The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

jamiemcginlay · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 930 Location: Glasgow

Helensburgh - Dumbarton District Council
Helensburgh war memorial stands in Hermitage Park, Helensburgh.
Local historian Patricia Drayton told me that the memorial was designed by local architect Alexander Paterson who was responsible for several war memorials. Paterson got the idea for the design of a memorial garden with ornamental water from one the the 'Glasgow Boys' group of artists, James Whitelaw Hamilton, who was also a local man

The WWI names:

and the WWII names:

The lettering is worn so here are the names printed below
WWI:
Adam Andrew Private
Allan George M. Private
Allan John Private
Anderson George Private
Armstrong James Private
Bain Walter Private
Battison Walter Sergeant
Black James Private
Blaney Joseph Lance Corporal
Blaney Robert Private
Bonnar James C. Lieutenant
Boyce Connell Private
Boyle Neil Private
Brown Herbert B. Sergeant
Bryson Fife Trooper
Burdon Thomas R. Private Died 1915
Burns Lawrence Private Died 1914
Burns Patrick Private Died 1917
Cameron T. Private Died 1918
Cameron William Second Lieutenant Died 1918
Campbell Alexander Leading Seaman Died 1914
Campbell Angus Corporal Died 1917
Campbell Ian S. Corporal Died 1917
Campbell John F. Second Lieutenant Died 1917
Campbell Peter Lance Corporal Died 1915
Carson James Private Died 1916
Cavana Hugh Private Died 1918
Cavana Simon Private Died 1918
Cole Emily H. Nurse Female Died 1915 Royal Army Medical Corps ?
Comrie Alexander K. Private Died 1916
Copland Hugh Private Died 1918
Cunning John Private Died 1917
Cunningham John Sergeant Died 1917
Currie John E.H. Second Lieutenant Died 1915
Dempster William Private Died 1918
Dewar Peter Bombadier Died 1917
Dickson W. Fireman Died 1917
Docherty Thomas Private Died 1916
Dodds Charles H. Corporal Died 1918
Don J.G. Private Died 1917
Don James Private Died 1918
Donald William S. Private Died 1917
Donaldson J.A. Private Died 1915
Dorward David Private Died 1915
Drummond David Private Died 1915
Drummond James Private Died 1917
Duncan Harold F. Lieutenant Military Cross Died 1917
Easton W.W. Private Died 1919
Elliot John Private Died 1917
Elliot Thomas Private Died 1917
Ferguson Duncan Private Died 1918
Ferguson William P. Bombadier Died 1918
Fraser J. Ships Steward Royal Navy Merchant Navy ?
Gardner Norman Captain Died 1918
Garrity Michael Private Died 1916
Gibson James Second Lieutenant Died 1917
Gillies Murdoch Private Died 1917
Gillies William Private Died 1916
Gilmour David Private Died 1917
Graham Alva A. Private Died 1915
Graham James Private Died 1917
Graham John Corporal Died 1916
Hall D. Sydney Captain Military Cross Died 1917
Hall John Private Died 1918
Halsey Roderick Corporal Died 1916
Hamilton A. Leslie Lieutenant Died 1918
Harvey John G. Corporal Died 1915
Healey John Private Died 1916
Hewer Charles W. Lieutenant Died 1917
Hosie W. Private Died 1917
Howie Thomas Private Died 1916
Hughes J. Private Died 1918
Inglis William D. Private Died 1918
Jenkinson James Private Died 1918
Jones John Private Died 1918
Keith Harold J.M. Corporal Died 1915
Kelly James Private Died 1918
Kerr William Gunner Died 1917
Kidston William H.C. Captain Died 1917
King David M. Sergeant Died 1918
King Douglas R. Lieutenant Military Cross Died 1917
Laird Alexander Sergeant Died 1916
Law Charles J. Lieutenant Died 1917
Law James K. Captain Died 1917
Loan Hugh Private Died 1917
Lowrie Kenneth Corporal Died 1917
Lyle Hedley R. Second Lieutenant Died 1916
MacDonald J. Second Lieutenant Died 1918
Mackay George Lance Sergeant Died 1915
MacKay Murdo Lance Corporal Died 1918
MacKenzie John Private Died 1917
MacLachlan Donald Private Died 1916
MacLachlan Gordon Private Died 1915
MacLay James W. Lieutenant Died 1915
Marsland James F. Lieutenant Died 1915
McBryde Malcolm Private Died 1916
