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St Georges United Free Church WW1, Castle Douglas

 
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 4991
Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 7:44 pm    Post subject: St Georges United Free Church WW1, Castle Douglas Reply with quote

Not listed on UKNIWM

This is one of six church memorials now to be found in Castle Douglas Parish Church at OS Map Ref: NX 765 622. There is no corresponding WW2 memorial.

Names:
JOHN BROWN
JOHN M DALRYMPLE
ARTHUR FITTON
DUNCAN M KERR
ROBERT F KERR
GEORGE LIVINGSTON
ADAM McWILLIAM
JAMES McWILLIAM
JAMES MILROY
ROBERT RAE

The McWilliams were brothers. John M Dalrymple served with 363rd USA Inf. John Brown and Arthur Fitton I will have to leave for someone else to identify.

Name: MILROY, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Date of Death: 23/10/1918
Service No: S/17065
Awards: D C M
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 10.
Memorial: VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL

Name: KERR, ROBERT FREEBAIRN
Initials: R F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots
Unit Text: Depot
Age: 19
Date of Death: 18/04/1918
Service No: 202340
Additional information: Son of John Kerr, of 79, King St., Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire. Born at Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: O. 163.
Cemetery: VALE OF LEVEN (or BONHILL) CEMETERY

Name: KERR (not sure what his connection is with the area but the regiment agrees with the Castle Douglas memorial)
Initials: D Mc A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Date of Death: 13/02/1915
Service No: 942
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: O. 162.
Cemetery: VALE OF LEVEN (or BONHILL) CEMETERY

Name: LIVINGSTON, GEORGE
Initials: G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 6th Bn.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 27/03/1918
Service No: 32322
Additional information: Son of the late George and Lucy E. Livingston, of 75, King St., Castle Douglas, Kircudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 37.
Memorial: POZIERES MEMORIAL

Name: RAE, ROBERT
Initials: R
Nationality: Australian
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
Unit Text: 44th Bn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 06/10/1917
Service No: 63
Additional information: Son of Alexander and Margaret Rae, 114, Queen Street, Castle Douglas, Scotland.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. E. 12.
Cemetery: NINE ELMS BRITISH CEMETERY

Name: McWILLIAM, ADAM
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Corporal
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 6th Bn.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 13/10/1917
Service No: 10604
Additional information: Son of John McWilliam, of Gelston, Castle Douglas.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 66 to 68.
Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL

Name: McWILLIAM, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 1st/5th Bn.
Age: 30
Date of Death: 29/07/1918
Service No: 240382
Additional information: Son of John McWilliam, of Gelston, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: SOISSONS MEMORIAL



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Stewartry



Joined: 19 Dec 2006
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 6:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lance Corporal Duncan McArthur Kerr was an elder brother of Robert Freebairn Kerr. The family were from the Dumbarton area, but had moved to Castle Douglas.

Duncan was accidentally killed while on coastal defence duties on the Forth with the 5th KOSB (before the battalion was assigned for service overseas). Robert was wounded on 10th April 1918 and operated on in France. At first it was thought that the operation was a success, but his condition deteriorated and he was evacuated to a hospital in Southampton but died 12 hours after his admittance.

These two brothers are one of several instances where only one deceased man from the same family has additional details supplied to the CWGC. I don't really understand how this situation would have arisen.
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Stewartry



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PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 6:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Arthur Fitton:
Name: FITTON, BENJAMIN ARTHUR
Rank: Airman 2nd Class
Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps
Unit Text: Training Centre
Date of Death: 17/02/1916
Service No: 17729
Grave/Memorial Reference: 1222.
Cemetery: CURRAGH MILITARY CEMETERY

Arthur died of fever while in training. He was originally from Malton, Yorkshire.
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Stewartry



Joined: 19 Dec 2006
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 6:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Although a common name, this John Brown is most probably:

Name: BROWN, JOHN
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Date of Death: 01/04/1917
Service No: 40780
Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 4 D.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

From Castle Douglas. Originally KOSB, but transferred to Scottish Rifles. Killed at Agincourt-le-Bas.
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Kenneth Morrison



