Subscribe to this RSS feed

1915-16 (41)

These are the stories behind those who fell between 1915-16

Written by

John Pitcairn Robley

Royal Navy

Royal Navy
He is remembered with honour on the Gallipoli Monument, the Scottish National War Memorial, Larchfield School Memorial, Loretto School Roll of Honour, and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 28.

The family home was Yewbank, 33 Glasgow Street, Helensburgh The son of William Pitcairn Robley and Edith Robley.
Siblings: John had one sister, Edith and one brother, Harrington, who also served in the Royal Navy.

John Robley was born in Glasgow and brought up in Helensburgh where his father was a Dairy Proprietor. He was educated at Larchfield and Loretto Schools before entering the offices of William Jacks & Co., ship builders of Port Dundas, Glasgow.
John applied for, and was granted, a commission in the Royal Navy in October, 1914, joining the 'Nelson' Battalion.
John died, shot through the head by a sniper whilst entrenched under heavy fire. He was 20 years old.

Written by

Patrick Joseph Rock

royal scots fusiliers

1st Batt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
He is remembered with honour on the Menin Gate Memorial, Scottish National War Memorial, St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 39.

The family home was 136, Princes Street, Helensburgh The son of Mr James and Mrs Mary Rock
Siblings: Patrick had two brothers James and Mathew.
Patrick Rock was born at 136 Princes Street, Helensburgh and was brought up in the town. At the age of 23 he was boarding at 16, Maitland Street, Helensburgh where he married Bridget Garraghan. His wife died around 1900.
He then moved to live with his brother James at 62, Harmony Row, Govan, and worked as a shipfitters helper.
Patrick died, killed in action, at the age of 38. His remains were not recovered.
Written by

Leslie Phillips Smith

Royal Artillery Garrison

Royal Garrison Artillery
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, Larchfield School Memorial, the Glasgow University Roll of Honour, the Congregational Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 40.

The family home was Dungoyne, 1, Upper Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh The son of Frank Phillips and Mary Beath (nee Sinclair) Smith.
Siblings: Leslie had four sisters, Dorothy, Hetty, Hilda and Frances.

Leslie Smith was born and brought up in Helensburgh, where his father was an iron merchant. He was educated at Larchfield School before attending Glasgow University where he gained a Degree in Organic Chemistry and Metallurgy. He was a member of the University's Officer Training Corp from 1911-13.
Leslie died, suddenly, from cerebro-spinal fever (Meningococcal meningitis) at Lydd in Kent. He was 22 years of age.

Written by
Written by

Harold Stark

Highland Light Infantry

1/6th Batt. Highland Light Infantry
He is remembered with honour on the Helles Memorial, the Scottish National War Memorial, the Union Bank of Scotland Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 42.

The family home was 1, Glenavon Street, Govan The son of William Turnbull, (mercantile clerk) and Elizabeth Stark (nee Ramsay).
Siblings: Harold had three brothers, William, Gilbert and Allan, and three sisters, Elizabeth, Janet and Eleanor.
Harold Stark was born in Helensburgh and brought up in Govan, where his father was a mercantile clerk.
He was training as a banker with the Union Bank of Scotland, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, before enlisting.
Harold died, killed in action, at Gallipoli. He was 19 years of age. His remains were not recovered.
Written by

William Harvey Steven

Queens Own Glasgow Yeomanry

Queen’s Own Glasgow Yeomanry
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, St Columba’s Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 43.

The family home was Woodend Farm, 40, Queen Street, Helensburgh The son of William and Janet Steven.
Siblings: William had four brothers, Allan, James, Robert and John and one sister, Agnes.

William Steven was born and brought up in Helensburgh, where his father was a farmer. He was educated at Hermitage Higher Grade School and then Glasgow Technical College where he was a student of architecture / land surveying. He trained in the offices of Messrs Sturrock and Wilson, Architects, Glasgow. He was fond of outdoor sports and a keen member of the swimming club. He also bred poultry.

William died in a tragic accident whilst fishing at Cupar, Fife, when he was shot by another off-duty soldier who was out shooting rabbits.

He was buried at Helensburgh Cemetery with full military honours.

Written by

James Stewart

Canadian Expeditionary Force

Canadian Expeditionary Force
He is remembered with honour on the Canadian National War Memorial, the Menin Gate Memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 45.

The family home was not known. The son of Robert H. Stewart and the late Jeannie

James Stewart was born in Dumbarton. Although little is known about his early life, it is known that he had two years of previous military experience in the 60th Batt. Rifles. The family moved to Canada where James had been working as a clerk. He joined the 5th Batt. Canadian Infantry, Saskatchewan Regt. at the outbreak of war.
His family home at the time was at Ross Street, E. Moose Jaw, Canada. James was living at home and unmarried.
James died of wounds while a prisoner of war, at the age of 28.
His gravestone is inscribed: ‘He was just and feared not he wore the white flower of a blameless life’.

Written by

James Robert Stewart

14th London Scottish

14th Batt. London (Scottish) Regiment
He is remembered with honour on the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 44.

The family home was Beulah Lodge, Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh. The son of the late James Stewart (saddler) and Margaret Stewart (nee Scott).
Siblings: James had one brother, Alexander, and two sisters, Margaret and Sarah.

jamesrobertstewart

James Stewart was born and brought up in Helensburgh, where his father was a saddler. He attended Hermitage Higher Grade School.

His brother Alexander, a bank clerk, also served and was wounded.

James died of wounds received in battle at the Sandgate Military Hospital, Kent and was buried at Tonbridge Cemetery. He was 29 years old. He was reported as living at Crouch End at the time of his death.

Written by

Hugh Thomson

Canadian Expeditionary Force

Canadian Expeditionary Force
He is remembered with honour on the Canadian War Memorial, Belgium, and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 44.

The family home was Not Known. The son of Mr Fred Thomson of Montreal.

Hugh Thomson was born in Glasgow and moved to Helensburgh, where his father had a dairy at 61a West Princes Street. It is reported that he emigrated to Canada with his father, Fred, around 1910.
He was employed as a plumber in Montreal, before joining the 24th Batt. Quebec Regt. Canadian Infantry. Hugh was married with one child, after his death his widow and child were residing at 21, Ashgrove Street, Bridgeton.
Hugh died of wounds received in battle at the age of 22 years. 

Page 2 of 2