The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 10:55 am Post subject:

SERGT. W. GILBERTSON, 24th BATT. CANADIANS.
William Gilbertson – age 29 – Sergeant (65364) 24th Battalion, Canadian Infantry.
In 1901 William, aged 13, was a machinist in a biscuit factory in Carlisle where he lived at 7 Peel Street with the joint family of his mother and step-father who had married in 1900 in Carlisle.
William was a clerk/book-keeper living at 1630 Esplanade Avenue, Montreal, Quebec when he enlisted in October 1914. He sailed from Canada in May 1915 and joined his battalion in France in October. He was wounded in June 1916 but was able to re-join his battalion in September and was promoted to Sergeant a month later. He was killed near Lens and buried there but was re-interred in Loos in June 1919.
Initially he named his sister Janet Gilbertson of Ecclefechan as his next of kin but changed this to his wife Marion when he married in 1917.
Born 1887 in Hoddom. Son of the late Mary Jane (Gilbertson or Harragan) Graham and step-son of Irvine Graham of Carlisle. Husband of Marion Watson (Mathieson) Gilbertson ( a nurse) of 45 Clincart Road, Mount Florida, Glasgow who he married in Cathcart, Lanarkshire on 27 January 1917 after he had been granted 10 days leave on 20 January.
Killed in Action on 15 August 1917 and buried in Loos British Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Glasgow Roll of Honour.

PTE. JAMES HALLIDAY, 6th K.O.S.B.
James Currie Halliday – age 24 – Private (12288) 6th Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers.
James enlisted in August 1914 and landed with his battalion at Boulogne in May 1915 but four month later was killed at the Battle of Loos.
Born 1891 in Moffat, Dumfriesshire. Son of Andrew and Isabella (Currie) Halliday of Spittalriddinghill Cottage, Brydekirk and of North Howes, Annan.
Missing in Action on 25 September 1915 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.
Also named on the Brydekirk War Memorial and Parish Church memorial and on the Annan Burgh War Memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 11:09 am Post subject:

SPR. THOMAS HIDDLESTONE, ROYAL ENGINEERS.
Thomas Kelly Hiddleston – age 41 – Sapper (WR/312860) 3rd Port Construction Company, Royal Engineers.
Thomas was a quarryman when he enlisted as Sapper (291359) Royal Engineers in May 1916. He went to France in August 1917 but was admitted to the 3rd General Hospital and evacuated to the UK in October 1917. He died in Welsh Metropolitan War Hospital, Whitchurch, Cardiff.
Born 1876 in Dalton, Dumfriesshire as Thomas Kelly Hiddleston. Son of the late Robert and Mary (Kelly) Hiddleston of Sandy Knowe, Dalton. Husband of Jean Burnie (Johnstone) Hiddleston, of High Street, Ecclefechan who he married in June 1917 in Hoddom.
The 1911 census shows Thomas and Jean and their family at High Street, Ecclefechan. Thomas 34 b. Dalton, Jean B. 36 b. Hutton, Kate 17, Christina 14, William 13, Crissie 11 months all born in Hoddom.
Died on Service on 31 May 1918 and buried in Cardiff (Cathays) Cemetery, Wales.
Also named on the Dalton Parish War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour in the Parish Church.

PTE. WALTER E. IRVING, 1st K.O.S.B.
Walter Edward Irving – age 31 – Private (30918) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Walter was a plasterer when he enlisted.
Born 1886 in Ecclefechan, Hoddom. Son of the late Janet Irving and of William Irving of Kirklands, Ecclefechan. Husband of Mary (Scott) Irving of Cathcart Cottage and of 2 Queensberry Terrace, Ecclefechan who he married in 1915 in Hoddom. His son was born on 9 December 1917.
Missing in Action on 24 November 1917 and named on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France.

PTE. A. JOHNSTONE, ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS.
Archibald Johnstone – age 23 – Private (14371) 9th Battalion (County Armagh) Princess Victoria's Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Archibald was painter to trade and had served his apprenticeship in Killylea, County Armagh.
He landed with his battalion at Le Havre in October 1915. He was wounded on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, and died in the 11th Stationary Hospital in Rouen.
Born 1893 in Kirkmichael, Dumfriesshire. Son of the late James Johnstone of Garrel Smithy, Kirkmichael and of Bessie Johnstone of 1 High Street, Ecclefechan.
Died of Wounds on 16 July 1916 and buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.
Also named on the Kirkmichael Parish War Memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 11:22 am Post subject:

CPL. WILLIAM KENNEDY, 1ST K.O.S.B.
William Kennedy – age 27– Corporal (16199) 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
William was employed on the Castlemilk Estate when he enlisted. He joined his battalion at Gallipoli in August 1915 where he was wounded and evacuated home. He spent some time at the Duddingston Convalescent Home before he returned to the Front.
Born c.1889 in Hoddom. (Source: SNWM but cannot trace on GRoS)
Son of Mrs. Mary Kennedy of High Street, Ecclefechan.
In 1911 William (23) and his brother John (21) were basket makers and were living with their widowed mother Mary and four sisters at High Street, Ecclefechan.
Missing in Action on 23 October 1916 and named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.

