James Carson

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Category: 1916-17
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James Carson

Quebec regiment

4th Batt. Canadian Contingent of Infantry, Quebec Regiment.
He is remembered with honour on the Vimy Memorial and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 50.

The family home was at Holyrood Place, 124 West Princes Street, Helensburgh. Siblings: James had two brothers, Sergeant Jack Carson also serving and a younger brother Robert who was too young to serve.

The son of Robert and Margaret Combs Carson who ran a painting and decorating business from 71 West Clyde Street in the town.

James Carson was brought up in Helensburgh, the son of the local painter and decorator. He was educated at Hermitage School and went on to become a law apprentice in the office of Messrs George MacLachlan and Son.
He had emigrated 8 years before the war to work for the Railway Company in Canada but returned to fight for King and Country.
First reported missing, it was then confirmed he had been killed in action.
He is remembered on the Vimy Memorial - the highest point on the Vimy Ridge at Arras. The Memorial reads: 'To the Valour of their countrymen in the Great War and in Memory of their sixty thousand dead this monument is raised by the people of Canada'.

Alexander Kirkwood Comrie

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Category: 1916-17
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Alexander Kirkwood Comrie

Highland Light Infantry

9th Batt. (Glasgow) Highland Light Infantry
He is remembered with honour on Scottish National War Memorial and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 51.

The family home was at 15, Dixon Avenue, Crosshill, Glasgow.
The son of Daniel and Agnes (nee Armour) Comrie.

Alexander Comrie was born at Fairyknowe, 30 Lomond Street, Helensburgh where his father, Daniel, was a bottled water manufacturer (The Fairy Springs) and also a Town Councillor and Baillie. He was educated at the Hermitage School and was employed as a Clerk in the Burgh Surveyors Office. The family moved to Glasgow and he enlisted at the outbreak of war.
Alexander died during the battle at the Somme, taken ill he died of peritonitis. He was only 20 years of age.
His parents had inscribed on his headstone, 'They loved not their lives unto death'.

Walter Battison

Details
Category: 1916-17
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Walter Battison

New Zealand

New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 1st Batt. Wellington Regiment.
He is remembered with honour on the Caterpillar Valley Memorial, Somme, France, the Scottish National War Memorial, The Park Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial Column 1 Line 48.

The family home was at Kilbride Farm, Row where his father farmed. After the death of her husband, Elizabeth moved to Paxtonville, 34 Montrose Street, Helensburgh, where she lived throughout the war.
The son of the late Walter and Mrs Elizabeth Battison.

Siblings: Walter had one brother, James, and two sisters, Annie and Mary.

Walter Battison was brought up on Kilbride Farm, Row Parish. It was quite a large farm employing three farm labourers and three dairymaids. Walter attended the Hermitage School, but, as the older brother took over the farm, he emigrated to New Zealand. This was some fifteen years before the outbreak of war.
He was home on a visit when war broke out and when he returned to New Zealand joined the Wellington Regiment and returned to fight for his home country.
He first served in Egypt and then France, dying at the Somme aged 38 years.

John Healy

Details
Category: 1916-17
Hits: 5

John Healy

Highland Light Infantry

16th Batt. Highland Light Infantry
He is remembered with honour on the Loos Memorial, St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 53.

Siblings:

John Healy was born in Glasgow and no connection to Helensburgh can be established although it is believed he was related to a Miss Catherine Healy who lived at 49, West King Street in the town. John died at Flanders, firstly reported missing and then confirmed killed in action.
It is reported that his residence was in Uddingston at the time of his death.

William Gillies

Details
Category: 1916-17
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William Gillies

2nd Canadian contingent

2nd Canadian Contingent
He is remembered with honour on the Royal Bank of Canada Roll of Honour, Park Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 2

The family home was at The Avenue, Craigendoran, Helensburgh The son of Captain Malcolm Gillies and Mrs Catherine Gillies.
Siblings: William had one sister, Neta who was a piano teacher. A brother Lt. Malcolm Gillies served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlander and, although wounded at Loos, survived the war.

William Gillies was born in Alexandria and moved to Helensburgh where his father was the Master of the steam ship Waverley. William was employed at the Union Bank of Scotland for 4 years before moving to the Montreal, Quebec branch. In 1909, he became chief accountant with the Royal Bank of Canada in Vancouver. William returned to fight for his home country, firstly with the 29th Batt. British Columbian Regt. and then the 2nd Canadian Contingent.
William died at the Battle of Dickebusch (Ypres), killed in action, aged 26.

John Graham

Details
Category: 1916-17
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John Graham

2nd Canadian contingent

8th Batt. Black Watch
He is remembered with honour on the Thiepval Memorial, the Scottish National Memorial and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 3.

The family home was at Avoca, 9, The Avenue, Craigendoran.
The son of John Graham and Susan Ferguson Graham of 1, Central Ave, Broomhill Terrace, Partick.

John Graham was born in Glasgow and at one time lived at Avoca, Craigendoran. He served an apprenticeship with Messrs Stephen, Linthouse before serving as an engineer on the Clyde.
John emigrated to New Zealand and returned to enlist at the outbreak of war.
John died, killed in action, at the Somme. His remains were not recovered. He was aged 24.

Alexander Laird

Details
Category: 1916-17
Hits: 11

Alexander Laird

Argylls

1st. Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, St Andrew Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 6.

The family home was at 122, East Princes Street, Helensburgh. The son of John Laird (tailor) and Catherine Laird.

Alexander Laird was born in Aberdeen and moved to Helensburgh where his father was a tailor.
He was employed as a plumber with the firm of Crawfords in Helensburgh before he enlisted.
He was killed in action at Salonika at the age of 25. He was unmarried.

  1. Robert Lyle Hedley

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