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Patrick Burns

camerons

2nd Batt. Scots Rifles (Cameronians)
He is remembered with honour on the Thiepval Memorial, the Scottish National War Memorial, the St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 30.

The family home was at Alma Place, HelensburghThe son of Lawrence Burns (labourer) and Mary Burns (outdoor worker).
Siblings: Patrick had two older brothers Michael (baker) and Lawrence, who also served and died at Flanders in 1914.

Patrick Burns was born at Alma Place and brought up in Helensburgh. His father Lawrence was a labourer and his mother Mary an outdoor worker. By the 1911 census, when Patrick was 18 years old, his mother Mary was described as head of the household.

Patrick worked as a labourer before enlisting.

Patrick fought at Flanders and after being reported missing was confirmed to have been killed in action in April 1917. He was 24 years old.

His remains were not recovered, and he has no known grave.

His older brother, Lawrence, died in 1914.

Lawrence Burns

unknown soldier

1st Batt. Scots Rifles (Cameronians)
He is remembered with honour on the Ploegsteert Memorial, the Scottish National War Memorial, the St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour, and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 2.

Siblings: Lawrence was the eldest son. He had two younger brothers, Michael, who was a baker, and Patrick who also served and died at Flanders in 1917.

Lawrence Burns was born at 33, Grant Street in the town, where his father was a labourer and his mother an outdoor worker. He was brought up in Helensburgh, working as a labourer before enlisting.

By the 1911 census, when Lawrence was 26 years old, his mother Mary was described as head of the household.

Lawrence fought at Flanders and, after having initially been reported missing, was confirmed to have been killed in action in October 1914. He was 29 years old.

His younger brother, Patrick, died in 1917.

Ian Stewart Campbell

Australian Imperial Force

34th Batt. Australian Imperial Force
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, the Australian War Memorial, Canberra and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 32.

The family home was at 12 George Street, Helensburgh The son of Private Daniel S. Campbell, (also serving with the Australian Imperial Force), and Margaret Smith
Siblings: Younger sisters Jessie and Edith and brother Alistair were all born in Helensburgh. Alistair was too young to join up.

Ian Campbell was born in Helensburgh and educated at the Hermitage Higher Grade School. His grandparents own the auction saleroom in Sinclair Street. In 1908 his parents emigrated to Sydney, NSW, Australia on board the 'Karoola' with the two youngest children. Ian and his sister Jessie joined them the following year. At the outbreak of war Ian's father Daniel joined the Australian Imperial Force to fight for the King and Empire. After serving in the senior cadet force at Fort Street Boys High School, Ian joined up in January, 1916 and was deployed to France. Ian was promoted to corporal in April 1917 and was killed in action two months later. He was only 19 years of age.

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.

Charles John Law

kings Own Scottish Borderers

3rd Bn. attd. 1st/5th Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers. He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3, Line 2.

The family home was at Kintillo, 18, Stafford Street, Helensburgh. The son of Andrew Bonar Law (Chancellor of the Exchequer) and Annie Pitcairn Law (nee Robley)
Siblings: His brother, Capt. James Law, served in the Royal Fusiliers and died a few months after Charles. He also had two other brothers, Harrington and Richard and two sisters, Isabella and Catherine. 

Charles Law was born in Helensburgh. His father was a politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and future Prime Minister. His mother Annie was the daughter of a Dumbarton shipbroker. Charles was educated at Miss Johnston's School before going to Eton College. He later studied German at Weimar returning just hours before war was declared.

He joined the army straight from school aged just 17.

Charles was first sent to Egypt and then to Palestine to fight. He was reported wounded and missing, possibly a prisoner of the Turkish forces, before being confirmed killed in action. He was 20 years old.

James Kidston Law

Royal Flying Corp

60th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
He is remembered with honour on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, the Scottish National War Memorial and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3, Line 3.

The family home was at Kintillo, 18, Stafford Street, Helensburgh
The son of Andrew Bonar Law (Chancellor of the Exchequer) and Annie Pitcairn Law (nee Robley)
Siblings: His brother, Lt. Charles Law, served in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers and died a few months before James. He also had two other brothers, Harrington and Richard and two sisters, Isabella and Catherine.

James Law, known as Jim, was born in Helensburgh. His father was a politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and future Prime Minister. His mother Annie was the daughter of a Dumbarton shipbroker. James was educated at Miss Johnston's School before going to Eton College.

James joined the Royal Fusiliers at the outbreak of war, transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. He had a major crash in 1916, suffering serious concussion, and recuperated in England before returning to France.

Just a week after returning to a fighter squadron he was shot down. At first reported missing and then confirmed killed in action. He was 24 years old.

Hugh Copland (Copeland)

Argylls

14th Batt. and then 5th Reserve Batt. of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
He is remembered with honour on the Park Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 43.

The family home was at 37 Grant Street, Helensburgh.
The second son of Hugh and Elizabeth (nee Mitchell) Copeland.
Siblings: John (painter), Maryanne and Agnes (both messengers for a fishmonger). Also living in the household was his cousin Maggie (clothes dealer). Married to Catherine.

Hugh Copeland was born at 77 Canning Street, Glasgow. His father, English born, was a shoemaker and the family first moved to 16 East King Street and then 37 Grant Street in Helensburgh. On leaving school he was employed as a grocer’s assistant. Hugh married Catherine and moved to 15, John Street, Renton where they were bringing up two small children. Hugh was wounded in May, 1918 and later died of pneumonia at the 2nd Scottish General Hospital, Craigleith, Edinburgh in October that year. He was 27 years old.

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'.

Simon Cavana

Royal Warwickshire Regiment

2nd/6th Batt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 42.

The family home was at 16 Maitland Buildings, Helensburgh
The son of John and Rose Ann (nee Kelly) Cavana.

Simon Cavana was born at 33 Grant Street, Helensburgh - the home of his aunt and uncle. His father John, was a labourer in the town. The family then moved to 16 Maitland Buildings, Maitland Street.
Now residing in Dundee, Simon enlisted in 1916, at the age of 18, in the Scottish Horse Yeomanry (service no. 2506) which joined with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. His father enlisted in the Black Watch.
Simon died, killed in action, at the age of 20.
His cousin, Hugh Cavana, died only a month earlier and is also remembered on the Helensburgh War Memorial.

Hugh Cavana

Royal Scots

1st/5th Batt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 41.

The family home was at 33 Grant Street, Helensburgh
The son of Peter and Mary (nee McGhee) Cavana.
Siblings: One older brother, Peter, and four younger siblings. Annie, Mary, John and James.

Hugh Cavana was born at 17 Maitland Street, Helensburgh, to Peter, a cab driver, and Mary. He was brought up in the town, attending the Clyde Street School. He had one older brother, Peter, described as a messenger, who did not serve. His two younger brothers, John and James were too young.
He enlisted in the Royal Scots Fusiliers after leaving school.
Hugh was wounded in battle and died at the age of 20 years.
Hugh's cousin, Simon, was killed in action a month later and his name is also on the Helensburgh War Memorial.

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