Andy[/quote]

andrew pugh · Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 6

Hi Folks.
Thank you all for your replies on Thomas Houston MM. I would like to try and find out if he has any living members of family, I think that's going to be a hard task as all he had was 4 sisters, but I will keep trying.Once again thank you all.

Kind Regards Andy p/s Any help would be most welcome

andrew pugh · Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 6

Hi All
Just thought I would let you all know that my evidence for the identification of Thomas Houston has been accepted by the MOD and the process of replacing his old headstone with a new one with his name on it has started.I have also been in contact with his family. I would like to thank everyone who helped with information concerning Thomas Houston.

Regards Andy

spoons · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 7:53 pm Post subject:

Congratulations Andy, what a great story - I hope you consider contacting the local press. If they are anything like my local paper, they just love stories like this.

\Paul