Joined: 29 Sep 2008
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Location: Rockcliffe Dalbeattie

PostPosted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 9:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

John Brown – age 36 – Private (40780) 2nd Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
John was a butcher when he enlisted as Private (25115) in the KOSB in June 1916. He was posted to the Scottish Rifles in France in September 1916. John was reported to have been accidentally killed at Aziecourt le Bas near Peronne and buried in Tincourt British Cemetery.
Born 1882 at Castle Douglas in Kelton parish. Son of John and Jessie (Kirkpatrick) Brown of the Railway Station, Castle Douglas.
Husband of Lizzie (Alexander) Brown of 82 Queen Street, Castle Douglas who he married in 1911 in Edinburgh.
Accidentally Killed on 1 April 1917 and named on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Tincourt village, near Peronne, was occupied by British troops in March 1917, during the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. On the 23rd March, 1918, it was evacuated and recovered, in a ruined condition, about the 6th September. It may be that John's grave was lost during this time.
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Adam Brown
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Location: Edinburgh (From Sutherland)

PostPosted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 8:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kenneth Morrison wrote:

On the 23rd March, 1918, it was evacuated and recovered, in a ruined condition, about the 6th September. It may be that John's grave was lost during this time.


Many Somme cemeteries from 1916 were fought over and destroyed in 1918.

Adam
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Kenneth Morrison



Joined: 29 Sep 2008
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Location: Rockcliffe Dalbeattie

PostPosted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 1:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Stewartry wrote:
Arthur Fitton:
Name: FITTON, BENJAMIN ARTHUR
Rank: Airman 2nd Class
Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps
Unit Text: Training Centre
Date of Death: 17/02/1916
Service No: 17729
Grave/Memorial Reference: 1222.
Cemetery: CURRAGH MILITARY CEMETERY

Arthur died of fever while in training. He was originally from Malton, Yorkshire.


Benjamin Arthur Fitton – age 24 – Airman 2nd Class (17729) Training Centre, Royal Flying Corps.
Arthur had for a number of years been a reporter at the Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser office in Castle Douglas and was secretary of the local YMCA. After two previously unsuccessful attempts to enlist, due to bad eyesight, he enlisted in the RFC and joined photographers department of the RFC in January 1916. He had just completed his training as an Observer Photographer when he contracted cerebro-spinal meningitis and died in the Curragh Camp Military Hospital near Dublin.
Born 1891 at Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
Son of ? The Stewartry RoH gives an address of Mount Terrace, Malton, Yorkshire.
He named his next-of-kin as James Hobson Fitton of 8 Hillside Avenue, New Southgate, Middlesex.
Died on service on 17 February 1916 and buried in Curragh Military Cemetery, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
Also named on the Castle Douglas War Memorial.
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Kenneth Morrison



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PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 3:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Stewartry wrote:
Lance Corporal Duncan McArthur Kerr was an elder brother of Robert Freebairn Kerr. The family were from the Dumbarton area, but had moved to Castle Douglas.

Duncan was accidentally killed while on coastal defence duties on the Forth with the 5th KOSB (before the battalion was assigned for service overseas). Robert was wounded on 10th April 1918 and operated on in France. At first it was thought that the operation was a success, but his condition deteriorated and he was evacuated to a hospital in Southampton but died 12 hours after his admittance.

These two brothers are one of several instances where only one deceased man from the same family has additional details supplied to the CWGC. I don't really understand how this situation would have arisen.


Duncan McArthur Kerr – age 19 – Lance Corporal (942) 1/5th Battalion (Dumfries and Galloway) King's Own Scottish Borderers.
As a member of the Territorials, Duncan had been mobilised in August 1914. He was accidentally killed while on coastal defence duties on the Firth of Forth. On the night of 2 February 1915 a sentry saw a man behaving suspiciously on the beach at Inverkeithing, Fife. When challenged he ran off. Corporal Kerr, as guard commander, and other soldiers conducted a search during which one of the men slipped on seaweed and dropped his rifle which discharged and wounded Corporal Kerr. He was taken to Craigleith Military Hospital in Edinburgh where he later died.
Born 1895 at Bonhill, Dunbartonshire. Son of John Kerr (Prudential Insurance Superintendent) and of Margaret (McArthur) Kerr of 18 Oakwell Road and then King Street, Castle Douglas.
Accidentally Killed on 13 February 1915 and buried in Vale of Leven (or Bonhill) Cemetery, Dunbartonshire. (CWG)
Also named on the Castle Douglas War Memorial.


