Wilson, John

Details
Category: 1918-19

John Wilson

RAF

142 Squadron, Royal Air Force
He is remembered with honour on the Park Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 37.

The family home was Bath Cottage, 127, Princes Street, Helensburgh. The son of the late Charles Wilson and Jeanie Wilson
Siblings: John had five brothers, Charles, Colin, David, William and Robert, and one sister, Elizabeth. Colin served as a sergeant in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and was badly wounded. David served in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and died in July 1918. Robert served as a Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade and became a prisoner of war in Germany.

John Wilson was born and brought up in Helensburgh. On leaving school he was employed as a watchmaker in the town.
John enlisted in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (service no. 100842) at the outbreak of war, transferring to the Royal Air Force as a Trade Instrument Repairer.
John was transferred by ambulance to the Palestine Hospital with 'Inflammation of the right leg'. Later, he died of Malarial Fever. He was 36 years old.
His mother had his gravestone inscribed: ‘Faithful unto death’.

Wright, William Milne

Details
Category: 1918-19

William Milne Wright

RAF

Royal Air Force
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, the St. Columba’s Church Roll of Honour, Helensburgh and Gareloch Unionist Association Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 38.

The family home was 21, Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh. The son of Annie Wright
Siblings: William had one younger sister, Alice.

William Wright was born in Helensburgh and brought up in the town. He was born at Cairndhu where his father worked as a coachman for former Glasgow Lord Provost John Ure. By 1911, his mother, Annie was head of the household and he was single and living at home, at Myrtlebank, 15 Henry Bell Street, with his younger sister. William was employed with Wm. Jack as a joiner.
He was described as a keen shot in the local territorials before enlisting in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was later commissioned into the King's Royal Rifles before moving to the Royal Flying Corps.
William died at the age of 29 in a flying accident over East Scotland. He was killed instantly.He was buried at Helensburgh Cemetery with full military honours.

Young, George William

Details
Category: 1918-19

George William Young

Black Watch

4th Batt. Black Watch
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, Larchfield School Memorial, the Park Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 39.

The family home was Rockmount, 108, Sinclair Street, Helensburgh.The son of James and Laticia Lillah Young.
Siblings: George had three sisters, Margaret, Alma and Gertrude.

George Young was born in Helensburgh, attended Larchfield School and had been working in India as a tea planter when war broke out. He had connections with India as both his mother and older sister had been born in Bengal.
He returned at the outbreak of war and enlisted in the Black Watch.
Initially, he was reported as missing. Then his mother received a postcard stating her son was in a German hospital in Limburg. William died, from wounds received in battle, at the age of 36.
His family's inscription on his gravestone reads: 'In Loving Memory of George, Underneath are the everlasting arms'

Sweeney, Edward

Details
Category: 1918-19

Edward Sweeney

Black Watch

8th Batt. Black Watch
He is remembered with honour on St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 32.

The family home was 9, John Street, Helensburgh The son of James Sweeney (gardener) and Bridget Sweeney.
Siblings: Edward had 2 brothers, James and Charles and a sister, Sarah.

 

Edward Sweeney was born in Helensburgh, where his father was a gardener. He followed his father’s profession by becoming a gardener to Mr Kidston of Rosebank.
It is believed that Edward originally joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and then transferred to the Black Watch.
Edward died, killed in action, at Hill 41 in Belgium. He was 26 years old.
His name was put forward for the Memorial by his sister, Sarah, who was still living at 11 Colquhoun Square in the town.
His brother James, residing at 34 Blyth Road, West Kensington, London, sent the inscription for his headstone, which read: 'Gone But Not Forgotten'. 

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