McClymont Frank Private Died 1917
McCormick E. Private Died 1919
McCready Thomas Private Died 1918
McDonald Brine Private Died 1918
McDonald Donald Private Died 1919
McDonald W. Private Died 1917
McDonald W.P. Private Died 1918
McDougall J. Lance Corporal Distinguished Cross Medal Died 1918
McDougall W. Private Died 1916
McFarlane John Driver Died 1915
McFarlane Peter Private Died 1918
McGeachy George Lance Corporal Died 1915
McGhee David Driver Died 1918
McGhee J. Private Died 1917
McGinlay T. Private Died 1917
McGregor Christopher Sergeant Died 1917
McHardy John Lance Corporal Military Medal Died 1917
McIlvane John B. Captain Reverend Died 1918 Religious
McInnes Duncan Lance Corporal Died 1918
McInnes Gilbert Lance Corporal Died 1918
McKechnie A. Private Died 1917
McKechnie John Private Died 1918
McKechnie Michael Private Died 1917
McKellar Archibald Private Died 1918
McKellar Hugh Private Died 1918
McKillop A. Private Died 1916
McKillop Archibald Sapper Died 1918 Royal Engineers ?
McLachlan A. Private Died 1919
McLaren W.B. Company Sergeant Major Died 1915
McLaughlin Hugh Private Died 1916
McLaughlin James Private Died 1917
McLennan J. Private Died 1917
McMillan D.S. Captain Died 1917
McMillan Dugald Private Died 1917
McNair Andrew Gunner Died 1918 Artillery ?
McShee A. Private Died 1917
McSkimming Vincent Private Died 1918
McWilliams Samuel Private Died 1916
Milne Alexander A. Private Died 1918
Milne Herbert W. Captain Died 1915
Milne William Private Died 1917
Morgan Dennis Private Died 1917
Mundie James A.B. Died 1916
Neil Robert Private Died 1919
Neish Alexander Gunner Died 1917 Artillery ?
Nicholl Alan H.S. Second Lieutenant Died 1918
Nicholson Peter G. Private Died 1917
O'Brien John Private Died 1915
Paterson Duncan Private Died 1915
Paterson Joseph Private Died 1914
Paterson Roy Private Died 1917
Paton John G. Private Died 1916
Pirret Edward Staff Sergeant Military Medal Died 1917
Pratt Joseph Private Died 1915
Proudfoot Thomas G. Corporal Died 1917
Rae John A.B. Died 1918
Raeburn Alfred A.D. Second Lieutenant Died 1916
Ramsay Frank L. E.R.A. Died 1915
Richardson Alex A.B. Died 1917
Robb R.G.C. Lieutenant Died 1915
Robertson David Private Died 1915
Robertson James Private Died 1916
Robertson Samuel L. Private Died 1915
Robertson William A. Corporal Died 1915
Robinson Harold R. Second Lieutenant Died 1918
Robley John P. Lieutenant Died 1915
Rock Patrick J. Private Died 1915
Rodger Mathew F. Lieutenant Died 1916
Ronald George H. Corporal Died 1919
Ross J.H. Gunner Died 1916
Russell William Lieutenant Died 1918
Sharkey Con. Private Died 1918
Sharkey Neil Sergeant Died 1917
Sillars George A. Second Lieutenant Died 1917
Sinclair William S. Major Died 1919
Smith Albert W. Private Died 1916
Smith E.C. Lance Corporal Died 1919
Smith Leslie P. Second Lieutenant Died 1915
Smith Malcolm Private Died 1915
Speirs James Private Died 1920
Spy Bruce C. Sergeant Military Medal Died 1918
Stark Harold Private Died 1915
Steven William H. Trooper Died 1915
Stewart A.L. Captain Died 1918
Stewart James Sergeant Died 1915
Stewart James R. Private Died 1915
Stone F. Seaman Died 1917
Sutherland James McF. Private Died 1919
Sweeney Edward Private Died 1918
Taylor Jack Private Died 1917
Thomson George E. Captain D.S.O. Died 1918
Thomson H. Private Died 1915
Thomson J. Private Died 1917
Thomson William Private Died 1918
Todd Hugh Sapper Died 1916 Royal Engineers ?
Ure Ian Captain Military Cross Died 1918
Ure William A. Lieutenant Died 1917
Walker George Bruce Lieutenant Died 1919
Walker William Lance Corporal Died 1916
Ward Daniel Private Died 1919
Watson J.H. Digby Sergeant ? Died 1914
Webster Harry Seaman Died 1917
Welsh Patrick Private Died 1916
White James A. Sergeant Died 1916
Wilson David Private Died 1918
Wilson John Second Air Mechanic Died 1918 Royal Air Force ?
Wright William M. Second Lieutenant Died 1918
Young G.W. Lieutenant Died 1918

