The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

DerekR · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:04 pm Post subject:

Name: PRIMROSE, ROBERT CAIRNS
Initials: R C
Nationality: Indian
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: 5th Mahratta Light Infantry
Age: 20
Date of Death: 12/01/1942
Additional information: Son of James Bartholomew Primrose and Mary Campbell Mallis Primrose, of Kirkton, Hawick, Roxburghshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 12. B. 13.
Cemetery: KARACHI WAR CEMETERY
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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:04 pm Post subject:

Name: RUSSELL, WILLIAM HENDRY
Initials: W H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sapper
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
Unit Text: 708 Gen. Constr. Coy.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 24/04/1941
Service No: 1989030
Additional information: Son of James and Annie S. Russell, of Bonchester, Roxburghshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 14. A. 9.
Cemetery: PHALERON WAR CEMETERY
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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject:

This name is not listed:

Name: BAILEY, EDWARD FRANCIS
Initials: E F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Rifleman
Regiment/Service: Royal Ulster Rifles
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 09/06/1944
Service No: 7016406
Additional information: Son of James and Florence Ann Bailey; husband of Mary Bell Bailey, of Bonchester Bridge, Roxburghshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Row J. 9.
Cemetery: CAMBES-EN-PLAINE WAR CEMETERY
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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

James Russell · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Edinburgh

Mike Morley · Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 10:45 am Post subject:

Alex Ponton has now been recognised with an official gravestone as reported on the BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-41398577

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 11:55 am Post subject:

PTE. JAMES ANDERSON, R.S.
James Anderson – age 20 – Private (24775) 17th (Rosebery) Battalion, Royal Scots.
James was a farm servant at Southfield Farm, Hawick when he enlisted in May 1915. He landed with his battalion at Le Havre on 31 January 1916 but he died of broncho-pneumonia in the 3rd General Hospital at Le Treport.
Born 1895 in Kirkton, Roxburghshire as James Inglis Anderson.
Son of John and Isabella or Bella (Inglis) Anderson of 5 Melgund Place, Hawick and of Ancrum, Roxburghshire.
Died on Active Service on 16 May 1916 and buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Hawick Roll of Honour.

PTE. JOHN ANDERSON, S.R.
John Duff Anderson – age 33 – Private (40784) 2nd Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
John was employed on the Wolfelee Estate, Hobkirk when he enlisted in 1915. He was posted as Private (25358) to the 6th King's Own Scottish Borderers before he transferred to the Cameronians. He died in the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station at Roye.
Born 1884 in Hawick as John Anderson. Son of James Anderson and Mary Poole (Scott) Anderson of 8 Earl Street, Hawick.
Most records show that his mother was Mary Poole Scott but his own marriage record and CWGC show her name as Mary Dagg.
Husband of Agnes (Hogg) Anderson of Braidhaugh, Hobkirk and of Handler, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire who he married in 1909 in Hawick as John Anderson.
Died of Wounds on 26 March 1918 and buried in Roye New British Cemetery, Somme, France.
His brother William Anderson, Private 21563, 5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry died of wounds on 26 April 1915 and is buried in Boulogne.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 12:04 pm Post subject:

CPL. JAMES BAPTIE, R.S.
James Baptie – age 33 – Corporal (20815) 13th Battalion, Royal Scots.
James was living at Wells, Denholm and was the head gamekeeper to Sir Robert Usher of Norton, Ratho, Midlothian and of Wells, Hobkirk, when he enlisted in March 1915. He was posted to the 12th Royal Scots in October but was injured in November and treated in the 11th General Hospital in Boulogne. After some months in the Infantry Base Depot in France he was evacuated back to the Royal Scots Depot in September 1916 and returned to France in February 1917, joining the 13th Battalion in March. He was wounded and captured at Oppy but died in the German Feld Lazerette at Sin-Le-Noble two 2 days later.
Born 1884 in Kelso, Roxburghshire. Son of the late James Baptie of Weensmoor, Hawick (died 1897) and of Margaret (Patterson) Baptie of Wells, Denholm and of 9 Noble Place, Hawick. His fiancee Miss Rose C. Wood of Bonchester Bridge, Hawick made an enquiry with the Red Cross
Died of Wounds on 30 March 1918 and buried in Sin-Le-Noble Communal Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Bedrule Parish War Memorial near Denholm.