Robert Freebairn Kerr – age 19 – Private (202340) Depot, Royal Scots.
Robert was an apprentice grocer when he enlisted as Driver (4358) in the 2nd Kirkcudbrightshire Battery, Royal Field Artillery in October 1914. He claimed to be 17years and 7 months old but was 15years and 7 months. He was transferred to the 33rd Reserve Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers in June 1916 and to the 4th Reserve Battalion of the Royal Scots in July 1917. He was posted to the 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots in France on 19 March 1918 and was wounded on 11 April. He was operated on in the 7th Canadian General Hospital in Etaples before being evacuated to hospital in Southampton but died on the following day of his wounds and gas gangrene.
Born 1899 at Rhu, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire. Son of John Kerr (Prudential Insurance Superintendent) and of Margaret (McArthur) Kerr of 18 Oakwell Road and then of King Street, Castle Douglas.
Died of Wounds on 18 April 1918 and buried in Vale of Leven (or Bonhill) Cemetery, Dunbartonshire. (CWG)
Also named on the Castle Douglas War Memorial.

The family grave is at http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/scottishwargraves-ftopic1252.html
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Kenneth Morrison



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PostPosted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 9:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

George Livingston – age 19 – Private (32322) 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
George was working as a grocer in Castle Douglas when he enlisted in February 1917. He was killed at Meaulte.
Born 1898 at Castle Douglas in Kelton parish. Son of the late George Livingston and of Lucy Elizabeth (Mitchell) Livingston of 103 Queen Street and of 75 King Street, Castle Douglas.
Missing in Action on 27 March 1918 and named on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
Also named on the Castle Douglas War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour in the Carpet Bowling Club.


Adam McWilliam – age 26 – Corporal (10604) 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Adam enlisted in 1909 and had been with the 1st KOSB in India since 1912. He returned with his battalion to England and landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 where he was wounded on the following day. He was evacuated home and was posted to the 6th KOSB in France in December 1915. He was wounded at the Somme in 1916 and again in April 1917 at Arras when he was evacuated home. He rejoined his battalion on 17 September but less than a month later he was killed.
Born 1891 at King Street, Castle Douglas. Son of the late Elizabeth (McGuffog) McWilliam and of John McWilliam of Gelston.
Grandson of James and Mary Jane McWilliam of Gelston.
Missing in Action on 13 October 1917 and named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Also named on the Gelston Village War Memorial, on the Gelston School Roll of Honour, the Kelton Parish Church Memorial and on the Kelton Parish Roll of Honour now in the Royal British Legion, Castle Douglas.


and his brother

James McWilliam
– age 30 – Private (1661 & 240382) 1/5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
James was employed at Gelston Castle Estate when he enlisted in August 1914. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 and then served in Egypt, in Palestine, where he was wounded at Gaza in April 1917, and then in France.
Born 1888 in Tongland Village, Kirkcudbrightshire as James Carruthers McGuffog. Son of the late Elizabeth (McGuffog) McWilliam and step-son of John McWilliam of Gelston.
Grandson of James and Mary Jane McWilliam of Gelston.
Missing in Action on 29 July 1918 and named on the Soissons Memorial, France.
Also named on the Gelston Village War Memorial, on the Gelston School Roll of Honour, the Kelton Parish Church Memorial and on the Kelton Parish Roll of Honour now in the Royal British Legion, Castle Douglas.