WWII:
Adam J. L.A.C.
Aitken J. Steward
Allan G.P. Junior Corporal
Anderson A.W. Lance Corporal
Anderson W.T. Storekeeper
Andrews W.H.T. Pilot Officer
Antonelli A. Driver
Barr R. Flying Officer
Black H.F. Lance Corporal
Black W. Private
Boyle D. C.Q.M.S.
Brough G. Chief Engineer
Brown J. Private
Buchanan J. Private
Butler R. First Radio Officer
Cairns J. Lance Corporal
Caldwell J. Private
Callaghan J. Private
Campbell H. Gunner
Carrigan W. Leading Stoker
Cowap J. Sergeant
Crombie D.J.
Cruickshank J. Private
Davie D. Rifleman
Donaghy J.
Donnelly J. Lance Corporal
Duchan J.J. Corporal
Dunlop T.R. Flight Sergeant
Elsdon G. Sergeant
Evans A.J. Petty Officer
Falconer C. Sapper
Farquhar I.G. Leading Airman
Fee D.
Fee J. Lance Corporal
Fee M. A.T.S.
Forsyth D.C. Leading Stoker
Gallacher J. Corporal
Gallagher H. A.B.
Galloway P.J. Private
Gibson A.H.C. Pilot Officer
Gunning B. Stoker
Hamilton R.T. Corporal
Hamilton W.T. Gunner
Henderson J. Seaman
Henderson R.W. Flight Lieutenant
Hislop W. Private
Horn D.G. Lieutenant
Hosie I. Leading Bombadier
Hunt M. Private
Hynd D. Royal Navy
Kennedy R. Private
Kerr J.B. Second Lieutenant
Kidston A.A.O. Lieutenant
Lawson W.D. Bombadier
Lowrie C. Sergeant Air Gunner
McAlister B.F. Lieutenant
McAree J. Lieutenant
MacConnell J.L. Second Lieutenant
McConnell A.K. Driver
McCrindle E.J. Captain
MacDonald C. Gunner
McDonald D. Royal Navy Leading Stoker
McEwan J. Flight Sergeant Distinguished Flying Medal
MacFarlane C. Private
McGherrie J. Merchant Navy Second Officer
Mackie P. Royal Navy Stoker First Class
McKell N. Royal Navy Petty Officer
McKinlay J.A. Merchant Navy Second Officer
McLaren T. Fusilier
MacLellan A. Sapper
McLean A. Private
McNiff J. Private
McPhail W.S. Marine
MacPherson R. Sergeant Pilot
McShane D. Private
McWilliam F.O. Driver
Maltman J. Aircraftsman
Marshall W. Private
Martin J.A. Private
Milne G.M. Second Lieutenant
Monoghan T.
Muir J.R. Private
Muir W.W. Pupil Pilot
Omnet W.H.P. Sergeant Navigator
O'Keefe J. Merchant Navy Seaman
Orr W. Royal Navy Engineer Commander
Park A. Corporal
Polmont J.E. Royal Navy Lieutenant R.N.V.R.
Rice J. Gunner
Rodger R.B. Second Lieutenant
Sloan L.C.P. Second Lieutenant
Smith W. Private
Spence A. Intelligence Officer M.A.
Strang G.B. Flight Lieutenant
Taylor J. Gunner
Thomson C.D. Leading Air Craftsman
Tiernan E. Bombadier
Todd J. Merchant Navy Stewardess
Young W.M. Pilot Officer

jamiemcginlay · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 930 Location: Glasgow

These are the details of William Weir Cranston who is listed on my local memorial at Giffnock, near Glasgow. According to the Scotsman obituary, presumably written by his parents or other family, he was born in Helensburgh, although it looks like the family were well travelled and probably didn't remain long after the birth.
Cranston William Weir
CRANSTON, WILLIAM WEIR
Initials: W W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
Unit Text: 173rd Tunnelling Coy.
Age: 34
Date of Death: 18/12/1917
Additional information: Son of David and Marion Cranston, of 16, Belmont Drive, Giffnock, Glasgow.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. F. 39.
Cemetery: CANADA FARM CEMETERY

Ref. The Scotsman, 26/12/1917, p.3
'Lieut. William Weir Cranston, Royal Engineers (killed), was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. David Cranston, 16 Belmont Drive, Giffnock, near Glasgow, late of Shanghai. He was born in Helensburgh in 1883, and was educated in China, and also at Greenock Academy. He served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Robertson & Co., civil and mining engineers, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, and when war broke our he was filling an appointment on the Canadian Northern Railway. Coming home at Christmas 1914, he enlisted in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as a private, and a few weeks later was gazetted to the Royal Scots Fusiliers.'

