The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison

William Davidson – age 34 – Lance Sergeant (5083) Scots Guards.
In 1901, aged 16, William was a farm servant, living with his family at Dingleton, Melrose. He was working as a carter when he enlisted in the Scots Guards in November 1903. As a reservist when war was declared, he was mobilised and landed with the 1st Scots Guards at Le Havre on 13 August 1914. He was wounded at Nueve Chapelle in May 1915 and after he recovered he became a bombing instructor in London and then in France. He became ill in March 1917 and was admitted to hospital in London. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis at the Cedar Lawn Red Cross Hospital at Hampstead Heath and was discharged from the army in May having been awarded a Silver War Badge (178247). William took up farm work again as a ploughman at Colmslie Hill near Galashiels but had to be admitted to the Anderson Sanatorium in Hawick, Roxburghshire where he died.
(Source: Service/Pension record, Medal Roll/Card, SWB record and Southern Reporter 10/7/1919 p.5)
Born 1884 in Swinton, Berwickshire. Son of the late Agnes Hay (Jeffrey) Davidson (died 1915) and of William Davidson of 13 Bristol Terrace, Galashiels, Selkirkshire. Husband of Agnes Hay (Davidson) Lyall of Carilawburn near Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire who he married in 1907 in Galashiels.
Died on 28 June 1919.
Burial place not known.
Named on the Melrose War Memorial but not (I think) on any other.

The reason for William's discharge and his cause of death was pulmonary tuberculosis. Terry at In From the Cold Project believes that there is a case for William to be included on the CWGC Register.

Just got to find in which of the many burial grounds he might be.
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Ken

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 7:41 pm Post subject:

Thanks to Borders FHS we now know that he is buried in Galashiels (Eastland) Cemetery.
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Ken

David McNay · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:15 am Post subject:

Added to CWGC today.