Russell, William

Details
Category: 1918-19

William Russell

Royal Flying Corp

Royal Air Force
He is remembered with honour on the Larchfield School Memorial, Fettes College Roll of Honour, St. Bride’s Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 28.

The family home was at Ardluss, Sinclair Street, Helensburgh The son of William and Jane (nee Cannan) Russell.
Siblings: William was the middle son of triplets. John was older and George younger. William was one of five sons including James and Tom, all serving at the front, and one sister, Marion, who was nursing in France.
William Russell was born in Kirkcudbrightshire, one of triplets. Unfortunately, his mother died 3 days later. The family moved to Helensburgh where his father was the factor for Luss Estates. William was educated at Larchfield and Fettes College where he was Captain of the Fives X 1912/13 and the West of Scotland Football Team 1913-14.
William joined the Royal Engineers and then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps after being wounded in the leg whilst acting as an observer. Later taking his pilot’s certificate.
William was flying a De Havilland 4 aircraft on a ferry flight, just three days after the new Royal Air Force was formed by amalgamating the RFC and RNAS. The aircraft stalled and crashed to the ground. He was 23 years of age.
His gravestone reads ‘OF HELENSBURGH, SCOTLAND’.

Sharkey, Cornelius (Con)

Details
Category: 1918-19

Cornelius (Con) Sharkey

Argylls

1/6th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, St. Joseph's Church Roll of Honour, St Michael and All Angels Church Roll of Honour, and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 29.

The family home was at 27, Maitland Street, Helensburgh The son of Patrick Sharkey (labourer) and Margaret Sharkey (nee Foley). 
Siblings: Con had two younger brothers, Patrick and Peter, and three sisters, Annie, Margaret and Mary.
Con Sharkey was born at Alma Place in Helensburgh, where his father was a labourer. In 1911, the census shows him living at home at 27, Maitland Street. He was employed as a laundry van man. He married Alice McKechnie (domestic servant), in January 1913, and resided at 50, East Princes Street where they were bringing up two young sons.
Con died, killed in action with a gunshot wound to the back, at the Somme.
He was 33 years of age.

Robinson, Harold R.

Details
Category: 1918-19

Harold R. Robinson

Royal Garrison Artillery

10th Siege Baty. Royal Garrison Artillery
He is remembered with honour on the Le Touret Memorial, the Glasgow Academy Internal WW1 Board, St. Bride’s Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 27.

The family home was Durie House, 4 Abercromby Street, Helensburgh The son of the Rev. Alexander Robinson and Marion Robinson.
Siblings: Harold had two sisters, Barbara and Mary, and one brother Nigel.
Harold Robinson was born in Partick and brought up in Crieff, where his father had a ministry. The family then moved to Helensburgh following his father’s appointment as minister at Kilmun.
Harold attended Glasgow Academy before entering the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, as a 'gentleman cadet'. He joined the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1914.
Harold died, killed in action, at the age of 20 years.

Nicholl, Alan Hope Smith

Details
Category: 1918-19

Alan Hope Smith Nicholl

Artillery

Royal Field Artillery
He is remembered with honour on the Arras Memorial, Larchfield School memorial, Sebergh School Cloisters, at the Old Parish Church and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 25.

The family home was 15, Havelock Street, Helensburgh The son of Charles and Christina Nicholl (nee Morrison).
Siblings: Alan had two older brothers, Charles and John, and two sisters, Noel and Mary.
 Alan Nicholl was born at 15, Havelock Street in Helensburgh where his father was a Clerk (mercantile). He was educated at Larchfield School Memorial and Sedbergh School in Cumbria and entered the Royal Field Artillery as a gunner.
He was promoted to Second Lieutenant in the 24th Batt.
Alan died, killed in action, at Arras. He was 19 years old. His remains were not recovered.

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