PTE. JAMES BELL, K.O.S.B.
James Bell – age 48 – Private (21016) 7th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
James joined his battalion in France in December 1915 but died of gunshot wounds four months later in the 2nd Stationary Hospital in Abbeville.
Born 1867 in Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire. Son of the late Alexander Bell of Rutherford, Maxton (died 1876) and of the Jane (Palmer) Bell of Bedrule, Roxburghshire. (died 1910). He named sisters Mrs. Agnes Anderson and Mrs. Susan Ponton as his legatees.
Died of Wounds on 7 March 1916 and buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Minto War Memorial near Denholm.

PTE. WM. BELL, R.H.
William Bell – age 32 – Private (292733) 1/7th (Fife) Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
William enlisted in the Scottish Horse Yeomanry but was posted as Private (6578) to the Black Watch in 1916.
Born 1885 in Hobkirk. Son of the late William Bell (died 1914) and of Agnes (Inglis) Bell of Langraw Farm, Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk.
Missing in Action on 23 April 1917 and named on the Arras Memorial, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 12:10 pm Post subject:

PTE. DAVID BROCKIE, CANADIANS.
David Brockie – age 37 – Private (75230) 29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry.
David was educated at Hobkirk and at Hawick Academy before taking a post with the Whiteaway, Laidlaw Company in India for seven years. He then emigrated to Canada in May 1912 and was a collections clerk in the circulation department of the “Vancouver Daily Province” when he enlisted in Vancouver, British Columbia in November 1914. He sailed with his battalion from Montreal in May 1915 and they landed in France in September. David was wounded two months later and died in the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul.
Born 1878 Hobkirk. Son of the late Thomas Brockie of Hobkirk (died 1909) and of Anne Henderson (Renwick) Brockie of Hawthornside, Hawick and of Anna Cottage, Jedburgh.
Died of Wounds on 6 November 1915 and buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord) France.

PTE. JOHN BURNETT, S.H.
John Burnett – age 27 – Private (S/7848) 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.
John enlisted in March 1915 and joined his battalion in France in October.
Born 1889 in Roberton, Roxburghshire. Son of James and Agnes (Miller) Burnett of Forkins, Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk.
Killed in Action on 12 October 1916 and buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery, France.

PTE. ROBERT DAVIDSON, K.O.S.B.
Robert Davidson – age 21 – Private (6815) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Robert was a forester at Gala House, Galashiels, Selkirkshire when he enlisted. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but was killed a month later during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah.
Born 1894 in Roberton, Roxburghshire as Robert Moffat Davidson. Son of Matthew and Catherine (Moffat) Davidson of Todshawhaugh, Borthwick Water, Roberton, of Billerwell, Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk, and of 2 Weensland Terrace, Hawick.
Missing in Action on 12 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on the Galashiels Roll of Honour.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 12:19 pm Post subject:

LIEUT. ALEX. SHIELS ELLIOT, H.L.I.
Alexander Shiels Elliot – age 22 – Lieutenant, attached to 8th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.
Alexander was educated at Glasgow Academy before joining his father's auctioneering business. He was commissioned in the 8th HLI in August 1914 and was amongst a number of men from the battalion who were seconded to the 1/7th Battalion of the Royal Scots for overseas service. He was promoted to Lieutenant in March 1915 and landed at Gallipoli in June but he was killed two weeks later during the battle at Gully Ridge.
Born 1892 in Lanark. Son of the late Ellen Elizabeth (Shiels) Elliot (died 1894) and of William Elliot of Muirglen, Lanark.
The family estate was at Harwood, Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk.
Missing in Action on 28 June 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Also named on an individual memorial on a family grave in Hobkirk Churchyard, on a stained glass window in St. Nicholas Church in Lanark, on the church memorial, on the Lanark War Memorial and on the Glasgow Academy memorial.

