The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Merseman · Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 336 Location: Duns, Berwickshire

As with the roll up the coast in St Abbs... which coincidentally, is the same design... it's not 100% clear that this isn't a roll for the village, however, it in the circumstances it's likely a church roll.

Transcription of Casualties
All are on Ayton civic memorial (Burnmouth is a village in Ayton parish)

William Kerr - Seaman, RNR
James Johnston - Private, RDC

James Aitchison - Seaman, RNRT
John Lauder - Seaman, RNRT

George Collin - Private, HLI
Arthur Johnston - Seaman, RNRT

Wm Lauder - L Cpl, Canadian Mtd Rifles
Joseph Aitchison - Private, 47th Canadians

Adam Brown · Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 7:31 pm Post subject:

Kenny

It is possible this could be considered the civic memorial for Burnmouth if it is a separate small community.

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be anything on the roll to indicate community or church.

Adam

Merseman · Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 336 Location: Duns, Berwickshire

It's possible, as you say there's no way of establishing it from the roll.

I do think on balance it's more likely to be a church roll, since [1] I've not come across such an instance anywhere else in the county / [2] there would have been be a good proportion of people in Burnmouth who were CofS not UF which would make putting a civic roll in the UF church more unusual still / [3] it's got some religious references which the few civic rolls don't seem to have had locally / [4] the proportion to the parish total of dead (19%) & served (24%) is a tad low for Burnmouth's share of the population.

If an unveiling notice is ever found that might confirm things.

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 8:21 am Post subject:

For point 2, there is a memorial in the hamlet of Elsrickle which was erected by the UF church and used as the local memorial. (There is a story behind it which I won't go into here though).

Point 3 - sometimes you do get overtly Christian references on memorials but yes, they are more likley to be on church memorials.

Point 4 - This probably clinches it as being a church roll of honour.

It's certainly good enough for me to leave it in the churches section. There will be a notice in a local paper I'm sure which will eventually confirm it.

Thanks

Adam

Adam Brown · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 3:45 pm Post subject:

Two of the names listed

KERR, W
Rank:Seaman
Service No: 7593/A
Date of Death: 20/08/1915
Age: 19
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Reserve H.M.S. "Pembroke."
Grave Reference: In North-West corner.
Cemetery: AYTON PARISH CHURCHYARD
Additional Information: Son of Mrs. Margaret Scott, of 58, Church St., Berwick-on-Tweed.

AITCHISON, Joseph Anderson
Rank: Private
Service No:790237
Date of Death: 17/09/1918
Age:32
Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry 47th Bn.
Grave Reference: R. II. K. 9.
Cemetery: ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN
Additional Information: Son of Alexander Aitchison, of Burnmouth, Berwickshire, Scotland; husband of Mrs. George Simpson (formerly Aitchison), of Irvine's Landing, Pender Harbour, British Columbia.
CEF Attestation Papers

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

WMR 78811

Merseman · Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 336 Location: Duns, Berwickshire

Burnmouth church is apparently closing (no date)... it is already united with Ayton.

Merseman · Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 336 Location: Duns, Berwickshire

Burnmouth Parish Church isn't resuming due to national emergency.

Unsure when last service actually was - presumably March, possibly earlier.

I'll try to discover if memorial went to Burnmouth hall or Ayton church.