PTE. JAMES MOFFAT, 1st CAMERONIANS.
James Moffat – age 21 – Private (43161) 1st Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).
James was employed at Hoddom Castle when he enlisted as Private (22852) in the 6th King's Own Scottish Borderers in June 1916 before he transferred to the Cameronians.
Born 1896 in Hoddom. Son of James and Mary Moffat, of Mainholm Cottage, Hoddam, Ecclefechan.
Missing in Action on 27 May 1917 and named on the Arras Memorial, France.

SERGT. DAN. MUIR, 1/5th K.O.S.B.
Daniel Muir – age 32 – Lance Serjeant (182) 1/5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Daniel landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915. He died on the Hospital ship “Aquitania” and was buried at sea.
Born 1883 in Ecclefechan, Hoddom. Son of William Henry Muir and of Elizabeth (Paterson) Muir of Ecclefechan. Husband of Sarah (Hyslop) Muir who he married in 1906 in Dryfesdale, Dumfriesshire.
Died of Wounds on 22 September 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 11:29 am Post subject:

PTE. FRANCIS MUNDELL, 6th K.O.S.B.
Francis James Mundell – age 29 – Private (25746) 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Francis enlisted in the 2nd KOSB before becoming a signaller in the 6th Battalion.
Born 1888 in St.Mungo, Dumfriesshire as Francis James M. Mundell.
Son of James and Jessie Mundell of Highlaw Farm, St.Mungo, Dumfriesshire.
Died of Wounds on 14 December 1917 and buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, Somme, France.

PTE. JAMES MURRAY, 7th CAMERON HDS.
James Murray – age 24 – Private (S/18649) 7th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders.
James had served his apprenticeship as a joiner in Ecclefechan and had 5 years with the Territorial 5th King's Own Scottish Borderers. However he was working in Kirkconnel, Dumfriesshire when he enlisted in the Camerons in June 1915. He joined his battalion in France in mid-October 1915 but was killed two weeks later.
Born 1891 in Ecclefechan, Hoddom. Son of Company Sergeant Major John Murray of The Armoury, Ecclefechan and of Mary of High Street, Ecclefechan.
Missing in Action on 3 November 1915 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.

James is also named on the Kirkconnel Parish War Memorial together with his friend Robert Hutton, Private (18650) 7th Cameron Highlanders. They had lodged together at the Temperance Hotel in Kirkconnel, enlisted together and were killed by the same shell.

and his brother

L.CPL. JOHN MURRAY, 5th INNISKILLING FUSILIERS.
John Murray – age 20 – Lance Corporal (12613) 5th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
The 5th RIF formed at Omagh in August 1914, moved to Dublin and by early 1915 was at Kildare. John who had enlisted in August 1914, died of illness in the King George V Hospital in Dublin.
Born 1894 in Ecclefechan, Hoddom. Son of Company Sergeant Major John Murray of The Armoury, Ecclefechan and of Mary of High Street, Ecclefechan.
Died on Service on 7 January 1915 and buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 11:38 am Post subject:

PTE. ROBERT MURRAY, 7/8th K.O.S.B.
Robert Murray – age 20 – Private (40205) 7th/8th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Robert was an apprentice joiner in Ecclefechan when he enlisted in the 2/5th KOSB. He joined his battalion in France in July 1916.
Born 1896 in Ecclefechan, Hoddom. Son of Peter and Jane Murray of Globe Square, Ecclefechan.
Missing in Action on 31 July 1917 and named on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

LIEUT. GEORGE M. McCAIG, R.F.A.
George Mann McCaig – age 23 – Second Lieutenant, 306th Brigade, 61st Division Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery.
George was commissioned in the RFA from an Officer Cadet Unit on 1 October 1917.
Born 1895 in Motherwell, Dalziel, Lanarkshire. Son of John and Mary (Mann) McCaig of Larch Croft, Ecclefechan.
Died of Wounds on 18 October 1918 and buried in Cambrai East Military Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Motherwell War Memorial.

R.S.MJR. J. McCALL, 5th CAMERON HDS.
John McCall – age 35 – Regimental Sergeant Major (S/9963) 5th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders.
John was a ploughman at Wyseby Hill Farm at Kirtlebridge when he married in 1910.
He was twice mentioned in despatches and was awarded the Italian Bronze Medal for Military Valour.
Born 1882 in Penpont, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire. Son of the late Helen McCall of Threewellbrae, Hoddom. Husband of Catherine (Craig) McCall of Ecclefechan who he married in 1910 in Hoddom.
Killed in Action on 21 September 1917 and buried in White House Cemetery, St. Jean-les-Ypres, Belgium.