PTE. JOHN GLADSTONE, CANADIANS.
John Gladstone – age 38 – Private (808937) 50th Battalion, Canadian Infantry.
John has emigrated to Canada in 1913 and was farming at Leo in central Alberta when he enlisted at Calgary, Alberta in March 1916. He sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia in August and joined his battalion in France in April 1917. He was wounded in June, treated for gas poisoning in the 18th General Hospital in Camiers in August, and rejoined his battalion in mid-October but was killed two weeks later.
Born 1879 in Kirkton, Roxburghshire. He gave his DoB as 1 Feb. 1886 on his army papers and his age as 30 when he married in 1916.
Son of the late Robert Gladstone (died 1910) and of Betsy or Elizabeth (Armstrong) Gladstone of Hartshaugh Mill, Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk.
Husband of Annie Park (Sword) Gladstone of Broadmeadows, Selkirk, of Sunderland Hill, Selkirk and of Blackadder West, Edrom, Berwickshire, who he married on Christmas Day 1916 in Selkirk when he was based at Witley Camp in Surrey.
Missing in Action on 26 October 1917 and named on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 12:36 pm Post subject:

PTE. WM. GRIEVE, K.O.S.B.
William Grieve – age 20 – Private (7407) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
William was brought up by his aunt and uncle at Bonchester Bridge. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but was killed a month later during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah.
Born December 1895 in Ettrick Bridge, Selkirkshire as William Robert Grieve. Son of Elizabeth Grieve. Nephew of William and Agnes (Grieve) Whillans of Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk.
Missing in Action on 12 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

PTE. WM. HEATLEY, CANADIANS.
William Smith Heatley – age 34 – Private (859289) 16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry.
William emigrated to Canada in 1906 and was farming near Emerson, Manitoba. He was a member of the local militia, the 79th Cameron Highlanders of Canada, when he enlisted in Winnipeg in November 1915. After a period of leave for farm work during the early summer of 1916, he sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia in October and joined the 16th Canadian Scottish in France in February 1917.
Born 1883 in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire as William Heatley. Son of the late Thomas Heatley (died 1905) and Isabella (Smith) Heatley (died 1916) of Howanhill, Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk.
Missing in Action between 15 and 16 August 1917 and named on the Vimy Memorial, France.

PT. GEORGE JACKSON, K.O.S.B.
George Jackson – age 22 – Private (7627) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
George was a ploughman at Billerwell, Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk when he enlisted in January 1915. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but was evacuate to hospital in Malta where he died of syncope.
Born 1893 in Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire. Son of the late George Jackson (died 1905) and Agnes (Riddell) Jackson (died 1904) of Hawick.
He named his brother William (also of Billerwell) and his sister Agnes as his legatees.
Died on Active Service on 29 July 1915 and buried in Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 12:47 pm Post subject:

PTE. PETER MINTO, K.O.S.B.
Peter Minto – age 26 – Private (7447) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Peter landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but was killed a month later during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah.
Born 1888 in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire. Son of the late James Minto (died 1900) and the late Margaret (Ketchin) Minto (died 1910) of Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk.
Missing in Action on 12 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

PTE. ALEX. PONTON, K.O.S.B.
Alexander Ponton – age 30 – Private (7023) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
In 1901 Alexander was a post-boy and was a rabbit-catcher and under gardener when he enlisted in October 1914. Due to illness he did not go overseas with his battalion. He was admitted to hospital in September 1915 and diagnosed with tuberculosis. He was discharged from the army in October 1915 and awarded a Silver War Badge (498692) Alexander died of tuberculosis at the family home at Templehall, Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk.
Born 1886 in Templehall, Hobkirk. Son of George and Susan (Bell) Ponton of Templehall, Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk.
Died on 14 October 1916 and buried in Hobkirk Parish Churchyard. (CWG)

Alexander's name was added to the CWGC Register in May 2009 but his burial place could not be identified and a special memorial was placed in Hobkirk Churchyard in September 2017.

