Sillars, George Alexander

Details
Category: 1917-18

George Alexander Sillars

Highland Light Infantry

5th Highland Light Infantry
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, the University of Glasgow Roll of Honour, the Helensburgh Baptist Church Roll of Honour, Helensburgh and Gareloch Unionist Roll of Honour, St Columba’s Roll of Honour, and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 29.

The family home was Oxford Bank, 74, Sinclair Street, Helensburgh The son of George Alexander (painter and decorator) and Jeanie Sillars
Siblings: George had one sister, Jeanie.

George Sillars was born in Helensburgh, where his father owned a painting and decorating business at 58, Sinclair Street. He was educated at Hermitage Higher Grade School and attended the University of Glasgow, studying dentistry. He was an accomplished musician and played in the Baptist Church. He also played the organ at Dunfermline Abbey while stationed there with the RAMC

George originally enlisted to the Royal Army Medical Corps before transferring to combat duties and served in the Mediterranean, in Egypt, and at Gallipoli before fighting in the Battle of Jerusalem with General Allenby’s forces.

George was killed in action, probably at the Battle of Beit Ur el Tahta. He was 22 years of age.

Duncan, Harold Forrester

Details
Category: 1917-18

Harold Forrester Duncan

Royal Flying corps

Royal Flying Corps
He is remembered with honour on the St. Michael’s Church Roll of Honour, Larchfield School Memorial, Sedbergh School Cloisters, the Scottish National War Memorial and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 40.

The family home was at Polkemmet, 6, Upper Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh
The son of Major John Forrester and Mrs Stella Sinclair Duncan (nee Mellish), who owned a tobacconists locally. His father was later to become Provost of Helensburgh.
Siblings: Lieutenant Alan M. Duncan served with the Highland Light Infantry in France.
Sopworth

Harold Duncan was born in Helensburgh, where his family owned Mellish Tobacconists. His father had a military background and was later to be Provost of the town. Harold attended Miss Johnston's school, Larchfield and Sedbergh School in Cumbria. Training as an accountant, he was employed by Messrs Bannatyne and Guthrie C.A., Glasgow.

He joined the Highland Light Infantry (3rd/5th Batt), then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (70 Squadron). He was badly wounded in a dog fight over the Somme, dying a few days later. He had just been awarded the Military Cross for ‘Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an aerial combat.’

Only a short time before his death, whilst on leave, he had become engaged to Miss Young of Dunalwyn, 2, West Abercromby Street.

His gravestone reads: ‘Love than death itself more strong’.

 

Leitch, John Duncan

Details
Category: 1917-18

John Duncan Leitch

Highland Light Infantry

15th Batt. Highland Light Infantry
He is remembered with honour on the Nieuport Memorial, St Bride’s Church Memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 53.

The family home was at 14, West Clyde Street, Helensburgh.The son of John Leitch.
Siblings: Not Known
christina leitchJohn Leitch was born and brought up in Helensburgh, where his father was a potato merchant.
John married Christina Catherine Murray, a domestic servant in Portobello, in 1906. He was employed as a painter/journeyman before enlisting in 1914. Both his parents were deceased before that date.
John was firstly reported as missing in action on the 27th August 1917 before being confirmed as killed in action on 28th June 1918. John died on the Belgian Coast. He was 35 years of age.
Forces War Records show his next of kin as living at Inversnaid but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission have an address for his wife as 1, Culloden Cres, Arbroath.

Hewer, Charles William

Details
Category: 1917-18

Charles William Hewer

Argylls

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Scottish National War Memorial, Larchfield School memorial, Merchiston Castle School memorial, St Bride’s Church Roll of Honour, Helensburgh and Gareloch Unionist Association Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 49.

The family home was at Bowling and also with his aunt, Miss Freebairn, at 5 Glennan Gardens, Helensburgh.
The son of Captain W.C Hewer and Mrs Jessie Hewer..

 

Charles Hewer was born in Bowling and educated at Larchfield and Merchiston Castle, Edinburgh. He worked at the Glasgow Office of the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Co., before joining up. Charles joined as a private service No. 2559 at the outbreak of war, then gazetted as Lieutenant to the London Scottish Battalion in July, 1916.

Charles died, killed in action at Passchendaele aged 22. His remains were not recovered. 

Page 1 of 16