Some basic information on the Royal Engineers 173rd Tunnelling Coy. can be viewed here:
http://www.1914-1918.net/tunnelcoyre.htm

DelBoy · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 4:29 pm Post subject: Cpl. Andrew Park

DelBoy · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 1:25 pm Post subject: Cpl. George Peat Allan

DelBoy · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:51 am Post subject: Flt.Lt. George Barrie Strang

DelBoy

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 2:54 pm Post subject:

Name: TODD, JANET .
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Chief Stewardess
Regiment/Service: Merchant Navy
Unit Text: S.S. Britannia (Glasgow)
Age: 51
Date of Death: 25/03/1941
Additional information: Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Todd, of Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 19.
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL
The liner SS Britannia. bound for Bombay via the Cape was attacked by German raider THOR 750miles west of Freetown and sunk with loss of 249 of the 492 crew/passenger aboard. A Spanish ship picked up one lifeboat with 63 people in it whilst another lifeboat with 38 on board eventually reached Brazil after 23 days.
_________________
Ken

DelBoy · Last edited by DelBoy on Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:22 am; edited 1 time in total

WW1
1915
Smith Leslie P. Second Lieutenant

(Glasgow Herald 9th March 1915)
"Suddenly at Lydd, Kent, on the 6th inst. Leslie Phillips Smith, in his 22nd year (Second Lieutenant R.G.A.) only son of F.P. Smith, Dungoyne, Helensburgh."

CWGC
SMITH, LESLIE PHILLIPS
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Date of Death: 06/03/1915
Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery
Grave Reference: North-East part near South-East Wall.
Cemetery: LYDD (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD

SNWM
Surname: SMITH
Firstname: Leslie Phillips
Date Death: 06/03/1915
SNWM roll: ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY
Rank: 2nd Lt

DelBoy · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 5:47 am Post subject: Pte. Duncan Paterson

WW1
1915
Pte. Duncan Paterson

C.E.F. Attestation docs.

(Glasgow Herald 1st April 1915)
"The news has been confirmed of the death of Private Paterson, am Helensburgh man, who was attached to the Cameron Highlanders of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was killed in the fighting at the front about a fortnight ago. He was a well known member of A Company of Volunteers, and was a crack shot. He leaves a widow and ix children in Canada. Private Patterson served with the colours throughout the Boer War."

CWGC
PATTERSON, D
Rank: Lance Corporal
Service No: 29293
Date of Death: 14/03/1915
Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry 16th Bn.
Grave Reference: I. N. 11.
Cemetery: RUE-PETILLON MILITARY CEMETERY, FLEURBAIX

SNWM
Surname: PATTERSON
Firstname: Duncan
Service Number: 29293
Date Death: 14/03/1915

DelBoy · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:35 am Post subject: Pte. Joseph Pratt

WW1
1915
Pte. Joseph Pratt

(Glasgow Herald 21st April 1915)
"Letters from several members of A (Helensburgh) Company, 1/9th A. and S.H., engaged at the front, state that Private Joseph Pratt, a member of the company, was killed on Wednesday last while engaged filling sand bags by a German sniper. Private Pratt was 20 years of age. He was the only son of Mrs McWilliams, Green House, 84 West Clyde Street, Helensburgh. He was an enthusiastic Territorial and attended the last two regimental camps. He was an apprentice shoemaker with Mr C.B. Ross, Sinclair Street, Helensburgh."

CWGC
PRATT, JOSEPH
Rank: Private
Service No: 1543
Date of Death: 13/04/1915
Age: 20
Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders "A" Coy. 1st/9th Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 42 and 44.
Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Son of Mrs. J. McWilliams, of 84, West Clyde St., Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire.

