The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

David

I am not agreeing or disagreeing with you, but the the official record was supplied on his death by his wife. Right ( one assumes given the source it is ) or wrong it is the detail that has been used. If you can supply evidence of another death date / age from other sources fine, but we are left with DC as the primary source death record.
This is the official record of his death and the one that has been used, and the info on it given by his wife. One expects she knew his age, etc.
It could, of course be that the birth record is wrong, although unlikely. It is a pity that living relatives did not relate this query to CWGC when they were consulted recently during the erection of the headstone.

I would hardly consider enlistment age as a valid source? You must be aware, many misrepresented their age.
I have raised a query.

Of course, he was missing totally from any recognition before.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

David McNay · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 9:30 pm Post subject:

Absolutely, I'm not disputing that the age on his death certificate is the official age as that's a primary source, and I completely agree that the enlistment record is often incorrect.

The living relatives did not know very much about their ancestor - the surviving son of Gracie was only seven when his father died and his mother remarried, and so his children did not know much of their grandfather at all until we had made contact with him.

I will try and obtain the birth certificate.

apanderson · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:01 pm Post subject:

The fact that Theodore is now officially commemorated is far more important that his exact age - or is it just me who thinks that?

On the grand scale of things, it's doesn't matter a jot - for the sake of 18 months or so - he's now remembered for who he was and what he did, not what age he was when he enlisted or exact age when he died.

Ages and dates get quoted wrongly all the time for many reasons - so being able to get him remembered appropriately after all these years is a fantastic outcome whether he was 26, 28 or whatever.

(In my humble opinion of course).

Anne

mhomac · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 779 Location: South Lanarkshire

I know that age matters in some cases and to some people. From personal experience, when faced with questions at the time of a loved ones death, dates, ages and even places can become confused.

I am only too glad that Theodore Gracie's sacrifice has, at last, been formally recognised.

Can we let him rest in peace with his CWGC gravestone marking his final resting place.

Morag.

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

David McNay · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 8:31 am Post subject:

Okay, thanks.

mhomac · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 779 Location: South Lanarkshire

Not only has Theodore been recognised by CWGC and a headstone erected in Old Monkland cemetery but today I received this notification from SNWM

On the strength of what you kindly provided, I have added Theodore Byrne Gracie to the Master Roll. A copy of the extract is attached. The detail will, in due course be transferred to the web-site and to the printed Roll for Scots in Irish Regiments.

Finally, full recognition is given to another brave man.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 10:37 am Post subject:

Well done, Morag Smile

_________________
Ken

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 2:54 pm Post subject:

Great news. CWGC and SNWM both recording him.

A job well done.

Kind regards

Adam