The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Mike Morley · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 11:49 am Post subject: Lodge St Ninian, Newton Stewart

The Masonic Lodge in Newton Stewart is next door to the main Post Office. Apologies for the quality of the photographs: the room was very dark and the lights and camera flash produced so much glare as to make the pictures unreadable. Thanks to Ken Morrision for tipping me off about this one.

1914-1918
Sgt Inst John Axon
Sgt Wm Agnew
Pte Peter Biggam
Capt James Brand
Pte Wm Brown
Pte Joseph Craik
Pte Roslyn L Colam
Pte Gavin Callander
Qt Sgt Wm J Clements
Gunner Alexander Crawford
Sgt Gar Peter Crawford
Pte George Dunn
Driver James Donnan
Pte Norval Forteath
Piper John Ferguson
Pte James Finningham
Pte Albert James Gardner
Pte George Gouldson
Cpl Wm David Gow
Pte Wm Hodkinson
Sgt Wm Hunter
Sgt Alexander Kemp
Lieut James Kinna
Pte David Lang
Pte David Mair
Sgt Inst David Maule
Capt Robert Mair MC
Pte John Malcolm Jnr
Pte Robert McGeorge
Sgt Arch McMaster
Pte Graeme Mackie
Pte Wm McFadzean
Bomb Thomas McQuistan
Cpl James Nicholson
Pte Robert Picken
Pte Alexander Plunkett
Pte James A Prentice
Pte John Paterson
Pte James Ramsay
Officer John Rigg
Pte Albert Rowarth
Pte Malcolm Scott
Pte Hugh Solomon
Cpl Whalley Starkey
Pte Walter Turner
Lieut George Wallace
Sgt Wm Watson
Cpt Robert Watt
Bomb James Morrison

1939 - 1945

Flt Sgt Pilot S R Shaw

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:03 pm Post subject:

The WW2 man STUART RESSER SHAW is interesting in that he was a Canadian serving in 186 RAF Squadron when he was killed.
He is buried in Newton Stewart Cemetery.
http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/scottishwargraves-ftopic570.html

STUART RESSER SHAW – age 25 – Pilot Officer (J/19656) 186 (RAF) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force.
Born 1918 in Acadie, New Brunswick, Canada. Son of Frederick Murray Shaw and of Edith Marian (Dunlop) Shaw of St. George's Street, Moncton, New Brunswick. Husband of Catherine Agnes (McMeekin) Shaw of the Police Station House, Wigtown and of Newton Stewart who he married in 1942 in Penninghame.
Killed on Active Service – 29 December 1943.
Commonwealth War Grave – Newton Stewart Cemetery.
On 27 April 1943, 186 Squadron was formed at RAF Drem in East Lothian as a fighter-bomber squadron but did not receive its first Hawker Hurricanes until August by which time it had moved to RAF Ayr. In November 1943 it converted to Hawker Typhoons. Stuart was killed in a mid-air collision, crashing near Newhouse Farm, Beith, Ayrshire.
_________________
Ken

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2016 6:54 pm Post subject:

Re George Wallace.

Wigtownshire Free Press (30/8/1916): COMMISSIONS FOR WIGTOWNSHIRE MEN. George Wallce, Newton Stewart, has received a commission as Second Lieutenant in the Royal Defence Corps. Lieut Wallace commenced his military career in the London Scottish Rifles. On taking up residence in Newton Stewart 20 years ago he joined the Galloway Rifles. At the outbreak of war, Lieut Wallace was appointed to the 5th KOSB, No 1 Supernumerary Company. Early this year the authorities deemed it expedient to institute the Royal Defence Corps, and all supernumerary companies were brought under the new formation. Lieut Wallace, on transfer to this corps, was promoted to warrant rank, and performed the responsible duties of Quatermaster Sergeant. The No 1 Supernumerary Company 5th Royal Scots Fusiliers was transferred and amalgamated with the KOSB Company, and placed under the command of Captain James Brand [Note: also on the RoH], who, prior to entering on service, was the county sanitary inspector.