Last edited by Kenneth Morrison on Mon Aug 29, 2016 3:10 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Kenneth Morrison



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PostPosted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 8:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

James Milroy, Distinguished Conduct Medal – age 27 – Lance Corporal (S/17065) 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
James was a hairdresser living at 65 Dumbarton Road, Partick. Glasgow when he married in June 1914. He enlisted 1916 and was wounded twice before being killed in action. James was awarded a D.C.M. as S/17065 Pte. J. Milroy, 13th Bn., attd. 2nd Bn., A. & S. Highrs. (Glasgow)
For conspicuous gallantry and good work. He was sent forward with a patrol near Neuvilly on the night of 10 October 1918 with orders to find crossings for his company over the River Selle. He found a footbridge, which was heavily wired. Under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire he cut the wire and rendered the bridge passable for his company to cross the river without serious losses.” (London Gazette 9/1/1920 p.449 )
Born 1891 at Sandfield, Castle Douglas in Crossmichael Parish. Son of the late Elizabeth (Gibson) Milroy of Castle Douglas and of James Milroy of Dalbeattie. Husband of Elizabeth Jane (Hume) of 45 Dumbarton Road, Partick, Glasgow who he married in 1914 in Partick.
Missing in Action on 23 October 1918 and named on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France.
Also named on the Castle Douglas War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour in the Carpet Bowling Club.
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Kenneth Morrison



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PostPosted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 3:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Robert Rae – age 27 – Private (63) 44th Battalion, Australian Infantry.
Robert had been a van man with a Grocer and Wine Merchant in King Street, Castle Douglas before emigrating to Australia. He was working as a labourer and living at 171 Hay Street, East Perth, Western Australia when he enlisted in January 1916. He sailed from Freemantle in June, arriving in England on 27 July, and was posted to France in November 1916. Robert was wounded in action and died on the following day in the 44th Casualty Clearing Station.
Born 1890 at Castle Douglas. Son of Alexander and Margaret (McLachlan) Rae of 114 Queen Street, Castle Douglas.
Died of Wounds on 6 October 1917 and buried in Nine Elms British Cemetery, Belgium.
Also named on the Castle Douglas War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour in the Carpet Bowling Club.
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Adam Brown
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 9:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kenneth Morrison wrote:

Adam McWilliam – age 26 – Corporal (10604) 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Adam enlisted in 1909 and had been with the 1st KOSB in India since 1912. He returned with his battalion to England and landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 where he was wounded on the following day. He was evacuated home and was posted to the 6th KOSB in France in December 1915. He was wounded at the Somme in 1916 and again in April 1917 at Arras when he was evacuated home. He rejoined his battalion on 17 September but less than a month later he was killed.
Born 1891 at King Street, Castle Douglas. Son of the late Elizabeth (McGuffog) McWilliam and of John McWilliam of Gelston.
Grandson of James and Mary Jane McWilliam of Gelston.
Missing in Action on 13 October 1917 and named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Also named on the Gelston Village War Memorial, on the Gelston School Roll of Honour, the Kelton Parish Church Memorial and on the Kelton Parish Roll of Honour now in the Royal British Legion, Castle Douglas.


and his brother

James McWilliam
– age 30 – Private (1661 & 240382) 1/5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
James was employed at Gelston Castle Estate when he enlisted in August 1914. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 and then served in Egypt, in Palestine, where he was wounded at Gaza in April 1917, and then in France.
Born 1888 in Tongland Village, Kirkcudbrightshire as James Carruthers McGuffog. Son of the late Elizabeth (McGuffog) McWilliam and step-son of John McWilliam of Gelston.
Grandson of James and Mary Jane McWilliam of Gelston.
Missing in Action on 29 July 1918 and named on the Soissons Memorial, France.
Also named on the Gelston Village War Memorial, on the Gelston School Roll of Honour, the Kelton Parish Church Memorial and on the Kelton Parish Roll of Honour now in the Royal British Legion, Castle Douglas.


Interesting that both brothers served in Gallipoli in different battalions of the KOSB. Also they were both wounded in April 1917 -one at Gaza and the other at Arras.

Adam
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Kenneth Morrison



Joined: 29 Sep 2008
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 3:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I ran across a similar situation (but cannot remember the names Embarassed ) where one brother (1/5th KOSB) was killed in the trenches at Gallipoli while looking for another brother (1st KOSB) who he hadn't seen since he left for India some years before.
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stuartn



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PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 8:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is now WMR, ex UKNIWM, report 71857
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