PTE. WILLIAM McDONALD, 7th K.O.S.B.
William McDonald – age 20 – Private (14434) 7th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
William landed with his battalion at Boulogne in July 1915.
Born 1885 in Ecclefechan, Hoddom. Son of William and Sarah McDonald of Ecclefechan.
Missing in Action on 25 September 1915 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 11:58 am Post subject:

PTE. JOHN RETTIE, 6th K.O.S.B.
John Rettie – age 20 – Private (25861) 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Born 1896 in Kilsyth, Stirlingshire. Son of the late John Rettie and of Janet (Wallace) Carruthers. Step-son of James Carruthers of Carlisle Place, Ecclefechan.
Missing in Action on 3 May 1917 and named on the Arras Memorial, France.

PTE. JOHN JAMES STEWART, 1st SCOTS GUARDS.
John James Stewart – age 31 – Private (13487) 1st Battalion, Scots Guards.
John had been a ploughman and was living in Ecclefechan with his family when he enlisted. He joined his battalion in France in October 1915. John was hit by a sniper and died in the 7th Casualty Clearing Station at Merville.
Born 1882 in Rerrick, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son of the late Jane (McClounie) Stewart and of John Stewart of Barrasgate Farm, Cummertrees. Husband of Joseann (Battersbie) Stewart of Barrasgate Cottage, Cummertrees, Dumfriesshire who he married in 1907 in Kirkbean, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Died of Wounds on 22 December 1915 and buried in Merville Communal Cemetery, France.

PTE. JAMES TROTTER, 7th K.O.S.B.
James Trotter – age 22 – Private (15748) 7th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
James landed with his battalion at Boulogne in July 1915 but died in a Field Ambulance from wounds received in action at Hill 70 at Loos.
Born 1893 in Hoddom. Son of Thomas and Jane (Stevenson) Trotter of Distillery Square and of High Street, Ecclefechan.
Died of Wounds on 26 September 1915 and buried in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, France.

L.CPL. GEORGE WRIGHT, 16th BATT. H.L.I.
George Wright – age 24 – Lance Corporal (29873) "C" Coy. 16th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.
George was employed at Kirkconnel Hall, Ecclefechan when he enlisted. He joined his battalion in France in March 1917 and was wounded in July.
Born c.1893 in Durisdeer, Dumfriesshire. (Source:SNWM and 1901 census but cannot trace on GRoS)
Son of James and Helen (Walker) Wright of Rose Cottage, Clarencefield, Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire. Husband of Mary Ann (Cranston) Wright of Whitehill, Ecclesfechan, Hoddom (later Mrs Craig of 29 King Street, Maxwelltown) who he married in 1915 in Hoddom.
Killed in action on 28 November 1917 and buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium.
Also named on the Ruthwell Parish War Memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 12:13 pm Post subject:

1939 – 1945

SGT. JOHN DONALDSON, R.A.F.V.R.
John Donaldson – age 21 – Sergeant (1589606) 77 Squadron, Bomber Command, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
John's Halifax bomber took off from RAF Full Sutton in Yorkshire for a “gardening” or mine laying task but was lost without trace.
Born 1923 in St.Mungo Parish, Dumfriesshire. Son of ??????
Missing in Action on 12 January 1945 and named on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

PTE. ARCHD. GILLIES, GREEN HOWARDS.
Archibald Gillies – age 31 – Gunner (7928788) 20 Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery.
Archibald was educated at Hoddom School and was working at Mossband, Longtown when he enlisted in 1940.
Born 1913 in Hoddom. Son of Duncan and Helen (Mason) Gillies. Husband of Helen Dickson (Rogerson) Gillies of 3 Chalmers Court, High Street, Annan, Dumfriesshire who he married in 1941 in Annan.
Killed in Action on 16 June 1944 and buried in Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France.
Also named on the Annan War Memorial as Gillies A. - R.A.

SGT. ANDREW GRAHAM, 1st AIRBORNE DIV.
Andrew Graham – age 32 – Sergeant (3186216) Battalion Headquarters, Provost Sergeant. 7th (Airborne) Battalion (Galloway) King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Andrew worked as a builder in Annan. As a reservist he was called up at the outbreak of war and was evacuated from Dunkirk in May1940. He was posted to the 7th KOSB and on Sunday 17 September 1944 the first of the Horsa gliders carrying the Battalion landed at Arnhem to secure the Ginkel Heath position, designated as DZ-Y, for the 4th Parachute Brigade.
Born 1913 in Longtown, Cumberland. Son of Andrew and Annie Graham of Mossband Hall Cottages, Longtown. Husband of Mary (Hiddleston) Graham, of 23 Langlands Road, Ecclefechan who he married in 1938 in Gretna, Dumfriesshire.
Killed in Action on 21 September 1944 and buried in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Netherlands.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 12:19 pm Post subject:

F/O. GEORGE HORSBURGH, D.F.M. R.A.F.
George Horsburgh, Distinguished Flying Medal – age 30 – Flying Officer/Air Gunner (155866), 7 Squadron, Bomber Command, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
George was educated at Lockerbie Academy and joined his father's grocery and bakery business in Ecclefechan. He joined the RAF in 1940 and served in the Middle East and Malta flying Wellington bombers. He was awarded a DFM as Sergeant (987151) George Horsburgh, 40 Squadron, for “gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations”. He returned to the UK in March 1943 and became a wireless operator and air gunner. He was commissoned from Sergeant (987151) as from December 1942 and promoted to Flying Officer from June 1943.
George's Lancaster bomber took off from RAF Oakington in Cambridgeshire to attack targets in the Normandy battle area but crashed at Bolbec, near Le Havre.
Born 1914 in Canonbie, Dumfriesshire. Son of the late John Horsburgh and of Alice Horsburgh of Globe House, Ecclefechan.
Killed in Action on 8 August 1944 and buried in Bolbec Communal Cemetery, Seine-Maritime, France.

DVR. WILLIAM A. W. JARDINE, R.A.S.C.
William Andrew Wright Jardine – age 32 – Driver (T/186350) Royal Army Service Corps.
William died of tuberculosis in the Hakodate No.1 Branch camp at Muroran-shi, Nakajima, Japan. The prisoners were used by the Nippon Steel Company.
Born 1911 in Dumfries. Son of Andrew and Lizzie Jane (Wright) Jardine of Ecclefechan Station and of Eastwood, Eaglesfield, Dumfriesshire. Husband of Jane Dalziel (Farish) Jardine of Sunnybank, Ecclefechan who he married in 1939 in Hoddom.
Died on Service on 22 May 1944 and buried in Yokohama War Cemetery, Japan.

GDSM. COLIN C. JOHNSTONE, SCOTS GUARDS.
Colin Clark Johnstone – age 19 – Guardsman (2704307) Scots Guards.
Born 1927 in Hoddom. Son of Nelly Johnstone and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John Johnstone of Ecclefechan.
Died on Service on 25 March 1946. (Death registered at Bangor, North Wales) and buried in Hoddom New Parish Churchyard in Ecclefechan. (CWG)

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 12:24 pm Post subject:

PTE. JOHN JOHNSTONE, ROYAL SCOTS.
John Bell Johnstone – age 23 – Private (3193232) 1st Battalion, Royal Scots.
Served his apprenticeship in the building trade in Lockerbie.
Born 1917 in Hoddom. Son of William and Bessie Johnstone of Ecclefechan.
Grandson of John Bell of Newfield Farm, Ecclefechan. Husband of Elizabeth (Galloway) Johnstone, of Castlemilk Mill, Lockerbie and of St. Mungo, Dumfriesshire who he married in 1940 in Hoddom.
Died on Active Service 31 March 1941 (Death registered at Hull, Yorkshire) and buried in Lockerbie (Dryfesdale) Cemetery. (CWG)

MARINE SCOTT L. F. WILLIAMSON, R.N.
Scott Lamb Frood Williamson – age 23 – Marine (PLY/X 4085) H.M.S. Princess Alice, Royal Marines.
“Princess Alice” was a shore base between Eckernforde and Rendsburg, near the German/Danish border and was home to Naval Party 1755, part of the occupation force. Scott was killed in a road accident and was buried in Schleswig Military Cemetery but was re-interred in Kiel in May 1947.
Born 1921 Half Morton, Dumfriesshire. Son of Robert and Margaret (Robson) Williamson. Husband of Mabel N. (Adamson) Williamson of Stonehouse, Plymouth, Devon who he married in 1945 in Plymouth.
Died on Service on 13 December 1945 and buried in Kiel War Cemetery, Germany.

PTE. JOSEPH YOUNG, K.O.S.B.
Possibly – only one on CWGC/SNWM.
Joseph Young – age 24 – Private (3194810) 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
2nd KOSB had been in the East since 1923. Until November 1942 they were in India and after jungle training they sailed with the 7th (Indian) Division to Burma in September 1943. They took part in several critical actions there and were flown to the central front at Imphal. In early 1945 they marched towards the Irrawaddy and took part in the assault that turned the Irrawaddy line.
Born c. 1921 in Lanarkshire. (Source: SNWM but cannot identify on GRoS)
Son of John William and Mary Young of Annan, Dumfriesshire.
Died on Service on 20 January 1945 and buried in Delhi War Cemetery, India.
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Ken