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2016 7:09 pm Post subject:

Name: FINNINGHAM, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Fusiliers, 6th/7th Bn
Service Number: 34921
Date of Death: 11/4/1917
Panel Reference: Bay 5
Memorial: Arras Memorial

James Finninghame was born on 10/10/1880 at 9 Queen Street, Newton Stewart, the son of William Finninghame, hewer (journeyman), and Joan Finninghame, nee McGarva. (GRoS, via Scotland's People)
1881 Penninghame Census: 9 Queen Street: James Finningham (2 months, born Newton Stewart), with father, William Finningham aged 31; mother Jane Finninghame, 35; + 1 brother and 2 sisters. (Ancestry)
1891 Penninghame Census: 9 Queen Street: James Finninghame (10, born Newton Stewart), with father, William Finninghame, 41, stone hewer; mother, Jane Fenninghame, + 2 brothers and 2 sisters. (Ancestry)
1901 Kirkmabreck Census: Church Street, Creetown: James Finningham, 24 born Newton Stewart, butcher's assistant, boarding with the Welsh family. (Ancestry)
Soldiers who died in the Great War: James Finningham. Born: Penninghame. Enlisted: Newton Stewart. Rank: Private. Regiment: 6/7th Bn, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Regimental Number: 34921. Died 11/4/1917, France & Flanders.
Register of Soldiers' Effects: James Finningham. 6/7 R S Fus, Pte 34921. Died 11/4/1917 (on or since) presumed dead. £2 17s 10d paid on 3/6/1918 to his widow Elizabeth H, the sole legatee and War Gratuity of £3 to the same on 3/11/1919.
Wigtownshire Free Press (24/5/1917): Private J Finningham, who was a butcher in Newton Stewart, and afterwards Wigtown, is officially reported missing.
Wigtownshire Free Press (28/2/1918): Mrs James Finningham, Queen Street, Newton Stewart, whose husband, Private James Finningham, RSF, has been missing since 11 April 1917, has received notice from the Secretary of State for War stating that, as no information can be got regarding him, they are regretfully constrained to conclude that his death took place on that date. Pte Finningham was the second son of Mrs W Finningham, flesher, with whom he was employed prior to enlisting.

Mike Morley · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 7:20 pm Post subject:

Military Cross awarded to Robert Mair. Interesting unit he served with - 1st King George's Own Sappers and Miners, Indian Army. Wigtownshire Free Press (28/12/1916):

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

This is now WMR, ex UKNIWM, report 71899

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2018 7:44 pm Post subject:

As far as I can tell this man is not named on any other local memorial.

LIEUT. JAMES KINNA.

JAMES ECKERSLEY KINNA, Military Cross – age 27 – Lieutenant: 16th Battalion (2nd Salford), Lancashire Fusiliers.
James enlisted as Private (1974) in the 1/9th (Highlanders) Battalion, Royal Scots in August 1914 and landed with his battalion at Le Havre in February 1915. He was promoted to temp. 2nd Lieutenant in January 1916 and to Lieutenant in July 1917.
His award of the M.C. was announced in the London Gazette 23/6/1916 and 25/7/1916.
“Temp. 2nd Lt. James Eckersley Kinna, 11th Bn., Lan. Fus. When in command of an assaulting party 2nd Lt. Kinna showed conspicuous courage and initiation in leading his men and repelling counter-attacks. By his cheerfulness and confidence he inspired his men in critical situations.”

In May 1917 he was admitted to hospital with mental health problems. He returned to his battalion but within days he shot himself in the head. James died in the St John's Ambulance Brigade Hospital in Etaples.
Born 1889 in Riverstead, Creebridge, Minnigaff, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of the late James Green Kinna of Masonfield, Creebridge and later of Manchester, and of Mary Jane (Hannah) Kinna of 40 Bignor Street, Cheetham, Manchester and of Lyndhurst Gardens, Finchley, London.
Died of Wounds on 12 September 1917 and buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France.
Named on the war memorial at St. John the Evangelist Church, Cheetham Hill, Manchester.
_________________
Ken

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

Since November 2016 the redundant St John the Evangelist Church, Cheetham Hill has been known as the New Testament Church of God Faith Tabernacle, if anyone is looking for the church