Joseph Pratt

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Category: 1915-16
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Joseph Pratt

Argylls

1/9th Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Menin Gate Memorial, the Scottish National War Memorial, the Congregational Church Memorial, Helensburgh and Gareloch Unionist Association Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 32.

The family home was Green House, 84, West Clyde Street, Helensburgh The son of James Pratt (boot top cutter) an Annie Pratt (nee McFarlane).

 Joseph Pratt was born in Ayr and then lived with his Grandmother, Mary Baxter, at Green House in Helensburgh. After leaving school, he was apprenticed to C.B. Ross, Sinclair Street as a shoemaker.
Joseph had been a member of the local territorials and volunteered at the outbreak of war.
Joseph died, killed in action when shot in the head by a sniper whilst filling sandbags. It is noted in his obituary that he was buried in a military churchyard, but the location of his grave is unknown.
He was 23 years of age.

Duncan Currie Patterson

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Category: 1915-16
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Duncan Currie Patterson

Canadian Expeditionary Force

16th Batt. Canadian Infantry, Manitoba Regiment, Canadian Expeditionary Force
He is remembered with honour on the Canadian War Grave Commission Memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 31.

The family home was 75, Sinclair Street, Helensburgh. The son of William and Elizabeth Patterson (nee Currie).
Siblings: Not Known.
Duncan Patterson was born at 75, Sinclair Street in Helensburgh where his father was a mason.
He joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and served in the Boer War for which he earned the Victoria Medal. As a sergeant, he married Mary Conchie and later emigrated to Canada. Wages from his employment there as a stone cutter were low and it took 2 years to save enough to send for his wife and children. Unfortunately, his unit sailed for England before she arrived and their ships passed so closely on the St. Lawrence that they could call to each other.
Duncan died, killed in action, aged 42. He left a wife and 6 children.

John O'Brien

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Category: 1915-16
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John O'Brien

Highland Light Infantry

10th Batt. Highland Light Infantry
He is remembered with honour on the Loos Memorial, St. Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 30.

The family home was Alma Place, Helensburgh The son of Mrs O'Brien
Siblings: John had a brother, Michael.
John O'Brien was born in Kerry Island, Ireland and was later living with his widowed mother in Alma Place, Helensburgh.
After being reported as missing, John was later confirmed dead, killed in action.
His remains were not recovered.

Herbert Wardlaw Milne

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Category: 1915-16
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Herbert Wardlaw Milne

74th Punjabis

74th Punjabis Indian Army
He is remembered with honour on the Neuve-Chapelle Memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 29.

The family home was at Union Bank House, Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh. The son of James Milne (banker) and Elizabeth Milne (nee Warlaw).
Siblings: He had an older brother serving in the Indian Expeditionary Force and two other brothers serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps.
 Herbert Milne became a professional soldier, commissioned as 2nd Lt. in the Duke of Connaught's Own Sligo Garrison Artillery Militia in 1902 at the age of 19. He transferred to the South Staffordshire Regiment and then to the Indian Army in 1906.
He fought in the South African war and was awarded the King George's Dunbar Medal and the Queen's Medal with two clasps.
With the 74th Punjabis Indian Army, he was serving as adjutant to the 6th Batt. Cameron Highlanders. He died at Loos aged 32. His remains were not recovered. He was mentioned in dispatches, posthumously.

William Butler McLaren

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Category: 1915-16
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William Butler McLaren

Black Watch

9th Batt. Black Watch
He is remembered with honour on St Andrew’s Church Memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 26.

The family home was Hermitage Higher Grade School, 9, Argyll Street, Helensburgh. The son of David McLaren.
Siblings: Not Known.

William McLaren was born at Redgorton, Perthshire and spent 27 years as a professional soldier with the Black Watch. He served in the Egyptian War of 1884-5 and received the Nile Expedition Medal, campaign medal and Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

He was employed at the Hermitage Higher Grade School in Helensburgh as Janitor, where he was bringing up his family with his wife, Elizabeth. He had four children; William (who served at sea), Isobel, David and Elspeth.

At the outbreak of war, William rejoined his regiment. He was killed in action in France at the age of 49. His body was interred at Philosophe following a concentration from battlefield cemeteries after the Armistice.

George McGeachy

Details
Category: 1915-16
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George McGeachy

Argylls

1/9th Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Menin Gate Memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial Column 1 Line 23.

 

The family home was at 412, Dumbarton Road, Dalmuir. The son of John and Agnes McGeachy.
Siblings: George had one brother, David.

George McGeachy was born in Helensburgh and later moved to Dalmuir with his family.

He later moved again to Killearn Terrace, Springburn with his brother David, a railway engine driver. He was employed as an engine stoker on the railways before he enlisted.

George was killed in action at Ypres at the age of 24. His remains were not recovered.

John McFarlane

Details
Category: 1915-16
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John McFarlane

royal artillery

14th Reserve Battery, Royal Field Artillery. He is remembered with honour on the Helensburgh War Memorial Column 1 Line 22.

The family home was at 90, West King Street, Helensburgh. The son of Isabella McFarlane (widow).
Siblings: John had one brother, Neil and two sisters, Jean and Effie.
John McFarlane was born in Alexandria and was brought up in Helensburgh by his widowed mother.
Before enlisting he was employed as an apprentice joiner in the town.
He died, killed in action at the age of 19.
  1. James Francis Marsland

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