PTE. WM. J. PURVES, R.H.
Note: some records spell the name as Purvis.
William James Purves – age 24 – Private (S/7483) 1st Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
In 1911 William, aged 19, was a hind (in charge of horses) living with his parents at Harwood Lodge Cottage, Hobkirk. He joined his battalion in France in May 1915.
Born 1891 at Fodderlie Burn, in Southdean, Roxburghshire. Son of Thomas Purves and of Janet McKinnon (Thomson or Scott) Purves of Adderstone Shiels, Stobs, Hawick, Roxburgshire who had married in Hobkirk.
Missing in Action on 13 October 1915 and named on the Loos Memorial, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 12:53 pm Post subject:

PTE. PETER SMITH, AUSTRALIANS.
Peter Smith – age 33 – Private (4893) 51st Battalion, Australian Infantry.
In 1911 Peter and his mother were at Cold Town, West Woodburn, Bellingham, Northumberland where Peter was farming. His father had died there in 1905. Peter was farming near Albany in Western Australia when he enlisted in December 1915. He sailed from Freemantle in April 1916 for Alexandria, Egypt and then to France in June. He joined his battalion in November 1916 but was wounded in April 1917 and after treatment at the 3rd Canadian Hospital in Boulogne he was evacuated to the Kitchener Military Hospital in Brighton. He rejoined his battalion in France in September 1917. Peter's remains were recovered from the battlefield after the war and buried at Villers-Bretonneux.
Born 1884 in Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk. Son of the late Thomas Smith (died 1905) and the late Mary (Smith) Smith (died 1916) of Tythhouse, Hawick and of Cold Town Northumberland.
He named his sister Mrs Lizzie (Smith) Graham of Hawick as his next of kin.
Killed in Action on 24 April 1918 and buried in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, Somme, France.

CAPT. THE HON. C.H.M. ST.CLAIR, S.H.
Charles Henry Murray St. Clair – age 36 – Captain, 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.
Charles was educated at Eton College and at the Royal Military College at Sandhurst from where he was commissioned to the 2nd Seaforths in May 1898. He served in the South Africa War from 1899 until 1902 and was promoted to Captain in April 1902. He was posted to the 1st Seaforths at Agra in India in June 1912 and he returned with the battalion, landing at Marseilles in October 1914 but was killed two months later near La Bassee. Born December 1878 in Kensington, London. Son of the Rt. Hon. Charles William, 15th Baron Sinclair, and of Margaret Jane Murray, Baroness Sinclair, of 55 Onslow Square, London, of Nisbet, Duns, Berwickshire and of Herdmanston, Pencaitland, Haddingtonshire.
Killed in Action on 20 December 1914 and buried in Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France.
Also named on the Eton College memorial and on the Edrom Parish War Memorial in Berwickshire

PTE. GEORGE TELFER, K.O.S.B.
George Telfer – age 22 – Private (14505) 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
George enlisted at Hawick and landed with the 7th KOSB at Boulogne in July 1915. Later he served with the 2nd KOSB before joining the 6th Battalion.
Born 1897 in St. George, Edinburgh. His birth was also registered at Carnwath, Lanarkshire where his father was domiciled and was working as a Locomotive Engine Driver. Son of George Telfer and of Isabella (Croom) Telfer of 37 South Clerk Street, Edinburgh.
Missing in Action on 25 April 1918 and named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Also named on the Bedrule Parish War Memorial near Denholm.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 12:57 pm Post subject:

PTE. JAMES TELFER, K.O.S.B.
James Telfer – age 24 – Private (29939) 7th/8th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
James was employed in the gardens at Wolfelee in Hobkirk when he enlisted in February 1915.
Born 1892 in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire. Son of William and Helen (Thomson) of Jardinefield, Jedburgh and of Langhaughwalls, Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk.
Killed in Action on 21 April 1917 and buried in Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Wancourt, France.