SNWM
Surname: PRATT
Firstname: Joseph
Service Number: 1543
Date Death: 13/04/1915
Place of birth: Helensburgh Dumbartons
Other: 1/9th Bn.
SNWM roll: THE ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS
Rank: Pte
Theatre of death: F.& F.

DelBoy · Posted: Sat Oct 19, 2013 1:09 pm Post subject: Cpl. William Archibald Robertson

WW1
1915
Cpl. William A. Robertson

(Glasgow Herald 28th May 1915)
"Corporal William Robertson, of the 2nd Black Watch, was killed at the front on the 9th inst., in a "gallant but unsuccessful attack." Corporal Robertson, who was 27 years of age, enlisted in the Scots Greys over five years ago, but sometime after he transferred to the Black Watch. He spent the greater period of his career as a soldier in India, and was promoted to Corporal a few months ago. His father, Mr Robertson, of Hopewell Cottage, Helensburgh, was well known to Clyde Travellers as an engineer on the North British boats. He retired two or three years ago."

CWGC
ROBERTSON, WILLIAM ARCHIBALD
Rank: Private
Service No: 1946
Date of Death: 09/05/1915
Regiment/Service: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) 2nd Bn.
Panel Reference: Panels 24 to 26.
Memorial: LE TOURET MEMORIAL

SNWM
Surname: ROBERTSON
Firstname: William Archibald
Service Number: 1946
Date Death: 09/05/1915
Place of birth: Burntisland
Other: 2nd Bn.
SNWM roll: THE BLACK WATCH (ROYAL HIGHLANDERS)
Rank: Pte
Theatre of death: F.& F.

DelBoy · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 10:44 pm Post subject: Cpl. Harold J. MacRae Keith

WW1
1915
Cpl. Harold J.M. Keith

(Glasgow Herald 5th July 1915)
"Messrs Stewarts and Lloyds (Limited), 41 Oswald Street, Glasgow, at the end of the week received the following cablegram from their Sydney office:-"Much regret, Harold Keith killed at Dardanelles. Please convey staff's sympathy to relatives." The cablegram refers to Corporal Harold Keith, No.4 Section, B Company, 4th Battalion 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Division of the Australian Imperial Force, who was a grandson of the late ex-Provost Bryson, Helensburgh. Corporal Keith, who was about 26 years of age, received his education in Hermitage Higher Grade School, Helensburgh. He afterwards entered the Glasgow office of Messrs Stewarts and Lloyds (Limited) where he remained til four years ago, when he was promoted, and transferred to the Sydney office of the firm."

Australian service papers.

CWGC
KEITH, HAROLD MACRAE
Rank: Corporal
Service No: 1105
Date of Death: 03/05/1915
Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F. 4th Bn.
Panel Reference: 21.
Memorial: LONE PINE MEMORIAL

SNWM
unlisted

anne park · Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2014 7:32 am Post subject: Francis McClymont

Francis McClymont Pte 9276 1st Gordon Highlanders b Helensburgh,Renf. 23/08/1885 e Glasgow Age 31 Killed in Action F & F 14/06/1917 Son of Peter & Agnes McClymont. 1891 Census: 33 Grant St; Helensburgh. Husband of Agnes Wardrop Hamilton. Arras Memorial M. R. 20 Panel 8 & 9
_________________
Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

anne park · Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2014 7:34 am Post subject: Andrew Adam

Andrew Alexander Cameron Adam Pte 41124 13th Royal Scots b Kinloss 25/01/1881 e Helensburgh Age 36 Killed in Action F & F 23/04/1917 Son of Andrew Adam & the late Mary Cameron, Meadowhillocks Farm, Burghead. B 1881. Occ: Apprentice Gardener. Morayshire Roll of Honour: Page 1: Occ Gardener. Living in Cummingston. Arras Memorial M. R. 20 Panel 1 & 2 Courant 25-05-17 1/1 Cummingston & Helensburgh
_________________
Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:43 pm Post subject:

From the Royal Bank of Canada's Roll of Honour

http://www.rbc.com/history/celebrating-our-history/in-remembrance/wwi-roll-of-honour.html

William Gillies
PRIVATE GILLIES, born at Alexandria, Scotland, on January 26, 1890. Home in Craigendoran, Helensburgh, Scotland. Served with the Union Bank of Scotland for more than four years. Joined Montreal, Quebec branch, November 11, 1909. Enlisted from Vancouver, British Columbia, East End branch, May 10, 1915, with the 29th Battalion. Killed in action at Dickebusch, April 30, 1916.