PTE. ROBERT WILSON, S.GREYS.
Robert Wilson – age 27 – Private (6391) 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys)
Robert was a millworker when he enlisted in the Scots Greys in August 1908. He was a groom with Sir Robert Usher of Wells, Hobkirk when, as a reservist, he was mobilised at the outbreak of war. He landed with his troop in France in late August 1914 but was killed about two months later. Robert's remains were recovered from his battlefield grave and re-interred at Wytchaete after the war.
Born 1887 in Hawick, Roxburghshire. Son of the late Annie (Douglas) Wilson (died 1902) and of Thomas Wilson of 8 Upper Village, Hawick.
Killed in Action on 1 November 1914 and buried in Wytschaete Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Also named on the Bedrule Parish War Memorial near Denholm and on the Hawick Roll of Honour.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 1:37 pm Post subject:

1939 – 1945

A.B. J.A. CAIRNS, M.N.
James Aitchison Cairns – age 26 – Able Seaman (P/JX 248908) H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. (S.S. Lapwing)
HMS President III was the shore base for those serving on Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships.
James was a gunner on the “Lapwing” which had sailed in convoy from Lisbon with a cargo of cork and pyrites, bound for Glasgow. The “Lapwing” had stopped to recover survivors from two other ships when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-203.
Born 1916 in Eccles, Berwickshire. Son of Henry and Helen (Aitchison) Cairns. Husband of Thomasina (Scott) Cairns of Jedburgh, Roxburghshire who he married in 1937 in Edinburgh.
Killed in Action/Lost at Sea on 26 September 1941 and named on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.

SUB/LT. C.N. HUTCHINS, R.N.V.R.
Christopher Newburgh-Hutchins – age 22 – Sub-Lieutenant (A) H.M.S. Pretoria Castle, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.
Christopher was educated in Hampshire and at Bloxham School in Oxfordshire but had been brought up by his uncle and aunt at Weens House, Hobkirk. He joined the Fleet Air Arm in 1941 and after flight training in Canada he was commissioned in 1942 and served in Malta and North Africa. He then joined 778 Squadron, a Service Trials Unit based at RNAS Arbroath, but which used the Trials Aircraft Carrier “Pretoria Castle”. He was on a training flight and attempting to land his Fairey Fulmar in a snowstorm at RAF Winfield near Berwick when he crashed at Press Mains Farm, Coldingham, Berwickshire. He and his Observer Sub Lieutenant J.A.Luke were both killed.
Born 1921 in Portsmouth as Christopher S. Hutchins. Son of ?
Nephew and ward of the late Mary (Hutchins) Brown and of Captain Percy George Brown, C.B.E., Royal Navy, of Weens House, Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk.
Died on Active Service on 1 March 1944 and buried in Fogo Churchyard, Berwickshire. (CWG)

2/LT. R.C. PRIMROSE, M.L.I.
Robert Cairns Primrose – age 20 – Second Lieutenant, 5th Mahratta Light Infantry.
Robert was educated at Edinburgh Academy and was an Arts student at Edinburgh University when he was called up in November 1940. He was commissioned in the Indian Army in May 1941 but was accidentally killed at Razmak in Waziristan on the north west frontier.
Born c.1921 in India. Son of the Rev. James Bartholomew Primrose, Church of Scotland Missionary and, from 1941, Garrison Chaplain at Poona, India, and of Mary Campbell Mallis (Smith) Primrose of Wauchope Cottage, Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk and of Kirkton, Roxburghshire.
Rev. Primrose was minister at Kirkton Church from 1951 and at Roberton Church from 1955.
Died on Active Service on 12 January 1942 and buried in Karachi War Cemetery, Pakistan.
Also named on the Edinburgh Academy memorial and on the Old College memorial in Edinburgh University.

SPR. W.H. RUSSELL, R.E.
William Hendry Russell – age 26 – Sapper (1989030) 708 General Construction Company, Royal Engineers.
William was killed during the German invasion of Greece. He was buried in Kyfissia Cemetery north of Athens but was re-interred at Phaleron in February 1945.
Born 1915 in Springburn, Glasgow. Son of James and Annie Smith (Hendry) Russell of Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk.
Killed in Action on 24 April 1941 and buried in Phaleron War Cemetery, Athens, Greece.
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Ken